XFX 8600GTS in a Dell E521 - losing video signal

[noxhaven]

First, my system:

Dell E521
AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 3600+ (1.9ghz)
3GB dual channel DDR2 @ 667MHZ
nVidia Geforce 6150LE Integrated GPU
80GB SATA (7200RPM) stock HD
16x Dual Layer DVD+/-RW
20" E207WFP Widescreen Digital FP
Windows Vista Home Premium

The video card:

XFX GeForce 8600GTS 675MHZ 256MB 2.0GHZ GDDR3 PCI-E Dual DVI-I HDTV Out HDCP DIRECTX10 Video Card


The setup:

I installed the 8600GTS into the PCIE 16x slot on the motherboard. I then connected the lone extra 4pin molex connector from the PSU to the video card using a "Y" molex splitter (single 4pin into dual 4pin) and attaching that to the connector that came with the card (dual 4pin molex into single square connector).

I downloaded and installed the latest Vista 32bit drivers from the nVidia support website.


The Problem:

The system boots up fine, and the graphics card functions properly, scoring a 5.9 for graphics in the Vista rating. Everything works great for about half an hour, then the video signal will suddenly cut out and the monitor will go dark. I point to the video signal cutting out because the light indicator on the monitor's power button changes from green to orange. The monitor believes the system to be in sleep-mode, but I cannot "wake" the system from the keyboard or the mouse or the power button on the system. The only resolution is a hard shut off by pressing and holding the power button on the system.

If I immediately turn the system back on after the hard shut-off, everything will boot up fine again. But about 30 minutes later, the same thing will happen again.

One thing I've also noticed is that it sounds like a fan kicks on everytime the video cuts out.


The Troubleshoot:

I've gone into the Windows power management settings and turned off every power-saving option I could find, and set the system to never go into sleep mode and never power down.

I've also turned off the screen saver.

I've also tried going into the BIOS to switch off the power-saving options as well as tried switching the video settings from "auto" to "onboard/card".


Questions:

Is this an issue with not enough power going to the card? I'm leaning towards this explaination even though from the other threads I've read on this forum indicate that the stock 305W PSU in the E521 is sufficient to power the 8 series Geforce cards as long as you make sure to purchase and use the "Y" splitter.

Is it a faulty video card? But it does work fine for about 30 min before cutting out.

Is it overheating? I doubt this is the case because the system and video will boot up fine again immediately after a hard shut-off.

Is it a software issue that originates with Vista?


Recommendations:

Do you all have any ideas / recommendations? Right now, I'm thinking that my 2 options are to either exchange the card for a new one or a different model, or purchase a more powerful PSU.

It would be nice though if I could somehow isolate the problem so I knew which route to pursue. Needless to say, this is becoming very frustrating.

Any ideas?


Thanks for your time and assitance.

 

[noxhaven]

Shameless bump. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks!

 

[WT]

I just worked on a Dell e521 last weekend and I know the PSU in it was a 305w unit, Dell badged, but I'm not sure who makes them for Dell. Either way, its hardly going to power that 8600 card you have with ANYTHING to spare, so .. yes, you have it running for a bit, but ANY power hiccups or fluctuations are most assuredly causing the PSU to drop to a level where the 8600 simply stops displaying a video signal. Try a bigger PSU in it.

 

[WT]

I failed to provide a PSU in case you wanted to upgrade, so here's my under $50 vote for a new PSU:

Fortron (FSP Group) 400 watt PSU

The Dell I worked on had a dead PSU (thats why I studied the power ratings at least) so I'm sure you would be better off dumping the stock unit in place of a beefier model.

 

[Ares Ultimate]

Well here is my story... I have a lot of expirance with the Dell E5** series of computers, i actualy own 2 E510s, one with vista ultiamte one with Xp Media. All the E5** series computers have the same powersupply unit, which is actauly very powerful. Dell underates its powersupply (for example it sells XPS 410s with 375 watt PSus with 8800GTXs and they are fine). I am not saying the E510 can power a 8800 (if it could fit in the case) but it can come close. the dell E521 PSU has 2 12v rails (the place where the video card, CPu, adn a few other things draw) which are both rated at 18amps, so sorry "WT" the PSU you recomended with a 14 and 15 amp rail will be less powerful than the stock dell PSU. If you want a new PSu go OCZ gamexstream with quad 18 amp 12v rails.
Second, I am responding becasue I put a XFX 8600GTS in my E510 with vista ultimate and it had the same problems as you. People in the dell forums are powering these cards with no problems, yet i seamed to have the only computer who displayed black screens. I was too stupid not to try the 8600GTS in my other E510 and I instead returned it for a refund without fixing the problem.
It was a few months ago I returned it so work with me, so... lets see what the varible that causes our computers to freeze and other identical configs to not. First, both of our computers are running Vista, but the 8600GTS does work in vista, so we can mostly rule that out. Next, when your computer blacks out does it return (after about 30sec), and does the blacking out only happen in games, and when you quit the game does it show a display driver has crashed error? Additonaly, open your case and look on the side of PSU and look for a number, I have a fealing that the early revisions may not eb very powerful, mine was the first A00. Look to see if it is A00, A01, A02 ext. Next, what tempature is you card running at, mine was running at 75C under games, i kinda assumed it was heat. I will look to see if i can find any other people running XFX 8600GTS with stock PSU in vista witha Dell E5xx.

good luck, you must be as confused as i was. iI just returned the card because i had enough with the thing and it wasnt even much better than my 7600GT oC.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

first glance, power supply can't handle it?

