Dog slow 8800GTX

[Pie_uk]

I smell an RMA tbh

[notsobig]

Hmm what's the readings of GPU and memory clocks? I'm no expert for 8 series but if you're running 3d game in the background(in windowed mode) card should run in it's fastest clock mode so the GPU and memory clock reading should be something similar to those clocks you see on the technical spec sheet.(which is like 575/1350/1800(core/shader/memory)) If it's not running at these speeds then something is preventing it from running at highest speed(such as overheating, not enough power etc) or you simply have a bad card I guess.

[No.72]

Why not reformat and see if it works as it should, if it don't then its duff.

[fat jez]

Why not reformat and see if it works as it should, if it don't then its duff.

I did. Made no difference. This guy seems to be having the same problem:
http://www.evga.com/forums/tm.asp?m=107776

Cheers,
Stephen

[No.72]

It sounds duff then, RMA it. Its ether a duff card or some weird compatibility prob, with the mobo possibly?

[fat jez]

It sounds duff then, RMA it. Its ether a duff card or some weird compatibility prob, with the mobo possibly?

Given the blokey on the evga forums said his card worked on other people's boards, I'm wondering if I should try a different motherboard? Novatech are just down the road from me and they have an XFX board for about £100 (nVidia SLI).

Cheers,
Stephen

[oralpain]

The reference cooler on my 8800GTS is not all that loud even at full speed, so I would not be too surprised if I did not hear it ramp up when playing a game.

Any chance it could be a problem with some bios settings? Maybe try a bios update?

[fat jez]

The reference cooler on my 8800GTS is not all that loud even at full speed, so I would not be too surprised if I did not hear it ramp up when playing a game.

Any chance it could be a problem with some bios settings? Maybe try a bios update?

I tried resetting the bios and also updating it with the latest beta, but still no joy. I also tried updating directx9 as well, but that no difference either.

I have a new motherboard to try (Asus P5N32-E, the n680i model).

Cheers,
Stephen

[fat jez]

Well, the new motherboard (and corresponding clean install) made absolutely no difference whatsoever. So it's either got to be duff drivers or a duff card.

Not happy

Here's something else which might shed some light. I looked at my power usage when idle and it registered 255W on my power meter (plugged into the wall socket). When i crank up 3DMark06, it only jumps 20W, to around 275W. I'd expect to be looking at around another 100W onto the basic figure for a 3D game or app.

Cheers,
Stephen

[Agent]

At this point id be taking the heatsink off and checking its contact

[fat jez]

The plot thickens. Just for the hell of it, I rigged up my spare Antec 550W PSU so it powered the graphics card (and not my main 1000W PSU) and shorted out the ATX power connector so it came on.

Suddenly my FPS scores have rocketed, which makes me wonder if I have a dodgy PSU?

New 3dMark06 score, 10625.

Cheers,
Stephen

[Agent]

You should get a message in windows if the card don't have enough power. Weird!

Whats the exact model of the PSU (model number, not just its generic name as their may be several revisions) ?

[fat jez]

You should get a message in windows if the card don't have enough power. Weird!

Whats the exact model of the PSU (model number, not just its generic name as their may be several revisions) ?

It's very weird, as it was running my HD2900XT quite happily, as far as I'm aware.

Antec Quattro 1000, model number is TPQ-1000 (as written on the side of the PSU).

Cheers,
Stephen

[Gr44]

How about trying 2 differant cables & sockets from the PSU to the GPU? ( assuming its modular and you have 2 spare! )

Just wondering if the sockets or cables on the PSU are dodgy... maybe one of the earths isnt connected right or something?

[fat jez]

How about trying 2 differant cables & sockets from the PSU to the GPU? ( assuming its modular and you have 2 spare! )

I tried that as well!

Maybe I should say I'm a systems engineer by trade, which means trouble shooting installations and software

Cheers,
Stephen

[Gr44]

It would be a simple RMA... but I can't figure out how it works on the other PSU..... Your 1kW PSU is waaaay more than ample anyway.. It can't be 'bad' otherwise the old GPU wouldn't work, let alone the rest of the kit in the case.

I dont know much ( anything ) about electrical things... but is it possible some kind of earthing feedback causing problems? there has to be a reason why it won't work with the antec!