6970 has another new problem. Please help.

Cleeecooo · 7 Jan 2011 at 18:06

This is the first problem:
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?p=18138232&posted=1#post18138232

Now, whilst gaming, every couple of seconds the game freezes for 15-20 seconds i get a black screen and i can hear the fan go to 100% for a second and then go back to normal, then i go back to the game only for the problem to happen a couple of seconds later again. I have tried different drivers but the card still has this problem and on top of that, the temps are still 60 at idle and 80+ whilst in game. The card isn't overclocked and has nothing obstructing airflow - not a single wire.

What should i try? I installed a new CPU cooler, so had reseated the card very recently.

Purgatory · 7 Jan 2011 at 18:12

Wait for the 11.1 drivers... It's typical ATI when they release new hardware and drivers not ready for them.. I wouldn't panic about strange bugs on the new cards yet. I know with my 5870 it only ever became 100% stable in some games when 10.3 drivers appeared and all the games started to behave on it. BTW which games are you seeing this problem in ? Also have you removed all overclocks from your system and made sure the memory voltages and timing are right, then tried testing for the problem again ?

Can you add your full system spec too please, maybe then be able to spot something from that, also have you updated your motherboards BIOS to latest version ?

MichaelM · 7 Jan 2011 at 18:15

Cleeecooo · 7 Jan 2011 at 18:21

So far assassins creed 2 and alien swarm. Nothing is overclocked. If i wait i cant get my money back if it is an rma. I have to wait for an exchange.

Cleeecooo · 7 Jan 2011 at 18:32

Any other suggestions? I need to sort this asap

gareth170 · 7 Jan 2011 at 18:44

sounds faulty,

try upping the graphic card fan to 60%.

if it works then it's a temp issue on the card , then rma it..

Purgatory · 7 Jan 2011 at 18:46

RMA it then but don't be suprised they send it back with a bill for postage and telling you it's working fine on their test rig. So make sure to test it on another PC if you can, this may end up saving you some money in postage and time without it. Have you done a clean install of the operating system just to be 100% sure it's not windows being goofy because you had a different graphics card on it before ? also have you updated your motherboards BIOS to latest version ?

Cleeecooo · 7 Jan 2011 at 18:59

Purgatory said:
RMA it then but don't be suprised they send it back with a bill for postage and telling you it's working fine on their test rig. So make sure to test it on another PC if you can, this may end up saving you some money in postage and time without it. Have you done a clean install of the operating system just to be 100% sure it's not windows being goofy because you had a different graphics card on it before ? also have you updated your motherboards BIOS to latest version ?

I have never updated motherboard bios. Windows reinstall is out of the question as i am in the middle of a couple of games. I don't have another system to try it out on but i'll try an 8800GTX in this one and compare. What sorts of results do you think i will get with an 8800GTX?

Cleeecooo · 7 Jan 2011 at 19:01

gareth170 said:
sounds faulty,

try upping the graphic card fan to 60%.

if it works then it's a temp issue on the card , then rma it..

60% fan lowered idle to 50/55 but 70% is keeping fan in the 40's

Purgatory · 7 Jan 2011 at 19:04

Cleeecooo said:
I have never updated motherboard bios. Windows reinstall is out of the question as i am in the middle of a couple of games.

Okay 1st thing I would do is look into updating the motherboards BIOS then in your case... Which motherboard do you have ? and do you know the current BIOS version you have ? (PC SPEC PLEASE, we can't see threw the screen why you are having a problem without knowing what we are dealing with here :rolleyes:

)

The games you are in middle of... that's easy just copy the save game files/folders and when you reinstall all you do is copy back the save games and you will be right back where you left off..

:rolleyes:

easyrider.... remember what I was saying before about Joe ? :rolleyes:

Purgatory · 7 Jan 2011 at 19:12

Cleeecooo said:
60% fan lowered idle to 50/55 but 70% is keeping fan in the 40's

What GPU and memory clocks are you getting on the desktop ? Also did you try clicking in CCC restore factory defaults (it's under the preferences menu at top).

Cleeecooo · 7 Jan 2011 at 19:36

Asus p6X58D-e. I have NEVER updated its BIOS so i assume it is it's standard one. As for my games, does that work with steam games also? core clock 880 mem 1375. Actual are between 880/275 and 880 250 respectively. Current idle temp is 62.

Purgatory · 7 Jan 2011 at 20:09

Okay I just checked asus's support site for you motherboard and they have had 2 major BIOS updates for it.. All stating:-

1. Improve memory compatibility
2. Improve system stability
3. Support new CPUs.

Number 2 is one that catches my eyes... Have a read of your motherboard manual on how to flash the BIOS , it's very easy just don't power down the pc while it's doing it and wait for it to say restart the system or it's done.

Latest BIOS for your Motherboard is P6X58D-E 0405 BIOS

http://support.asus.com/download/Download.aspx?SLanguage=en-us

enter motherboard in 1st line

enter LGA1366 in 2nd line

enter P6X58D-E in 3rd line

click search and then enter the windows OS you use.. after that select BIOS section and download version 0405 BIOS... Then read how to install it from the motherboard manual.. Try that 1st mate and see if it cures your problem...

Cleeecooo · 7 Jan 2011 at 20:23

Ok, thanks. What happens if i screw up the flash (this is my first ever time) - can i still RMA?

Purgatory · 7 Jan 2011 at 21:07

The board has EZ-Flash 2 all you need to do is copy the new bios file to a usb stick and flash it ...read the manual...

Also the board you have has ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 .. so basically it's idiot proof.. so for some reason you mess it up all you do is have the BIOS file on a USB stick and it will recover from that...

Slyman · 7 Jan 2011 at 21:23

Idle temps are way too high.
I have a flashed 6950/70 and it idles @ 40 deg (24% fan)
Under load with stock fan profile it will hit 85 deg (36% fan)
The inside of my case is total mess as well

ps does your core drop below 880 at idle ? should drop to 250

bovine123 · 7 Jan 2011 at 21:23

I wouldn't worry about the temperatures you are getting; both of my 6970s run at around the same temps in idle (it's currently 65c) and load but something doesn't seem right if the screen keeps going black. If you have eliminated any possible software problems then I suggest you RMA it.

Cleeecooo · 7 Jan 2011 at 22:17

Both? Or just the one on top? I still think that these temps are really high. Which brand do you have?

Cleeecooo · 7 Jan 2011 at 22:49

Slyman said:
Idle temps are way too high.
I have a flashed 6950/70 and it idles @ 40 deg (24% fan)
Under load with stock fan profile it will hit 85 deg (36% fan)
The inside of my case is total mess as well

ps does your core drop below 880 at idle ? should drop to 250

Yh. Drops to 250 at idle

chaotic_uk · 7 Jan 2011 at 22:53

tried running it with the side off of the system to see if the temps go down ? , also full specs of your system and case you are using would be helpful