ATI x1950 Pro crashes

[Freakitchen]

Hi folks,

Just received my HIS x1950 Pro 256 MB this morning, and put it in my system (specs in sig). Installed Need for Speed Carbon to test the thing out - runs fine for a couple of minutes before the game hangs, then after a few seconds more, VPU Recovery kicks in and informs me that the card has been reset.

I uninstalled my previous card (Nvidia 6600GT), then rebooted and ran driver cleaner pro to get rid of the driver. I installed the new card, attaching the power connector, then rebooted and downloaded / installed the full latest catalyst control center (6.12). The overdrive facility shows the temperature of the card to be 40 idling, and only 45 when the game crashed and it reset.

Any ideas what could be causing this?

FK

 

[Freakitchen]

The first time it crashed - yes, the monitor shut down into standby mode. On subsequent times, however, VPU recovery managed to recover things.

I did try playing the game with the VPU Recovery switched off. This time, the game crashed with looping sound and a static picture, but the monitor didn't turn off. Had to hard reset.

You think trying 6.11 drivers is the next logical step, then?

I'll also make sure things are connected right. Pretty sure they are but won't hurt to double check.

FK

 

[Freakitchen]

Everything looks good internally. Card was well packaged and nothing appears to be loose on the card. Tried touching the heatsink on the card's RAM when I turned the PC off - hardly even warm. Card fully seated, as is the power connector. Have removed side of case as per your suggestion.

Have just uninstalled the card, and am about to try the older drivers without the CCC.

FK

 

[Freakitchen]

Ok an update:

Melbourne: No overclocking on this system

OzZie: No, it's PCI-Express. Power connector definitely connected

Doran: Might be getting somewhere (or not!) here. First, I turned the fan up to max with Tray Tools as you suggested. Turned video settings in game down to 'low' - no lockups. So turned things to high.

Played the game for a bit longer this time, but eventually it did lock up, and the monitor turned off. VPU recovery had done its stuff in the background, and the game continued - but no display. Had to hard reset computer

Are we looking at a faulty card here folks? :S

FK

 

[Freakitchen]

In order to rule out a problem with the game, I tested the card using the overclocking testing tool on the ATI Tray tools (Hardware -- Overclocking settings). There's an artifact tester called "show 3D Renderer" that seems to stress test the video card. Watched the temperatures on the card rise to 58C before i lost the display on my screen.

That temperature doesn't seem to be too high - am I right in thinking that the VRAMs are on the edge of the video card, underneath heatsinks, but not covered by the main ICEQ cooler? Hence, I wouldn't be getting any temperature readings for these?

Can't think what else it could be rather than a faulty card.

FK

 

[Freakitchen]

I've just seen something that intrigues me. In the huge x1950Pro thread, Big.Wayne posted a picture of the retail package of my card (i think it's on page 10 of the thread). This shows a whole bunch of accessories I never got with my card. For instance, I only got 1 DVI - VGA adaptor when there's clearly space in the box for two. I'm also missing the HDTV cable that appears in the picture, as well as the Crossfire bridge. Also only got two CDs, when the picture shows 4.

Would this Imply I got a card that was previously returned by an OCUK customer as defective, and the testers suggested the card was OK and returned it to the warehouse? Or have I got the wrong end of the stick here...

FK

 

[Freakitchen]

Maybe...just that the box seemed to have been opened when I received it. As well as the 'missing' bits, the cellophane was ripped, and the card was just placed on foam (not in an anti-static bag). Don't even know if they're normally shipped in an anti-static bag, just that I'm yet to receive a component that wasn't!

Guess it might be worth ringing OC Tech support about the whole thing.

FK

 

[Freakitchen]

Thanks for posting big.wayne.

I've tried a few times now running the GPU 'stress test' in ATI tools, I manage about 2 minutes before the system locks up, screen goes black and monitor powers down with 'no display'. Surely this rules out anything other than a faulty card?

I've been doing some google searching, and it seems that the card is having issues with overheating VRAM chips. Fine under no load, but can't handle any serious load. For instance - the card worked ok for 10 minutes playing the original Call of Duty, which isn't graphically intensive. But two minutes of N4S Carbon, or the ATI TT tester, and it can't handle it.

Assuming I do RMA the card tomorrow, I'm unsure of whether to ask for a direct replacement. Would another identical card be likely to have the same issues, or is it just luck of the draw. I guess that's a tough question to answer

FK

EDIT: My guess at the issue of missing accessories and an opened box, is that another customer has returned the card to OCUK as faulty, and the testers failed to pick up (perhaps from bad info from the original customer) that the card only has problems under load, and certifying the card as OK for resale. Could be way off here, but that seems logical.

 

[Freakitchen]

Box wasn't sealed either - but I guess that's neither here nor there - I wouldn't be complaining if the card worked!

I'll get on to the tech support guys in the morning. Thanks for all your advice folks.

FK

 

[Freakitchen]

An update:

Spoke to OCUK tech this morning, who agreed with me about the problems the HIS version of the card is having with cooling the VRMs. He suggested that users with smaller cases, and hence more 'focussed' air flow - in addition to those with side intake fans - kept the VRMs cool enough to run.

Anyway, I've returned the card for a refund, and am going to order the Power Cooler version of the x1950 Pro (that has the arctic cooling system) on his suggestion.

Thanks again guys

FK