problems when using 8800 Gts cards

P

porklit

New Member
I have burned through three 8800 GTS cards in the last 3/4 of a year to full year or so, and before i buy a new one (if I buy one) i wanted to know what the problem might be.

Specs:
850w power supply
Intel E6600 processor w/ liquid cooling system
Asus P5N-E SLI nForce 650i motherboard
Sony dvd drive
Hitachi 250GB hard drive

When i am viewing the desktop or anything in windowed mode, the screen flashes black for a second or two at first then goes back to displaying a picture, the longer the computer is kept on, the longer the black stays and the less the picture is displayed, eventually becoming so bad that reading anything becomes impossible. When i boot up Linux, i can leave the computer on for hours without this happening. I have searched google, but nothing has been helpful. Does anybody know what might be the problem? Your help is appreciated.
 

My Computer

System One

Did you overclock the card?
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built by me.
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-X38-DS4
    Memory
    KINGSTON HYPERX DDR2 4GB (2X2GB) PC6400 800MHZ DUAL CHANNEL KIT
    Graphics Card(s)
    SAPPHIRE RADEON HD4890 OC 1GB GDDR5
    Sound Card
    2/4/5.1/7.1-channel Realtek High Definition
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung LE40A656F1 1080p 100Hz LCD HD TV 50,000:1
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768 in Desktop,1920x1080p in gaming and video
    Hard Drives
    C:\WD VelociRaptor 150 GB,10,000 RPM
    D:\WESTERN DIGITAL WD15EADS 1.5TB CAVIAR GREEN SATA2 E:\WESTERN DIGITAL WD15EADS 1.5TB CAVIAR GREEN SATA2 No Raid.Copy Paste Is The Safest Way.
    PSU
    Seasonic 700W 80plus
    Case
    A-Case Twin Engine BB
    Cooling
    3 thermaltake smart case fan II + 1 arctic cooling fan
    Keyboard
    Wireless Logitech LX710
    Mouse
    Wirelles Logitech Laser Mouse MX620
    Internet Speed
    ADSL 4000plus
    Other Info
    F:\Sony high speed sata Dvd Rewriter
    KINGSTON HYPER X FAN
    +Cordless Rumblepad 2
Hi

When you say you've gone through 3 8800 GTS cards in 8 months have you replaced your power supply since the first burn-out or continued using the same one? I ask as i burned out my 7800 GTX last year due to a power supply that misfired on one of the rails, blew the card but still worked fine afterwards, to the point that you'd never know there was a power supply problem.
Also, with your system being water cooled, are you 100% sure there isn't a leak somewhere? As stated above, if you've gone through 3 8800 GTS using the same components in your tower, then maybe it's time to check them over.
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Q6600@stock
    Motherboard
    Asus P5N32-E SLI
    Memory
    4GB Geil DDR2 PC6400 CAS4
    Graphics Card(s)
    1 x BFG 8800 GTS 512mb OC
    Hard Drives
    2 x 80Gb Samsung SATAll in RAID 0
    2 x 80Gb Maxtor SATA1 in RAID 1
    1 x 120Gb Maxtor SATA1 back-up
    Internet Speed
    Bt Broadband, so about same as 56k modem!
the card is not overclocked, and there hasn't been any moisture on the inside of the case, so i assume its not the cooling system. How long did it take for the card to go when you had the power supply failure?
 

My Computer

System One

porklit said:
the card is not overclocked, and there hasn't been any moisture on the inside of the case, so i assume its not the cooling system. How long did it take for the card to go when you had the power supply failure?
Click to expand...

