Help with 4870x2, bad card?

[pageboy81]

I've had my system (check sig) for about 2 months now. Everything seems stable but when the system calls on the Graphics card (PowerColor HD 4870 x2) I get problems. I've tried several different driver releases and always use driver sweeper to clean out the old ones first. The display would cut out playing Crysis, World in Conflict, even Half life 2 and my brief trial of Wow. When I would hit the restart button it would boot up to windows (after asking me if i wanted to boot in safe mode) with little red boxes over the screen which I think is artifacting. I overcame this problem by going into Catalyst Control Centre (CCC) and setting fan speeds to at least 80% before gaming.
I just played the Batman AA demo with overdrive and manual fanspeed control off. I came out of the demo after about 5 mins and in CCC the temps were over 85 and the GPU fan is still running at 27%. A few seconds later I get little red blocks over the screen and round the CCC and Steam windows that are open. Then the display cuts out.
I thought I might be able to get round these problems somehow. I even did a clean install of Vista and downloaded everything again. Is this a problem or is it normal to have to have fan speeds set high (and very loud) all the time when gaming on a 4870x2?
Any tips?
Thanks.

 

[pageboy81]

Thanks Cold Fusion
I do have a network card a couple of slots underneath the graphics card but the intake fan is on the other end of the GPU so isn't obstructed. I have antec 900 case and all other components run at good temps. I've read that these cards run hot but maybe mine cuts out before CCC decides it needs to increase the fan speed. Thats what makes me think the card might not be able to deal with the temps it should do.
I don't know though!?!?

 

[pageboy81]

@ Cold Fusion
Looking for Powercolor forums now.

@ mr x plosion guy
Fans don't spin up at all in game if they're left to auto they stay at 27% and the card cuts out. I have to set them manually to run at 80% (for most games) all the time whilst gaming. I wouldn't mind noise whilst the fan ramps up to cool the GPU but a constant 80% on a 4870x2 is LOUD. Surely this card should be able to automatically handle cooling when running HL2 for example without the need for me to manually set the fan speed.

 

[pageboy81]

Interesting, can't register for PowerColor forums from UK (officially) Don't fancy my chances, last post in 4000 series thread was over a week ago! Anyone know what I might be doing wrong?

 

[pageboy81]

My fan is auto at 40% and i can hear mine spin up when playing games.When i run say 3dmark it spins up and down depending on whats on screen.

When I run mine at 40% idle i get temps in low 40's but it doesn't spin up when in use.
Do you know what temps you get on the card? Who makes it?

Thanks