2nd 8800 640GTS Dead... Need help..

H

HyperTension

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Dec 23, 2002
Messages
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OK... Bought my first 8800GTS just over a month ago. Overclocks well, stable, outstanding card. Then, 1.5 weeks ago, the entire screen turns a light opaque grey. System still running, no lockups.

This occurs within 15 seconds of booting in XP normally, in safe mode, or VGA mode. It also does this in 5 minutes of a fresh OS install. I try different power rails, nothing fixes the issue. After contacting EVGA, and going through these events, as well as ways to correct it, they recommend RMA.

In the interim, I go back to my 7800GT's in SLI with no issues what-so-ever.

New card arrives today. I uninstalled my 93.71's without event, removed the 2 GT's, placed in my 8800GTS and reboot. In less than a minute after getting into the OS, same thing. I've used different power lines, placed in in the lower PCIE slot, removed all but 1HD to minimize power usage, booted into safe / VGA mode, all with the same result. My display is CRT, and have gone so far as to swap out DVI/VGA converters, with no luck. System does NOT lock up, I am able to power down by hitting the power button on my case.

Go back to my 7800GT's, and here I am.

After going through the same process with EVGA tech support, I'm told that I will need to RMA this card as well. The odds of this are pretty dayom slim, and I'm at a total loss as to what is creating this.

I'll be calling EVGA RMA tomorrow morning, but if any of you have ideas, suggestions, I'm all ears at this point.
 
What is your system setup...? mobo and power supply especially?

this is bad man....
 
See my sig for current setup.

PSU is an OCZ 600ADJ-SLI

Thats the only thing I can think of, but it runs 2x7800GT's. And my dropping my other 3 HD's to minimize power consumption... I dunno...

What else can I do?
 
HyperTension said:
New card arrives today. I uninstalled my 93.71's without event, removed the 2 GT's, placed in my 8800GTS and reboot. In less than a minute after getting into the OS, same thing. I've used different power lines, placed in in the lower PCIE slot, removed all but 1HD to minimize power usage, booted into safe / VGA mode, all with the same result. My display is CRT, and have gone so far as to swap out DVI/VGA converters, with no luck. System does NOT lock up, I am able to power down by hitting the power button on my case.

Go back to my 7800GT's, and here I am.

After going through the same process with EVGA tech support, I'm told that I will need to RMA this card as well. The odds of this are pretty dayom slim, and I'm at a total loss as to what is creating this.

I'll be calling EVGA RMA tomorrow morning, but if any of you have ideas, suggestions, I'm all ears at this point.
Click to expand...

I must admit that the odds are slim, but it has happened to plenty of people online "back to back". But yeah, post your system specs so we can help diagnose the real issue.

EDIT : I see them now :).
 
I can't remember if that Powerstream is actually an FSP Epsilon rebadge or not. I know the GameXtremes are.

If that's the case you could be suffering the effects of the increased ripple at high load that these PSUs are prone to. See if you can get hold of a different PSU to try...
 
LOL.. Well, initially it was... :D

Getting a new PSU is my next step. Looking at the PCP&C 750w varient...

I've initiated a new RMA.. sigh.. who knows?

Have you heard of this happening back to back before? The box this 8800GTS showed up in had a large red & white sticker stating "RMA". Is it possible I got a RMA card with the same issue?

**Edit** I just bought a PCP&C Silencer 750 (Quad) for $179 bucks from their website. After searching / and reviewing this PSU, any further power issues should be negated.
 
Wish I'd bought mine direct rather than through Newegg... I hear they'll even give you custom harnesses... Could've asked for an extension on the 8pin motherboard power connector and saved myself $10 for an extension.
 
You have definately taken care of your power issues. I've had my since they were first release (pre-quad) and it has run strong w/o missing a beat. I even tried a zippy 850watter and I still kept the PCP&C 750 Silencer. Well, let's wait for your third card to show up and hope for the best. GL!!
 
nicepun said:
You have definately taken care of your power issues. I've had my since they were first release (pre-quad) and it has run strong w/o missing a beat. I even tried a zippy 850watter and I still kept the PCP&C 750 Silencer. Well, let's wait for your third card to show up and hope for the best. GL!!
Click to expand...

Same here, I love my copper colored beauty... even if I did knock that little metal bracket off the back when I took it out of the box. :p
 
New issue. My 3rd 8800GTS 640 will be here tomorrow. My new PSU will not be in until Monday. I tried card #2 in a friends system, and it dies as well, so that leads me down the path that I just got some really wierd luck with the having the same issue on card #2.

However, I'm still a bit leary... :)

Think I should wait it out till Monday, or just plow ahead, and swap out the PSU on when it gets here?
 
Wait for new PSU.

HyperTension said:
New issue. My 3rd 8800GTS 640 will be here tomorrow. My new PSU will not be in until Monday. I tried card #2 in a friends system, and it dies as well, so that leads me down the path that I just got some really wierd luck with the having the same issue on card #2.

