8790 Artifacting - Page 10

Ok, 486.00/249.75 was run above. I will rerun it again in the morning with ample cool down time, also I will try 486.00/256.50.

Ok, I ran a few more tests this morning.

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2005-10-29 11:10:28Clocks set to: 486.00 / 256.50
2005-10-29 11:10:37Scan for Artifacts started...Core: 486.00 MhzMemory: 256.50 Mhz
2005-10-29 11:10:37Scan for Artifacts running for: 0:00:00
2005-10-29 11:10:38Scan for Artifacts stoppedTotal runtime: 0 seconds

I stopped this test immediately because my entire screen was full of artifacts.
I also did a few more tests with higher mem speeds (in multiples of 6.75) and the corruption/artifacting just got worse.

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2005-10-29 11:24:26Scan for Artifacts started...Core: 486.00 MhzMemory: 249.75 Mhz
2005-10-29 11:24:26Scan for Artifacts running for: 0:00:00
2005-10-29 11:24:31Artifacts detected after 00:05.18.30 pixels don't match.
2005-10-29 11:24:35Last message repeated 114 times.

^ Highest mem speed so far that doesnt completely corrupt my entire screen.

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2005-10-29 11:24:56Clocks set to: 486.00 / 243.00
2005-10-29 11:25:00Scan for Artifacts started...Core: 486.00 MhzMemory: 243.00 Mhz
2005-10-29 11:28:09Scan for Artifacts stoppedTotal runtime: 189 seconds

^Highest mem speed so far that runs artifact free testing and gaming.

Inconel, at this point I am pretty sure that this problem is mainly hardware, I definitely appreciate your help in getting my lappy running to the point that I can still use it for 3d apps and such. However, I am afraid that these tests would be more revealing on a 8790 that has not been used regularly (every day) for a 1 1/2 years (although I havent been able to play games in 6 months or so). Especially considering the 8790's reputation for being a lemon after 1 year of use. I want to continue testing, but as far as releasing a vbios for the 8790...I think the cause would be better served if the test machine's hardware isnt quite so questionable (to put it lightly). Unless you wanted to do something like "vbios as a workaround for artifacting 8790's". I will continue testing and hope that we make some real progress. But, I am also looking into a mobo replacement, and some upgrades at a local vendor here in Boston. After I get new parts, I would like to run these tests again, to ensure that the results are not hampered by faulty hardware.

So what do we do now? Start bringing down the core to look for a good core/mem combination? I don't see the mem speeds going any higher as anything above 249.75 completely corrupts my entire screen.

Please advise...

-SLuG

You're correct about the hardware issue. Especially if it has been artifacting for some time now. I did not expect the memory would need to be turned down below 249.75 MHz.

You might try these tests...

405.00/243.00
418.50/243.00
432.00/243.00
445.50/243.00
459.00/243.00
472.50/243.00
486.00/243.00
499.50/243.00

As you run the Find Max Mem test, ATITool will increase memory clocks if it does not detect any artifacts. You want to find out which core speed allows the memory to increase the most. That will be the core speed you want to use.

The fact that the memory artifacts at 249.75 MHz gives us reason to believe the memory may need to be clocked even lower than 243.00 MHz. Perhaps 236.25 MHz is required. We don't want the card running at its bleeding edge.

finally!

Well I am pleased to say that I can play all of my games again at full resolution.

After a weeks worth of testing, and a bunch of acquired knowledge from Inconel, I have found some stable and quite reasonable speeds to run our beloved 8790's at (the "beloved" thing is a joke).

Inconel's original idea was that these 8790/mobility 9700 (m10/m11) setups would reveal less artifacting with higher core speeds. Essentially overclocking to solve this problem that has been plagueing all of us 8790 owners. Well, much credit due to Inconel because his theory has proven to be correct, even though his original estimates on core/mem speeds were a little high.

I have rigorously ran artifact tests, and ran my games for 30min plus on the following speeds:

Highest speed that ran games and passed artifact tests without an error:
472.50 Core, 236.25 memory with a memory refresh rate of 1E

Moderate speed that I use for normal use:
432 core, 236.25 memory with a memory refresh rate of 1E

Slower speed that I use while on battery power:
391.50 core, 236.25 memory with a memory refresh rate of 1E

I will post here again if in fact I am wrong and start getting artifacts again.

8790 OWNERS!!!
Please download the latest mobility drivers along with the aTiTool ver. 0.24 and run these tests, so we can hopefully provide some solice to all those 8790 sufferers.

This post is not a joke or a half assed discovery, I have tested, tested again and retested to make sure these speeds were not a fluke.

If anyone has success with this I think we should start a new thread, and talk to Inconel about releasing a vbios so people can get to this problem before it shows its ugly face.

Carry on,

-SLuG

That's great!

i myself am unsure with the 1E input. Using ATITool 0.24, it is the MEM_REFRESH_RATE (value is 0x20 now) isn't it? i clicked the [Mem] radio button next to [Settings] at the bottom and just type 1E correct? then save.

I've had my mobo replaced once for the artifacts dealie, V2 board i think now. I only see dots once in a while during gaming (UT2k4, Doom3, HL2, Q3, etc.) so no real corruption, as before. BUT, if i try to run ATITools [Scan for Artifacts] i can't get past a few seconds no matter what my mem is set to. I've tried all the above settings you guys have been working with also. Hope it's just the 1E thingy.

OH, and my 6cell battery just completely died last night, any place to get one cheeper that the $169 Sager is offering it for?

