Sapphire Radeon HD 5870 Vapor-X OC Problem

[Gershwin]

Hello everyone.
First of all, i am absolutley not firm in overclocking, but will learn fast.

Ive bought this card a few days ago and it seems the card is incompatible with my system or just damaged.
Here some infos:
The cards specs are 875/1250 standard.
The Bios on it, was from week 11 2010, sapphrie allready send me a few weeks jounger one, i flashed it, but the problem remains.
The Problem:
After a while the card freezes my system with grey colored vertical lines, but stresstests like furmark tells me the card is max at 71°C, GPU-Z shows nothing special for me when crashing ... (this was the last log before the systems froze, and as you can see, the temperature was at 53°C, GPU load at 95%, Fan 1340)

2011-08-01 23:42:36 , 875.0 , 1250.0 , 43.0 , 24 , 95 , 1340 , 43.5 , 53.5 , 50.5 , 1.163 ,

Date , GPU Core Clock [MHz] , GPU Memory Clock [MHz] , GPU Temperature [°C] , Fan Speed [%] , GPU Load [%] , Fan Speed [RPM] , GPU Temp. #1 [°C] , GPU Temp. #2 [°C] , GPU Temp. #3 [°C] , VDDC [V] ,

When (don´t laugh please) underclocking my card to 875/1200, so 50 less memory clock, the systems never freeze or give me any problems.

Sapphire support gave me the new bios, wich is allready on and pruduces the same faults, but on a V-Core of 1.185 V, even in idle.
I also tryed trixx on 1.2 V, same problem.

My idea is that (if the memory is not damaged, hopefully) my computer specs, espec. my Rams, are incompatible. I know my systems hardware is not the best, but i have a family to feed and my bucks are limited.

I tryed overvolting the rams in mainboard bios, all settings to standard, no tuning etc. etc.
Problem remains where it is, the card freezes running at standard 875/1250, at 875/1200 perfect.

Cause sapphire gave me the link to the RBE tool, i came to this side and hoped you master of overclocking guys can help me with this.
Just for your info, i am not in need of more power () but want a stable card and clearance about the problem (warranty). So if this means to flash the bios or else, i will listen, learn and do.

Don´t want to send in the card and get it back, cause my system causes the problem

[Law-II]

Hi

Raise an RMA with sapphiretech the vga card is faulty

Edit did you remove the drivers before flashing the vga bios update?

Edit could you attach a copy of the updated bios that sapphirtech sent you, this will help other members of TPU assit you further.

atb

Law-II

[Gershwin]

Originally Posted by Law-II

Hi

Raise an RMA with sapphiretech the vga card is faulty

atb

Law-II

How can you be sure ?

[Law-II]

Originally Posted by Gershwin

How can you be sure ?

Hi

Your vga card was advertised at vcore 875 & mem 1250 and sold to you; it dose not do this without freezing yes, it should have headroom to OC on top of the factory clock speeds it dose's not do that. you have been sent a new bios from sapphiretech and it has not resolved the issue; Note if you start to modify the bios your warrenty will be void, RMA is the only way.

add for vga card

"The SAPPHIRE HD 5870 Vapor-X is based on the latest graphics architecture from the ATI division of AMD, the second generation of GPU to be built in its 40nm process. It supports the advanced graphical features of DirectX 11, and delivers spectacular video clarity, speed and visual effects, including over multiple monitors with the new ATI Eyefinity mode.

Sporting a new 150GB/s memory interface supporting fifth generation GDDR5 memory and a new architecture with a total of 1600 stream processors and 80 texture units the SAPPHIRE HD 5870 Vapor-X has twice the computing power of the previous generation. With enhanced clock speeds of 875MHz core and 1250MHz (5GHz effective) the SAPPHIRE HD 5870 Vapor-X model is the fastest card in its class, and SAPPHIRE’s World leading Vapor-X technology not only allows the card to run as much as 15 degrees C cooler and 10dB quieter than the standard model, it provides additional headroom for performance tuning (overclocking)."

nb: please feel free to wait for other members of TPU to suggest other alternatives

Note: the Voltage registers for GPU & VTT cannot be altered via the vga bios
Sapphire HD5870 Vapor-X OC Edition
GPU Device Id: 0x1002 0x6898
113-C00140-003
CYPRESS XT GDDR5 32Mx32 C00801 BIOS UCODEv:1255
(C) 1988-2005, ATI Technologies Inc.
ATOMBIOSBK-ATI VER012.018.000.001.000000
140X0300.V43
Clock State 0
Core Clk: 850.00 MHz
Memory Clk: 1200.00 MHz
Voltage: VID1
Flags: Boot
Clock State 1
Core Clk: 875.00 MHz
Memory Clk: 1250.00 MHz
Voltage: VID1
Flags: Optimal Perf
Clock State 2
Core Clk: 400.00 MHz
Memory Clk: 900.00 MHz
Voltage: 1.063 V
Flags: UVD
Clock State 3
Core Clk: 875.00 MHz
Memory Clk: 1250.00 MHz
Voltage: VID1
Flags: Optimal Perf
Clock State 4
Core Clk: 157.00 MHz
Memory Clk: 300.00 MHz
Voltage: 0.950 V
Flags: ACPI

atb

Law-II

[Law-II]

Originally Posted by Gershwin

How can you be sure ?

