X1800GTO Artifacting

[Violator]

Am currently building a PC for a friend and just finished the software build. Now when I try to run any games, they run fine, but you can see artifacts (white dots) on dark areas.

Was initially using Catalyst 6.4 but read of similar problems with that driver, so uninstalled and tried the Omega 6.3s, with the same result. The cat 6.3s wouldn't install at all (probably don't support the card).

Card temps (according to ATT) are fine @55 ish.

I have two possibilities I can think of. One, the PSU (it's an Antec Truepower 400 Dual Rail), due to the way the PSU cables are, I've had to run the gfx card connector with 2 fans on the same connection (which shouldn't really cause an issue I wouldn't have thought).

Or two, it's the card. Unfortunately my rig is AGP so can't test the card.

Any thoughts?

[Jacobman]

Well first off i would think it needs more power, but i dont think that would cause artifacting, but idk for sure. Whats the rest of the system?

[Violator]

Rest of the system is :

Abit KN8 Ultra
AMD 64 3200
1Gb Corsair 3200
Maxtor 80Gb HDD
LG DVD/RW
Audigy 2

I've had the GPU on it's own connection with exactly the same result. Lowered the core/memory speeds down to 400 with the same result (except that the artifact test then went about 20-25 seconds before producing an error).

Games themselves run perfect, it's just the artifacting in the background (for reference, think of the nature test in 3d'01 or '03 when you raise the core/memory too high and get 'sparkles')

[RAA]

Could be PSU but if component runs out of Amps I imagine it would crash whole system.. what are Amps on second 12v rail? They recommend 30A for X1900XT so assuming half of that is for GFX card it may need at least 15A on second rail.

More likely you've not got fan running at 100% for 3D and it's over heating. Think ATI Tray Tools can set fan speed but got to disable OC option when installing it to make it work with X1X00.

[Violator]

Could be PSU but if component runs out of Amps I imagine it would crash whole system.. what are Amps on second 12v rail? They recommend 30A for X1900XT so assuming half of that is for GFX card it may need at least 15A on second rail.

More likely you've not got fan running at 100% for 3D and it's over heating. Think ATI Tray Tools can set fan speed but got to disable OC option when installing it to make it work with X1X00.

PSU has dual 12v rails of 14v and 15v. Games and system run fine (no crash/BSOD), just artifacts. Have tried setting fan speed to 100% (temps are OK anyway) and dropping core/memory speed with same result.

[Overclocker.IL]

My guess is the card ... don't think the psu can't handle this card .... even with 2 fans ...

[RAA]

It's probably border line on GFX 12v rail. On it's own maybe uses up to 13A, add some components to that and it soon goes over 15A. 18A would probably be fine.. maybe if you have alot of components you could get cheap PSU for them. Only matter of connecting PSU's together, i.e Pin 4 to Pin 4 on cheap one and gnd to gnd. Might find it saves you alot.. can hook up Drives and Fans to cheap PSU then you know that that second 12v rail is only for GFX card. No way X1800XT will use over 14A.

Most drives use about 1A. To test it you could try unplugging all drives as possible and see if it goes.

[Violator]

I'm sure I've read of people with heavier systems running fine on that PSU, which makes me think it's the card. Can always return the card and see if it happens with another, if it does, I guess it's the PSU.

[Violator]

RMA'd the card and got confirmation it was faulty. So new one on the way :).