6600 GT OC problem

[Impruv]

I have recently installed a BFG 6600 gt oc pci-e graphics card into my computer; Computer Specs (http://reviews.cnet.com/HP_Media_Center_PC_m7160n_Photosmart_PC/4507-3118_7-31492344.html?tag=sub)
However, when I try to run some games like battlefield 2 demo's or the media centre program built into my computer; it gets very fuzzy and almost pixelated I would say...screenie -----> Fuzzy Screen (http://img451.imageshack.us/my.php?image=problem11ch.jpg)

Any suggestions? Is it because I have a bad card? Not enough power? or a defect in the card?
The card was bought overclocked from Future Shop..

This is kinda like the problem 10kraptor is having...http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=61834 I guess the exact same but Im am using windows...so any clues?

[a12ctic]

maby its to hot check the temps on it?

[TierMann]

If temps look ok I'd send the card back.
Looks like the ram is bad on the card to me.

[Impruv]

What program do I use to check the temperatures? I'm a n00b to all of this (snowman)

[Nocturnal]

For myself, the nVidia drivers install a program that tells me how hot the card is running.

[snowmanwithahat]

i'd agree with the ram on this, it shouldn't be the core overheating unless it's heatsink isn't seated properly, and that's usually the kind of corruption you get when memory is going bad or has gone bad

[Impruv]

Okay, well Ill post the temperatures soon enough as I'm very busy these few days, so that should clear up if it is an overheat, then we can narrow down the problem so I don't have a headache playing games anymore!!!(xmassign) Hopefully if it is a ram problem, futureshop will allow me to get a new one for free!

[Impruv]

Sry for the doublepost, just so ppl see this topic again

Well, now that I've checked the temperatures...I think it is overheating issues...

Average temp is 68 degrees Celsius while just surfing and when the computer is first turned on..
Temperature when playing a simple 2D game goes to about 77 degrees celsius....

If I try to play an intensive 3D game when I first boot the computer, I see that they are fine, without the issues I'm dealing with BUT say I'm playing the 2D game for a bit then play the 3D game, it starts to have the pixelated rectangles everywhere... Any ideas?

Any other information that you guys might want?Just ask and I'll post them as soon as possible

[Gentle]

Well, 77 degrees at load isn't really hot for a 6600GT card.

For a PCIe variant it may be "warm", but hot is more than 90.

Gentle

[Impruv]

Well it seems like the best idea is to bring it back to Futureshop to get a new one? Any other ideas to fix this?

Reminder: This is a overclocked version, of the 6600GT OC


Uh oh....I've just run into another problem. After playing about 2 hours of the FREE Battlefield clone (Warrock) and yes, I played even with those pixelated headaching but anyways, just short of 2 hours and my monitor went off. THis happened twice, once where the system rebooted automatically and another where the mon turned off but my computer didn't reboot. Any ideas?

[Gentle]

Please examine the power supply sticker for the "rail" information.

It looks like +3.3v +5v +12v (and some other values) along with the amp value for each one.

Please post that information here.

Gentle

[a12ctic]

everyone seems to have problems with bfg, im glad i stayed away...

[jpick324]

Hi, I'm new to this site, but I actually just had around the same problem today. I have a BFG 6600 GTOC and a 300W(stock) PSU. Worked fine until I got a new soundcard, Creative X-Fi Xtrememusic, and after I installed it I was getting artifacts all over Battlefield 2. So I checked the temp and it was 78C. Normally its about 68C after heavy Battlefield 2 play. So i thought maybe it was because I had the soundcard directly underneath the graphics card. I moved the sound card to the next PCI slot and put the modem where under the graphics card. Then I was playing a game and the computer shut off. Nothing would happen, tried unplugging and hooking everything back up and still nothing. When I hit the power button, the fans go for a couple seconds and the grahpics card light lights up then stops. Took the graphics card out, then no problem, everything worked fine.
PS, sorry for the long post, but I figured the more details the better
Thanks a lot!

