Bfg 6800 Gt Oc Help!!!

[[BB] Rick James]

Thats indicating a heat problem. Pull the card out of the case, check to make sure all the screws are holding onto the heatsink, check to make sure the ramsinks are getting good contact with the white thermal pads and the ramsinks.

For trial, take the side off the case and get a big fan blowing right on the card, alternately get an 80-120 mm fan mounted so it blows right on the gpu and ramsinks.

One other posibility is your northbridge is overheating as well, if its got a fan on it make sure its working, if necessary pop the heatsink off the northbridge and make sure its making contact with thermal grease.

Another thing to check for heat, the south bridge, just put a finger on it and see how hot it is. I've seen southbridges get really hot and cause all sorts of weird problems in a puter.

Right a heat problem on the hard drive; not the video card. The graphic glitches I'm getting are not the typical artifacting. My hard drive does run very hot and I think I need to move it.

I've already checked the motherboard and video card to be sure the issue didn't lay there with heat. I've reformatted using both directX 9.0b and 9.0c; the issue still persists with both. I've used numerous drivers for the 6800GT and all end up with the same result.

Here are the symptoms of my issue. I can play the game fine from a cold boot; everything is off for hours then I turn the PC on play. After doing this everything is fine for the first 10 - 15 minutes; after that the graphical glitches occur. These glitches are not the normal glitches caused by heat with the video card. (artifacting) They are almost like pieces of the map flashing in out and out at random times throughout game play.

I guess at this point my gut feeling is that my hard drive is the cause of the glitches. Like I said before it does run very hot; almost burns your hand if you touch it. It runs hot only because I have it pan caked between a foam pad and the top of my case. (Yes I know very bad idea)

So tonight I will move the hard drive to a place where it can breathe properly and see if that resolves this baffling issue. It’s just hard to believe this issue started when I first got my 6800 GT card. Although I might just not have noticed it before which could be the case. Or this new card makes the hard drive work harder during games due to better FPS? I’m not entirely sure if that is possible but if that is the case then that does make sense.

Does anyone know if better video cards can make the hard drive actually work harder due to the cards being able to run higher FPS?

 

[Sniper_Merc]

Does anyone know if better video cards can make the hard drive actually work harder due to the cards being able to run higher FPS?

Nope.

On that note, what is happening is heat related to the card, most likely the memory is getting too hot which is why I suggested checking the ramsinks out.

I have noticed small flashes here and there on my card when I have the side of my case off, because the airflow that is normally going front to back is disrupted, put the side back on and its all good again, flashes never show up.

I'm considering pulling my card and checking it out, see if there is possibility that the ramsinks arent making proper contact.

 

[Unit-0]

Guys, Guys Guys.... Lets hug.... Ready one....two...three.... Aw I feel better already and I'm the one with the graphics card issues.

Ok so I ran some nVidia Demos and they run smooth as shit with NO artifacts. This leads me to beleive now that I don't actually have a problem with my card; but soemthing else is creating it

EDIT: removed because i sound stupid responding so late.

 

[GoCanes]

One thing to try if it's not mentioned yet is different version of drivers...

I use 45.23 still because BF42 and BFV have weird graphical issues were it looks like it is dropping textures if I use newer drivers... I don't have a 6800 yet, but was going to try newer drivers with it to see if the issues went away, but if the drivers are the cause...

 

[[BB] Rick James]

One thing to try if it's not mentioned yet is different version of drivers...

I use 45.23 still because BF42 and BFV have weird graphical issues were it looks like it is dropping textures if I use newer drivers... I don't have a 6800 yet, but was going to try newer drivers with it to see if the issues went away, but if the drivers are the cause...

I've tried all the drivers available for the 6800 GT.

This is either my RAM sinks not getting good contact or it's my hard drive over heating.

 

[[BB] Rick James]

You guys were right about the heat and the video card. I removed the ram heat sink from the card and replaced the putty/hard goo that was on the ram sinks with some of my own. Put hte card in and played UT2004 for 1 hour with NO graphical glitches what so ever!!! It was a heat issue.

My question is this; why in God's green fucking earth do they put that fucking hard putty on the fucking card to begin with. I rolled that shit up into a ball afterwards and its' almost like fucking chewing gum! THERE IS NO WAY that shit transfers heat for shit!