Hi

you could try this

Have you tested another Vga card in your PC
what where you running before? did you have the same issue?
Have you tested your Vga card in another PC

atb

Law-II

[eidairaman1]

easiest solution would to RMA it.


The other suggestion would to ensure the video card cooler is completely in contact with the ram, n to check the screws attaching the cooler to the card, just a warning though. ESD is leading cause of failure in computer components so ground yourself by touching unpainted metal portion of case or have a ground strap on you before touching any computer parts.

I think Nowadays that since the 5870 Has been Phased out, They are liable to replace it with an equivalent from the new line of cards, Im not sure if the 6870 is faster or what but, you might get one with the vapor-x cooling.

N to top things off, your powersupply could be an issue. The Other thing too is if video drivers from previous board havent been removed thoroughly/completely, n if your motherboard drivers are outdated.

[Gershwin]

Originally Posted by Law-II

Hi

you could try this

Have you tested another Vga card in your PC
what where you running before? did you have the same issue?
Have you tested your Vga card in another PC

atb

Law-II

I used before the 5770 and there wasnt any problem, but that card has a 128bit memory, the 5870 256bit, thought maybe this could be the problem for my old system.

It make all sense, just was hoping you guys doing this all night long and say something like:" yeah no prob, flash this bios from xxx and enjoy"

I will test one thing more before i give it back to sapphire, using fast ram in my system, cause (not sure why, my 2cents), i have the feeling my ram is the prob.

The power supply was changed a few days ago, the problem was also on the old PU.

Doing something like taking a screwdriver, is completly the job of sapphire not my

Furmark is running 20 minutes at 71°C without any probs, the problems only happen in games like FSX, or BFBC2, etc.

Anyway, thx for your help guys. Guess have to ship it back to sapphire

[cadaveca]

Sounds like the countless 5870's I went through. I think the final count was 8 or nine. Don't waste your time, and RMA.

[Law-II]

Originally Posted by Gershwin

I used before the 5770 and there wasnt any problem, but that card has a 128bit memory, the 5870 256bit, thought maybe this could be the problem for my old system.

5870 should work out of the box

It make all sense, just was hoping you guys doing this all night long and say something like:" yeah no prob, flash this bios from xxx and enjoy"

would loved to have said there was a quick fix

I will test one thing more before i give it back to sapphire, using fast ram in my system, cause (not sure why, my 2cents), i have the feeling my ram is the prob.

what brand is your 800Mhz system mem?

I have only seen one person on our forum mention this as a fix, have a look on the www for GSOD it is documented well

The power supply was changed a few days ago, the problem was also on the old PU.

agree this should not be the issue

Doing something like taking a screwdriver, is completly the job of sapphire not my

agree

Furmark is running 20 minutes at 71°C without any probs, the problems only happen in games like FSX, or BFBC2, etc.

may be worth a mention on the Games forum

http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=20


Anyway, thx for your help guys. Guess have to ship it back to sapphire

you are very welcome; good luck

atb

Law-II

[Anusha]

there is no problem with your system. if it works fine when you underclock, then that means it doesn't work at the rated specs; the specs you paid for. RMA it. whatever Sapphire says, if it doesn't work out of the box, it is not YOUR fault.

p.s.
i think i have the same VGA as you. is this the blue PCB model or black PCB model? I regret not getting the black PCB model, which is a reference design, and supports overvolting. Blue PCB model sucks. Doesn't overclock well because cannot up the volts. It runs cool and there is so much headroom if it was possible to overvolt.

[OneMoar]

odds are there is nothing wrong with the card .. quit spreading misinformation

all you need todo is disable ULPS/UVD and bump the clocks by 5-10mhz
http://www.overclock.net/10417574-post21.html
theres been a long standing issue with some of the early 58xx cards where the gpu would crash because of clock speeds to high for the given voltage

[Chevalr1c]

OneMoar, you actually say know that the power management must be disabled so the card is still "faulty" IMHO.

[OneMoar]

no the card is not faulty just a few early models of the 5xxx cards at the issue on "certain system configurations"
mainly sappire cards

[OneMoar]

sapphire set clock stages wrong and never corrected the issue
and its not underclocking is what is correcting the issue anytime you use amd overdrive it nerfs the ULPS/power play settings a bit

[cadaveca]

Originally Posted by OneMoar

"certain system configurations"

= a fault by the manufacturer. It's the manufacturer's responsibility to test thier devices, and if there are incompatibility issues, to notify you.

Since there is no official list from any hardware manufacturer that states the 5870 cards have compatibility issues, then it safe to assume it should work equally well in all systems.

We, as consumers, must DEMAND higher quality products by not succumbing to shody products and having to hack hardware to get it to work. Plug it in, install OS, drivers, and it should all work, provided you have parts based off of any QVL. QVL's exist for this purpose alone, and I know of no motherboard QVL that states there is any issues with 5870s.

