x1900xt: video artifacts in oblivion and others games

dle3 · Dec 7, 2006, 06:11 PM

hi all. recently i have noticed lots of video artifacts playing oblivion and others games.
the video card isn't overheating and temp is ok (max 70° c), but even at lower temps (50° c and below) those artifacts are still there.
i moved the vga to another pc: same errors, so i'm sure that the video card is the problem.
no overclock at all, everithing @ stock (cpu, ram, vga, etc.).
those artifact are present also in splinter cell double agent, roboblitz, need for speed carbon, dark crusade and maybe others, but probably i didn't notice them...

is my x1900xt dying? the card is still on warranty, is rma the only solution?

thanks for your answers and sorry for my bad english!

H3X4D3C1M4L · Dec 10, 2006, 11:26 AM

Return the card... it looks like its been damaged or it was defective from factory.

If its under warranty who cares

dle3 · Dec 10, 2006, 07:00 PM

ok, thanks!

Flexkill · Dec 11, 2006, 12:46 AM

I was having these same issues and my PSU was the culprit!!!! These cards draw serious power!!!! So be careful mate.

dle3 · Dec 11, 2006, 11:14 AM

i have a tagan 530w psu, it should be enough! but i'll try with a more powerfull one... thanks for your answer!

dle3 · Dec 11, 2006, 04:57 PM

i tried with another psu (650w), but no luck. now i'm sure that the problem is the vga. thanks anyway!

jp306 · Dec 11, 2006, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dle3

i tried with another psu (650w), but no luck. now i'm sure that the problem is the vga. thanks anyway!

I'm not sure of the specs of that PSU, but I do know that with the X1900XT it's more about the amps on the 12volt rail and not total watts of the PSU. I know that a single rail PSU is recomended and I've see as much as 32amps drawn using my X1900XT in 3dmode. You should go to the Sapphire forums as I've read alot about this there. A major side affect of not having enough power for the X1900XT is artifacts. I use a 34amp single 12v rail PSU and have no problems. Just my .02....GoodLuck

H3X4D3C1M4L · Dec 11, 2006, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jp306

I'm not sure of the specs of that PSU, but I do know that with the X1900XT it's more about the amps on the 12volt rail and not total watts of the PSU. I know that a single rail PSU is recomended and I've see as much as 32amps drawn using my X1900XT in 3dmode. You should go to the Sapphire forums as I've read alot about this there. A major side affect of not having enough power for the X1900XT is artifacts. I use a 34amp single 12v rail PSU and have no problems. Just my .02....GoodLuck

I was thinking the same thing... I mean who really has quality PSU's just lying around that are that strong on the 12V side?

Flexkill · Dec 11, 2006, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flexkill

I was having these same issues and my PSU was the culprit!!!! These cards draw serious power!!!! So be careful mate.

and as you can see I was using a OCZ Powerstream 520w which has 33 amps on 12v line, and is no slouch of a PSU, and it couldn't hack it in 3D mode!

H3X4D3C1M4L · Dec 19, 2006, 04:51 PM

Did this issue ever get fixed dle3?

dle3 · Dec 21, 2006, 11:34 AM

no... and i've also tried with a 530w tagan with a 33a single 12v rail... rma is the only way, i fear...

H3X4D3C1M4L · Dec 21, 2006, 04:21 PM

Well at least that path is open to you

rOwdy · Dec 23, 2006, 08:38 PM

One thing you should definitely try. It worked on my card. Use Ati Tray tools and increase the fan speed. For some reason it waits until the card is red hot hot before the stock software makes that fan kick in full blast.