Anyway we can close the fucking books on this one; the issue is resolved. Thanks everyone for your help! WE FIXED IT!!

Thanks again guys you rock!

 

[Sniper_Merc]

Toldjaso

I'm gonna yank my card tonight and do the same, those thermal pads on the ram are inadeqete to say the least.

They used those pads for one to probably limit overclocking so you dont kill the card and two it's a lot easier to put that stuff on because it covers such a wide area, and three it protects the ram from the sink bouning around during shipment. At least those are my thoughts.

 

[Vagrant Zero]

Hm this doesn't sound good for BFG. Maybe they're in too much of a rush to get these cards out the door.

 

[Sniper_Merc]

Hm this doesn't sound good for BFG. Maybe they're in too much of a rush to get these cards out the door.

You gotta remember, BFG isn't making the cards, they do other things with them but they are basicly distributing them direct from Nvidia's manufacturer. At least for the initial runs that are getting out the door.

The cards ship at Nvidias specs, and the board partners will take it from there. Either putting on there own cooling solution or just using Nvidia's speced out cooling solution which im guessing they have the choice of using or not using, and having it shipped with or without it.

I do understand the need to be carefull when placing the ramsinks on BGA chips and the need for the extra padding/goop, those BGA chips aren't as solid as the core is and need a bit more protection. Having said that, Rick already found out why it isn't a very good solution.

 

[Vagrant Zero]

You gotta remember, BFG isn't making the cards, they do other things with them but they are basicly distributing them direct from Nvidia's manufacturer. At least for the initial runs that are getting out the door.

Well they are tearing off the heatsinks, applying AS5, than reapplying the heatsinks so maybe the damange came from there.

 

[Sniper_Merc]

Well they are tearing off the heatsinks, applying AS5, than reapplying the heatsinks so maybe the damange came from there.

Unlikely, I just got through removing my heatsink and it can be done easilly without affecting the ramsinks, there two seperate units.

Having said that, i did yank the ramsinks off, as well as the small heatsink covering the voltage regulators (im guessin thats what they are) and replaced the pads with a good white thermal grease. The core got some Coolermaster Shin Estu.

I do know that part of the problem isn't just the fact that those pads are there, its the fact that the way the cooler sucks in air, it ducts the hot air from the GPU right out over the ramsinks. It was ok to do that on the lower running heat coming from the FX series of cards, but I think its become a problem on the 6000 series. The hot air is actually winding up warming the bga ram modules.

At any rate, going to see how far i can push this core, oh, and quick test revealed that the Shin Estu on the core doesn't work any better than the AS5, only other thing to try is Nanotherm PCM, and I may order some of that when I order the new dual heat pipe Zalman cooler for this card.

Another thing of note, specific to using the Zalman Heat Pipe cooler, it will not fit out of box, the 4 bushed mounting holes around the GPU core are smaller than the screws included with the Zalman cooler, so I'll have to see if I can locate some smaller smooth shanked screws standoffs and nuts before I actually go to putting the Zalman on.

 

[[BB] Rick James]

Unlikely, I just got through removing my heatsink and it can be done easilly without affecting the ramsinks, there two seperate units.

Having said that, i did yank the ramsinks off, as well as the small heatsink covering the voltage regulators (im guessin thats what they are) and replaced the pads with a good white thermal grease. The core got some Coolermaster Shin Estu.

I do know that part of the problem isn't just the fact that those pads are there, its the fact that the way the cooler sucks in air, it ducts the hot air from the GPU right out over the ramsinks. It was ok to do that on the lower running heat coming from the FX series of cards, but I think its become a problem on the 6000 series. The hot air is actually winding up warming the bga ram modules.

At any rate, going to see how far i can push this core, oh, and quick test revealed that the Shin Estu on the core doesn't work any better than the AS5, only other thing to try is Nanotherm PCM, and I may order some of that when I order the new dual heat pipe Zalman cooler for this card.

Another thing of note, specific to using the Zalman Heat Pipe cooler, it will not fit out of box, the 4 bushed mounting holes around the GPU core are smaller than the screws included with the Zalman cooler, so I'll have to see if I can locate some smaller smooth shanked screws standoffs and nuts before I actually go to putting the Zalman on.

