XFX 7600GT *** Edition (PCI-e slot)

[DJ2liveUK]

I have the above PCI-e card and am having problems with graphic artifacts when playing Fear online. Here are my system specs.

Asus P5VD1-X mobo
Pentium D945 - 3.4GHz dual core processor
2GB SDRAM
500W X-Power PSU
1 x 200GB Maxtor EIDE HDU
1 x 100GB Seagate EIDE HDU

I have let FEAR detect my optimum settings and I am able to play for approx 10 minutes before major graphical glitches, which then either locks the system or reboots it.

Has anyone else had problems with the above graphics card?

[Taxation]

what are the temps like on that card??

download a utility called, ATI tool, it works on almost every gfx card.
and run the artifact utility on it.
it also detects temperatures etc.
so you can see how hot your card gets before it goes plop

[DJ2liveUK]

OK i've tested the card using this tool and it reboots my machine after approx 5 mins of testing. Is this bad? I have not changed any of the standard settings when running the test that you advised to do.

[Taxation]

what temps does it get to when using the tool??

[system7]

As Taxation is implying, this is almost certainly a cooling or power supply issue.

Sorry to tell you this, but the only power supply brand ending in MAX you can trust, is Enermax.

A casefan makes sense too, and occasionally, a check on the graphics card heatsink for tight fit and conductivity.

[DJ2liveUK]

what temps does it get to when using the tool??

52C to 55C

[Taxation]

thats seems reasonable

how much did you pay for that power supply??

[DJ2liveUK]

£45 from maplin - is it any good?

[teknokid]

i would suggest trying a new power supply

[Ben]

Sounds like a cooling issue.

Try taking the side off of your case and try playing with it like that. If possible get a desk fan and let that blow over your graphics card while you play.

Also check that the fan is spinning on the Gfx card when the PC is powered on. :)

[DJ2liveUK]

I've tried this Ben and all fans are working, temps appear to be ok. Fear was still crashing even with the side off and a desk fan blowing air into the case.

I'm not convinced that the case is much cop for a gaming rig either. Think its time to spend some £'s on a new case, psu and hsf.

:)

[teknokid]

if temps are ok, id keep your case. or drill some more fan holes.

[Taxation]

dont drill fans holes!!
all you need in a case in a fan blowing inwards and a fan blowing outwards, this will be sufficient.
Temps are perfectly fine.

have you tried different drivers for the card??older ones may help

[teknokid]

try re-seating the card, and using a different power connector if it takes one.

[Coops]

Have you updated your Mainboard BIOS to latest.

Have you got latest VGA driver

Have you checked for obstructed air flow or fan.

Have you tried another PSU in case of power issue.

If your card requires Addtional power via connector on graphics card, have you connected this.

Does your mainboard have optional VGA power connector. have you connected this.


Thats all the things i can think of off the top of my head that might be the cause

[teknokid]

make sure you removed the old card drivers first. my bets the psu though.

[DJ2liveUK]

Update:

I have installed two new SATA II drives which appear to have fixed this issue. Is this a coincidence? or a good reason as to why the graphics were artifacting so much?

[teknokid]

was that a new version of windows as well? probs just meant they were fresh drivers.

[DJ2liveUK]

Yeah had to do a brand new install. I've not tried FEAR online yet. Probably wont as I'm hooked on Project Reality and ARMA at the moment.

[teknokid]

yeah, almost defo that the original drivers were bugging it.

[DJ2liveUK]

Well this problem has raised its head again. AAAAARRRRGGGHHHHHH.
This time when playing Beta 2 of QW:ET I have (on odd occassions) faint red dots on the screen and some artifacting. Anyone else had problems with this card?

[DJ2liveUK]

Well I've conversed with XFX and they have confimed that this card is foobar, they have told me to contact the supplier aka Novatech who will resolve this issue. Novatech have advised that I may be without the card for 28 days. Does anyone else feel that this is unacceptable? considering I have email correspondence from XFX saying that the card is faulty, surely it is the best interest of Novatech to replace the card as it is well within its 12 month warranty period.

Any advice welcome.

[Ben]

I think the 28 days is just to cover their back, especially if they get swamped with returns. I have had returned 2 GFX cards in the past and they have taken a day or two to test, then replaced them once they have confirmed they are faulty. I don't think it would be cost effective for them to actually repair the card

It would probably take a lot longer if you were sending it back to mfr to test. :wink:

[DJ2liveUK]

good point Ben. Well I suppose Nova did say a maximum of 28 days so who knows it may be shorter than that. Now what to do whilst the card is away...... ho hum!