New graphics card problem... Please help

N

nj473

Member
Hey,

I recently bought the sapphire Radeon 6850 graphics card, although run into a few problems (surprise surprise).

I turn my computer on, and when I run a game or some sort process that needs graphical power, it will stay on for about 5 mins or less, then I start to get flashes on the screen, and lines appear for a split second, until the whole screen either goes black or striped grey. The background music continues for a few seconds then it cuts out, and the computer is still on but completely unusable.

I doubt it is the graphics card itself as I have already replaced it. I sent the previous one back because I thought it was a broken card but now it is doing it again with this new card.

This is the first time I am using a graphics card which requires the six pin socket, my previous card was a 6670 which didn't need any additional power other than the motherboard. So I am thinking maybe its the PSU? It's a 650w cooler master with 2x6 pin connectors.

Could someone tell me if it does sound like the PSU? Or something else in my system? Specs are in my sig.

Thanks
 
you should be good with a 650 watt coolermaster.

Have you reseated the card? Reinstalled the drivers? Are you monitoring temps?
 
Yeah I have tried reseating it, temps are no higher than usual. Installed all drivers again completely with the help of driver sweeper etc.

I know that the PSU should be enough, but like I said its the first time I've ever used the 6pin connector before so do you think there is a chance it could be that? Or does not sound like a usual symptom of a problematic PSU?
 
Just found something:

After monitoring temps etc for a bit I tried turning off AMD overdrive, and it works perfectly. No stuttering, no problems whatsoever. I eventually narrowed it down to the memory clock being at 1200mhz.

It seems that when this is on at that speed, I get the screen problems until it cuts out. I turned it down a little to 1050mhz and it is running fine now. I don't understand why the softwarre gives me the option of turning it up to 1200mhz (which I assume is safe as it comes from the AMD themselves) if it is just going to cut out. So maybe it still is something else in my build?

GPU temps are around 70C, but from read I dont think thats much of a problem? Been quite warm in UK past few days so my CPU temps are generally a little higher due to room temp but it doesnt seem to go past 50C when gaming so thats good.
 
overdrive is a OC software. It is only meant to be userd by experienced users. And they have no way of knowing how far each card can go because each one is different. No overclock is regular.
 
Fair enough, I just assumed that with it coming from the manufacturer it was well within it's limits. Still, any idea why it does that at 1200mhz? I've looked online and can't find anywhere mentioning the same problem, so I'm a little concerned that theres something about my build thats causing it.
 
no. Its doing it because when you push memory too far it starts screwing the data. 0s become 4s and 88s become 155s and the like. Its not anything in your build, just the OC level.
 
OK well I will just avoid that in future. Working nicely now and a noticable improvement from my 6670. Thanks for the help
 
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