XFX 4890 XXX Edition - Issues

[Davepen]

Hi guys, was considering getting a new graphics card for some time (previously had an 8800gtx) and finally bit the bullet and bought a 4890 (against my better judgment, as I have always been one for Nvidia).

After the initial issue of having to order a 6 > 8 pin power connector (surely it should either be included in the box or stated on the product description?!!?) I finally got it installed.

First impressions, are not good.

Downloaded and installed the latest 9.7 driver/ccc package from the Ati website, rebooted, but then after the reboot I loaded the catalyst control panel to adjust my settings, selected advanced, and then when it loaded up it just kept flickering.

By flickering I mean that it was like it kept changing between being the active window and not, meaning that I could not click on any items whatsoever.

This flickering happens whenever I try and use the control center and to close it I have to repeatably click on the cross to close the window.


Also initially I had this same stuttering in games and also slightly in windows?! but I then right clicked on the ati tray icon and changed ATI AI to always off, this seemed to resolve the game stuttering but not the control panel?

I have done a search but have not found the answer yet, anyone have any ideas?

Spec below:

E8400 @ 3.0ghz
4ghz ddr2
Vista 64bit
500w Tagem PSU

 

[D13]

perhaps try using an earlier driver set, also did you fully un-install the drivers for your previous card?

 

[Davepen]

Yeah fully uninstalled the previous drivers and used driver cleaner.

I shouldn't have to use a older set of drivers, would never have this problem with Nvidia

 

[D13]

you cant assume it is the drivers just yet, it could be a hardware fault.
So there is no problem using games? only flickering in ccc, you could try un-installing the drivers and then downloading the individual driver and ccc files.

 

[Davepen]

I can only assume it is the drivers as when I disabled ATI AI, it fixed the game stuttering, but not the CCC issue.

I have tried installing the individual packages, same problem.

 

[zytok]

OcUK and XFX both state that the use of 6 pin to 8 pin adaptors is not recommended or supported. Maybe your psu is not powering it properly???

 

[Hairybudda]

Remove CCC completely (and any .net redistributables) and reinstall, or use RivaTuner to tweak your settings. Doesn't sound like an issue with the card or driver, it sounds like something is interfering with the CCC application.

 

[mollymoo]

Ive had problems with drivers before and switched to an earlier and importantly tried and tested version but that does sound a bit like a power problem how old is that there psu ?

 

[hlxbravo]

Now you have me worried, I purchased on Wednesday 29th July one of these XFX XXX and after coming from a Gainward 8800GTX I too had two 6 pin connectors on my PSU. I too had to then order the Akasa 6 pin to 8 pin adaptor but as it has not arrived yet, I haven't even fired the card up. Hopefully it will be here sometime tomorrow and I shall let you know how I get on with mine.

OcUK and XFX both state that the use of 6 pin to 8 pin adaptors is not recommended or supported.....?

^^^I have not seen this on the card description page, where is this info please ?

After the initial issue of having to order a 6 > 8 pin power connector (surely it should either be included in the box or stated on the product description?!!?).....

^^^^ Completely with you on this one OP.

Also no 6 pin to 8 pin but we get a 4 pin to 6 pin...what the hell is this for when you still gonna need an 8 pin too??

 

[Kenai]

OcUK and XFX both state that the use of 6 pin to 8 pin adaptors is not recommended or supported. Maybe your psu is not powering it properly???

I bought a GTX260 recently and there was a leaflet in there saying XFX don't recommend using molex to PCI-E adaptors yet oddly enough, they included one in the box

 

[zytok]

I'm afraid the order has already shipped i wouldn't recommend the power adapter i would use the card that has 2 6 pin power plugs.

 

[Davepen]

I dont see how using an adapter would matter, as the 2 extra pin's are just ground's, all the 6>8 pin adapter does it provide 2 extra ground cables.

Still, OCUK should mention this on the product description!

 

[hlxbravo]

Cheers for the reply zytok.

I just looked at the adaptor page, HERE and it states :

This cable adapter converts a 6-Pin PCI-E PSU connector to the 8-Pin PCI-E 2.0 standard. It updates PSU compatibility for the latest ATI and NVIDIA video cards using 8-Pin connectors.

So how can they have it both ways ?

I have just posted in the technical area regarding this, so I shall keep checking and report back, hopefully before my cable decides to arrive (bleedin Royal Mail)

 

[Meloco]

this has made me very nervous to upgrade to the 4890 now, with my hiper 580w psu..

 

[capriboy1978]

hiper 580w psu? Stand well back when that 4890 draws full load!

I'd agree the adapter should have zero bearing on this. Only thing xfx could be insinuating is that any psu that doesn't have an 8pin hp likely to be an older underpowered one maybe?

 

[zytok]

meh, my Hyper's been running a GTX260 for months and a 4870 before that. I know the stories but surely any psu has a chance of blowing.

 

[blaineoliver]

580w is more than enough, my 750w has the cables to take two 6+8 pin gfx cards, and 2x8 pin motherboard connectors. I think that i could power two 295s without it blowing up honestly.

 

[Davepen]

Little update on the issue.

Seems that a process called ccc.exe (assuming thats catalyst control centre) is making my cpu usage spike upto 40% then back down again, every second.

Ended this process fixes game stuttering but the control centre stuttering still exists....

Gonna install Windows 7 today and see if this helps!

 

[Hairybudda]

It's just a bad install of the control center or one of its dependencies, flattening and installing win7 will work just as well and completely cleaning CCC off and reinstalling it (or better yet using an alternative tool for tweaking the card).

 

[Davepen]

Have done a fresh install of windows 7, installed the 9.7 drivers, problem still exists?!

Games are fine but as soon as I try to go into CCC, the ccc.exe process makes my cpu usage spike up and down to 40% until I end it.