yet another 7900GTX problem occurance

[htid]

I've had my XFX 7900GTX since September and haven't had any problems so far (but then again i haven't tried gaming or any benchmarking tests). This week, however, I started, firstly with 3D mark 06. I get the artifacting and areas of black etc and when certain tests are on (such as the one that looks like a wide view of a planet such as mars (don't know the name of the test)) I get like 0 or 1fps!! Then when the tests finish the screen goes black with certain areas visible and the screen flickers on and off meaning I have to restart.

Today i installed FEAR and had weird graphics problems such as sudden really slow frame rates and then when i alt-tab the same blackness/screenflickering on and off happens.

Now I know this is a common problem with 7900GTX's but I heard that it only affects the G70 chips and not G71? Is that right? So if i RMA this card is it likely i'll just get another G70 back or would i get a G71? Would it be worth getting a 7950GX2 instead or are they also dodgey?

Specs are as listed on the left, and the card was from microdirect in case that matters,

Cheers,
Chris.

[Clunk]

The card is dead mate, rma it, sell it and buy something different. Theres not an awful lot else you can do. Personally, i would go for an ATI.

[chuckskull]

RMA it, you'll get a newer and working 7900GTX back. Then either keep it or flog it.

[Clunk]

If he bought it a month ago, he should have got a newer and working one then really. No guarantees with the 7900gt/gtx cards.

[chuckskull]

No guarantee's, it could be old stock etc. or just a plain old dead board, happens with all cards occasionally

[htid]

Are the 7950GX2's known to work fine though?

Also, i've never done an RMA, do I do it via XFX or microdirect?

Cheers.

[chuckskull]

After a month I think it goes over to XFX. Email them and ask. If you do RMA it with XFX do it via the online query thing, their terrible over the phone.

[Clunk]

Yep, dont ring XFX they charge premium rates to patronise you.

[chuckskull]

The web team were awesome when I dealt with them. I almost snapped the phone when I rang them though.

[Clunk]

having to call an 0906 number to get an rma number isnt what i would call awesome

[chuckskull]

I never had to phone them last time i returned something. All done via their query thing. Put in the cards serial no. Clicked a few buttons and it was sorted.

[Clunk]

Ah, i did, they hadnt answered the online query thing after 2 weeks of repeated asking. That was on a 7800gt, i bought a 7900gtx card from scan and that had the sudden death sysndrome and they still havent replied to my queries and that was about 3 months ago

Edit: not scan that hadnt replied, XFX

[htid]

lol they answered my query within 2 hours of asking. Said I have to contact the supplier, who in turn said i can RMA it with them. Just hope i can pay the extra and get another card rather than another 7900GTX.

Cheers for the info guys

[chuckskull]

Ah, i did, they hadnt answered the online query thing after 2 weeks of repeated asking. That was on a 7800gt, i bought a 7900gtx card from scan and that had the sudden death sysndrome and they still havent replied to my queries and that was about 3 months ago

Edit: not scan that hadnt replied, XFX

You don't have much luck do you mate?

[Clunk]

Not with crap firms no