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Have to replace dying card. What to get?

deadfolk

deadfolk

deadfolk

Associate
Joined
28 Jan 2005
Posts
237
Location
Ireland
Hey folks,

With the Rift just down the road, my r290x has chosen now to start throwing artifacts all over the shop, so I'm going to have to replace it.

I want to go nVidia this time, so my options are:

1) Wait for Pascal
Do we have any idea at all when Pascal will release? I would hate to be stuck here on my old 5870 when my shiny new VR headset arrives.

2) Grab something else now and stick with it for at least 2 years
If I get a new card, it's going to have to last a while.
I guess it would have to be a 980ti. Are they worth the extra dosh over a plain 980?

Any thoughts/suggestions welcome.

Cheers,

DF
 
With Pascal not having anything official being said about release times and performance, it is a tough time for new GPU buyers. If I was in your shoes, I would look for a cheap 970 to tide me over till big Pascal is launched and that will last a couple of years with the Rift. Or you could go for a 980Ti and turn settings down in a couple of years time.

Tough choice bud.
 
Thanks. I had a feeling that might be the situation.

There's no point picking up a 970...they are not cheap enough that I'd get away with replacing it within a couple of years. It's going to be the end of the month before I can do it anyway, so I'll see if there is any news on Pascal by then.
 
deadfolk said:
Thanks. I had a feeling that might be the situation.

There's no point picking up a 970...they are not cheap enough that I'd get away with replacing it within a couple of years. It's going to be the end of the month before I can do it anyway, so I'll see if there is any news on Pascal by then.
Click to expand...

Well GTC is where we will hear about Pascal hopefully and that is April the 4th - 7th, so just sit tight.
 
CAT-THE-FIFTH said:
Isn't your card under warranty??

Also,make sure you card is not going due to the PSU slowly dying too.
Click to expand...

No, it's not under warranty, unfortunately - I got it at launch.

How would I be able to tell if the PSU was the problem? It's newer than the GPU - only about 2 years old.
 
deadfolk said:
No, it's not under warranty, unfortunately - I got it at launch.

How would I be able to tell if the PSU was the problem? It's newer than the GPU - only about 2 years old.
Click to expand...

If it's not overclocked, try increasing voltage to the card and see if artifacting stops. If it does then possibly the psu is not delivering sufficient or clean voltage. You can also try the card in another pci-e slot or another pc.

Also make sure temps are not too high which can be caused by bad thermal paste or dust in heatsink/fans.
 
fs123 said:
If it's not overclocked, try increasing voltage to the card and see if artifacting stops. If it does then possibly the psu is not delivering sufficient or clean voltage. You can also try the card in another pci-e slot or another pc.

Also make sure temps are not too high which can be caused by bad thermal paste or dust in heatsink/fans.
Click to expand...

Good suggestions.

I don't have another PC to try, but I can do the rest. I have to travel for work for a few days, so it will probably be next weekend but I'll definitely give it a shot.
 
Rather than increasing voltage to a card that already runs hot I would suggest reducing the core and memory clocks to see if that makes a difference.
 
I would start with a good cleaning of the card. And since is not in warranty, remove the HSF and clean it properly, re-applying thermal paste.

Also lower the voltage a bit while keeping on stock clocks. Many R9 series cards works happily with less power at stock speeds. My 295X2 was working at stock with -75mv +50%, while the R9 Nano even overclocks with -42mv +21% 1050/545
 
So, I've tried a different slot and reducing the memory and core clocks as low as they would go - no change. I also gave it a bit of a clean, but I didn't go as far as dissecting it. Given the temps, I don't think re-applying paste will make a difference.

Temps look good, I think. Idle at around 38-40, and sitting on the menu of Dying Light it hits 64 or so, while the screen is absolutely covered in artifacts - weird lines seeming to shoot from any 3D objects on screen.

I have no idea how to lower the voltage, though. The option in Afterburner seems disabled. I did reduce the power setting in the driver control panel - is that related to voltage?
 
PieEater said:
In the Afterburner settings menu there should be a check box to unlock voltage control.
Click to expand...

Thanks - don't know how I missed that.

Didn't make any difference. Nothing I've done has made it any better or worse (other than setting voltage to absolute minimum giving a blank screen). I think I'm going to call it a day and hope there's some news on Pascal before Rift time.

Thanks for the help, all.
 
try smashing the card up into as many pieces as you can with a 14lb sledge hammer, then order the most expensive card you can afford and sit back and play games without getting stressed. problem solved
 
Sell r290x on the bay for spares/repairs
Find and buy new sealed 980Ti for ~£400
Sell 980Ti in a couple of years
Buy Pascal Ti (or another 980Ti when the 1 GPU per eye drivers are properly working)
 
deadfolk said:
So, I've tried a different slot and reducing the memory and core clocks as low as they would go - no change. I also gave it a bit of a clean, but I didn't go as far as dissecting it. Given the temps, I don't think re-applying paste will make a difference.

Temps look good, I think. Idle at around 38-40, and sitting on the menu of Dying Light it hits 64 or so, while the screen is absolutely covered in artifacts - weird lines seeming to shoot from any 3D objects on screen.

I have no idea how to lower the voltage, though. The option in Afterburner seems disabled. I did reduce the power setting in the driver control panel - is that related to voltage?
Click to expand...
Question...does the issue happen ONLY in Dying Light, or is it occuring in all other games as well?
 
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