Problems with GTX 295

[bkarle]

I recently upgraded from dual 9800 GX2's to dual GTX 295's and am having some instability issues. My system specs are as follows:

EVGA X58 3X SLI Motherboard
Intel i7 965 @ 3.2ghz
12GB DDR3 1600
Coolmax 1350 watt SLI certified power supply
Vista Home Premium 64 bit

I'm currently using 181.22 nVidia drivers. I'm running my main monitor @ 2560x1600 and my 2nd monitor @ 1920x1200 with SLI and PhysX enabled.

Specifically, I was getting bsods at random times while playing just about every game I own... even in games that are not very graphic intensive or demanding of your system. I narrowed these crashes down to winamp, though I didn't experience any issues when I was running the 9800gx2's. Simply not running winamp in the background is a bandaid to this problem, but not a solution.

Even without winamp running, I still experience significantly higher texture load times than with the 9800gx2's - I'd say about 4-5x longer... this also seems a bit odd.

Alt-Tabing out of any DirectX game can cause the game to stop responding, but hasn't resulted in a bsod.

I've tried reseating the cards. I've uninstalling and reinstalling the nvidia drivers. I've tried each card individually and still seem to have the same issues.

I'm just curious if anyone is aware of known issues like this. I tried EVGA's tech support but I'm fairly certain I knew more about hardware/software than the person I spoke to on the phone. Could there be an issue with the new drivers or do I have to resort to a clean install?

Thanks in advance for any comments or suggestions you may have.

[newls1]

First thing I would try is install driver version 185.20. THis is a great driver even though it is "ALPHA" I am running this on my GTX295 and it fixed a few of my gaming issues. Nvidia MUST GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER and release a great driver for this card, as the official 181.22 driver blows balls. Secondly: What are the amp ratings on your 12v rails on that PSU? A single GTX295 needs 31AMP's (JUST FOR THE CARD ITSELF) plus a needed 10% IN RESERVE. Ideally, you want a PSU with a single 12v rail to maintain the cards needs under load. Most people have PSU's that have 3/4/5 12v rails that are only 15-20a each, and that is NOT RECOMMENDED for this card. You have 2 of these, so you need 62A on a 12v rail to maintain these beasts. See where im going? Even though your PSU was great for your Quad SLi 9800GX2's, they only needed 20a each at most. The 295GTX is a hungry bastard, and really needs a GREAT PSU behind it to maintain stability. If you were to purchase a Silverstone 1000x PSU with 80+amps on a single 12v rail, I'm willing to bet with the 185.20 driver, and this PSU, your issues might be solved.

[bkarle]

First thing I would try is install driver version 185.20. THis is a great driver even though it is "ALPHA" I am running this on my GTX295 and it fixed a few of my gaming issues. Nvidia MUST GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER and release a great driver for this card, as the official 181.22 driver blows balls. Secondly: What are the amp ratings on your 12v rails on that PSU? A single GTX295 needs 31AMP's (JUST FOR THE CARD ITSELF) plus a needed 10% IN RESERVE. Ideally, you want a PSU with a single 12v rail to maintain the cards needs under load. Most people have PSU's that have 3/4/5 12v rails that are only 15-20a each, and that is NOT RECOMMENDED for this card. You have 2 of these, so you need 62A on a 12v rail to maintain these beasts. See where im going? Even though your PSU was great for your Quad SLi 9800GX2's, they only needed 20a each at most. The 295GTX is a hungry bastard, and really needs a GREAT PSU behind it to maintain stability. If you were to purchase a Silverstone 1000x PSU with 80+amps on a single 12v rail, I'm willing to bet with the 185.20 driver, and this PSU, your issues might be solved.

http://www.coolmaxusa.com/productDetailsPower.asp?item=CUQ-1350B&details=overview&subcategory=140mm&category=modular

Is what I'm using... 2 rails @20A and 2 rails @25A. Looks like this is likely the issue. I'll look into a different power supply.

[newls1]

that is a great PSU, just not for your GPU's. Sell it, and get a SINGLE 12v rail beast of a PSU. You will be happier in the long run.

