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Geek Culture / Is my graphics card dead?

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ThinkDigital
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Posted: 9th Feb 2008 04:30
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Okay, I have a Radeon 9800 Pro (Radeon R350). Lately, I've been getting these blue and yellow lines going down the screen. I've had this problem before, and solved it by sweeping out the heatsink around the fan on the card. I've done the tests, and I already know it's the card doing it.

This time, I've cleaned out the card, reseated it, checked the power supply, and tried using the box with another card (works fine). Nothing seems to get rid of the display errors.

I know it gets hot, but it's worked well for a long time. I have never OC-ed it. I've had this card for about 3 1/2 years now.

So, should I start setting aside money for a new card - is this one starting to die? Or can this be fixed? I suspect it's dying because it's been in use for so long and people have reported similar graphics problems before their cards begin to die, but if that's not the problem I'd like to know.

Thanks!
-Think

"Variables won't, constants aren't."
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bitJericho
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Posted: 9th Feb 2008 06:20 Edited at: 9th Feb 2008 15:57
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Well, it is 3 and a half years old...

That said, if you're sure it's not the monitor itself (very well could be), then start saving.

I recommend an 8400gs if you're low on funds. They can run modern games at low settings and resolution. Of course, if you want to play it like it was meant to be played™, get an 8800gt or better.

If you don't have a pci-e x16 slot, work on a new mobo instead


Hurray for teh logd!
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AlanC
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Posted: 9th Feb 2008 07:22 Edited at: 9th Feb 2008 07:22
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My graphics card is over 5 years old.

Its currently worth about $25.

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ThinkDigital
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Posted: 9th Feb 2008 07:46
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Yeah, my mobo's an Abit AS8-V with no PCI-E slots at all, 1 AGP 8x. So yeah, looking at the current selection of cards I guess a new mobo is in order as well.

And yes, I'm sure it's not the monitor. I can capture the effect, and it doesn't happen when I substitute in another video card.

"Variables won't, constants aren't."
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ThinkDigital
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Posted: 10th Feb 2008 07:43 Edited at: 10th Feb 2008 07:50
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Well, it's about dead. Rendering the desktop is currently too hard for it - it's completely messed up. Can't even render the linux terminal right.

So, here's a question:

Should I just buy another Radeon 9800 Pro, or get one of these new cards like the Radeon HD 3870 + a new mobo with pci-e slots? I'm not crazy about graphics, I was and always have been very happen with my 9800. DirectX 10 comes only with Vista (there are people trying to make it work on XP, but that's buggy), which I don't plan on buying for another couple years at the very least. Futhermore, these new cards are the first of this new wave, wouldn't it be better to let the people work out the kinks and in the meantime stick back with the much stabler 9800, which is still pretty good for DirectX 9, no? I honestly have qualms about paying $500 for a new mobo + video card combination when the mobo I have works fine and the video card is the first in this new field. I could just pay $150 for a new Radeon 9800 and be happily using DirectX 9 for another few years while DX10 cards improve, right?

EDIT: Or if you guys know of any good, AGP 8x, DirectX 9 video cards available (preferably from ATI?) that would be cool too.

"Variables won't, constants aren't."
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Darth Vader
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Posted: 10th Feb 2008 12:12
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Well I know you want ATI but you can get Nvidia's 7900GT for AGP. That would keep you going for quite a bit longer then another 9800 would! But personally I would opt for a new mobo and GPU.


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Seppuku Arts
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Location: Cambridgeshire, England
Posted: 10th Feb 2008 13:58 Edited at: 10th Feb 2008 13:59
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Good advice, good advice, but hey my ATI Radeon 9550 still handles Oblivion nicely...it's just my processor won't...

But it's a good time for an upgrade, because honestly I'll be doing the same (well a new comp, because the ATI Radeon is my maxed out upgrade or near enough )

Exit Pursued by man-bear-pig
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Dared1111
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Posted: 11th Feb 2008 22:12
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get an X1650

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bitJericho
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Posted: 11th Feb 2008 22:25
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Quote: "get an X1650"


An ATI card would be a terrible idea at this point in time. Poor drivers and poor performance compared to Nvidia cards. A year or two from now, that might change.


Hurray for teh logd!
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DB PROgrammer
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Posted: 11th Feb 2008 22:31
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@Seppuku Arts
I have that same card

@Jerico2day

Quote: "An ATI card would be a terrible idea at this point in time. Poor drivers and poor performance compared to Nvidia cards. A year or two from now, that might change."


ATI still pwns. They gave all their prizes on time.


If it was illegal to be stupid we'd run out of room.
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Tom J
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Posted: 11th Feb 2008 22:33
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What prizes? I dont recall an ATI competition?
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DB PROgrammer
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Posted: 11th Feb 2008 22:37
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http://www.thegamecreators.com/data/newsletter/newsletter_issue_19.html

Go to the part where it shows the sponsers of the compo.


If it was illegal to be stupid we'd run out of room.
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Tom J
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Posted: 11th Feb 2008 22:40
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Ah I see, that compo was on about 1/2 a year before I first discovered TGC Ok then, well done ATI!
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bitJericho
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Posted: 11th Feb 2008 22:41
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Quote: "ATI still pwns. They gave all their prizes on time."


You got me there!


Hurray for teh logd!
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