Well guys just when I thought I was out they pulled me back in. The artifacting is back. I think I'm going to chalk this one up to a defective card. I'm going to RMA it. Tis be a sad day.

 

[Sniper_Merc]

Well guys just when I thought I was out they pulled me back in. The artifacting is back. I think I'm going to chalk this one up to a defective card. I'm going to RMA it. Tis be a sad day.

RMA it direct to BFG rather than going through the store, you'll probably get it back a lot faster. Hell I would pay for cross shipping just to see it faster.

It does kinda suck that you got a bum card tho :/

 

[[BB] Rick James]

RMA it direct to BFG rather than going through the store, you'll probably get it back a lot faster. Hell I would pay for cross shipping just to see it faster.

It does kinda suck that you got a bum card tho :/

Actually I RMA'd it through Compuplus and I'll have the new card tomorrow and then all I have to do is send the defective card back to them. I have to give them props their RMA policy is super nice!

Well we will know tomorrow when I get my new card. Do you guys think I should take the card apart when I get the new one and replace those fucking thermal pads with Arctic Silver?

 

[Hom@R]

I think you should nutt hugg your new card when you get it, I hear that helps break them in.

 

[FlyinBrian]

ERR RMA's suck, well least it failed on you now and not down the road... i had an old PNY fail on me 11 days after the 30 day return policy at my local computer store and they wouldnt honor their lifetime warranty and i vowed id never by PNY anything again...

Evidently their warranty means lifetime shelf life (whats up with that ?) and not lifetime of the product in use..

 

[cambio]

Actually I RMA'd it through Compuplus and I'll have the new card tomorrow and then all I have to do is send the defective card back to them. I have to give them props their RMA policy is super nice!

Well we will know tomorrow when I get my new card. Do you guys think I should take the card apart when I get the new one and replace those fucking thermal pads with Arctic Silver?

Compuplus is great with their RMAs. I had to send back an asus 9800XT and had it back in about 4 days.

btw, I'd try it with the thermal pads first before screwing with a card you just got back.

I feel for you, sucks to have the baddest and have to return it. It's like taking candy away from a baby. Hope you get it fast!

 

[Sniper_Merc]

Actually I RMA'd it through Compuplus and I'll have the new card tomorrow and then all I have to do is send the defective card back to them. I have to give them props their RMA policy is super nice!

Well we will know tomorrow when I get my new card. Do you guys think I should take the card apart when I get the new one and replace those fucking thermal pads with Arctic Silver?

Thats actually one hell of an RMA policy they got going then.

I wouldn't take it apart till you find out if the same thing is going to happen or not.

If it happens again, its something in your system, if not you know for certain it was the card.

After stressing my card a bit this morning I was able to get the core a little higher but only 5 MHz so I've pretty much topped mine out at 425/1.140. The shin needs a few days to break in tho too so might get little more out ot if.

I definately want to replace the stock cooling, I don't like how hot it is.

 

[[BB] Rick James]

Thats actually one hell of an RMA policy they got going then.

I wouldn't take it apart till you find out if the same thing is going to happen or not.

If it happens again, its something in your system, if not you know for certain it was the card.

After stressing my card a bit this morning I was able to get the core a little higher but only 5 MHz so I've pretty much topped mine out at 425/1.140. The shin needs a few days to break in tho too so might get little more out ot if.

I definately want to replace the stock cooling, I don't like how hot it is.

Yeah that is probably a good idea. Man computer problems suck. I got to believe it's the vid card though. That would be one hell of a coincidence if something went out on my PC the exact moment I got the new card.

 

[kcthebrewer]

I got my BFG 6800GT up to 435/1200, but I took it back down to 420/1100 after a couple hours.

 

[Sniper_Merc]

Yeah that is probably a good idea. Man computer problems suck. I got to believe it's the vid card though. That would be one hell of a coincidence if something went out on my PC the exact moment I got the new card.

Don't need to tell me about puter problems, I had my share over the last month, the 6800 GT was my gift to myself after having to put up with so much shit.

http://s91019022.onlinehome.us/home.htm

Read the posts from June 7th on up. heres the June 7th post.

