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X1900 Crossfire card screen interference issue

fizzy

fizzy

fizzy

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Joined
16 Jan 2003
Posts
1,236
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by my pc. :D
Hi,

This is an issue which I was investigating as part of the "Asus A8R32MVP" thread. I know a few other people are also having this problem, so I thought I would start something seperate off.....

Anyhow. The story so far.

When cpu usage is high, I get a "ripple/wave" type interference effect on screen, most noticable on large areas of lighter colour.

I raised a problem ticket with ASUS - heard zip from them.

Raised one with ATI. They gave the usual "make sure you have a psu that meets the requirements" standard sort of reply. I'm using an (ati approved) FSP Epsilon 700w psu so thats not an issue... :)

So I persisted, and after a few emails, diagnostic reports etc later, they have come to the conclusion that its a fault with the Crossfire card - or a "tollerance issue" as they put it.

I did a few further tests, and it also has the problem when the crossfire card is used on its own - so its not likely to be a power rail issue on the psu, as I tried both pcie power connectors. Also both PCIE slots as well.

Just for completeness - I am using a 21" CRT, with a DVI-VGA adapter (so using an "analoque setup" as ati put it). Tried another couple of adapters - same problem. Using the same monitor and adapter on the "normal" x1900xt, and the problem is not there.

So it would appear to likely be an issue with the section that merges the card outputs (or the strange hd-dvi cnnector thingy?) specific to the crossfire card (or the crossfire card is just from a bad batch?).

ATI Recommended I return it for a replacement. Its a HIS card though, so I will have to go through either OcUK or HIS - anybody know which one I should use?
 
Well, HIS's website actually states that warranty enquiries should be dealt with by the local retailer....

...so I've raised an RMA request with OcUK then. :P
 
Hi, well ATI gave me much the same response about my adaptive overclocking issue. But as I pointed out to them, how can you rma a card that can't be proven to be faulty unless it's tested under the same conditions. I doubt whether OcUK would accept them as being so....
ChrisC
 
Surely if you mention that you have had contact with ATi and those themselves have said to RMA it as its faulty, then surely OcUK would oblige. :)
 
LoadsaMoney said:
Surely if you mention that you have had contact with ATi and those themselves have said to RMA it as its faulty, then surely OcUK would oblige. :)
Click to expand...

I asked ATI if I could have some contact details/proof of ati's recommendation to supply to the retailer in order to progress things - was just told to mention the case number if required.

I'll let you all know how things progress....
 
This is a pretty common problem im afraid, and its an ongoing thing over various forums.

In particularly Rage and DriverHeaven and in the motherboard section here

Some have had luck checking the Alternate DVI in CCC,

I only have this problem myself in Crossfire and if i switch to DVI it goes but has other problems i wont bore you with yet.

Ati have said unofficially its a problem that a new revision of Cards will rectify, other than that, theres no fix as of yet
 
Its odd how this manifests itself on my system with high cpu load. Running a couple of copies of Prime95 and it gets really bad. Not the most graphically intensive app prime95... ;)

Can't see a driver option/update rectifying this issue for me - other than slowing the cpu way down so it doesn't have the noise... ;)

I'll see how far I can get with a replacement.

As for a new board revision to sort out the issue - not too chuffed to hear that the system I spent a small fortune on may need a hardware "upgrade" to a newer/updated crossfire card to rectify. :(
 
I still think it's an emi problem, which manifests when the computer is under heavy load. The mater card is probably sensitive to this. I must admit the problem seems far less manifest on my Tagan 900w so far, I'm testing my new unit (the old one was from the out of spec batch), so will keep you posted if anything develops, though it's not something that overly concerns me. I think the screen shaking issue some of the other guys are having is more serious and requires more attention.
 
Wow, just read that 2nd thread on DH - that's some real nasty issues X-Fire is having :(

I really was considering switching to X-Fire over SLI but now ...
 
This is getting wierder now.... :(

Ok - raised an RMA with OcUK, who have come back with an RMA number etc. Thought I would try a couple of things first to save myself any potential "no fault found" fees.

A bit of info first. Using 2 setups :

1st - Asus A8R32MVP deluxe, 2 x corsair 1GB 3200C2 dimms, 2 x samsung 250gb HDD's, AMD X2 3800+ (at 2.2mhz) with AC cooler, FSP 700w psu, Pioneer DVD rom drive, in an Antec P180? case. X1900XT in Uppper slot. Using Windows XP64.