How long to go? A split second, that's all - no blue screen or overheating prior to it blowing, PC just clicked off and i thought i'd tripped a switch on my electrical supply to my house. Tried turning back on and got a tiny burst of power, then it went dead. This happened every time i tried to turn on my PC, so once everything was checked over, it was obvious that it was the graphics card which had gone - i was playing HL2 at the time with res. set at 1600x1200, but had Nvidia temp control running and it hadn't overheated, just got a spike from powersupply.
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Q6600@stock
    Motherboard
    Asus P5N32-E SLI
    Memory
    4GB Geil DDR2 PC6400 CAS4
    Graphics Card(s)
    1 x BFG 8800 GTS 512mb OC
    Hard Drives
    2 x 80Gb Samsung SATAll in RAID 0
    2 x 80Gb Maxtor SATA1 in RAID 1
    1 x 120Gb Maxtor SATA1 back-up
    Internet Speed
    Bt Broadband, so about same as 56k modem!
What power supply u have?
Did you plug the extra power cord on ur motherboard?
(I know for example Qtech power supplys do some strange things when you do that)
And some motherboards dont need to plug the extra power cord,sometimes doing that u burn motherboard,cpu or graphic card.
And something different...is the power on ur house stable?
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built by me.
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-X38-DS4
    Memory
    KINGSTON HYPERX DDR2 4GB (2X2GB) PC6400 800MHZ DUAL CHANNEL KIT
    Graphics Card(s)
    SAPPHIRE RADEON HD4890 OC 1GB GDDR5
    Sound Card
    2/4/5.1/7.1-channel Realtek High Definition
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung LE40A656F1 1080p 100Hz LCD HD TV 50,000:1
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768 in Desktop,1920x1080p in gaming and video
    Hard Drives
    C:\WD VelociRaptor 150 GB,10,000 RPM
    D:\WESTERN DIGITAL WD15EADS 1.5TB CAVIAR GREEN SATA2 E:\WESTERN DIGITAL WD15EADS 1.5TB CAVIAR GREEN SATA2 No Raid.Copy Paste Is The Safest Way.
    PSU
    Seasonic 700W 80plus
    Case
    A-Case Twin Engine BB
    Cooling
    3 thermaltake smart case fan II + 1 arctic cooling fan
    Keyboard
    Wireless Logitech LX710
    Mouse
    Wirelles Logitech Laser Mouse MX620
    Internet Speed
    ADSL 4000plus
    Other Info
    F:\Sony high speed sata Dvd Rewriter
    KINGSTON HYPER X FAN
    +Cordless Rumblepad 2
the side of the power supply says NZXT precise 850w, so im assuming precise is the model. I'm not sure where the extra power cord is supposed to be plugged in, but the power to the house is pretty stable from what I can tell.
thanks for all the replys by the way.
 

My Computer

System One

The main power cord ofcourse has the bigest plug.
The extra power cord is smaller and is usualy next to the main cord or next to cpu.
If its plugin remove it and try without it.
Note:before you unplug anything switch off the power.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built by me.
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-X38-DS4
    Memory
    KINGSTON HYPERX DDR2 4GB (2X2GB) PC6400 800MHZ DUAL CHANNEL KIT
    Graphics Card(s)
    SAPPHIRE RADEON HD4890 OC 1GB GDDR5
    Sound Card
    2/4/5.1/7.1-channel Realtek High Definition
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung LE40A656F1 1080p 100Hz LCD HD TV 50,000:1
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768 in Desktop,1920x1080p in gaming and video
    Hard Drives
    C:\WD VelociRaptor 150 GB,10,000 RPM
    D:\WESTERN DIGITAL WD15EADS 1.5TB CAVIAR GREEN SATA2 E:\WESTERN DIGITAL WD15EADS 1.5TB CAVIAR GREEN SATA2 No Raid.Copy Paste Is The Safest Way.
    PSU
    Seasonic 700W 80plus
    Case
    A-Case Twin Engine BB
    Cooling
    3 thermaltake smart case fan II + 1 arctic cooling fan
    Keyboard
    Wireless Logitech LX710
    Mouse
    Wirelles Logitech Laser Mouse MX620
    Internet Speed
    ADSL 4000plus
    Other Info
    F:\Sony high speed sata Dvd Rewriter
    KINGSTON HYPER X FAN
    +Cordless Rumblepad 2
porklit said:
on second thought technically the card is overclocked, but its a EVGA so it came like that out of the box
Click to expand...

