Card Power Problems...need your help before I run out of money :)

-Athlon64 3000+ (ok cut me some slack here)
-DFI LanParty nf3 250gb
-PNY 7600 GS 512mb AGP (NOT pci-e)
-1gb ram
-Windows Pro x64

Problem: Video Card shuts down and causes the screen to go to idle (turn black) but only while in under graphical load.

---well i FINALLY decided to splurge, bought a new card (7600GS), and now having problems. The requirements stated at least 300w psu. I had a 400w. Installed the card and loaded CS:S and it started lagging and eventually shut down. so i figured my psu was old or insufficient so I bought a new 500w (480w effecient) psu. and still having the same problems but less often. I set the CMOS to give 1.7V to the gpu. Works fine at first but eventually ceases. does this card really eat that much power??? I know of people with 2 of these on pci-e only using 600w. what else should i do. preferably without smelling the smoke from my pants.
 
the psu i bought was: ultra Xfinity 500w atx.
Stats: <<(+5V, +3.3V)--30Amps, 30Amps respectively --160W>>
<<(+12V1, +12V2)--16Amps, 18Amps rspc --385W>>
<<(-12V)--0.6Amps--7.2W>>
<<(+5VSB)--2.5Amps--12.5W>>
<<(+5V,+3.3V, +12V1, +12V2)-----481W>>
<<(-12V, +5VSB)-----19.7W>>
-------TOTAL: 500W

i understand that strong cards need sufficient power. but shouldnt 480W do the trick? could it be a CMOS / BIOS fault? I dont think overheating is an issue. ive given it a command to promt me if overheating. plus my case is well regulated with exhaust and intake fans plus 2 PCI fans drumming directly onto the card.
 
I bought the psu from a comp./business retail store. also should mention that my cpu is slightly overclocked even though i dont think it is an issue. I jumped it from 200hz to 208hz with 10.5x. the original agp voltage was default at 1.5V -- jumped to 1.7V (i dont like messing the with the CMOS GPU settings and dont feel like going any more than 1.7V unless i have to)
 
Last edited:
OK,
1. you will greatly benefit in time by putting all your computer specs in your signature.
2. did you add more power to the card and not know that can damage unless you REALLY know what your doing????!!!!!!
 
uh fellas. Even though IM A++ i needed a second opinion because I havnt taken a glance at the new stuff in about four years. But anyway I found a fix: my new psu was +12V @ 17A. I returned it and bought a new 550W antec that has +12V @ 20A. I read a thread somewhere that said that reguardless of watts the +12V1 needs to breach 20A effectively. Also disbled the write combining in the driver. I lowered the agp volts to 1.6V instead of 1.7V for heat reasons and declocked the cpu 5hz. runs like a champ. no more artifacts or lagging. but i really appriciate your time to help out. thanks agian
 
But anyway I found a fix: my new psu was +12V @ 17A. I returned it and bought a new 550W antec that has +12V @ 20A. I read a thread somewhere that said that reguardless of watts the +12V1 needs to breach 20A effectively.
For the benefit of those reading this thread, there is no such requirement. A 7600GS has a peak power draw of ~27W, so draws only about 2A off the +12V rail.

All of the 12V recommendations mentioned by ATI and nVidia refer to the total available over all the +12V rails, not the amperage on any particular rail.

A faulty PSU is a possibility, but the X-Finity should have been quite sufficient. If your having to make all these changes (AGP voltage, Write Combining, etc...), and your system worked with the old GPU, have you considered the possibility that you simply have a defective card?
 
Back
Top