[Bee_Dee_3_Dee]

First thing I would try is install driver version 185.20. THis is a great driver even though it is "ALPHA" I am running this on my GTX295 and it fixed a few of my gaming issues. Nvidia MUST GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER and release a great driver for this card, as the official 181.22 driver blows balls. Secondly: What are the amp ratings on your 12v rails on that PSU? A single GTX295 needs 31AMP's (JUST FOR THE CARD ITSELF) plus a needed 10% IN RESERVE. Ideally, you want a PSU with a single 12v rail to maintain the cards needs under load. Most people have PSU's that have 3/4/5 12v rails that are only 15-20a each, and that is NOT RECOMMENDED for this card. You have 2 of these, so you need 62A on a 12v rail to maintain these beasts. See where im going? Even though your PSU was great for your Quad SLi 9800GX2's, they only needed 20a each at most. The 295GTX is a hungry bastard, and really needs a GREAT PSU behind it to maintain stability. If you were to purchase a Silverstone 1000x PSU with 80+amps on a single 12v rail, I'm willing to bet with the 185.20 driver, and this PSU, your issues might be solved.

Great to know. Thanks newls1!

In a nutshell folks:

First thing I would try is install driver version 185.20. THis is a great driver even though it is "ALPHA" I am running this on my GTX295 and it fixed a few of my gaming issues.

the official 181.22 driver blows balls.

Are these the right drivers? anyone? http://forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?t=283367 They have been around since January 4, '09 and I'd not heard much about them.

A single GTX295 needs 31AMP's (JUST FOR THE CARD ITSELF) plus a needed 10% IN RESERVE. Ideally, you want a PSU with a single 12v rail to maintain the cards needs under load. Most people have PSU's that have 3/4/5 12v rails that are only 15-20a each, and that is NOT RECOMMENDED for this card.

[newls1]

Why did you part my thread up in so many quotes? The 185.20 driver is older then the current 181.22whql's. That MEANS NOTHING. Dont let the driver number being higher let you think the driver will be newer, not the case.

[Bee_Dee_3_Dee]

Why did you part my thread up in so many quotes? The 185.20 driver is older then the current 181.22whql's. That MEANS NOTHING. Dont let the driver number being higher let you think the driver will be newer, not the case.

Thanks! I figured the date was of no concern.

And sorry i chopped up ur quote so much. But i wanted to remember that a 295 needs 31 Amps and that a PSU with asingle 12v rail is the way to go. There! I didn't peek. (*cross my heart) :D

a 295 needs 31 Amps (lee)

[newls1]

Thanks! I figured the date was of no concern.

And sorry i chopped up ur quote so much. But i wanted to remember that a 295 needs 31 Amps and that a PSU with asingle 12v rail is the way to go. There! I didn't peek. (*cross my heart) :D

(lee)

your 620HX (PSU IN YOUR SIG) is perfect for your 295. Single 12v rail, and high amperage.

[Bee_Dee_3_Dee]

your 620HX (PSU IN YOUR SIG) is perfect for your 295. Single 12v rail, and high amperage.

omg ty newls1!!!

that's why i came to nvnews forums today.

My 800 watt pos psu went up in smoke yesterday. and I wanted to figure out how cool my backup psu (620HX) was. :D

Thanks agin! :D

(And its why I changed my sig to reflect it... you read my mind! :D)

[newls1]

omg ty newls1!!!

that's why i came to nvnews forums today.

My 800 watt pos psu went up in smoke yesterday. and I wanted to figure out how cool my backup psu (620HX) was. :D

Thanks agin! :D

(And why I changed my sig to reflect it... you read my mind! :D)

Remember; wattage of a PSU is only 1/4 of what is important. The n00b's always think that a 10000000000watt PSU from chinatech that was 65$ and has 16 12v rails, with each rail having 7amps each:afro2:, will power a PC with actual good specs: GTX285/295, quad core, etc..... Think of it this way, if you go buy Nvidia's specs for powering a GTX295, they call for a 680watt psu, xx amperage. So by Nvidias terms, your actually underpowering your 295, BUT YOUR NOT! Your corsair (solid performer) has 1 12v rail with plenty of juice. I'll never understand the reasoning behind some people (not you) buy $2000 worth of parts for there PC, and power it with a $70 chinatech 1 jiggawatt PSU, that is utter ****......

[Bee_Dee_3_Dee]

Remember; wattage of a PSU is only 1/4 of what is important. The n00b's always think that a 10000000000watt PSU from chinatech that was 65$ and has 16 12v rails, with each rail having 7amps each:afro2:, will power a PC with actual good specs: GTX285/295, quad core, etc..... Think of it this way, if you go buy Nvidia's specs for powering a GTX295, they call for a 680watt psu, xx amperage. So by Nvidias terms, your actually underpowering your 295, BUT YOUR NOT! Your corsair (solid performer) has 1 12v rail with plenty of juice. I'll never understand the reasoning behind some people (not you) buy $2000 worth of parts for there PC, and power it with a $70 chinatech 1 jiggawatt PSU, that is utter ****......