Sager 8790
Prescott 3.2 w/HT
2 sticks of 512MB pc3200
60 gig 7200
256MB 9700 @ 480/243 for now (ATITools says M10 but i thought i saw M11 somewhere else?)

werds

http://www.eurocom.com/ has upgrades and parts (relativley fair prices) for all d870p models (same as sager 8790). Go to upgrades, "configurator by model" ...

$120.00 USD for an 8 cell, thx! but shipping is $35 they said on the phone

but back to the 1E input.. am i doing it right? and am i really a M10 not M11?

Yes, but the value of 1E was recommended for a memory clock of 249.75 MHz. If you are required to set your memory clock lower than 243.00 MHz, use an entry of 1D instead.

ATI's M10 (RV350) and M11 (RV360) chips use the same Device ID of 0x4E50. This is why some applications will show the chip as an M10. The 8790 uses the M11 chip.

so just type 1D in on ATITools, cool thanks.

ut oh, 1D needed for those below
as of last night, almost done w/HL2 single player

werds

Inconel and I are still testing, so check back here every once in a while. Hopefully we can get some answers.

cheers guys

i dont have a 8790 or any sager but ive been following this thread

the people at sager must not even know the tech specs of the parts, thats sad

good luck to you 8790 owners

Where can I find

Inconel: where can I find the info on theM10 and M11 having the same device ID of 4E50 ? Sandra utility shows under AGP BUS 1 (2xPCICIK) ...Device = Clevo/Kapok computer Radeon Mobility M10 NP (RV350)....OEM device name...ATI TECH. Radeon Mobility M10 NP (R...., Product ID....VEN-1558,DEV-0870, Revision...A/1(0)..... ALSO , under sandra , video system info. , the model states ....ATI Mobility Radeon 9600/9700 Series.... Allen from Sager sent me a Sandra readout of video adapter , and it says ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 Series... cleary different from mine... I also asked him to send the AGP BUS ! (2x PCICIK) info from the Sandra PCI,AGP ..INFO modules..and his says M10 also...I asked them to show me where it shows anywhere that I got the advertised M11...My invoice from PCTORQUE and under Sager specs for the 8790..clearly say the M11
I am using my 8790 with the clocks down to 276 and 160...Asked Luke Mcbride from Pctorque for help, (replace this Toaster), and he all but laughed. When pressed he admitted that Sager had a 1% defect rate on8790 and has taking responsibility for unit... When I asked for help, they respond in broken english to send In , its out of warranity, and the price list for service. DOES that sound like a company that has acknowleged and taken responsibility for this product?..I bought the extended warranty..and the booklet from REPAIR MASTER (Warrantech) clearly states "carry in" on front of booklet. On back it states that you will be directed to the nearest service center, with access to over 12,000 factory authorized service centers nationwide. NOT TRUE, they direct you to send to a shop somewhere in Illinois. ONE repair shop. not even two or three,let alone 12000. I asked Luke to tell me if the repair shop in Illinois was aware of the 8790 problems and if it wouldn't be better to have Sager address the 8790 problems,, Well he has stopped responding to me about everything... the last email was to explain why Sandra utility shows a M10...
I think they want us 8790 owners to just dry up and blow away...well guess what, i won't until I get some answers, a new computer that performs and has hardware that has advertised..or a full credit toward a new ,no defect computer. Any feedback would be great...thanks

From the .inf file of the Catalyst Mobility 5.10 drivers we find this entry.

"ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9600/9700 Series" = ati2mtag_M10, PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4E50

From the .inf file of Sager drivers we find this entry.

"ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9700 Series" = ati2mtag_M10, PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4E50&SUBSYS_08701558

Most utilities will read the card as an M10, but rest assured, it is an M11.

Anyone tried the tests yet? I would, but with the amount of artifacting I get at any settings, I'm afraid to do any extensive testing. Thanks to anyone who can give some of the proposed settings a try.

have dried up and waiting for wind to blow me away

Great job Mnikkel, your post almost makes my frustrations blow away....if you have any success with them..let us know...thank you

must clean

You have to remove plate under key board, ( paremeter screws, and center screw under the date sticker....remember too remove tape on chips and relace with a thermal compound...also the copper heat sink unit from the back is probably plugged if never cleaned properly

Thanks Bob W. I let my frustrations unload on Adobe Photoshop/Image Ready so I could have a new Signature.

To answer your question, I'm pretty sure Iconel is right.
Go to START > RUN and type dxdiag
Click on Display tab.

As you and I both will see, the "Name" of the card is ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9600/9700 Series

The "Chip Type", which is what your card really is, should state ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9700 AGP (0x4E50)
And that is an M11 card whether it states it or not. There is no 9700 which would appear as a M10 card. It's just that the "Series" which includes both M10 and M11, shows up as M10.

Also, I would highly suggest you click the "Save All Information" button on the dxdiag screen. It will save all the current info in a handy text file. One more thing, you can click on the "More Help" tab, then click the "MsInfo" button for more of the same info.

So Bob, do you have the Catalyst Mobility 5.10 drivers loaded? If so, did you mod them with a tool to get them to load? If you did mod them, I have some info you may want. I found a link to download the full driver and not just the pre-installation file on the ATI site. Let me know. Gotta go for now.

Here's the thread with the Catalyst Mobility 5.11 if anyone needs to DL it.

I downloaded and installed the new Catalyst driver and latest ATI Tool. The middle setting works for me--no more artifacts after 30 minutes playing HL2 Deathmatch. The max setting does not work for me, and I haven't tried the slower setting. I extended my warranty to 3 years so I'm still taking it in to get the graphics card replaced, but at least it's usable now. Thanks for working it all out.

By Catalyst, do you mean the Mobility Catalyst 5.11 and with the v0.24 ATItool?

Also, did you mod the Catalyst or just install it?

Thanks.