However, I'm still a bit leary... :)

Think I should wait it out till Monday, or just plow ahead, and swap out the PSU on when it gets here?
Click to expand...
 
Yeah wait on the new PSU. I had a similar problem with the 7900GT's and an Antec 550w TP. First card died a month after I had it. Second card died the same day it arrived. The later cards would work at first in a different system but once they hit that Antec PSU they wouldnt work in anything. I think it took 6 cards, and almost three months before I had a working gaming system. I replaced the Antec with an OCZ 700w and well, I got my sweet revenge on the Antec with a big ass hammer.
 
maybe try the new card in your friend's system over the weekend, and then your own on monday, this way you'll know if it is actually the card or your system.
 
hoboman said:
maybe try the new card in your friend's system over the weekend, and then your own on monday, this way you'll know if it is actually the card or your system.
Click to expand...

Provided he/she doesn't have the same bad PSU...LOL
 
AGHHHH I'm staring at a nice, new GTS!! IT TEASES ME!!!!

Sigh, and I work Monday too. At least I'll have something to look forward to with regards to my computer.
 
If that PSU is the culprit... I figure that I'll tie it behind my car, and drive to work.. (45 miles on I-94)..


I'll take some pictures...
 
evga makes the BEST card.

their service is TOP notch.

I just can't see you getting 2 bad cards, thats like winning the badlottery.

i love my evga 8800 640gts, f***er smokes.
 
Uberhitzung said:
evga makes the BEST card.
Click to expand...

EVGA doesn't make ANY of the G80 boards. Neither does BFG. Neither does XFX. Neither does PNY. Neither does <INSERT BOARD PARTNER HERE>.

All of the 8800GTX, GTS, and Ultra boards are currently manufactured by Flextronics under exclusive contract with nVidia. The only thing the board partner does is slap their sticker on the cooler, UPC and package it for retail sale.
 
Two in a row is definitely possible, hell I got 3 :/ These were 8800GTX's though, all eVGA. First one had small artifacts in ATItool at stock speeds, in CS:S textures were all sparkly and annoying (artifacts). The second one would lock up immediately when I tried to run any 3D program.. atitool, games, 3dmark, anything. The third one loaded at over 100C, even after replacing thermal paste.. technically the card worked fine, but those temperatures are unacceptable.

I stuck with my Seasonic 550w PSU the whole time, and my fourth card is here, working fine :) Stupid cards..
 
AGH!!!

WTF!!!

Same thing... I've replaced my PSU with a PCP&C 750 Silencer.. and it does the exact same fucking thing. Hell, it even does it when I try to install a new OS. It does not do with when I am in the BIOS though.

I'm getting a new mobo tonight (same varient). At this point, I'm totally lost. If I have the issue with a new motherboard, that redirects me back to thinking its a video card issue. It happens with both PCI-E slots. (Tried different monitors / DVI / VGA adaptors)

Is it possible to have my PCIE get overheated / unstable with this (aquired over time), and then with the increased voltage requirements with a GTS that it kills the display?

When I use my 7800GT's I have to downclock the memory a tough (didn't have to do that before), but they are stable after that.

Again, the system itself does NOT lock up, I am able to power down without issues. No issues with running 7800GT's in SLI. Everything is set to stock in the BIOS.

What else can I do?
 
Maybe it's a heat issue? What case are you using, and how cool is it? Other than that... then yes, I would have to assume it's your mobo, as it seems like the last link in your horrible puzzle :(

Sorry dude, that sucks. At least you know it wasn't the video card after all LOL... not very comforting.
 
its could be a driver issue as it doesnt do it in the bios and only 5 minutes after OS startup so that would be a driver issue that is causing that
 
I'm not sure if it's a driver issue, being how with windows installer runs a basic vag adaptor, and it still dies. there is a 250mm fan blowing on them, these are all enclosed in a Goliath case from performance-pcs (Lain Li G70).

If the issues still occurs with my new A8N32, that leads me right back to it being a video card issue. I can't see how a PCP&C 750 not putting out enough power for this..
 
HyperTension said:
I'm not sure if it's a driver issue, being how with windows installer runs a basic vag adaptor, and it still dies. there is a 250mm fan blowing on them, these are all enclosed in a Goliath case from performance-pcs (Lain Li G70).

If the issues still occurs with my new A8N32, that leads me right back to it being a video card issue. I can't see how a PCP&C 750 not putting out enough power for this..
Click to expand...

The PS is overkill, so that's not a problem. You have more than enough cooling. Sucks you have to go through all this, but it's probably the mobo then. If not... then maybe EVGA keeps sending you the same card back because they don't think anything is wrong with it? LOL
 
Blue Falcon said:
EVGA doesn't make ANY of the G80 boards. Neither does BFG. Neither does XFX. Neither does PNY. Neither does <INSERT BOARD PARTNER HERE>.

