Maximum PC

Heres the deal, I just open my christmas present on the 3rd of jan and at first it doesn't even get past the post. Then later after reinstalling win7 64 bit, it works fine by the average peoples standards, until I start running 3d apps like games. the game would get a bit choppy and shut down on me. I installed new drivers for the card and it lasted a minute longer. I am feeling like it is the card that is might be broken simply because it is a new card. I can't send it back, turns out the purchase was made on 11/26. I don't know if I voided the warranty on the card, on the screws for the GPU heatsink, two stickers says void if removed. the stickers are still on, but I dismounted the stock and installed a swiftec heatsink out of pure excitement.

Something else I think it might help, I put in my old XFX 4870 1GB and it wouldn't start all the way and lost signal. I really hope my MB is ok.

Something I don't know if I should be worried about, one of the semi-conductors seems a bit wobbly, is this something normal? should I bake it for 8 minutes to resoder the connection?

Here is the basic specs of my system.
AM3 Phemon 3.2Ghz
MSI 890-FXA GD70
Corsair XMS3
XFX 6870 1GB
Custom liquid cooling
ThermalTake XT 790Watt PSU

One last thing, if there is a way that i could repair the card, what would do you people suggest?

When you installed the new heat-sink did you use a heat-sink compound like Artic Silver, if not you are getting no heat transfer, or very little.

You killed the warranty when you knocked the IC loose and taking the factory heatsink off...to bad, XFX is very good as far as warranty service goes.

I see post in this forum where people "Bake their various cards and they start working again....I don't see how as solder melting point is high. I took this excerpt from Radio-Electronics.com...hope they don't mind.



Personally I think you are screwed, I hope you can prove me wrong. As a last resort call XFX and tell them the truth, they may work with you on a small price to make it right again....unless the IC you broke loose kills the card.

Nasty

something strange happened, its working... for now. I have been able to update drivers for the graphics and thrown on some ulitlity programs for the MB (I don't think it had anything to do with it) I ran a performace test on the first fear game, used to be that the frame rate would get choppy (due to shutting down). Then suddenly after installing those ultility programs and ran a hard disk check on start up, I was able to run the same test a few times, it was around 60 FPS on max settings and update. Now I need to get the thing online and start updating everything.

Well, it seems it's beginning to work... I really don't get it.

Did you do anything for the loose IC?

Nasty

What is IC? and I can't get windows to update, everything else is updating fine.
Windows 7 64 bit

I forgot to mention I get a error code 80072F8F

For your error code:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/wind ... r-80072f8f

IC or integrated circuit on your video card, the one you said was loose.

Nasty

I think I just fixed it all, one last thing I need to do is get the driver WUSB54G v.4 router to work for windows, I don't remember what I did last time. the current drivers from linksys site doesn't work.

I also would like to know how to put pics on the forum, I kind of like to show off my project.

I have a linksys router and never knew there were drivers for it, don't see it listed in Device Manager...so no driver. I have in the past updated the firmware and the router ran a lot better afterwards.

Nasty

I just played mirrors edge, and the gameplay is choppy. I watch the FPS spike from 30 down to 20. Is this a bad graphics or should I reinstall the drivers?

You do have the latest chipset driver loaded...yes?

Before you installed the video driver, did you uninstall the old driver?

Shut off your anti-virus

Uninstall your driver via the uninstall app in control panel, use the custom option and uncheck the usb filters, you want them left alone or your mouse and keyboard won't work when you reboot, say no to reboot.

Find the amd video driver folder, delete it and empty the recycle bin.

I now run Driver Sweeper to clean the rest of the driver that was left over from the uninstall app. Reboot after that.

Install the new driver after shutting off the anti-virus and reboot as required. This is how I do my install of new video drivers and don't have any problems.

Nasty

I have re installed the driver, it improved gameplay on mirrors edge (not the best gauge, got 59FPS). I was playing crysis using fraps to measure the FPS and I avg'd 17.8. I never got that low on my old 4870. (1920X1000), 4xaa, vsync, highest setting, eventually, the computer shutdown on me. I think I officially have a faulty card. It did not overheat. it was around the 40's. (I didn't install the patch v1.2).

Could it be the loose IC that is causing it?

If I have to, how much could I sell it? I really don't know how I am going to sell it. Are there other options that I have? I feel stupid about not testing first before taking off the heatsink.

Are all the power connectors to the card plugged in?

Call XFX and have them repair it, it will be a lot cheaper than buying a new card.

Nasty

Yes both power connectors are pluged in. the temp is more like in the low 50's. I have it liquid cooled.

Will XFX accept a repair with the warranty voided? If not, how much would I expect to pay for it, and what are the chances if success?

if you got the stock cooler, put it back on and send it in.

Would it be worth the trouble and how much would it cost?

Call them and find out! We can't do it for you. They don't bite, I have dealt with them in the past and was treated well.

Nasty

Try loosening your after-market cooler slightly. It may be ratcheted down too tight.

I tighten the water block til it's snug. I just tried playing with crysis again and it shut down on me. I am considering buying another card. probably the same model.