FUCK!!!!! to say the least. It's been a bit of a dismal month since my last post, the second Saitek Cyborg Evo stick fucked up on me 3 times in a game so I chucked it across the room so I'm back to using my old Sidewinder 3D Pro (not going to bother getting another Saitek), floppy drive died, got Scoop's new puter shipped to him (the blue one in pics down below), and the Liteon CD burner is having to be RMA'd due to it not wanting to burn more than 2x on several different types of media, Tatsu (friend from MSN chat and Zone) his puter died just by shutting it off when we were working on his nieces new laptop, and to top it all off the 20" Sun workstation monitor my friend Tainted gave me died .

 

[[BB] Rick James]

Don't need to tell me about puter problems, I had my share over the last month, the 6800 GT was my gift to myself after having to put up with so much shit.

http://s91019022.onlinehome.us/home.htm

Read the posts from June 7th on up. heres the June 7th post.

All I want to do is play games... Is that so much to ask? Other then that my PC problems have been few and far between lately. I haven't a PC problem in a while. Well I shouldn't say that but I havn't really ever had any defective gear.

 

[iZero]

Here are some pictures of Leadtek's cooler removed from their 6800:

[The site these images are linked off doesn't allow remote linking. So go to the review page to see them here, or just to their main site and copy and paste the links. You guys know how to do this...]

http://www.ixbt.com/video2/images/nv40-3/leadtek-6800-cooler2-small.jpg
http://www.ixbt.com/video2/images/nv40-3/leadtek-6800-scan-front.jpg

And some others:

Front:
http://www.ixbt.com/video2/images/nv40-3/leadtek-6800u-cooler1.jpg

Back:
http://www.ixbt.com/video2/images/nv40-3/leadtek-6800u-scan-back.jpg
http://www.ixbt.com/video2/images/nv40-3/leadtek-6800-cooler3.jpg
http://www.ixbt.com/video2/images/nv40-3/leadtek-6800-cooler4.jpg

I don't see any thermal pads on it. It's not a reference cooler either. Leadtek's GT uses the same cooler as the Ultra. The first pictures are actually of the regular 6800. The GT and Ultra use the same design only it's taller (two slots).

So it's not as if nVidia is twisting anyone's arm as to the cooler's specs.

 

[[BB] Rick James]

Here are some pictures of Leadtek's cooler removed from their 6800:

[The site these images are linked off doesn't allow remote linking. So go to the review page to see them here, or just to their main site and copy and paste the links. You guys know how to do this...]

http://www.ixbt.com/video2/images/nv40-3/leadtek-6800-cooler2-small.jpg
http://www.ixbt.com/video2/images/nv40-3/leadtek-6800-scan-front.jpg

And some others:

Front:
http://www.ixbt.com/video2/images/nv40-3/leadtek-6800u-cooler1.jpg

Back:
http://www.ixbt.com/video2/images/nv40-3/leadtek-6800u-scan-back.jpg
http://www.ixbt.com/video2/images/nv40-3/leadtek-6800-cooler3.jpg
http://www.ixbt.com/video2/images/nv40-3/leadtek-6800-cooler4.jpg

I don't see any thermal pads on it. It's not a reference cooler either. Leadtek's GT uses the same cooler as the Ultra. The first pictures are actually of the regular 6800. The GT and Ultra use the same design only it's taller (two slots).

So it's not as if nVidia is twisting anyone's arm as to the cooler's specs.

I'm sure the BFG's, PNY's and leadtek's have the specs for the cooler but what they use for their thermal paste/pads is up to them. It appears as though BFG has chosen those stupid thermal pads; which in the past I guess have prevailed as being pretty decent but in my case they sucked.

Oh well I hope this next card works as it should. Otherwise I'm at a loss as to what my problem is stemming from.

 

[[BB] Rick James]

Well guys I'm as happy as a pig in shit right now. I got the new card from compulus (the one I RMA'd) and the card works perfect. The old card was a defective card. I'm glad that was the issue and not something else. I must admit the IQ with this new card is better then the old as well. The old cards graphics looked nice (when it wasn't giving me graphic glitches) but this new card is night and day in comparision.

Well now all that's left is sending the old card back.