Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 16 of 18

Thread: Need a replacement graphics card?

  1. #1
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    363
    Thanks
    142
    Thanked
    4 times in 2 posts

    Need a replacement graphics card?

    Hello, I have suddenly started having major problems with my PC since I replaced the thermal paste on my CPU and liquid-cooled heatsink for my GPU.

    I'm not quite sure what I have managed to do, but my guess is that the graphics card is screwed. My motherboard does not have on-board graphics to test this theory. When I booted up having removed all the old paste, replacing it with much better stuff, it loaded up Windows 7 like normal. When the desktop loaded, it was all fractured (parts of the desktop appear fine and others completely messed up/randomly). I restarted the computer, because on top of this, the computer froze up, This happened a few times, before finally I restarted again and the computer booted-up, got to the loading Windows screen and after that, made all the usual sounds (internal) that would suggest it was still loading up into Windows, but my monitor displayed nothing but a blank screen.

    Any thoughts? If it is the graphics card, can anyone suggest what I can replace the BFG 8800GTX OC2 768MB GDDR3 Dual DVI HDTV Out HDCP enabled PCI-E Graphics Card with, running on a Corsair 620W HX Modular PSU (ATX12V v2.2 APFC)?

    Thank you so much for your consideration!
    Last edited by oimi; 08-12-2009 at 07:27 PM.

  2. #2
    Registered+
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Posts
    28
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked
    2 times in 2 posts

    Re: Need a replacement graphics card?

    Well if you dont mind going to ATI I think that the Asus Hd5770 is a good card at about £120. Its close to the performance of a 4870, but its quieter, uses less power and a dx11 card. Dont know if anyone dissagrees that for the money this is a good buy just now. Also the Asus Version has voltage tweeks that add that little extra boost.

  3. #3
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Posts
    394
    Thanks
    18
    Thanked
    29 times in 25 posts

    Re: Need a replacement graphics card?

    I am quite tempted to get a B-Grade HD4850 1GB @ £69.99 from maplin

  4. #4
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    363
    Thanks
    142
    Thanked
    4 times in 2 posts

    Re: Need a replacement graphics card?

    Hello and thank you both for your suggestions, I would prefer to stick with an Nvidia card though.

  5. #5
    I'm Very Important
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Posts
    2,928
    Thanks
    318
    Thanked
    360 times in 318 posts
    • Domestic_Ginger's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte GA-MA770-UD3
      • CPU:
      • Phenom II X2 550
      • Memory:
      • 4GB DDR2
      • Storage:
      • F3 500gb
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 5850
      • PSU:
      • Corsair 550vx
      • Case:
      • NZXT beta evo
      • Operating System:
      • W7
      • Monitor(s):
      • G2222HDL

    Re: Need a replacement graphics card?

    Without trying a different GPU I'm not sure how to isolate the problem.

    Did you use conductive thermal paste on the water cool blocks? Maybe a short (clutching at straws). If the splash screen is good for the 8800 its most probably a windows problem.

    Could you try another OS or windows install?

    Watch out for NV rebrands! The only upgrade for the 8800 from NV is the GTX260 or above starting at about 120.

  6. #6
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    363
    Thanks
    142
    Thanked
    4 times in 2 posts

    Re: Need a replacement graphics card?

    Quote Originally Posted by Domestic_Ginger View Post
    Without trying a different GPU I'm not sure how to isolate the problem.

    Did you use conductive thermal paste on the water cool blocks? Maybe a short (clutching at straws). If the splash screen is good for the 8800 its most probably a windows problem.

    Could you try another OS or windows install?

    Watch out for NV rebrands! The only upgrade for the 8800 from NV is the GTX260 or above starting at about 120.
    Hello Domestic_Ginger,

    I do have other GPUs, but they are years old and only have an old CRT monitor type connector, which is no good for my LCD TV.

    The paste I used was called Akasa Thermal compound AK-450-5G (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...=STRK:MEWNX:IT). When talking about a splash screen, I assume you are referring to the GPU coolers ability to ensure there is no leakage? There is no liquid escaping from the cooler block.

    When I tried to load up the Windows disc, to do a repair, it still did the same thing (appearing to load up and then failing to display anything but a black screen).

    NV Rebrands? What about model numbers, the lower the number, the better the model? GTX260 is a lesser card than the 120? What happened to the traditional branding? I would have assumed that the 9x series was an upgrade from the 8x series, not 2x...

