Is my graphics card broken?

[Pipps]

UPDATE: Please see here.

I have a Sapphire HD 4830.

When I boot into XP all is initially fine and I am able to see the desktop.

However, when I click on the start bar and navigate a few steps, I receive an immediate white screen of death and a total irrecoverable lock-up.

I am confused about what this could mean and I would be grateful for any suggestions on the best course of action to test and repair the problem.

Does this sort of issue suggest that the graphics card is irretrievably broken?

 

[Jetster]

you need to take it and try it in another comp. If you cant do that try an reinstall windows or a Linux Live disk. Rule out heat, connections, software problems driver problems power supply

 

[bigtye]

As suggested above, you need to rule out a whole bunch of issues. If you cant get another pc to try your card in and see if it replicates the problem, can you put another card in your computer and see if that still gets the same issue.

Have you checked all the connections?

Has anything else changed in the system, new software/hardware install etc?

Does this happen every time you run xp?

What temps are on the card?

Memtest?

It is a matter of elminating possible things wrong, and never deny your pc the right to have more than one thing wrong with it!

 

[lyndonguitar]

Try it on another PC. if it doesnt work. then IT IS THE CARD.

If you cant do that. Try If you have onboard video.(built it video card). remove your video card and run from the onboard.

If it works. then it can be the video card is broken or the driver is all messed up
Reinstall all drivers. clean them out and reinstall. if it works the Its just the driver. If it doesnt then its probably the video card.

If you still cant do that or you dont have onboard video. Try a complete reinstall and reformat.
install proper drivers and if it works. Then good.

If it doesnt. It can be anything from the PSU, Board, Graphics card, and other parts. thats when you really need to try the video card in another PC or try your PC using another GPU.

 

[Pipps]

Thanks for all the great advice. Here's what's happened...

I got both PCs on the desk and benched them. The HD4830 is running fine in the new Gigabyte mobo, but refuses to cooperate with the higher spec Asus mobo.

However, my second new Gigabyte graphics card works fine in both mobos!

What could this mean?

 

[Frick]

What is the new card? Could it be the power supply perhaps?

 

[Pipps]

The first card is a Sapphire HD4830. It requires the special six pin power connect from the PSU.

The new card is an Gigabyte HD5450. It draws its power directly from the PCI slot on the mobo.

Does this info help?

 

[Frick]

The first card is a Sapphire HD4830. It requires the special six pin power connect from the PSU.

The new card is an Gigabyte HD5450. It draws its power directly from the PCI slot on the mobo.

Does this info help?

What PSU is in the other computer you tested the card in? Because the HD4830 draws a lot more power than the HD5450.

Looks like it's the power supply.

 

[Pipps]

The power supply in the problematic PC setup is a Silverstone SST-ST30NF - a reported max 300 watts and passive!

In the successful setup, it's a Nexus Value 430 - 430 watts and with a noisy fan.

I am trying to get the HD4830 to work in a silent HTPC setup. What do you think?

 

[Jetster]

So are you overclocking it in the ASUS or is not work at stock

The 4830 is not the best HTPC card .. Pulls a lot of power

And does the silverstone have a 6 pin for PCI-e or are you using an adapter?

 

[Pipps]

So are you overclocking it in the ASUS or is not work at stock

Well, err, only a 100% overclock...

But I needed this, in order to run GTA IV in high graphics. I am also overclocking the Intel E5300 CPU in that same HTPC setup by around 90% too. Worked beautifully with the Nexus 430 PSU for years.

The 4830 is not the best HTPC card .. Pulls a lot of power

Noted. Thank you

 

[Pipps]

And does the silverstone have a 6 pin for PCI-e or are you using an adapter?

The Silverstone passive PSU does have the proper 6-pin adapter.

 

[Pipps]

Is there a PSU which can handle similar graphics to the HD4830 but which draws less power?

 

[Jetster]

Is there a PSU which can handle similar graphics to the HD4830 but which draws less power?

No

HD4830 Requirements

450 Watt or greater power supply with 75 Watt 6-pin PCI Express power connector recommended (550 Watt and two 6-pin connectors for ATI CrossFireX technology in dual mode)

You don't have an HTPC that's a gaming machine. Give it the power it craves

 

[qubit]

The power supply in the problematic PC setup is a Silverstone SST-ST30NF - a reported max 300 watts and passive!

In the successful setup, it's a Nexus Value 430 - 430 watts and with a noisy fan.

I am trying to get the HD4830 to work in a silent HTPC setup. What do you think?

Yup, it's that 300W PSU alright. No one uses something so weak nowadays. While a decent brand, it's just not designed for the load you're putting on it. The fact it works with the 5450 is a good demonstration of the problem.

Fit a more powerful PSU, 500W minimum and you'll be fine.

 

[xBruce88x]

to make things even worse that PSU only has 18A for the 12v, def not enough if your overclocking AND want to run a 4830... I'll see if i can find you a psu with the same form factor...

btw is this your case?
Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel...

If you can afford it, Silverstone makes a 500W model of what you have.

SILVERSTONE Nightjar ST50NF 500W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS...

 

[Pipps]

The Silverstone 500w passive retails at £150 in the UK - an exorbitant amount for a PSU!

It would seem to be the ideal solution though. Thank you.

 

[qubit]

The Silverstone 500w passive retails at £150 in the UK - an exorbitant amount for a PSU!

It would seem to be the ideal solution though. Thank you.

That is indeed ridiculous and you shouldn't buy it at that price.

The Corsair HX850W PSU I have is excellent, delivers more power and costs somewhat less. While it has a fan, it's very quiet indeed. You don't have to get something as high end as that though and can go down in price with a lower power PSU. Also, my PSU is an older model now and better versions are available from Corsair and other companies. What you're after is a quality brand that has really high efficiency and is designed for quietness. The good news is that you don't have to break the bank to get this. Just check out reviews from reputable sites to help you decide what to get.

 

[Pipps]

I have decided to reduce the system's power consumption first.

I have bought an HD5670. It is marketed as a low-power GOU, and draws its supply directly from the PCI-E connection. It reportedly draws less than 75W at full load.

With an overclockeded Asus P5Q-E mobo and overclocked Intel E5200, is this likely to be within the abilities of a 300W Silverstone passive PSU to drive?

 

[Jetster]

Depends how much you overclock. Stock it will be fine

 

[de.das.dude]

could be that the card is overheating. looks like its overheating to me.

 

[Completely Bonkers]

+qubit recommendation

I would recommend a "silent" but NOT a "passive" PSU. A decent "silent" is really silent at the desktop and fans would only come on under intensive 3D gaming... which isnt a problem IMO... since the games have sound and noise.

But for desktop use and video is should still be silent.

"Passive" PSU are great for PCs that do NOT use 3D intensive applications/games. They struggle in 3D and get very hot, so hot that their temperatures cause heat radiation issues requiring you to fan the inside of the case which is against the whole point. Passive PSUs are suitable for 2D workstations only IMO.

 

[TC-man]

Hi,

Get yourself a Seasonic X-560 which is probably the best if you want a (semi-)passive cooled PSU; You can get it for a much lower price (around £112) than the mentioned Silverstone fanless PSU. The Seasonic however does have a fan, but at low load (under 20% load) it's shut off for silent operation (e.g. when watching a movie, using MS Office, email etc.), even when the fan is working it's really quiet, this PSU is probably more quiet than your HD4830's cooling fan. It's really better than the Silverstone Nightjar fanless PSUs, especially when you look at the price and efficiency.

Some reviews:
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Seasonic-X-Series-560-W-Power-Supply-Review/1118
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=202
http://www.anandtech.com/show/4217/seasonic-xseries-560w/1

If you really want a true fanless PSU then the choice would be Seasonic's X-460FL, somewhat more expensive than the "semi-fanless" X-560. Techpowerup even reviewed it not long ago, it gets a 9.4 out of 10.

 

[Pipps]

TC Man, thank you for the great advice. However, things have taken a different turn.

Good news - the passive XFC HD5670 GPU runs happily with the passive Silverstone 330W. So no need for a pricey PSU upgrade.

If only it ran Fifa 12 smoothly on high graphics... it's so jerky.

Would a 10% GPU overclock and a decent CPU overclock help here?

 

[Tatty_Two]

TC Man, thank you for the great advice. However, things have taken a different turn.

Good news - the passive XFC HD5670 GPU runs happily with the passive Silverstone 330W. So no need for a pricey PSU upgrade.

If only it ran Fifa 12 smoothly on high graphics... it's so jerky.

Would a 10% GPU overclock and a decent CPU overclock help here?

You are playing at fairly low res but yes of course, a 10% overclock on both will give you a couple of FPS but it won't be a substantial improvement which is why i think some have suggested you upgrade the PSU, at least that way you have headroom, a commodity you are short of currently. You could just go for an Antec 430W "Green" Earthwatts Bronze 80+ certified unit which would help, they are about 50 quid from E Buyer.