New Radeon 9800 Causes XP-M Stability Problems

[dvorak]

Yesterday I was a happy camper, as when I came from work both the Dell 2001FP and a new Radeon 9800 ($166 refurb newegg special ) were waiting downstairs for me.

I put the 9800 in, and while booting it up it would get to the Windows starting screen, and then shut off while the mobo (Abit NF7-S) started beeping. This happened even when I tried to get into the BIOS to change the overclocking settings, so I reset the CMOS and after that it worked fine.

I know that overclocking is like a craps game, but I was surprised that adding a video card could cause a problem, even when running the same programs I ran before. I never had a problem with the speed/voltage I was at until I put in the video card.

So the question is, why would adding a new video card cause major stability issues that weren't there in the slightest before? At first I thought it was a power issue, but I have an Antec Sonata and the difference in core voltage between my regular/overclocked configuratinos was hardly anything, maybe .1 volts. Then I thought it might be temperatures, but I have a Zalman w/ Artic Silver 5 and the air coming out of the computer felt as cool as it did before the upgrade. I realize this wasn't scientific, but I was in a hurry to get to dinner

this weekend I'll play with it some more, but I'm just curious if anyone has any insights. I guess it doesn't matter as long as I'm playing Arcanum, though

my system:
2200+ 35watt XP-M (was at 2.2 ghz at 1.6 volts)
Abit NF7-S (at 200 fsb)
1 GB Crucial Ram
Radeon 9800 Pro

 

[Yogi]

It's probably a power issue. The 9800 is placing strain on your power supply and causing more voltage fluxuations than normal. Overclocked chips can often be very picky about needing stable power.

 

[kronchev]

id bet my casebadge its a power issue. 9800 is pretty power hungry, nothing like 6800 but its still enough to need an extra connector as AGP slot doesnt provide enough

 

[MiXdNuTs]

I assume your remembered to hook up the power connector to the back of the card right?

 

[NewBlackDak]

Every one I've messed with won't even boot without the molex plugged in.
If your mobo and PCU both have P4 connector make sure to plug it in. This sometimes helps to stbabilize the CPU voltage flux. If you have the stock 350w with that case then I'm guessing it's a power problem too.

 

[Stugots]

i had an antec SL350 350W running the system in my sig and it ran fine, but when i upgraded to a true480 i was all of a sudden able to overclock to 3.4 from 3.25. so i think that the psu is causing your instability.

 

[Flatland]

i had an antec SL350 350W running the system in my sig and it ran fine, but when i upgraded to a true480 i was all of a sudden able to overclock to 3.4 from 3.25. so i think that the psu is causing your instability.

-4% overclocking?! Water-cooled, of course, right?

 

[dvorak]

I assume your remembered to hook up the power connector to the back of the card right?

yeah, but it was a surprise when I first saw it. I stared at it for a while, before deciding that the only possible thing it could mean was that I needed to plug a connector into it.


hmm...I really hate to have to get another PSU as the reason I got the sonata was to be quiet. I guess I'll be happy with 2 ghz or whatever I can eke out.

 

[Yogi]

Antec PSUs are usually very good quality.
Does your PSU have adjustable pots to control the voltages? I'm not sure if very many Antec units have that feature but if it does you could probably solve your problem that way.