  7. #7
    Moosing about! CAT-THE-FIFTH's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Not here
    Posts
    31,621
    Thanks
    3,757
    Thanked
    5,060 times in 3,912 posts
    • CAT-THE-FIFTH's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Less E-PEEN
      • CPU:
      • Massive E-PEEN
      • Memory:
      • RGB E-PEEN
      • Storage:
      • Not in any order
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVEN BIGGER E-PEEN
      • PSU:
      • OVERSIZED
      • Case:
      • UNDERSIZED
      • Operating System:
      • DOS 6.22
      • Monitor(s):
      • NOT USUALLY ON....WHEN I POST
      • Internet:
      • FUNCTIONAL

    Re: Need a replacement graphics card?

    Quote Originally Posted by oimi View Post
    Hello Domestic_Ginger,

    I do have other GPUs, but they are years old and only have an old CRT monitor type connector, which is no good for my LCD TV.

    The paste I used was called Akasa Thermal compound AK-450-5G (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...=STRK:MEWNX:IT). When talking about a splash screen, I assume you are referring to the GPU coolers ability to ensure there is no leakage? There is no liquid escaping from the cooler block.

    When I tried to load up the Windows disc, to do a repair, it still did the same thing (appearing to load up and then failing to display anything but a black screen).

    NV Rebrands? What about model numbers, the lower the number, the better the model? GTX260 is a lesser card than the 120? What happened to the traditional branding? I would have assumed that the 9x series was an upgrade from the 8x series, not 2x...
    The 8800GTX was replaced by the 9800GTX and the latter was a rebrand of the 8800GTS 512MB(a different chip from the 8800GTS 320MB and 640MB). The 9800GTX was replaced by the 9800GTX+ and then by the GTS250. The 8800GTS 512MB,9800GTX,9800GTX+ and GTS250 use the same 128 stream processor G92 chip with differing clockspeeds. They are not that much if an upgrade over the 8800GTX.

    The GTX260 has two versions - one with 192 shaders and the other 216 shaders. The GTX260 would be an upgrade over the 8800GTX but not a huge performance jump IMHO. The GTX275 has 240 stream processors and would be a better upgrade from an 8800GTX but TBH I would wait until Nvidia releases its DX11 parts and I would get a stop gap card until then.

    OTH, the 216 shader version of the GTX260 can be had for under £125:

    http://www.ebuyer.com/product/179590

    The 192 shader version of the GTX260 can be had for even less:

    http://www.ebuyer.com/product/160748

  8. #8
    Senior Member Pob255's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    The land of Brum
    Posts
    10,128
    Thanks
    605
    Thanked
    1,220 times in 1,121 posts
    • Pob255's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus M5A99X EVO
      • CPU:
      • FX8350 & CM Hyper 212+
      • Memory:
      • 4 x 2gb Corsair Vengence 1600mhz cas9
      • Storage:
      • 512gb samsung SSD +1tb Samsung HDD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EGVA GTX970
      • PSU:
      • Seasonic GX 650W
      • Case:
      • HAF 912+
      • Operating System:
      • W7 Pro
      • Monitor(s):
      • iiyama XB3270QS-B1 32" IPS 1440p

    Re: Need a replacement graphics card?

    I think ginger means starting at £120

    the original 9800gtx performed around the same as the 8800gtx, the 9800gtx+ (aka gts250) perfroms slightly better due to slightly higher clock speeds.
    "eco versions" of the gts250 are just underclocked back to the 9800gtx level.

    All this said, have you tried putting the original cooler back on?
    I'd also sugest fulling checking the waterblock setting, make sure it's not shorting something or not cooling the mofets or some other part.
    It's not just the gpu and memory on current graphics cards you need to worry about, the power regulation is now pritty vital too.

    EDIT: Damb it CAT stop posting what I was going to say before I do.

  9. #9
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    363
    Thanks
    142
    Thanked
    4 times in 2 posts

    Re: Need a replacement graphics card?

    Whilst you were all frantically replying, I took the computer apart and carefully bled the liquid cooling system. I then took apart the GPU from the water cooling block and did the same for the CPU, applying an ven thinner layer than before of thermal paste to the two. I then put it all back together, after discovering a load of strange bits being carried around in the liquid of the liquid cooling system and disposing of them.

    I have the system up and running, currently playing a film in loop and plan on keeping it going for around 24 hours to see how the system copes.

    I should be back to report back the results, thank you all for your support thus far!

  10. #10
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    363
    Thanks
    142
    Thanked
    4 times in 2 posts

    Re: Need a replacement graphics card?

    Having left the film on loop, when I inspected the computer the next morning, I found that it has frozen.

    Any ideas?

