• Competitor rules

    Please remember that any mention of competitors, hinting at competitors or offering to provide details of competitors will result in an account suspension. The full rules can be found under the 'Terms and Rules' link in the bottom right corner of your screen. Just don't mention competitors in any way, shape or form and you'll be OK.

9800gx2 advice

steadynedy

steadynedy

steadynedy

Associate
Joined
29 Jun 2011
Posts
23
Hi Chaps,

This is my first post on the forums but i have been lurking for a while.

I'm running a fairly old overclockers system dating back to 2008 which has served me well. However over the last year or so my GPU has been running exceptionally hot when gaming, to the point where the system will BSOD (referring to nvlddmkm.sys ).

Temps are around 75-80 degrees idle but under even 50% load can go as high as 95, then creeping up to 100's+, at which point the system crashes. Data is from EVGA Precision and fan speeds are set to rise with temp up to 100% at 90 degrees.

A few examples: i'm currently trying to play Trine on max settings. Temps rise rapidly during 20mins or so play, going upto 104..then blue screen. EVGA graph is showing the GPU's at 50% load.

EVE Online - usually hovers around 92-94 degrees. If i turn Captains Cabin on i will hit 105+ and BSOD within 10 mins in the station!

I'm by no means an expert but am capable enough to open up the machine, take components out and give it a good dusting. I'm running the latest drivers and have cleaned up my system (both hardware and software) but i can't seem to keep temps down?

I've seen a guide showing how to take apart the card and re apply paste but im not 100% confident about doing this.

Is repasting a difficult procedure or shall i just cut my losses and get a more recent card? My basic system specs are below. Could someone suggest a suitable card?

Thanks in advance

Steve

-----
Intel Q6600 2.40Ghz overclocked to 3.00GHz
Abit IP35 Pro Motherboard
4GB DDR2 800 RAM
Nvidia 9800gx2 GPU
Corsair TX650W PSU
Vista 64bit
 
I too initially wondered if you'd need to reapply some thermal paste. I haven't tried this before myself but I'm sure many others that have will be along later. One thing I have heard many times about applying paste though is not to use too much.
 
Last edited:
Replacing the themal paste is not hard at all but if you do it only ues a small amount. I would recommend MX-3/4 themal paste.
But if you want to buy a new graphic card then go for it. How much would you has to spend on a new card?.
What res do you play your games at?.
What games do you play?.
If you do decide to upgrade then you can take apart you graphic card u have now and learn from on how to replace themal paste.
 
Cheers guys,

What i'm planning is grabbing a new card and will use the gx2 to 'experiment' on re the paste job, as suggested.

Not intending on going too crazy, i want as decent an upgrade as possible given my CPU limitations and PSU.

Atm im playing EVE, a bit of WOW and some games i picked up from the recent Steam sale...i.e Portal 2, Witcher 2

Only running at 1680 x 1050 and don't expect to max out anything recent, just want to play reasonably smoothly without crashing!!

Got about £100-£150 to spend.

How do these look?

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-259-SP&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1711 - Radeon HD 5850 Extreme

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-099-MS&groupid=701&catid=1914&subcat= - GeForce GTX 460 HAWK

Is my PSU sufficient?

EDIT: added another card

Specs:
-----
Intel Q6600 2.40Ghz overclocked to 3.00GHz
Abit IP35 Pro Motherboard
4GB DDR2 800 RAM
Nvidia 9800gx2 GPU
Corsair TX650W PSU
Vista 64bit
 
Last edited:
Well, very happy atm.

Didnt expect delivery until Monday but it came this morning at 9.30! Put the card in without much trouble, got the latest drivers and it's all now up and running.

Not undertaken any heavy testing but had a some extended sessions with SC2 on Ultra, EVE Captains Quarters, as well as all the other problem games and everything is running swimmingly...idle temps at 31C and not been over 50C yet on anything i've played so far.

Before i was 81C idle. Well pleased.

Now to take the GX2 apart....
 
I'm glad you are happy with it. The temps and power draw on those cards are excellent, plus a bargain price for what is still a high end graphics card.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom