ATI Radeon HD4870x2 - Crap performance on Vista Ult 64

[Mannaro]

Hi guys, i'm really desperate. I've read thousands of forum pages but seems nothing can solve my problem.

I bought a ATI Radeon HD4870x2... well i get crap performance, 7-8 fps on Crysis no matter settings.

I have a AMD Phenom 9500, 4gb of memory, my MO is N2M-SLI Deluxe and my S.O. is Vista Ultimate 64. The card works fine on same computer under XP32 (30-40frames on Cysis 1920x1200 high settings). Support tell me is a power supply issue because i have a 500W and the card require a 650. Ok but works on XP32!!
So is a driver issue??

I've installed everything, official and unofficial... nothing works. Support tell me that i have to install Catalyst 8.7 but this driver not recognize the card! So only 8.8 or 8.9 beta. Nothing...

Any of you have this card under Vista 64? You think that power supply is really insufficent on Vista but may be enough on XP?

 

[PaulieG]

Hi guys, i'm really desperate. I've read thousands of forum pages but seems nothing can solve my problem.

I bought a ATI Radeon HD4870x2... well i get crap performance, 7-8 fps on Crysis no matter settings.

I have a AMD Phenom 9500, 4gb of memory, my MO is N2M-SLI Deluxe and my S.O. is Vista Ultimate 64. The card works fine on same computer under XP32 (30-40frames on Cysis 1920x1200 high settings). Support tell me is a power supply issue because i have a 500W and the card require a 650. Ok but works on XP32!!
So is a driver issue??

I've installed everything, official and unofficial... nothing works. Support tell me that i have to install Catalyst 8.7 but this driver not recognize the card! So only 8.8 or 8.9 beta. Nothing...

Any of you have this card under Vista 64? You think that power supply is really insufficent on Vista but may be enough on XP?

It's very possible that running Vista creates more of a power draw from your components. What I don't understand is why you would even try to run this card on a 500w psu. My thought on this always. Never buy a video card before you have a psu that can power it. You are not only risking poor performance, but you risk frying your psu and taking other components with it. Get yourself at least a quality 650w psu.

 

[Mannaro]

What I don't understand is why you would even try to run this card on a 500w psu.

Er... my bad on this ^^' i bought this card without know that requires at least 650W. On my old 400 the computer power off, so my releseller mount a 500W (he dont got a better power supply) and the computer runs fine. Test on XP32 and the card was AMAZING!

So we think it have to work also under Vista 64...

 

[{JNT}Raptor]

Totally agree......a 500 watt PSU even of quality build shouldn't be used with that beast of a card...way to much risk of killing It..along with your PSU....remember....to little voltage can kill equipment as easily as overvoltage can.

Get a decent 650 or higher PSU and get to enjoying that card.

Hope It helps.

 

[PaulieG]

Er... my bad on this ^^' i bought this card without know that requires at least 650W. On my old 400 the computer power off, so my releseller mount a 500W (he dont got a better power supply) and the computer runs fine. Test on XP32 and the card was AMAZING!

So we think it have to work also under Vista 64...

You really should not even be trying to run that card in XP until you get a better psu, even if it apprears to be running ok. You will end up killing the psu, and possibly taking other components with it.

 

[Tatty_Two]

4870x2 and a 500W PSU (dont know the rest of your power draw as you have not filled in your specs) = An accident about to happen whatever your operating system, and yes, I read an article about a year ago about the different methods of system and hardware management between XP and Vista, that showed about a 25W draw difference between the two OS's with identical hardware at identical speeds, that 25W maximum margin you are playing with there will not only cost you the price of a PSU but perhaps a motherboard and other stuff.

Edit: try downloading something like motherboard monitor or even just check your hardware monitor in BIOS, I reckon your rails are being dragged down to well under their ratings.

As a matter of interest, what make/model is your PSU with what amperage?

 

[mullered07]

just out of curiousity what model/make psu is it anyway ?

 

[PaulieG]

4870x2 and a 500W PSU (dont know the rest of your power draw as you have not filled in your specs) = An accident about to happen whatever your operating system, and yes, I read an article about a year ago about the different methods of system and hardware management between XP and Vista, that showed about a 25W draw difference between the two OS's with identical hardware at identical speeds, that 25W maximum margin you are playing with there will not only cost you the price of a PSU but perhaps a motherboard and other stuff.

Edit: try downloading something like motherboard monitor or even just check your hardware monitor in BIOS, I reckon your rails are being dragged down to well under their ratings.

Tatty, you and I are exactly on the same page here.

 

[Tatty_Two]

Tatty, you and I are exactly on the same page here.

As always

 

[kenkickr]

Besides the crap/underpowered PSU more than likely it doesn't even have a 8-pin connection that is "REQUIRED" to be connected inorder for overdrive to function.

 

[Mannaro]

The PSU is a Blue Storm II 500 and got all the connectors required, 2 of them are plugged on the HD4870x2.

Edit: I found a pic of the PSU: http://www.fsplifestyle.com/en/booster_a.asp?pro_catId=8&categoryId=1&productId=17

 

[InnocentCriminal]

Blue Storm II, who makes that & what's the amperage on the 12volt rail?

 

[kenkickr]

Are they both 6 pin, 6+8, or 8 pins? I believe the 4870X2 requires a 6-pin and a 8-pin to function normally, besides a beefy PSU.

 

[H82LUZ73]

Get a new psu pronto,i have a feeling he has the CPU 4+4 plugged in it along with the one 6pin pcie or both.Also that is not a very good psu to begin with,Here is the specs..

