Dodgy 9800 Pro?

Hi,

I recently bought a 9800 pro off e-bay, first of all it was fine, but then the computer started rebooting itself mid-task. It was even doing it in windows desktop when there wasn't really much strain on it.

After the second forced re-boot, it wouldn't start up again. It would get past the initial windows screen, with the moving line under the windows logo, but wouldn't go into the sign-in screen. I'm running at 1280x1024 75hz, so there shouldn't be anything that's challenging it.

When I opened the case, the heat from the GPU fan/heatsink was quite alarming. Should I send the card back as a dud and look for a brand new AGP card?

*EDIT* Should also mention that I put my 9700pro back in, and after some stuttering, that worked, and is running quite cool. Are 9800 Pro cards prone to excess heat?

9800pros run very hot with the stock cooler.

I would try the card in a system with a more powerful PSU, to see if that clears up any of the problems. If not, return it.

It's running off a 400w Akasa PSU, that should be enough, shouldn't it?

I've had a message back from the vendor, as follows:

Please check that you have a 'Pro' graphics slot and that you have supplied the graphics card with power from the main pc power supply.

This card will only work in an AGP slot and has to be a 'Pro' slot.

Please let me know.


Is he trying to get one over on me with the 'Pro' slot thing? I've never heard of an AGP Pro slot...

There's a twist!

I've taken the heatsink off, to see if i can improve the contact with the GPU, and it would appear that the GPU is an R360, which I think makes it an XT chip on a Pro board. I think I might like to keep it now! Anyone got any idea of the best cooler to buy for it, do XT and Pro cards need different coolers? The current heatsink/fan combo only has 2 wires running to the fan, whereas I think I saw mentioned somewhere that the r360 has temp monitoring. I'm confused...

From Wikipedia: ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accelerated_Graphics_Port )

In addition, AGP Pro cards of various types exist. They require more power and are often longer than standard AGP cards (though they only connect to one AGP slot). These cards are usually used to accelerate professional computer-aided design applications employed in the fields of architecture, machining, engineering, simulations, and similar fields. The AGP Pro slot has a few extra pins which supply extra power to the graphics card. However, AGP Pro has not become widely accepted. Instead, modern desktop grade power-hungry video cards are equipped with a separate power source, either through a Molex or peripheral plug for additional power.

So it looks like a misunderstanding; 9800 pro doesn't mean the card is AGP pro...

I'm going to keep it anyway, and maybe just get a better cooler for it...

Perhaps the guy refers to the AGP version (2.0 or 3.0) and for this you probably have to have your BIOS updated. My motherboard is quite old, and the initial BIOS does not support AGP 3.0, although I think that a later upgrade made 3.0 available. Perhaps this is what the guy is referring to.

I've already told the guy I've got an AGP8x slot. Besides, the extra pins on an AGP pro board would mean the thing wouldn't fit into the slot at all. I think i'll just stick with it, and maybe put an Arctic Cooler fan/heatsink on it.

9800 series doesnt need a pro slot.
Supprised its overheating though @ default speeds.

Yeah, I think the guy's getting confused, with the 'Pro' name on the card.

To be honest, it may have been overheating because my soundcard was only 2 slots down. I've now moved it further away and left the blanking plate off the spare slot so more air can get in. So far seems to be ok. I still think i'm going to change the heatsink/fan though, it's got the r360 chip, so i might try o/c-ing it to xt speeds, seeing as it should be able to take it. Can anyone recommend a decent cooling solution for the card?

Well, tonight, the fan decided to grind to a halt and totally overheat the card, resulting in a blank screen. Luckily i've kept my 9700 pro as backup. Good job I've ordered an Arctic ATI1 as well. Is there any point in getting ramsinks?