MSI 8800GT faulty?

[TheSpecialOne]

Hi,

I need some help regarding this VGA card!

I recieved my MSI 8800gt Oc on friday and installed it over the weekend. However I am getting problems with it whilst performing the Nvidia Ntune stability test.

When I perform the stability test the graphics card just hangs for several hours before I have to reset the PC. To over come this I have to lower the stock settings to get the card to work stable. Therefore I have to lower the memory to 800mhz instead of its default 950MHZ for it to pass the stability test.

Another way I have managed to get the stability test to pass, is to clock my system memory from its standard 800MHZ to 950MHZ. Once this is done the stability test will pass.

Why do I have to clock my system memory to 950MHZ get the graphics card to pass the Ntune stability test? - Is the graphics card faulty, as it's not stable at its stock settings?

My PC spec is below:

Intel C2D E6750
2GB Crucial Ballistix Tracer PC6400 800MHZ RAM
ASUS P5N-E SLI
MSI 8800GT OC VGA (T2D512E)
160GB SATA HD
FLOPPY
1 X DVD WRITER
Antec 900 Cae
Hiper Power 425w PSU

Thanks.

[Rishi]

PSU causing the problem?

[TheSpecialOne]

How can I find out if it's the PSU?

When I overclock my system memory - or decrease the cards memory clock speed it seems fine - does this have anything to do with the PSU?

Cheers

[Blitzen]

Heat would be my guess.
The single slot fans are poor on the 8800GT's

[TheSpecialOne]

Using the Nvidia Ntune software the MAX heat i've got from this graphics card is 51 degrees C.

[s_kinton]

Using the Nvidia Ntune software the MAX heat i've got from this graphics card is 51 degrees C.

Is that idle or under load though? I'd be very suprised if that was the load temperature. They usually hit 80-90c upwards with the cards fan at stock speeds.

[2Cold Scorpio]

First off, don't use nTune at all. It could turn your mobo into a useless hunk of metal and plastic. (Don't believe me; ask around on the eVGA forums...). You can use ATI's tool to test for stability just fine, from what I hear.

Heat likely is your problem, and its because the 8800GTs fan speed is locked at around 29% in 2-D mode, and 50-something% in 3-D mode. Use Rivatuner and manually set fan speeds based on temperature to control it. Everyone I've talked to says this works wonders.

And remember DO NOT USE nTune! The nVidia COntrol Panel is fine, but nTune and NAM are bad news.

If after getting your temps under control and you still have problems, I'd consider an RMA, but only after you are sure its defective. The 8800GTs run hot as hades, but setting up Rivatuner properly should never see it rise over 90c in a well cooled case...

[spiral out]

Yes mine idles around 54 degrees and could hit 80 odd in ATI tool with the fan at the default 29%, but with the fan up to 65% it doesn't go over 70 degrees.

Forgot to say i'm using rivatuner to set fan speeds and overclock my card.

[Pob255]

I seem to remember that the fan doesn't actually speed up at all just fixed at 28%, you have to manually change it to get it to run faster.

[TheSpecialOne]

Hi,

It looks like it was the Nvidia Ntune software afterall.

I downloaded the ATI tool and scanned for any artifacts for over 2 hours without any problems.

Also tried memtest for over an hour on my system memory to eliminate this and this passed too.


Finally I used RivaTuner and set my GPU fan to 45% - now the card doesn't go over 70 degrees under max load.


Thanks for your help guys.