XFX 6800GT - crashing SLI

Broonage · 2 Sep 2007 at 09:32

Hi,
well i'm not sure if i should post this to the sticky or in seperate thread. So please move it if necessary.

I have 2 XFX 6800GTs in SLI mode on an ASUS A8N SLI Deluxe with a AMD 64 4200, 1GB RAM, and a Turbocool 510W PSU.

When I play games ranging from Stalker to Vietcong 2 I get break-ups, and random crashes. The sound stutters and reposts. I can't play any games in fact without a crash.
Vietcong 2 is a little more stable and crashes less but the break-ups just make it unplayable.

Last night i cleaned out the case of dust, removed the GPUs, cleaned them and swapped them over. One card is around mid 60 degrees and other is 82 degrees. So, would this be the reason for the lock-ups and graphic break-ups? If so what should i do, i was thinking about a new Heatsink/fan for the GPUs? Maybe it's the PSU/memory?

Here's the Vietcong 2 screenshots:

MeatLoaf · 2 Sep 2007 at 09:38

Have you tried the cards seperatly as it looks like one of them has died

Broonage · 2 Sep 2007 at 09:40

I did try that, and they both post.

Broonage · 2 Sep 2007 at 13:02

If it's the GPU temp, what sort of cooling should i get?
I heard zalman is reliable. I bought a North Bridge passive cooler and it works perfectly.

MeatLoaf · 2 Sep 2007 at 14:34

Broonage said:
I did try that, and they both post.

You need to try gaming or run 3dmark with each card on its own as it will post, but not show up any problems until in 3D mode

mnet674 · 2 Sep 2007 at 15:48

MeatLoaf said:
You need to try gaming or run 3dmark with each card on its own as it will post, but not show up any problems until in 3D mode

He speaks truth when my 6800GT dropped dead it was showing similar signs to above screenies, but as far as I know still posts now, although it got to the point where even that became unreliable!

I wouldn't have worried about those temps though, mine used to hit 95C+ under load for getting on 2 years when I was running it (at 400/1100 of course

)

Broonage · 2 Sep 2007 at 16:20

Cheers for the help here guys.

So for 3dmarks, how do i make the tests for both cards? I have them both in, in SLI mode. 3dmarks is only seeing the one card.

Sorry, never used it before.

MeatLoaf · 2 Sep 2007 at 16:50

It only lists the one.

Try with both cards in and if it artifacts then disable SLI and remove the lower card.

If it still artifacts then chances are the upper card is duff.

If it dosent then swap the top card with the onbe you just took out.

Broonage · 2 Sep 2007 at 18:33

MeatLoaf said:
It only lists the one.

Try with both cards in and if it artifacts then disable SLI and remove the lower card.

If it still artifacts then chances are the upper card is duff.

If it dosent then swap the top card with the onbe you just took out.

Cheers,

tried it in SLI mode.

It "artifacted" only a little during the FPS scene. The windows (where all the space craft are) were flickering a little.
I'll try it with one card asap. P.s. i got 19024 marks.
Cheers

Broonage · 3 Sep 2007 at 20:26

Well i tried the SLI combos, and non SLI too. One card burnt my fingers when i tried to remove it! When i ran the 3dMarks test with this card the computer froze.

I put the SLI combo back, I posted and got to windows. Set to SLI with Nvidia control panel. Then my computer froze when i launched a net browser.

I restarted and when i posted to windows, the "bad" GPU wasn't recognised.

So i removed it and now am using a single card.
Will the 6800GT run Bioshock?

MeatLoaf · 3 Sep 2007 at 21:51

It might run it at low settings.

download the demo and try it out

Broonage · 4 Sep 2007 at 08:21

MeatLoaf said:
It might run it at low settings.

download the demo and try it out

Doh, that never occurred to me.

Cheers!

Lanz · 4 Sep 2007 at 12:47

Will the 6800GT run Bioshock?

Maybe 1024 at medium settings, or 800x600 with everything turned on.

The game doesnt look anything special unless you run in high, so Id get a new card before you even bothered installing it.

Broonage · 4 Sep 2007 at 17:24

Lanz said:
Maybe 1024 at medium settings, or 800x600 with everything turned on.

The game doesnt look anything special unless you run in high, so Id get a new card before you even bothered installing it.

And what if i were to play it in SLI with the 6800GT? WOuld that improve dramatically?

Lanz · 4 Sep 2007 at 17:36

Probably 1024 with every on high I guess... Good enough to enjoy it.

Broonage · 4 Sep 2007 at 17:37

Lanz said:
Probably 1024 with every on high I guess... Good enough to enjoy it.

That's not too bad.

I think i'll fork out on some new hardware soon.

Broonage · 5 Sep 2007 at 08:37

Just bought a new 6800GT on ebay for £26. Not bad!

Lets hope i don't get any more jittering whilst playing. Going to buy a GPU cooler too.

fastwunz · 5 Sep 2007 at 09:14

Im sorry - you got 19024 marks in 3DMark - in 05? Thats a massive score even for two 6800's - you sure thats right?

Broonage · 5 Sep 2007 at 09:17

fastwunz said:
Im sorry - you got 19024 marks in 3DMark - in 05? Thats a massive score even for two 6800's - you sure thats right?

Its 3d marks 03.
When i removed one card, i got around 11000. I'm now on one card.

I just ordered another 6800, so when i set it up, i'll re-3DMark it. ;-)

fastwunz · 5 Sep 2007 at 09:31

ahhhhhhh ok lol - i thought it was a little ambitious! - have you tried 05?