 

[WT]

The dead unit I pulled from the e521 was indeed an A00 model. Not sure how a FSP dual rail PSU with 14/15 on each rail is worse than Dells two 12's, but you never did try another PSU in your Dell, so how can you rule that out without even testing it ??

 

[SolMiester]

I had the exact same issues with a x1950pro, the screen would go into stand-by as the video card stopped sending a video signal. The PSU is not powerful enough for the 8600gts.

I must admit though, i didnt thing the 86 series was that power hungry...wow!

 

[toyota]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: SolMiester
I had the exact same issues with a x1950pro, the screen would go into stand-by as the video card stopped sending a video signal. The PSU is not powerful enough for the 8600gts.

I must admit though, i didnt thing the 86 series was that power hungry...wow!</end quote></div>




Its NOT the power supply unless its defective. Look at the rest of the OPs specs. His entire system wouldnt even pull much over 200watts under full load. The Dell 305watt psu is PLENTY strong enough and is still used in their new line of comps. IF YOU LOOK ON THEIR SITE YOU CAN EVEN CONFIGURE AN ENTRY LEVEL DELL PC WITH THE 8600GT.

 

[Ares Ultimate]

That is what i thought. Additionaly, the dell powersupply doesnt have 12 amps on the 12 v it has 18!, and many people are using them with 8600GTS. I just helped one guy use the stock powersupply to power a 7950GT, he is so far not having any problems. I do think that the A00 PSUs are a bad batch though, as they seam like the only ones doing this problem.

EDIT: if you are going fort a new PSU i would say go for an OCZ, 4 18 amp rails and active PFC OCZ makes high quality PSus (well I dont belive they dont make them, but that is a different story) and I would recomend it over the other one, because it looks like a fairly old model.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817341010

 

[friskoboy]

Hi,

I have a Dell XPS 410 w/ XFX 8600GTS @ 730MHz and have the same exact issue. The primary game that I play, Counter Strike Source, also causes the computer to freeze and stutter the last played sound effect. I have to do a hard reboot to get the computer back up and running. This happens every so often. I just upgraded to an Antec 550w SLI ready power supply but alas, I experienced the same thing while running Counter Strike Source. One thing I would say is that when I lower the clock rate, I don't get the same issue. Could this be related to cooling?? I also just installed the Tweaks R Us Xtreme-G 160.2 NVidia driver...maybe this'll take care of my issue. Will let u know.

 

[dug777]

I have exactly the same problem, except it's usually firefox that triggers the freeze, never gaming.

Annoying hardly covers it

 

[M0RPH]

Originally posted by: friskoboy
Hi,

I have a Dell XPS 410 w/ XFX 8600GTS @ 730MHz and have the same exact issue. The primary game that I play, Counter Strike Source, also causes the computer to freeze and stutter the last played sound effect. I have to do a hard reboot to get the computer back up and running. This happens every so often. I just upgraded to an Antec 550w SLI ready power supply but alas, I experienced the same thing while running Counter Strike Source. One thing I would say is that when I lower the clock rate, I don't get the same issue. Could this be related to cooling?? I also just installed the Tweaks R Us Xtreme-G 160.2 NVidia driver...maybe this'll take care of my issue. Will let u know.

Seems obvious to me that your GPU just can't handle the overclock. Why don'y you just run it at stock and have a stable card, instead of trying to squeeze out a few more FPS and have the thing crashing on you regularly.

To the OP, fyi I am running the XFX 8600GT Fatal1ity (passively-cooled) in my E520 and haven't had any issues. It's been very stable. Of course my card doesn't require the extra power from the 6-pin connector. If you end up having to return your card, you might consider getting this one instead.

 

[xgsound]

This FSP PSU http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817104953 has 18A on 12V1, 16A on 12V2, a PCIe connector, and is $39.99 instead of $49.99. It looks like the cheaper one (I have one) is better but it's just not blue.


Jim

 

[SolMiester]

Originally posted by: Ares Ultimate
That is what i thought. Additionaly, the dell powersupply doesnt have 12 amps on the 12 v it has 18!, and many people are using them with 8600GTS. I just helped one guy use the stock powersupply to power a 7950GT, he is so far not having any problems. I do think that the A00 PSUs are a bad batch though, as they seam like the only ones doing this problem.

EDIT: if you are going fort a new PSU i would say go for an OCZ, 4 18 amp rails and active PFC OCZ makes high quality PSus (well I dont belive they dont make them, but that is a different story) and I would recomend it over the other one, because it looks like a fairly old model.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817341010

Errrr, if the psu is a bad batch, then it stands to reason his issue is NOT enough power, I didnt say the Dell psu were bad, just that he is having a power issue....duh!

 

[friskoboy]

I am running this card at stock. It came clocked at 730MHz. I did an experiment where I ran the card at lower speed (675MHz) for awhile, which worked, but then I started to get very choppy game play. I'm planning to just return this thing to NewEgg and get a different card. I may try an EVGA 8800GTS, I've read good things about them. The Tweaks R Us driver did not help... Thanks for the reply.