I don't care what the problem is, or what causes it. It's not the users place to deal with such issues.

[OneMoar]

vendor != manufacturer
also assume makes a ...

[cadaveca]

Originally Posted by OneMoar

vendor != manufacturer
also assume makes a ...

Say what you will. I returned many cards for this exact issue, and the manufacturer never tested any of these cards as "working".

Yes, there are ways to circumvent the issue. And that fine...and good...but...the hardware is faulty, plain and simple, if default clocks do not work in a default system with current drivers.


And I'm reporting your post for flame baiting.

[OneMoar]

Originally Posted by cadaveca

Say what you will. I returned many cards for this exact issue, and the manufacturer never tested any of these cards as "working".

Yes, there are ways to circumvent the issue. And that fine...and good...but...the hardware is faulty, plain and simple, if default clocks do not work in a default system with current drivers.


And I'm reporting your post for flame baiting.

lol

just lol
No I am not flame baiting I am getting tired of idiots pointing fingers and bitching when they don't have a clue
speaking of ... bios is SOFTWARE

[OneMoar]

by no means is it acceptable for a card you paided 200+ bucks for to have that kind of flaw but sending it back and getting the same card won't correct the issue the issue is with the drivers and the bios
backon topic here if you try what I said and it still gives you problems then you can attempt to rma it

[cadaveca]

Originally Posted by OneMoar

the issue is with the drivers and the bios

This is not the case though, as many cards work without issue with the same drivers and BIOS. The OP has already tried updated firmware without success.


And I do have a clue, thank you, that's why I currently review hardware for a living.

[OneMoar]

every system is a bit different every vender is a bit different
people jumping off the OMG the card is junk send it back bridge annoy me to no end

[cadaveca]

Originally Posted by OneMoar

every system is a bit different every vender is a bit different
people jumping off the OMG the card is junk send it back bridge annoy me to no end

It's fine if it annoys you. The GSOD issue is something everyone should be RMAing for, to ensure it doesn't happen again.

No user should have to flash VGA BIOS for stock operation. Period.

Cards should be tested before leaving the factory, and as this is a known issue(as are several others with the 5870), RMA is the only option. I do require, personally, that OEMs ensure users are not left with silly issues like this one. As a reviewer, it's my job to report these issues I run into to OEMs sothat they can fix them.

I literally went through 9 cards with XFX with this problem. I was never denied an RMA. In the end, they gave me 6950 2GB, and I haven't had an issue since. I complained and complained about my AMD cards here on the forums for months..until I got working ones.

[OneMoar]

they do test the cards
the test them to make sure they post and run a full-load without problems
THEY don't test to make sure the driver is not gonna crash on x system because the voltage is 0.3v out of spec because x user has x model psu
they don't run the cards in a "windows environment" do you have any idea how much time and money that would cost.... like gpu's dont cost enough
and when you have a back stock of tens of thousands of cards you can't expect everyone of them to be run though quality control and not have them miss something

[cadaveca]

Originally Posted by OneMoar

they don't run the cards in a "windows environment" do you have any idea how much time and money that would cost....

Maybe you missed the part where I said I was a hardware reviewer? OF course I know what it takes. It takes setting up a system once, installing drivers, and then card swaps. No big deal.

like gpu's dont cost enough

I wouldn't say that. AMD's high-end GPU sells for $350. I'm more than willing ot pay more to ensure I get good parts...you bet....when it was ATI, we paid $500 for high-end GPUs, no problem.

and when you have a back stock of tens of thousands of cards you can't expect everyone of them to be run though quality control and not have them miss something

Sure I can, and I do. I expect less than 3% failure rate. Most of the industry is around that point, so that's good. So when we get threads like this form users with one of these issues, they should fall within the 3%, and RMA thier cards.

Could this users problem be PSU? You bet. But how come Sapphire support has not explored this option, and the OP is here asking for help?


I mean, don't get me wrong..I expect OEMs to also tell users to forget about support if they do not buy parts on the QVL.

[eidairaman1]

Originally Posted by cadaveca

= a fault by the manufacturer. It's the manufacturer's responsibility to test thier devices, and if there are incompatibility issues, to notify you.

Since there is no official list from any hardware manufacturer that states the 5870 cards have compatibility issues, then it safe to assume it should work equally well in all systems.

We, as consumers, must DEMAND higher quality products by not succumbing to shody products and having to hack hardware to get it to work. Plug it in, install OS, drivers, and it should all work, provided you have parts based off of any QVL. QVL's exist for this purpose alone, and I know of no motherboard QVL that states there is any issues with 5870s.

I don't care what the problem is, or what causes it. It's not the users place to deal with such issues.

I had a Issue with a Asus P4S8X Motherboard and a First Party ATI Radeon AIW 9700 Pro, tried several bios revisions, RMAd the vid card. It Took a Beta Bios, Driver Updates, Disable some video cache mode in the motherboard, Disable Automatic restarts and then something that causes the card to reset itself in the Radeon Drivers just to work with that motherboard.

I swapped to an MSI k7N2 Delta-L and had no problems from the video card at all.