[Rakeesh]

The card is defective and/or damaged. I've seen this before in both my own and other peope's cards.

http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=59004&

I just got around to sending mine in for RMA two weeks ago. It's due to arrive here on the 27th on account of the holidays.

[jpick324]

What could have damaged the card?

[Rakeesh]

It is the GPU core itself that is damaged. Notice that 2D apps work fine but any application that uses the 3D functions (e.g. direct3d or opengl apps) of the card exhibit this "pixelation." I am guessing that the windows media center application is somehow 3D accelerated or else it wouldn't be doing this.

In my case I am 99.9% certain that this was caused by an overheat. If an integrated circuit overheats, you can run into all sorts of issues. All it takes is for just one of the transistors to cook just enough so that its chemical composition changes so that it is no longer conductive, and then you're screwed.

If you run the card in a relatively warm room for a long time, while running a highly GPU intensive game, even if it isn't overclocked or if you aren't using a custom cooling solution, it is possible for the thing to burn - no matter what brand it is. Theres a law of physics that applies here somewhere.

At the time I was doing this, my room was pretty warm (~95F), which meant the area around the computer was even warmer, and I was playing quake4. I had a sudden reboot, and after that the GPU just didn't work right since.

It also pretty much goes without saying that overclocking your card too much for too long will cause this, as well as improperly installing a non-stock cooling solution.

There is also the chance that the particular GPU you have was just one of the few on the assembly lines that ended up being fabricated poorly, and one or more of the transistors was defective just enough that it wouldn't last as long as it should.

[jpick324]

Yeah, this sucks, but I have had this card since July and its worked perfectly. You said that 2d programs worked for you, however, nothing works for me, my card fan will start for a split second along with the other fans. Then they stop and the powerlight stays on. Thats why I was wondering if it was a PSU problem. I may buy a new PSU tomorrow and take my card somewhere to have them test it for me. I just want to do whatever it takes not to send it in, good thing for BFG's warrenty! Thanks for the help.

[Impruv]

Please examine the power supply sticker for the "rail" information.

It looks like +3.3v +5v +12v (and some other values) along with the amp value for each one.

Please post that information here.

Gentle


Where exactly can I find out this information? Do I need a program or something?

[jpick324]

Impruv, you can find this on the side of your power supply.

AlphaWolf_HK, it wasn't the power supply, I'm going to get my card tested tomorrow before I send it out. I really hope it isn't my PCI-Express slot on the motherboard....Thanks!

[Impruv]

DC output: +5v ---/25A , +12V----/19A
+3.3V---/18A , -12V---/0.8A
+5VSB---/12A

+5V & +3.3V shall not exceed 175V
+5V & +12V shall not exceed 268V

Max output - 300W

Theres the stuff on the power supply sticker gentle...

sry for such a late reply; quite busy...

[Impruv]

I have just reviewed the box of my graphics card and it says that 'a minimum 350W system power supply, but clearly my system only has 300W; could this be the problem?

[jpick324]

Impruv: I too had a 300w power supply for my BFG 6600 GTOC, and that is what fried mine. I called BFG, didn't tell them I was running a 300w power supply though, and they are going to call me tomorrow to set up an RMA and have me send it in. Also, I'm going to get a new power supply, probably somewhere around 450w to 500w.

[Impruv]

well im not sure if my card is fried...but I sent an email to BFG ; not fone call yet...I told them about the pixelation problem and i'm waiting for a reply...did not tell them about the 300w powersupply either(xmastong) ... i hope all goes well...

[jpick324]

Well, I sent my card in today, hopefully it will be back by the end of the week, I'll post when i receive it.
P.S. BFG has great customer service!

[jpick324]

Well, I got my RMA card on Thursday. Took 2 days from the time I sent it out to get a new 1. BFG Customer Support is the greatest! Card works awesome now with my new Antec Smartpower 500w PSU!