Think i have a problem :(

ivrytwr3 · 23 Jun 2015 at 08:07

Booted up this morning to see this:

(pic of my desktop with flickering green matrix type stuff going on - also points to whoever identifies the city centre!)

My Google skills show either a dying graphics card and someone suggested a full power down and reboot (hasn't helped).

Anyone able to confirm what is happening? (also if it is dying graphics card, what do i need to buy as i've not had to replace one before!)

ivrytwr3 · 23 Jun 2015 at 08:25

Processor AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 955 Processor
Manufacturer AMD
Speed 3.2 GHz
Number of Cores 4
Video Card ATI Radeon HD 4800 Series
Manufacturer ATI
Chipset ATI Radeon HD 4800 Series
Dedicated Memory 1.0 GB
Total Memory 756.6 MB
Memory 8.2 GB
Operating System Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition Service Pack 2 (build 6002), 64-bit
Service Pack 2
Size 64 Bit
Edition
Display Maximum Resolution 1920 x 1080
DVD TSSTcorp CDDVDW SH-S223L ATA Device
CD TSSTcorp CDDVDW SH-S223L ATA Device
Drive
Size 892.4 GB
Free 224.6 GB

Flickering is not during boot up, however, the flickering is now gone (for the moment anyway

)

ETA: Nope, back again

ivrytwr3 · 23 Jun 2015 at 09:10

Connects with DVI.

Just done a de-gunge and cleaned all the dust out of it, but still having issues.

ivrytwr3 · 23 Jun 2015 at 10:44

varkanoid said:
Its in front of the Sigma Restaurant, Sibiu, Romania.

Winner!! Have you been or was it epic googling skillz?

OK, so we think it's the GPU (monitor is fine). Looking at my aged system, what card do i need? (i have no idea about hardware unfortunately!)

My system is used for L4D2, movies and TV and i also do some video encoding.

ivrytwr3 · 23 Jun 2015 at 11:43

well that was quick - blue screens, card smells v warm and i think the card has died!

Noticed the card fan was struggling so took it out, cleaned it up (was quite clogged with dust

) But it is still blue screening.

So would appreciate some recommendations asap as i can get one ordered today if i'm quick.

Budget, it's an older system as above, but it is our main pc - so under £200 would do what i need?

ivrytwr3 · 23 Jun 2015 at 11:56

Kelt said:
Also, might be worth your while having a look in the MM, always a few graphics card for sale in there.

I wouldn't know what to buy tbh

Can you see any that would be compatible?

ivrytwr3 · 23 Jun 2015 at 11:57

Kelt said:
Considering you're running a fairly old game, I'd be looking at something like this:

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-225-MS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1842

MSI 280X @ £170

If you're looking to play more modern games in the future, you'd have to budget a bit more, maybe for a 970.

Looks good - i'll give it an hour or so and if no-one comes up with a better/cheaper card, then i'll order this - thanks.

ivrytwr3 · 23 Jun 2015 at 12:20

Found the item in MM - i really have no clue as to what is compatible, so thanks for the steer. So the HIS is compatible and is a decent card?

ivrytwr3 · 23 Jun 2015 at 13:15

Argh!!!! OK, i need more advice!

Looking at the specs of the HIS and the one Kelt recommends:

MSI Power 1 x 6 pin and 1 x 8 pin
HIS 2 x 8 pin (i think!)

The card i have pulled from my machine was powered by 1 x 6 pin.

Below is a pic of my card and the pc internals - can i power one of these cards? If not, what else do i need to buy?

Sorry for the questions and i really appreciate the help.

http://i.imgur.com/3dGZmNH.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/1w7dPl4.jpg

ivrytwr3 · 23 Jun 2015 at 13:43

the pic shows all the spare slots

ivrytwr3 · 23 Jun 2015 at 13:59

PSU pic:

http://i.imgur.com/tEXgBLD.jpg

ivrytwr3 · 23 Jun 2015 at 14:23

OK, a bit of googling and i now know what molex connectors are - sorry

So, if i were to buy a card which required 2 x 8pin power, then i could purchase 2 x molex to 8pin and that would be job done? (i have 0 8 pin and 4 x spare molex's)

Or am i way off?!

ivrytwr3 · 23 Jun 2015 at 17:08

I'm not bothered about a power hungry card or about running the likes of GTA V etc. L4D2, movies, emails, internet browsing etc is the pc's main use.

I posted my problems and got some great advice about what the issue was and what card i need. Based on this i have purchased a card from a guy in the MM.

So i am now been told this card is not compatible? Please let me know soonest as i don't want to mess a member around, nor do i want to waste £90, nor do i want to blow a card!

So do i call off the sale (providing the member allows me) and if so, what card do you recommend?

ivrytwr3 · 23 Jun 2015 at 17:35

This one:

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-091-HS

ivrytwr3 · 23 Jun 2015 at 17:39

Another poster here mentioned a 750Ti might be better - i have seen one:

Asus Nvidia GeForce GTX 750 Ti Graphics Card (2GB, GDDR5, PCI-Express 3.0)

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-337-AS&tool=3

Is this more suitable? (more money for less card, but i would prefer a card that worked!)

ivrytwr3 · 23 Jun 2015 at 18:14

Nickjf20 said:
As long as you don't overclock the 280X, you should be perfectly fine IMO

No plans at all to overclock - wouldn't know how to!

ivrytwr3 · 26 Jun 2015 at 18:18

OK guys, i have received my card from the MM.

I have installed the card and when powered up the system is running from the standard VGA graphics adapter.

So i go to AMD driver download and can only find drivers for XP, 7, 8 and 8.1 - no drivers listed for Vista.

What now or have i been advised incorrectly that this card is compatible? (*shriek*)

ivrytwr3 · 26 Jun 2015 at 19:06

That page you linked to shows no Vista drivers. I have also went onto the auto detect card and it states it cannot find the card

Right........i clicked on the "drivers and support" tab of the page you linked to and found this:

http://support.amd.com/en-us/download/desktop?os=Windows+Vista+-+64

Is this the one i need for the card?

I also went to this page (i think this is the actual card itself)

http://www.hisdigital.com/gb/download1-773.shtml

Here there was no mention of Vista.

ivrytwr3 · 26 Jun 2015 at 21:55

ok, that did the trick! Card is recognised and running!

However, i am connecting via HDMI and the colour looks very washed out - i played L4D and it was way too dark.

Is there any calibration tools or recommended settings any one uses? (also seeing the text is a little blurry, not sharp).

Ta for the help so far!

ivrytwr3 · 27 Jun 2015 at 10:19

Card is installed and working - no change from my poor Windows Experience score of 5.9 and a benchmark result:

http://www.3dmark.com/3dm/7522572

But it's working and the family is back online!