I recently got a 6800GT AGP card to replace a 6600GT. Im running an Antec 350W, and when I put in the 6800GT, the screen shows colors. I tried unplugging my hard drive and dvd drive, so all I had running was the bare stuff, and still just colors. Would you call this card defective? I don't think my power supply is too low for it, it says on the box 350W or higher, and it's not a cheapy brand one.
Video Card not running
- Thread starter GWARslave
- Start date
elitehacker
New Member
A 350W power supply can run a 7600GT, so your power is no problem. What do you mean by colours, so you mean just random stuff on your screen? Do you hear any beeps? Try taking the card out and reinserting it again, if that does not fix the problem, then yeah your card is most likely to be defective and I would recommend a return, but then that card must be bought second hand as they don't make 6800GT AGP cards anymore, and they are pretty rare to get even if you do want one. If you bought it new then return it to the store, if you bought it second hand then you probably need to buy a new graphics card.
Just colors like ASCII characters and stuff. Yeah it was used, bought it from an ebay store, I'll definitely be returning it because it said tested in good condition. I should just save up not much more money and get a new mobo/cpu/mem. Even an 8600GT will do 10x as better and it's not very expensive..
elitehacker
New Member
ASCII characters? Then your card might be good and your motherboard might not be able to recognise it. Do you have another system to test the card in? Does your motherboard have integrated graphics? Try reseting the BIOS to default and then try again.
Ok I loaded the fail-safe default BIOS and then put in the 6800GT. Still shows colored ASCII chars in the beginning, and then switches the vertical black-white -colored tear lines. Do i need to uninstall my current video card driver beforehand? It'd be the same Nvidia driver either way though...
Okedokey
Well-Known Member
Did you even look at what PSU he had or the card he was using (who's using a 7600GT)? Just because the 7600 is newer doesn't mean it uses more power, in fact it is generally the other way around. As a gpu architecture gets smaller, it is more power efficient, so the older the card, quite generally means a greater power (wattage) requirement per cycle (ie lower efficiency). However, many noobs think it is wattage that counts, its not. Actually it is the amount of current that can be deliveried on the 12V rail.
The 6800GT requires a 18A minimum on the 12V rail (although i would always go for 26A min). GWARslave, your PSU provides 16A http://www.antec.com/specs/sl350_spe_EU.html Insufficient!
This is very likely why you are experiencing artifacts and issues. When the psu cannot provide the current (ie amps) required then a voltage drop occurs. When this happens, the there are several common symptoms, artifacts, BSOD's and component damage. Trust me, upgrade your PSU or lose you card, memory and even your motherboard.
You need a new PSU. I would suggeest a HX520W from Corsiar http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139001&Tpk=corsair+520
Look at the Power Supply Info link in my sig for some other options.
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Well that sucks, wish they would have said that instead of '350W or greater'. I'm assuming an Antec TruePower should do the trick. I'm still running on my 6600GT right now, so I can either buy a new PSU so I can have that out of the way when I upgrade in the future, or return the card and tell them it's defective 
Okedokey
Well-Known Member
btw, the agp bus was prematurely abandoned, and is very far from being saturated. You can get a HD3850 AGP http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131090, new PSU, and you have a new gaming machine that will probably own most of the guys on this forum.
Okedokey
Well-Known Member
OMG, here i go again.
Guys, oscary has already been kicked out of several forums, such as www.techsupportforum.com, for NOT HAVING A CLUE.
AGP has been supersceded yes, but a graphics bus is rarely saturated, meaning, you can still play a lot of newer games on a AGP bus.
Oscary, what exactly do you mean by "nearly" twice as fast? Forget the scemantics, i mean, what do you ACTUALLY MEAN?
Also, wattage has nothing to do with it. Its the amperage on the 12V rails that is important.
Please guys, if you want a laugh, look at the tech support forum link and search of oscaryu1.
i am a senior tech member there, trust me, it this is deja vou
Guys, oscary has already been kicked out of several forums, such as www.techsupportforum.com, for NOT HAVING A CLUE.
AGP has been supersceded yes, but a graphics bus is rarely saturated, meaning, you can still play a lot of newer games on a AGP bus.
Oscary, what exactly do you mean by "nearly" twice as fast? Forget the scemantics, i mean, what do you ACTUALLY MEAN?
Also, wattage has nothing to do with it. Its the amperage on the 12V rails that is important.
Please guys, if you want a laugh, look at the tech support forum link and search of oscaryu1.
i am a senior tech member there, trust me, it this is deja vou
hermeslyre
VIP Member
I would. From the looks of things he bought a card, and from the get go it experienced problems, and this was under nominal load as well being pre-boot and all. The 16 amps of current, while alittle low (at the same time being supplied by a Antec unit), wouldn't even be close to my first guess at problems, maybe alittle bit more in line with elitehackers train of thought. The card is defective and has been from the start, this is my opinion.
The new PSU may be a help, but judging from system specs, going too far over a 7600gt (which is speced to run on +12@18 but can easily run on less on a quality unit. I Know this because i've done it) or equivalent would result in some sort of bottleneck, I.E lost performance..
