Possible GPU issue?

[mr.bond]

Hello all,

Just built a new rig (from here) and having some probs when I'm gaming. After a while when things get a bit busy and intense on screen, the screen goes blank and my monitor goes into standby but I can still hear the sound. Can't do anything but do a hard reboot. Does this sound like a GPUproblem, or something else? Any help much appreciated anyhow.

Specs are:

C2D 6600
Artic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro
Sapphire X1950 pro 256mb
Gigabyte 965P-S3 mobo
Antec case with 430 HE PSU
2Gb DDR2 GEIL 6400 Low latency RAM, 2x1gb
1x NEC DVD Writer
2x Segate Brracuda 7200.10 200gb.

Doing my head in a bit as this is the first upgrade I've done for 3 and 1/2 years, so was kinda looking forward to it all

 

[FreeStream]

GPU core is crashing, probably overheating.

Download ATi Tray Tools and read my stickied guide at the top of this forum. Will allow you to play around with clocks/fans/voltages etc

 

[mr.bond]

Thanks

Is it normal though for a brand new card to crash and overheat, I don't overclock or anything

 

[FreeStream]

Thanks

Is it normal though for a brand new card to crash and overheat, I don't overclock or anything

Depends, could just be a weak core which crashes at anything higher that 70C which when these things hit 80 doesn't help and is known problem.

Or it could be high ambient temps or bad airflow...

 

[mr.bond]

Thanks again, my temps in the case seem OK and theres lots of air getting around in there.

Just wouldn't expect this off a new card, my 9700pro still never does this hehe.

 

[mr.bond]

Depends, could just be a weak core which crashes at anything higher that 70C which when these things hit 80 doesn't help and is known problem.

Or it could be high ambient temps or bad airflow...

If it has a 'weak core' is it viable for RMA (I know you don't work here but am interested in your thoughts). I don't like the idea of spending my cash on someting I won't be able to use to play games, which is primarily what the machine will be used for.

I tried installing the Omega drivers but they dont think I have a suitable card installed, which is strange as neither does the latest drivers from the ATI website?

 

[FreeStream]

If it has a 'weak core' is it viable for RMA (I know you don't work here but am interested in your thoughts). I don't like the idea of spending my cash on someting I won't be able to use to play games, which is primarily what the machine will be used for.

I tried installing the Omega drivers but they dont think I have a suitable card installed, which is strange as neither does the latest drivers from the ATI website?

I'd say so, as how its controlling itself isn't working correctly. Its a sub-standard card.

Try controlling the fan speeds and watching the temps... ATT has a graph which can log temps if you want to try and work out what temp it gets to (tabbing out of 3D doen't work, it can drop 10C in 1 sec

 

[mr.bond]

Just left a webnote with OCUK tech support, hopefully will get a response with some ideas from them. Are they normally OK with stuff like this?

 

[mr.bond]

Just downloaded atitool and left it monitoring the temps, it can run this 3d windows with a box shaped thing in it. Soon as it hits 70-71c it shuts the monitor off and the gpu fan goes mental. Tried it twice and also left ccc monitring the temp of the gpu, same thing hapenned.

Borked card? called OC tech who told me it was my monitor playing up at first, but it can't be it only happens when something 3d happens , will see what happens when I call them back tomorrow.

Can anyone recommend a card that dosen't do this, ie.e runs cooler and gives good performance per £, as I say first upgrade in 3 and 1/ years so bit peeved it dosen't work right.