Think I got screwed!!

[Da Ghost]

Hi, I'm new to this forum since I'm searching for some answers!! More and more I read, it seem that I bought the worst motherboard and graphic card. Here's my setup :

Asus A8N-E Socket 939 nForce 4 Ultra
Athlon 64 3200+
Sapphire Radeon X1600Pro 256Mo PCI-e
1 Go DDR400 Major

Since I have it I tried a lot of things to make it work properly (games and 3d animations make the pc crash, freeze.....) I did the nvidia IDE driverless install, the bios update, latest drivers, omega drivers.... The only solution that work is to downclock the video card to 350/300... I really don't like this situation, what should I do?? Do i have any kind of hope to have this to work properly or am I better to exchange both graphic card and motherboard??? My old setup NEVER crashed and the fact that I can't get this one to work properly is really annoying. Thanks for your help!!!!

 

[DotheDamnTHing]

your post is confusing...what is the problem?

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Who do you think you got screwed by? Although it is possibly you got back components, etc, I don't know. I have the same mobo, and nary a problem with it. What PSU are you using?

 

[slackwarelinux]

I don't think that type of motherboard is bad, it has a rather large following here at anandtech. If downclocking the video card solves your problem, then replacing it might also.

What power supply are you using?
Edit: I was beat to this question

 

[order66]

Might be your PS.I have the same mobo but running the AMD 64 4000+ and I have never had a problem.Also check your temp's.

 

[Da Ghost]

DotheDamnTHing : I bought this setup 4 days ago and I had freezing problem, crashing when in 3d application. The screen freeze, freeze and then shut down like it's in sleep mode but can't do anything, must restart the computer. I had to downclock it to avoid that, but I didn't bought a card to work at the 3/4 of it's original performances...

Fullmetal Chocobo : I'm spending a lot of times on forum like this one for the last 4 days to find the problem. I read a lot of differents things that never point in the same direction. Some people are saying it's the NForce chipset, some the graphic card.... I had tried a lot of their solutions, but no positive result. I have an HEC 385W that I'm going to change for a 480w soon!!

Which videocard are you running?? Cause it seem that a lot of people have problems with the X1600Pro.

 

[zagood]

I'm gonna agree with the other guys on this, PSU is most likely culprit. Even if it's not, you do need to replace your existing one.

That 480 you're looking at, make sure it's got at LEAST 26a if single +12v rail, or 36a combined on a dual +12v.

-z

 

[JEDIYoda]

First of all i would attempt to make sure everything is connected properly.

Most newer videocards have a seperate power connector instead of the old style that just hooked into a PCI slot....

If you don`t have the vid card connected properly you will get just the problems you are describing....

Good Luck!!

 

[Da Ghost]

I only saw a power connector on the AGP version not on the pci-e

 

[UncleWai]

have you checked the cpu or video card temperature?

 

[Da Ghost]

CPU temp normal : around 34 degree at idle, didn't checked it after exiting a game, but I don't have any problem with the cpu

Right now my graphic card is at 58 degree with the case open....... it seem high!!! Sometimes around 83 when exiting BF2....

 

[order66]

Da Ghost,this is a GREAT ps and I'am very happy with it.Check it out when you get time.

https://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=270341

 

[Da Ghost]

And which videocard should I take???

 

[alimoalem]

Originally posted by: order66
Da Ghost,this is a GREAT ps and I'am very happy with it.Check it out when you get time.

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=270341">https://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=270341</a>

i agree, very good choice

Da Ghost, try a new PSU first. and is that 480w you mentioned a name branded one? cause unbranded ones often overestimate the wattage by a lot

 

[DrZoidberg]

im suprised a x1600 which is a mid-entry level card like 6600gt would require lots of power from power supply. Im sure even 17-18Amps on 12V rail can run x1600 rock stable. I have a 6600GT overclocked on 17A 400W Thermaltake PS, which is kinda low but its very stable, no crashing on hours and hours of WOW/CS.

Of course your power supply could be faulty or exaggerated specs, then RMA or exchange at store and get a decent brand one like enermax/antec etc, but i dont think u need 26Amp 500+W power supply for a low level video card. But yeah if u thinking of getting x1900 or r600 in future then get good branded PSU with 26Amp on 12V rail.

 

[Da Ghost]

I'll change my power supply, but if it still doesn't work which card do you recommend?? The X1900XT look like a good choice!!

 

[Da Ghost]

And if I have to change my card, I'll probably stay away from sapphire... What are my options then?

 

[Crescent13]

Originally posted by: Da Ghost
And if I have to change my card, I'll probably stay away from sapphire... What are my options then?

If you get a x1900xt you will need a VERY strong PSU. Those cards are power hungry. I wouldn't reccomend anything less than my PSU which is 500W with 2x22A 12V rail.

 

[Fern]

Hi Da Ghost and Welcome to the Forums!

Did you build this 4 days ago?

If so, did you do some basic testing before install the OS etc.?

If not, you might wanna backup and do some basic testing, like running memtest overnight etc. I've gotten brand new ram from reputable companies taht just didn't work properly at stock speeds.

If you install the OS with bad ram it's gonna be fubar'd from the git-go.

Good Luck with it,

Fern

 

[zerodeefex]

Originally posted by: Crescent13

Originally posted by: Da Ghost
And if I have to change my card, I'll probably stay away from sapphire... What are my options then?

If you get a x1900xt you will need a VERY strong PSU. Those cards are power hungry. I wouldn't reccomend anything less than my PSU which is 500W with 2x22A 12V rail.

Quality over quantity. I would take a stable 450w over a generic 500w any day. And remember, 2 12V rails is not a necessity. A single, large 12V rail, such as in the case of the OCZ powerstream series, is also a good choice and possibly better depending on the application.