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Powercolor HD 4890 PCS+ Problems

computer9114

computer9114

computer9114

Associate
Joined
30 Aug 2009
Posts
6
Hi

Firstly my system:

AMS X2 6000+ 3.0 GHz
8GB Corsair Memory
Asus M3N78 HDMI Motherboard
320gb Seagate HDD'sA
Corsair 700W PSU
Powercolour HD 4890 PCS+
Acer X233H 22" Monitor
Antec 300 Case fully kitted out with fans
320gb Seagate Harddrives
10mb Broadband
Defraged too.

Here is my problem. When playing any games (DoW, HL2, Bioshock) my system can not sustain a fps rate anywhere near what is needed to basically play even on the most basic of settings (ran bioshock at 840 x 480 with everthing set to low and still wouldnt run). I did a benchmark test and at points 40-50 fps is easily achievable but for most of the time it can be down to zero. Benchmark test came out at P2248. Anyone got any ideas why this is happening? Is my CPU not good enough to cope (although it manage DoW and HL2 easily on my on board 8600.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Ian
 
I think it may be your broadband causing the issues... :D

Did you upgrade from an nVidia card by any chance? Swapping between ATi and nVidia can bring up some compatibility problems sometimes if the old drivers haven't been completely removed.

Edit: Just realised you were using onboard graphics first. I didn't know you could get onboard 8600s though.

Did you remove the nVidia drivers beforehand?
 
Thanks for the response

Yeah i did upgrade from nvidea but was onboard. I removed all the graphics drivers but had to reinstall the audio drivers as the sound is still on board. Part of me thinks that this is where the conflict is.
 
Have you disabled the nVidia onboard graphics within the BIOS?

Also, if you suspect it to be the audio drivers, what makes you think so?
 
You could try disabling the onboard sound and giving it a try. If it runs fine then you know that was what was causing the problem.

I had a similar thing once, turns out a hardware conflict was making my graphics card go bonkers. It took updated drivers to correct it though, was a right PITA for a while.
 
what operating system are u using? can we assume that everything is fully up to date?

even though I think a 6000 might slightly hold back a 4890, I still think you should be getting very strong performance when gaming.

There is a good possibility of hardware failure.

Do you notice any kind of graphical anomalies when playing, also what temps does your 4890 show when gaming?

Also when playing Bioshock for example with everything set to low, EXACTLY what happens?
 
Running vista 64 bit. When playing in bioshock it's so stuttery that you can't even walk forward. Half life 2 is much the same. Don't know what graphics card temp is but rest of system running at less than 50oC and at most of the time less than 40. Card not really been tested to get temp up that high.

Thanks for helping
 
I'd honestly say giving windows a re-install would be the quickest method.

I'm suspecting it's graphics driver conflict considering that you're on Vista.
 
First I think you should try an earlier driver set, try using just the drivers not the whole suite.

http://downloads.guru3d.com/Videocards---ATI-Catalyst-Windows-Vista_c31.html

Next download something like hardware monitor http://www.cpuid.com/hwmonitor.php (it will monitor max/min temps over a period of time) so you can see if its getting particularly hot, if so then it is likely a problem card.

I agree with what kylew says about driver conflicts, I had major issues switching over from nvidia drivers but of course a fresh re-format is a serious last resort hassle
 
Last edited:
D13 said:
First I think you should try an earlier driver set, try using just the drivers not the whole suite.

http://downloads.guru3d.com/Videocards---ATI-Catalyst-Windows-Vista_c31.html

Next download something like hardware monitor http://www.cpuid.com/hwmonitor.php (it will monitor max/min temps over a period of time) so you can see if its getting particularly hot, if so then it is likely a problem card.

I agree with what kylew says about driver conflicts, I had major issues switching over from nvidia drivers but of course a fresh re-format is a serious last resort hassle
Click to expand...

I don't understand when people say it's a serious last resort?

It's a lot quicker than spending a few hours or days trouble shooting the issues.

Get it over and done with, re-install windows, install only drivers that you'll need and if you're still getting issues, you'll be in a much better position to figure out what's going on.
 
kylew said:
I don't understand when people say it's a serious last resort?

It's a lot quicker than spending a few hours or days trouble shooting the issues.

Get it over and done with, re-install windows, install only drivers that you'll need and if you're still getting issues, you'll be in a much better position to figure out what's going on.
Click to expand...

I think it depends on how long it takes to install the various progs/games you use and how much data you need backing up.

I usually have a ton of games installed and it takes serious time to get them on.
 
D13 said:
I think it depends on how long it takes to install the various progs/games you use and how much data you need backing up.

I usually have a ton of games installed and it takes serious time to get them on.
Click to expand...

I've got anything of importance stored on a separate drive, so it takes me about an hour to get windows back to how I like it.

Games and so on are all installed to my D drive so I never have to reinstall them.

I've had the same steam folder since HL2 came out, it's been transferred across different drives, but it's still the original downloads I got.
 
kylew said:
I've got anything of importance stored on a separate drive, so it takes me about an hour to get windows back to how I like it.

Games and so on are all installed to my D drive so I never have to reinstall them.

I've had the same steam folder since HL2 came out, it's been transferred across different drives, but it's still the original downloads I got.
Click to expand...

thats the thing, if you use a single hd then a re-format is something you'd rather avoid if possible.
 
D13 said:
thats the thing, if you use a single hd then a re-format is something you'd rather avoid if possible.
Click to expand...

Even still, you've got the option of re-installing without formatting. I haven't formatted my C drive for a long time now, I just install over the top of an existing windows, everything is moved to a windows.old folder for you to retrieve, then I'll just run a defrag to make everything smooth again.
 
The graphics card doesnt seem to get much above 45oC when running bioshock for a while. So am guessing it is not that. I will reinstall windows but probably tomorrow now. I have a lot of stuff already stored on another hdd so shouldnt be too much of a problem.

Only thing is looking at the CPU usage when running the game it does seem to top out at 100%. Hopefully a fresh install will get rid of some of the rubbish that has accumulated their and ill try again running it off a fresh install.

Cheers Guys
 
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