All of the 8800GTX, GTS, and Ultra boards are currently manufactured by Flextronics under exclusive contract with nVidia. The only thing the board partner does is slap their sticker on the cooler, UPC and package it for retail sale.
Click to expand...

Thanks for trying to educate the masses! ;)

Now about the OP issues, I think there is some major misguidance going on here. One of the biggest trends seems to be "blame it on PSU" which has been found quite ridicilous on many forums, no doubt the PSU makers welcome this trend. Those 750-1000W PSU are absurdly over the top pieces of hardware, I do not think any system without 10 HDD and SLI eat up that much power. Remember thats just a wild guess not to be taken seriously, but the fact is that a quality 500-600W PSU should handle even the top end gaming rig with highend 3D card installed. If it indeed would be the PSU/mobo acting out, how in the heck do you explain the card working perfectly for couple weeks and then ZAP half dead card? I just have hard time grasping that computer equipment work like that unless the OP has only booted his computer once a week and on top of that hes SLI cards work just fine, which I bet eat up more juice than a single 8800GTS in idle :)

By opening the computer case you eliminate the heat issue, if that does not work and you have doned all the reinstalling of OS, I think its pretty safe to assume the card is bad. To me that problem sounds like faulty DVI connector or cable. I just think PSU turning a screen [insert color here] is quite a stretch. Most likely both cards have been a bad batch from the factory. Keep in mind, its a pretty accurate saying that "if a computer component works over 2-4 weeks, its most likely to work for years", that is unless a fan or other mechanical thingy fails.

ps. OP unless you have a chance to confirm this problem on another machine I suggest you call the manufacturer and ask did they indeed find any problems with the card. Its pretty safe to assume that the card was faulty if you got a brand new card to replace it.
 
sam0t said:
Thanks for trying to educate the masses! ;)

If it indeed would be the PSU/mobo acting out, how in the heck do you explain the card working perfectly for couple weeks and then ZAP half dead card?
Click to expand...

Quite easily, actually.

A PSU that provides poor power regulation and/or excessively "dirty" power will cause premature failure in the power regulation components of the equipment said PSU is powering - Be it video cards, motherboards, HDDs, or whatever. This scenario happens much more often than you might think.

Now that doesn't appear to be what's happening here, but it was a good suspicion since the G80 in particular seems to offer these 'quirks' when it's not getting the power it needs. Since this has happened to two cards in a row that REALLY pushes the possibility of a 'bad card' way back since the odds of two cards failing in the exact same manner are just short of astronomical. I think he even noted that his old 7800GTs won't run at their stock clocks anymore in that system. So if it's not the PSU maybe it's the motherboard, hell maybe it even IS two bad cards and he's just extremely unlucky. Or maybe the fates are aligned against him.....

*shrug*

All any of us can do is try and offer our experience and knowledge to assist him which is what this forum is for.

:)
 
"Fates".. sigh.. Actually, I'm up to 3 now. With this new motherboard, if the issue stays the same, I think that would isolate it. If thats the case, and it is still video card based, I'll start becomming most unhappy. 2 cards are more than ok, 3.. starting to get irritated. at 4 bad video cards... Not a happy camper... But, we will see :)
 
Blue Falcon said:
A PSU that provides poor power regulation and/or excessively "dirty" power will cause premature failure in the power regulation components of the equipment said PSU is powering - Be it video cards, motherboards, HDDs, or whatever. This scenario happens much more often than you might think.

Now that doesn't appear to be what's happening here, but it was a good suspicion since the G80 in particular seems to offer these 'quirks' when it's not getting the power it needs.
Click to expand...

Yes I have too seen some real voodoo stuff with computers and a bad PSU has been the culprite on a few occasions. I was ready to disclose the PSU as the culprite because hes 7900 cards in SLI are working flawlessly while 8800 would go belly up in couple weeks. Now looks like I did not read carefully enough as you said hes 7900 did not OC so well anymore.

Also who is to say that 8800 is not more prone to hardware failure because of voltage spikes and so on. But yeah when the day ends all we can do is speculate, I wish good luck for the OP, this kinda troubleshooting marathon is a hard one for sure.

ps. If nothing else works, maybe the OP should get an electrician to check hes power cables or something :confused:
 
WOOHOO Success!!!

A new motherboard later.. and everything works... so far.

By the way, the A3 varient kicks some major ass. I'm running with a core of 701mhz, and memory of 1.001Ghz. Holy shit on the core!!

So, to recap.. 3 video cards, 1 PSU, and motherboard later, everything works... So far.. :)
 
Yeah that's pretty nice, you went through a miniature hell and some money, but you got a nice video card out of it. My core tops out at like 630 before it starts artifacting, I run it at 620. Very nice OC. Some good came out of it after all........
 
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