7900GS Recall or Replacement Thread - Page 4  

Hey, guys.

I was considering starting a new topic until I saw this thread (but maybe I'll start one later?)

Anyways,

I've had my E1705 a little over 1 year, 5 months now. I overclocked my 7900 GS (and volt-modded/flashed it with 7900GTX BIOS) about 6 months after I got my machine.

About ~3 to 4 months ago, I've noticed that my machine started to drop in performance whenever I play "graphic-intensive" games, but in "spikes" where the fps would suddenly drop significantly for a short period of time then it would go back to normal. This is rather annoying...

I don't know whether if it is due to the CPU or the 7900GS, because my i8kfangui would tell me that the CPU load drops, but I fear that my GS is the cause of the problem. I have both of my fans on high most of the time, since you know, it does get really hot.

What do you guys think?

drop and give me 50

Something very similar happened to mine, had to do with the CPU throttling, but not from overheating or anything. Something screwy with the load. Make sure you have all XP hotfixes installed for dual core CPUs. If all else fails, put your power settings to always on. That should take care of it also. I ended up using Notebook Hardware Control to control the CPU load and multiplier stuff.

Niether are you. Slowdowns in games do not represent a dieing GPU or GPU memory. Artifacts are the sign of a dead card. GPUs generally either work or they dont, and if they are on the fence, its not a long period of time before its basically dead...and there could be a number of reasons for his games spiking like they are. Dont be so quick to throw stones next time.

PS, i do kinda of doubt he found a new 7900 GS Go for under 100. He likely saw the desktop version. If you were a bright bulb, you would have simply mentioned it was most likely the desktop version.

it was actually a refurb. buy it now for 99 bux, people started to bid on it now. item # 180180176608 direct from dell in unopened anti static bag

mwitters,

get in line, or you won't last long her dude.

i am not a retard.. I work as a Network Service Tech. for an ISP. like running a whole network infrastructure of 30 wireless stations. and 50 Class C's.

Still a pretty damn good price, i was just going on what i had read previously, i must have missed it if you already said it was a refurb, but even a refurb for 100 i wouldnt have believed, but...i have been wrong before. Good find though for others.

FWIW to anyone i sold a few 7900 GS for 325-350 about a year ago.

mwitters. "heavy breathing"

"I'm your Father"

Well, lets break this down for you...

He describes his problem as random slowdowns, ie negative framerate spikes. This if the first observation.

You then automatically assume his card is dead because he OCed it, which is further enhanced by the statement you made that they cant even handle stock clocks.

One of logical nature would assume your solution to the problem at hand, is that his card is dead because he OCed it, when the problem at hand is slowdowns, not artifacting.

Im not sure anyone could relate those two statements successfully, namely because GPU failures are never attributed to slowdowns, at least not these days. I cant speak for older GPUs, and by older, i mean pre-2000 gpus.

Secondly, GPUs fail in 1 of two ways. The first being the core itself fails, and produces artifacts. The second being the memory modules fail, and produce artifacts. Now, there is a short in between period where said failing video card may produce artifacts indicating its failing, and will then revert back to normal for some time. As is usually the case, some very short time after, it will totally fail, and will not even allow the OS to load, typically producing artifacts at splash screens, before the OS is even called to load. THe main point here is that a GPU is either dead or alive. The "dieing" period is relatively short, less than a few days if that, and according to him hes been having this problem for months.

So Mr. Witters, now that youve learned a thing or two, do you still think his issue is because he OCed his card that couldnt even handle stock clocks?

what if the said card artifacts in post screen and loads the OS.

I have a 7900gs card i got for 50 bux that is like that.

when I see the xp loading screen it looks like a normal card.

then I get to windows and the background looks weird.

at the post screen t here is weird letters all over the screen
and in dos mode the same

I am a tool of knowledge, yes i am. Here comes another free lesson: OCing too far causes either A. artifacts, or B. unreasonably high temperatures to cause the card to slow down. So...although i hate to admit it, your semi-correct, but only by default since you didnt know about the temperature thing.

And no, it is not reasonable to conclude his card is dead because he OCed and his card has random slow downs. A reasonably conclusion that his card is dead would be A. lots of pretty colors everywhere on the screen after a horrific freeze during a GPU load, of which upon restarting his computer it would not load Windows, or B. artifacts at the splash screens.

Dead cards produce reproducable results, despite your "knowledge" on the subject matter, not random slow downs, as was referenced. His random slowdowns are likely attributed to CPU load differences, which several other have experienced, myself included, and in the case of this issue, the slowdowns are not in fact random, but when, well, in lamens terms for you, lots of stuff is happening on the screen.

As far as the "dying period", im right, youre wrong, plain and simple. This dying period generally isnt long, but there are of course exceptions. Electronics either work or they dont. There is no in-between, so in a sense, and once again i hate to admit it, you are semi-correct, but again, only by default.

I suggest you stop posting until you fully understand the subject matter.

Not quite sure i follow...you said post screen artifacts, and loads the OS, then you said XP loading looks normal, but windows background looks wierd?

A good rule to go buy is if you get wierd shit before the OS, its safe to say the card is eithe dieing, or about to fully die. This is before the drivers load, so its safe to rule them out as a possible cause.

Either way, non-3d artifact generally, (and generally is really almost always), means the card is shot. Have you tried stressing the GPU? Mine did this erratic post/windows behavior, and stopped, and once i stressed the GPU for a bit, she went down in flames...hard lock, non loading OS upon restart. Thats generally how video cards fail, in mine, and most other experience.

Just let it go man. Does your geek squad repair anything that's not under warranty? It's not like flaming each other here will take you to any where right?

You should know what the deal is especially if you work there.

think it's time to lock this thread