2nd - Gigabyte GA-K8NF-9, [email protected]. 2 x 512mb Crucial 4000 dimms, Maxtor 120gb Sata, Seagate 160gb Sata, Nec DVD r/w, AC cooler. In Antec Sonata case with "True430P" psu.

Ok. When I tried x1900 master card in 1st pc (either on its own - in either slot, or in crossfire setup) using the HD dvi connector etc I get the interference issue on screen under high cpu usage.

No problems currently on 1st rig when using the "normal" x1900xt card. Ok so far?

Decided to try the X1900 master card in the 2nd rig. The problem is that the psu isn't up to powering the card. So, I ended up using the spare pcie connector from the psu in the 1st pc for the x1900 master card in the 2nd pc (obviously next to each other - nice long power leads on psu. :), switching that on first, then booting up 2nd pc.

Works fine. So, I then set to running a couple of copies of prime 95 on the 2nd pc - no interference at all on screen.....? I'm using the HD-DVI cable thingy as you would with a crossfire setup, same DVI-VGA adapter and leads as before etc.....

So I thought "Aha! Looks like a possible PSU noise problem then" - so I promptly kicked off a couple of copies of Prime95 on the 1st rig to push it and the psu - but no interference appears on the master card display (in 2nd rig), so it would appear that its not interference through the PCIE power connector.....?

So - the only thing that leaves is the motherboard (again!)? I must admit I couldn't recall this issue on the old board that I had to send back (but not 100% sure) but this seems to strengthen this idea. Open to other suggestions though.....

So solution to my problem would be to use a 2nd motherboard for the master card..... but getting the systems to talk in crossfire mode may be a little tricky... :D

Not sure what to do now - as if OcUK test the "faulty" card in a single pcie slot board of some description, or if this is another issue related to "some" asus boards, its probably not going to be replaced/charge will be applied?

<sigh>
 
The problem exists on the DFI CFX3200 too (only after a gaming session though), however it is greatly reduced in it's appearance from the Asus A8R32-MVP, with that board I had it nearly all the time. I was thinking about this last night, and the one major thing that is different is the position of the cpu in relation to the graphics cards. The DFI has the cpu socket right near the ATX connector, the Asus board cpu sits closer to the rear of the case, over the graphics cards. I think the problem is emi, perhaps the Crossfire rendering chip in the mastercard is sensitive to the emi produced under load.
 
Fizzy, did you try to bypass OCUK and go to the manufacturer direct, first? (Sapphire, HIS or Connect 3D)

I would choose that route, most manufacturers have a depot or third party for rma's in each country, it may be worth a try to contact the manufacturer with your rma and see what they say.

I would certainly get someone from OCUK on the phone, as it's an issue that they may find quite frequent if many people start to rma their cards.

Perhaps send a link to Gibbo, see what he has to say, there's quite a few people who maybe up for an rma.

Raja
 
hi , another major difference is the position of the chipset on the two boards maybe that to blame , the reason I say that is I haven’t had any interference during normal running as I am on one x1900 xtx but the other day I put my hand near the base of one of the cards and the graphics went all mosaic on me and I think it was because of my wedding ring , no kidding , I knew I shouldn’t of done it I keep telling her
 
Its a HIS card, and HIS website doesn't have any direct contact/rma information - just says talk to the supplier/retailer.

I tried using the Crucial memory out of the 2nd pc in the 1st pc, and the interference was far worse.... :(

I put the corsair back in, but this time I put them in slots A1 and B1 (previously A2 and B2 as I wasn't sure I could fit one into A1 as the AC Cooler fan overhangs it - turns out its fine) and set bios to "auto" for just about all mem settings, and the interference is greatly reduced now.

Guess its something along the cpu/mem bus thats causing all the EMI then. :(

Seem to be having a problem with cold starts too. When I try starting the pc first thing, I have to hit the reset button once to get it to boot. Fine after that, can reboot etc. But as soon as I shutdown, I have to go through the process again.

Now I've put the master back in, I'm getting bios/post screen, xp loading screen - then just a blank screen. Guess the monitor/display order has got messed up in windows. :(
 
I have Connect 3D cards, their wesite says that the reseller is used for only 30 days after purchase. After that the cards go directly to Connect 3d.
 
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