  11. #11
    I'm Very Important
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Posts
    2,928
    Thanks
    318
    Thanked
    360 times in 318 posts
    • Domestic_Ginger's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte GA-MA770-UD3
      • CPU:
      • Phenom II X2 550
      • Memory:
      • 4GB DDR2
      • Storage:
      • F3 500gb
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 5850
      • PSU:
      • Corsair 550vx
      • Case:
      • NZXT beta evo
      • Operating System:
      • W7
      • Monitor(s):
      • G2222HDL

    Re: Need a replacement graphics card?

    Sorry i don't mean to talk gibberish.

    It was £120 I meant; the 8800gtx does high resolutions and textures better than the G92 (due to memory bandwidth and larger amount of memory; this was chopped to lower manufacturing costs on the newer G92s). At low resolutions the G92 wins. IMO the 9 series offers nothing over the 8800gtx you have now; neither does the GTS250. I think the GTX260 would be the first improvement but as CtV pointed out it might not be that much.

    By splash sceen I mean the screen your card posts when you turn your system on before the bios posts.

    Sounds like its overheating. Get a temp monitoring program like speedfan, HWmonitor or everest ultimate and then run furmark. Like Pob says see if you can find something to read the VRMs (they are covered by the long thin strips nearest the power socket) on your GPU as well; I know everest ultimate can do this on radeons.

    No idea what core temp you reach on water but it show level off after a few minutes. If it hits about 80 (90 is not unheard of with stock cooler) then there is something wrong with the cooling.

  12. #12
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    363
    Thanks
    142
    Thanked
    4 times in 2 posts

    Re: Need a replacement graphics card?

    Using Real Temp, I get a GPU temperature reading of 68 degrees.

    The CPU cores are averaging about 55 degrees.

  13. #13
    I'm Very Important
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Posts
    2,928
    Thanks
    318
    Thanked
    360 times in 318 posts
    • Domestic_Ginger's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte GA-MA770-UD3
      • CPU:
      • Phenom II X2 550
      • Memory:
      • 4GB DDR2
      • Storage:
      • F3 500gb
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 5850
      • PSU:
      • Corsair 550vx
      • Case:
      • NZXT beta evo
      • Operating System:
      • W7
      • Monitor(s):
      • G2222HDL

    Re: Need a replacement graphics card?

    Is that while the card is idling or at load? If its idle they are probably too hot under water cooling i would think. On air people report 60-70 on idle and 85+ on load.

    68 on load sounds ok to me if you're stressing it.

    The Q6700 temps I'm no expert on again I presume they are at load; 55 sounds fine as the max rated temp is 71 (according to a bloke on a forum). If its under a water block I'm less sure.

  14. #14
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    363
    Thanks
    142
    Thanked
    4 times in 2 posts

    Re: Need a replacement graphics card?

    On playing a film minimised, from a file not a disc I am getting a GPU temperature of 61 degrees when first playing. Load at 23%.

  15. #15
    I'm Very Important
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Posts
    2,928
    Thanks
    318
    Thanked
    360 times in 318 posts
    • Domestic_Ginger's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte GA-MA770-UD3
      • CPU:
      • Phenom II X2 550
      • Memory:
      • 4GB DDR2
      • Storage:
      • F3 500gb
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 5850
      • PSU:
      • Corsair 550vx
      • Case:
      • NZXT beta evo
      • Operating System:
      • W7
      • Monitor(s):
      • G2222HDL

    Re: Need a replacement graphics card?

    I would stress it with furmark a film is not going to give it much of a workout. Fire it up and watch your temps rise but be ready to stop it as this is as hot your card is going to get. Your temps should max out below 90.

    If they do level off you can leave it running for about 15 minutes (but keep an eye on it) and see if it survives. If it does that your GPU is most probably fine.
    Last edited by Domestic_Ginger; 10-12-2009 at 05:10 PM.

  16. #16
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    363
    Thanks
    142
    Thanked
    4 times in 2 posts

    Re: Need a replacement graphics card?

    Ouch, I followed your advice and this was the result...



    Was worried about the fact that it managed to reach 92 degrees and wasn't sure whether it would continue to rise. I was running the stability test.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. replacement for x700 graphics card
    By mattmuir in forum Graphics Cards
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 03-03-2008, 01:45 AM
  2. Faulty graphics card
    By BEANFro Elite in forum SCAN.care@HEXUS
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 05-04-2006, 12:36 PM
  3. Is SLI/Crossfire good for anything ELSE (other than graphics)?
    By Artic_Kid in forum PC Hardware and Components
    Replies: 32
    Last Post: 24-03-2006, 01:56 PM
  4. Replies: 14
    Last Post: 24-12-2004, 08:50 PM
  5. Graphics Cards Advice Please
    By smokie10 in forum Graphics Cards
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 22-11-2004, 10:40 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •