XFX GF 7900GS 512MB - Serious Graphics Problem

[Zekeadalic]

Hello,

I am completely new to this forum, but I already read some articles and I think that someone might be able to help me here.

Ok, I just bought a AGP XFX GF 7900GS 512MB Card and all I have is trouble. I installed and updated all drivers properly. Like DirectX and latest Forceware Driver for this card. But still the problem is there. There appear random lines and polygones in games like Battlefield2 or Fear. And I already tried different variations of drivers and/or games-demos.

My System:
CPU: Intel Pentium 4, 2400MHZ
Mainboard: MSI 645E Max2 (MS-6567) - SIS645DX
RAM: 1024MB (PC3200 DDR SDRAM)
PSU: ~250W

I know that the PSU is a bit low, but I dont think that this is the origin of the Problem. I already read on other forums, that ppl with a better PSU have the same problems, but they didnt find a solution either.

I hope someone can help, I already tried so much to get this card to work. Otherwise I have to return the card.

Thanks
Zeke

PS: I wanted to post an example image, but it semms like i my not do so.

[Miker]

You need a big PSU for this card, underpowering them makes them act up/blow up. You need 20+Amp on the 12volt, just for that card.

Did you uninstall the old drives before you put this card in?

Edit, That Mobo doesn't support this card. This card MUST have AGP 8x, and your 533FSB or less CPU can't keep up with it.

[Zekeadalic]

Sry, for the doubled post and thanks for the fast response.

Yes, I unsinstalled all drivers properly, before I installed the new ones. (I tried a lot of available Forceware versions. Latest on NVIDIA Website, the one that came with BF2, the one that came with the GF7900GS itself, and so on. Same procedure with DirektX and other drivers.)

Here is the example again:
http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/6859/fehler02su0.th.jpg (http://img529.imageshack.us/my.php?image=fehler02su0.jpg)
The problems' origin is really the PSU? Any ideas of how I could eventually fix it?

That Mobo doesn't support this card. This card MUST have AGP 8x, and your 533FSB or less CPU can't keep up with it.
Thats something I didnt think of, before I bought the card. I first was glad to find a 7900GS for AGP at all.
-> Think that I will have to return the card to seller.

But does that mean, that a 7600GT won't work in my system, too? It reads AGP 8X, too.

[xfxsupport]

You might be ok with the 7600GT however you will be pushing it. What brand is the PSU as well as the specs (12v and 5v rails)?

[mivanx77]

Does this only happen in games? Btw, I looked at your mobo, and it only can support up to 4x. So using riva tuner, put the AGP from 8x to 4x and see what happens.

[Zekeadalic]

Does this only happen in games? Btw, I looked at your mobo, and it only can support up to 4x. So using riva tuner, put the AGP from 8x to 4x and see what happens.
Actually everything works fine, except games. I tried to put the AGP from 8X to 4X. Still the same problems.

The strange thing is, that if I load a game-map the first time after rebooting my system, everything looks great. Like this:
http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/3252/gutvk3.th.jpg (http://img503.imageshack.us/my.php?image=gutvk3.jpg)

If I go on playing, loading different maps, it looks like this:
http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/866/schlechtif0.th.jpg (http://img84.imageshack.us/my.php?image=schlechtif0.jpg)

And even the preview of the NVIDIA Logo on my Forceware drivers looks after playing like this:
http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/7241/schlecht2ia2.th.jpg (http://img156.imageshack.us/my.php?image=schlecht2ia2.jpg)

Hope that made my problem more clear. There are the same graphical errors within other games or demos I tested.

Doom3 for example works without problems, but it is kind of an older game and has not that high requirements like BF2 or newer games.

[mivanx77]

I have narrowed down ur problem to either over heating or PSU issues.

Can you tell me your idle and full load temp on your card?
Can you remove anything unnecessary that the computer doesn't need running for it to turn on, then try out your card?

[Zekeadalic]

I have narrowed down ur problem to either over heating or PSU issues.

Can you tell me your idle and full load temp on your card?
Can you remove anything unnecessary that the computer doesn't need running for it to turn on, then try out your card?

Sry, cant tell you my idle. Don't know how to find out. Full load temperature is about ~52-53°C while playing BF2 as a game without higher requirements like e.g. FEAR.

You need a big PSU for this card, underpowering them makes them act up/blow up. You need 20+Amp on the 12volt, just for that card.

Did you uninstall the old drives before you put this card in?

Edit, That Mobo doesn't support this card. This card MUST have AGP 8x, and your 533FSB or less CPU can't keep up with it.

Guess it looks like I wont get this card to work on my System. Thanks for the fast replys, anyway. I thought there would be any solution to get it to work, because games work for a short while after rebooting my system. But after I narrowed my MoBo, I also found out, that even my RAM is too good for it. Seems like the whole system is too unstable (low PSU, PC3200RAM instead of max. PC2400, AGP only 4X). Only Mc Gyver could solve this with a paper-clip, I guess.

The only thing that comes to my mind, would be to underclock the card, but that would remove the warranty and not the AGP max 4X problem, and I could not return the card to my seller for an exchange.

[mivanx77]

Where do you live? In the US, try contacting XFX and see what options you have, like agian, it should be able to work with agp 4x, you just need a bigger PSU, may I suggest this:

Its free shipping and after mail in rebate it is $49.99, the company is Thermaltake which is known for superior quality.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153057

[Miker]

This card gets bottlenecked with 533FSB and AGP4x. You have to remember this card was a PCI-E card, ment for 1000+ FSB and PCI-e...

[Zekeadalic]

I live in Europe, Germany. I made the request at XFX and asked for the issues you adviced. Lets wait what they say.

If they say, that it will work with a better PSU, i would give this PSU (http://www.alternate.de/html/product/details.html?articleId=143068&showTechData=true) a try. It's similiar to yours, I think., and it's from a local dealer.

[Miker]

+12V1 18 A
+12V2 18 A

That is right on the edge of not enough amp, you would have to run one rail right to the card, no HDs, no floppy, no fans.

[Zekeadalic]

I'll wait for the answer of XFX. I'd buy a new PSU only if they say, that the card definately will work properly, then. Without those massive graphic problems.

Thanks for the advice. I'd buy a better PSU than stated before.

[Miker]

These cards are so picky. XFX won't say anything 100% will fix it.