Efficiency


85%

Input Voltage


100-240 VAC

Frequency


50Hz - 60Hz

PFC


Active

Power Provided


500W

Over-Current Protection


V

Over-Voltage Protection


V

Short-Circuit Protection


V

Line Type


Main connector


20+4Pin

4Pin+12V Power Connector


1( 4+4pin for EPS)

4Pin Floppy Connector


2

S-ATA Connector


4

4Pin Connector


6

PCI-Express Connector


2

Case Color


Blue

Chassis Fan


120mm

Noise


<25 dBA

Form Factor


Intel ATX 12V V2.2

Safety Approval


CB, UL, CSA, FCC, CE, TUV, NEMKO, C-TICK, CCC, BSMI, GOST

Dimensions(LxWxH)mm


140*150*86

Also there is a reveiew here from HardPC
http://www.fsplifestyle.com/en/reviews.asp?strKey=&pro_catId=8&categoryId=1&productId=17

 

[InnocentCriminal]

Get a new psu pronto,i have a feeling he has the CPU 4+4 plugged in it along with the one 6pin pcie or both.

If he had the 4pin from the 4+4 connector, he wouldn't be able to power his system.

 

[H82LUZ73]

If he had the 4pin from the 4+4 connector, he wouldn't be able to power his system.

He has the 2 6 pin in it wich is starving that x2 .

Uhm if peps would read the package before pay that cash he would`n be in this mess .....just ranting .....

 

[Mannaro]

I read 18A on the 12V and on the card is connected a 6-pin and a more larger pin, seems formed by a 6 plus a little 2.

BTW... tomorrow or saturday morning ill change it with a 750W at least.

 

[gottistar]

PSU pronto !! , i learnt the same way !!

im a greedy bitch, i went 1200w tough power t/take, because i had to

 

[kenkickr]

He has the 2 6 pin in it wich is starving that x2 .

Uhm if peps would read the package before pay that cash he would`n be in this mess .....just ranting .....

Couldn't agree more!! What PSU brand are you going for? Be careful, it maybe 750W but the amp's could be really weak.

 

[H82LUZ73]

I read 18A on the 12V and on the card is connected a 6-pin and a more larger pin, seems formed by a 6 plus a little 2.

BTW... tomorrow or saturday morning ill change it with a 750W at least.

I would get the PC Power &Cooling one....http://www.pcpower.com/power-supply/silencer-750-quad-crossfire.html

 

[Zehnsucht]

Are they both 6 pin, 6+8, or 8 pins? I believe the 4870X2 requires a 6-pin and a 8-pin to function normally, besides a beefy PSU.

The extra two pins on an 8 pin connector are just ground.

I am somewhat surprised though. According to the tpu testing the entire PC was peaking 380 W at the wall. With 80 % efficiency that's 304 W delievered to all the components. Assuming the 4870x2 peaks 250W (I'm just pulling numbers now), that's 21A on the 12V rail(s).

Since there are two connectors, if you have two rails the power will be divided among them.

What is more important IMO is the current rating on the 12V rail(s) (and combined wattage).

 

[H82LUZ73]

The extra two pins on an 8 pin connector are just ground.

I am somewhat surprised though. According to the tpu testing the entire PC was peaking 380 W at the wall. With 80 % efficiency that's 304 W delievered to all the components. Assuming the 4870x2 peaks 250W (I'm just pulling numbers now), that's 21A on the 12V rail(s).

Since there are two connectors, if you have two rails the power will be divided among them.

What is more important IMO is the current rating on the 12V rail(s) (and combined wattage).

that psu only draws 450 though .

 

[Tatty_Two]

It's an FSP so it is a decent make but nowhere including their website does it state amperage.

 

[Zehnsucht]

They have it on the egg:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowI...ion=FSP Group Blue Storm II 500W Power Supply

And yes, FSP are known for good PSU's. Before jumping on the power supply train, I would suggest you either try to borrow a PSU from a friend which is beefier, and/or buy a wattage meter to see what your computer is drawing. They should come really cheap, 25$ top.

http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTMzOSw2LCxoZW50aHVzaWE=

 

[Tatty_Two]

The extra two pins on an 8 pin connector are just ground.

I am somewhat surprised though. According to the tpu testing the entire PC was peaking 380 W at the wall. With 80 % efficiency that's 304 W delievered to all the components. Assuming the 4870x2 peaks 250W (I'm just pulling numbers now), that's 21A on the 12V rail(s).

Since there are two connectors, if you have two rails the power will be divided among them.

What is more important IMO is the current rating on the 12V rail(s) (and combined wattage).

Yup, around 264W draw for the card at load, but thats of course at stock speeds, bottom line is standard 6 pin PCI-E connectors give 75W each, so thats 150W plus 75W coming from the boards PCI-E slot (PCI-E 2.0 is 150W but dont think his board is 2.0??) that makes a max available wattage of 225W which simply aint enuff, now as I understand things, if an 6 to 8 pin adaptor is used, it does not/cannot increase wattage available, these adaptors started off as toys to fool 2900XT cards and CCC into thinking all was well so as users could get access to "overdrive" for the overclocking options, genuine PSU 8 pin connectors can deliver upto 150W (I think....maybe it's only 125W....not sure), as his PSU does not have an 8 pin the way I see it is he can only be drawing a max of 225W physically and that aint enuff.......so apart from the obvious PSU issues, the system fails/will fail because of a lack of juice, and that will also probably be damaging the card also.


http://www.xbitlabs.com/misc/picture/?src=/images/video/radeon-hd4870-x2/4870x2_power_full.png&1=1
Or am I missing something?