My 7800 GTX was a factory overclock - Gainward Golden Sample - but still it just popped due to a crappy power supply. When i rebuilt my latest machine, i went for a 750watt from a decent company - can't remember which, Antec i think - and it cost near £80, but it's better than paying out for a £200 graphics card again!
Also, this power supply has a trip in it so any spiking and hopefully it'll cut off before any damage is done.
Maybe you should think about replacing the power supply, just to be on the safe side?
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Q6600@stock
    Motherboard
    Asus P5N32-E SLI
    Memory
    4GB Geil DDR2 PC6400 CAS4
    Graphics Card(s)
    1 x BFG 8800 GTS 512mb OC
    Hard Drives
    2 x 80Gb Samsung SATAll in RAID 0
    2 x 80Gb Maxtor SATA1 in RAID 1
    1 x 120Gb Maxtor SATA1 back-up
    Internet Speed
    Bt Broadband, so about same as 56k modem!
If you decide to try a new Power Supply try Seasonic.
One from the best power supplys in the world is seasonic M12 80+ series
I have 700W 80+ for a few months and its perfect.
-----------------------------------------------
Welcome to Seasonic USA
-----------------------------------------------
M12 series power supplies are with detachable modular DC cables. Designed for Do-It-Yourself (DIY) system builders, gamers and Over-clocker enthusiasts, the M12 is available in three power levels, the M12-500, M12-600 and the M12-700. They provide stable power for high end, high performance graphics applications. Each model provides system builders the flexibility to create the most suitable combination of connectors to minimize clutter and optimize airflow in their PC systems.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built by me.
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-X38-DS4
    Memory
    KINGSTON HYPERX DDR2 4GB (2X2GB) PC6400 800MHZ DUAL CHANNEL KIT
    Graphics Card(s)
    SAPPHIRE RADEON HD4890 OC 1GB GDDR5
    Sound Card
    2/4/5.1/7.1-channel Realtek High Definition
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung LE40A656F1 1080p 100Hz LCD HD TV 50,000:1
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768 in Desktop,1920x1080p in gaming and video
    Hard Drives
    C:\WD VelociRaptor 150 GB,10,000 RPM
    D:\WESTERN DIGITAL WD15EADS 1.5TB CAVIAR GREEN SATA2 E:\WESTERN DIGITAL WD15EADS 1.5TB CAVIAR GREEN SATA2 No Raid.Copy Paste Is The Safest Way.
    PSU
    Seasonic 700W 80plus
    Case
    A-Case Twin Engine BB
    Cooling
    3 thermaltake smart case fan II + 1 arctic cooling fan
    Keyboard
    Wireless Logitech LX710
    Mouse
    Wirelles Logitech Laser Mouse MX620
    Internet Speed
    ADSL 4000plus
    Other Info
    F:\Sony high speed sata Dvd Rewriter
    KINGSTON HYPER X FAN
    +Cordless Rumblepad 2
It sounds like it could be a faulty PSU. Try replacing it. As other people have stated above, better than forking out $300 for a new card.
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ 2.53GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M3A AM2+
    Memory
    4 GB Kingston DDR2-667
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire ATi Radeon HD 3650
    Hard Drives
    Hitachi 320 GB SATA HDD w/ 16MB cache
Hi,

It is possible you have an unstable powerpack, but there is another possibility, bad airflow causing your cards to overheat. I have 2 x 8800GTX cards in my computer and until recently had only one as the other failed in exactly the same way you describe. I found that the airflow to the card that failed was low and may well have stopped the card from functioning. I have now rectified the airflow and just last week repaired the card, which now works like a dream.

Install a fan blowing air from outside the case directly onto your card, I had to mod my case to do this. Then use RivaTuner to turn gpu fan to 100% and your card will run at least 10c cooler.
 

My Computer

System One

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