Sweet! (urock)

Because ill just get refunded $139 for the pos 800 watt psu:rw: and keep using the 620hx.

I bought the 620hx after 100 hours of research last June ('08) to conclude the 620hx was one of the best for an 8800GTX. It was great for the GTX280 and now I'm confident its fine for the 295.

But is it a waste to get a 750 watt corsair? ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006 ) That was the big question today newls1. Would the extra 130 watts make a difference considering i have 5 hdds, just 1 dvdrw, but a dual tv card. tytytyty

[newls1]

Sweet! (urock)

Because ill just get refunded $139 for the pos 800 watt psu:rw: and keep using the 620hx.

I bought the 620hx after 100 hours of research last June ('08) to conclude the 620hx was one of the best for an 8800GTX. It was great for the GTX280 and now I'm confident its fine for the 295.

But is it a waste to get a 750 watt corsair? ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006 ) That was the big question today newls1. Would the extra 130 watts make a difference considering i have 5 hdds, just 1 dvdrw, but a dual tv card. tytytyty

OK, lets make something clear here: is your 620hx a single 12v rail, or multiple? do you know? I wasn't aware that corsair made that unit with multi rails (YUCK) If your PSU is a single 12v rail, no need to upgrade, unless you intend later on to add more stuff.

[Bee_Dee_3_Dee]

OK, lets make something clear here: is your 620hx a single 12v rail, or multiple? do you know? I wasn't aware that corsair made that unit with multi rails (YUCK) If your PSU is a single 12v rail, no need to upgrade, unless you intend later on to add more stuff.


Its this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139002.

But wait!

I think even though the specs say three rails the 620hx have a single physical rail. (Emulation?) And i believe its also true for corsair's 750tx.

[Bee_Dee_3_Dee]

^^^

here's proof maybe:

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story2&reid=21

[Bee_Dee_3_Dee]

^^^

Virtual?

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/371/7

As you can see the label says this power supply has three +12V rails. These rails are “virtual” as all of them are connected together to the single +12 V “real” rail coming from the +12 V rectifiers thru a series of jumpers (a.k.a. “shunts”).

[Smee]

Remember; wattage of a PSU is only 1/4 of what is important. The n00b's always think that a 10000000000watt PSU from chinatech that was 65$ and has 16 12v rails, with each rail having 7amps each:afro2:, will power a PC with actual good specs: GTX285/295, quad core, etc..... Think of it this way, if you go buy Nvidia's specs for powering a GTX295, they call for a 680watt psu, xx amperage. So by Nvidias terms, your actually underpowering your 295, BUT YOUR NOT! Your corsair (solid performer) has 1 12v rail with plenty of juice. I'll never understand the reasoning behind some people (not you) buy $2000 worth of parts for there PC, and power it with a $70 chinatech 1 jiggawatt PSU, that is utter ****......

This reminds me of when I used to tell my dipsh!t buddies about car audio amplification.

'Why duz i want to spend $400 on a 75 watt Fosgate, when I can get a 1200 watt amp for $39.00 at the flea market. lol :captnkill:

[newls1]

This reminds me of when I used to tell my dipsh!t buddies about car audio amplification.

'Why duz i want to spend $400 on a 75 watt Fosgate, when I can get a 1200 watt amp for $39.00 at the flea market. lol :captnkill:

BINGO:D. I have friends that say the same thing. I personally have 2 18" Fi Audio BL's jammin on a USAmps MD3D ~2500watt @ 1ohm, powered from 2 230amp alts on my tahoe. My buddy things he can get the same effect from using 4 12" Pioneers (CRAP!) using a 4000watt BOSS amp from brandsmart. WTF!!! LOL..... Im getting 147.6 dB, I'll bet he wont see anything over 110.

To the OP, keep the PSU you have now, and dont look back.

[Bee_Dee_3_Dee]

Yes!

I just fixed FO3 :captnkill: its rocking so far on Ultra Settings (Highest) and I don't have to blame the PSU anymore. FO3 was showing symptoms that maybe a PSU was inadequate.

Thanks again newls1.

PS
I did see one Website's review/ benchmark of GTX295 that used the 620HX but I'm still amazed this one 620W PSU is OK...

BECAUSE:

A single GTX295 needs 31AMP's (JUST FOR THE CARD ITSELF) plus a needed 10% IN RESERVE. Ideally, you want a PSU with a single 12v rail to maintain the cards needs under load. Most people have PSU's that have 3/4/5 12v rails that are only 15-20a each, and that is NOT RECOMMENDED for this card.:rofl :rofl :rofl