x800xt AIW odd problems (HELP!)

brywalker · Jun 28, 2005, 07:48 PM

I just got it like 3 weeks ago (only bought it because of the rebate) and I am getting some screwy stuff going on in Windows.

Playing games is fine, I dont notice any artifacting or anything. But when I am in 2D, I get odd video corruption. it will just be for a second and it will usually go away either in a flash or if I scroll a webpage or something like that.

I thought that it was seated poorly in the AGP slot, but I have taken it out and reseated it like 10 times and it still does it. COMPLETELY RANDOM too, it could be 2 days and it does it, it could be 2 minutes. Temps are fine, so thats not it at all.

I am so freaking boned, aren't I? In the ATI online troubleshooting guide it says that it doesn't mean a bad card. If I go to get it replaced, how do they do it - advanced RMA or am I totally screwed? Do they send me a NEW one or a refurb or what? The thing is freaking 3 weeks old - and I SLAUGHTERED the box for the rebate so Newegg won't want it back.

This is super annoying. Running 5.6 cats. Stock speeds.

Caught it in the act!!!

Now listen. When playing games I don't see any problems. I went to check ATI Tray Tools to get the temp on it and BAM it did it. I cannot get it to replicate.

brywalker · Jun 28, 2005, 10:11 PM

Oh yeah, this thing is SPENT.

After about 10 mins of playing. Temps were normal. THIS SUCKS!

H3X4D3C1M4L · Jun 29, 2005, 04:49 PM

RMA it

Its clearly damaged

brywalker · Jun 30, 2005, 11:02 AM

After taking it out and getting ready to pack it, I was just looking it over in general. Come to find out, the STOCK COOLER wasn't even tightened down. So I gave the little screws a 1/2 turn and guess what....

IT WORKS FINE!

Now here is the REAL question....

Do I continue with the RMA (is the damage done?) or is everything cool and just roll with it?

H3X4D3C1M4L · Jun 30, 2005, 11:13 AM

I'd say you might try and RMA it, I don't think GPU's throttle down to prevent thermal damage so you might have done something to it....its your call, if you feel safe running it then do so, if not and its under warranty (and you can wait), RMA it

brywalker · Jun 30, 2005, 11:18 AM

Well the hottest I saw it get was like 95C. I have read everywhere to start getting worried if it gets over 100C. On that note, though, I played for like 4 hours last night with NO problems at all!

Warranty is not a problem, its 3 weeks old. I really can't be without, to be honest.

I guess I can just roll with it and see what happens. Worst case, it goes back to ATI.

FearTheTerp · Jun 30, 2005, 12:09 PM

RMA it, I think only nVidia cards shut off when they get too hot. If the temperatures were normal throughout the time you got those problems, what caused the errors? Recently, i've touched my card and I got those same kind of errors, can the shaking of heatsink/fan cause those?

brywalker · Jun 30, 2005, 02:32 PM

You know thats a great question.

I know that the temps got high, but not death high as it runs fine now. Air pockets could have gotten hot enough to cause artifacting but not hot enough to kill the GPU.

H3X4D3C1M4L · Jun 30, 2005, 04:07 PM

Its still a fine line.

I'd say run an artifact tester like ATI Tool on it, and if it doesn't sit fine for at least an hour....RMA it.

brywalker · Jun 30, 2005, 08:19 PM

I will do that.

On that note, why would ATI NOT screw it down all the way? Sounds like poor production - which is a shame for a $350+ item.

HEADS UP TO THOSE THAT DECIDE TO CHECK THEIR SCREWS: They are made of VERY VERY soft metal. You WILL strip them out even on a light turn. BE CAREFUL.

H3X4D3C1M4L · Jul 4, 2005, 11:07 PM

Maybe it happened during shipping I mean they are smaller screws.

Just got this card myself and @ stock it was fine...I'm probly gonna get a Zalman VF700 Cu though, it idles @ 45 and does 81 load, and I'm running 350+ CFM out of my case now