Nvidia 8000 series cards freeze my system!

[DaveQB]

Hi all,

Having a bit of a problem with trying to upgrade from my 6600GT to an 8000 series Nvidia card.

8600GT
I first got an Asus 8600GT. The first time I used it, it was fine, I ran Graphically for hours before the slightest problem. I was using the GPL nv drivers, so no 3D capabilities enabled. Then I went with the nvidia driver, so 3D enabled and it froze about 30 seconds after KDE fired up. System would be fine in text mode, with no graphical display. I suspected driver support lacking for the card and so sold it to a mate.

8800GT
Wanted to try again and went with a different brand (XFX). Put this in and the same deal. After getting the latest drivers from Nvidia and installing them (as the Kubuntu drivers didnt list support for the 8800GT) it froze the system not long after KDE fired up. Again, no problems in text only mode.
This time around I had a Windows install on an old 80gig disk. So gave that a go. No problems using as a desktop. Even fired up Steam and TF2 and I could select a server, but as soon as the server loaded and the action was about to start. WHAMO!! Frozen!!
Tried this a few times.


So from this I figured a power issue might be at hand

I have:

1x 4800+ dual core over clocked, default Vcore
5x SATA HDD's
1x SATA Optical
4x 1GB DDR-II Modules
1x Tuner card
3x 80mm fans
1x front LCD display (fans/temps)
3-4x USB devices.

So I unplugged all but on 1 HDD, unplugged Optical, put the CPU back to default speed and fired up both Kubuntu and Windows.

Same result!

Power supply

http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=23550
Antec TruePower Trio 550 Watt
TP3-550
+5v = 24A
+3.3V = 24A
+12V = 18A

Is my PSU that bad it cant run an 8000 series Nvidia and 1 HDD and a few devices ??? I didn't think so. Will try and borrow another decent PSU and try that. Any other suggestions on this ?

Thanks for reading

PS Yes I have the SLI 6 pin power cable running to the 8800GT

[l337_GuY]

Sounds like it is PSU, Since it only has 1 12V rail at only 18A, and an 8800 needs like 28A (Well I haven't checked but it is high). I suggest getting a much better PSU with way more power, since you have alot of HDD's.

[DaveQB]

Thanks for the speedy reply.

I am surprised this HDD can't run this though. I mean, with my HDD's all unplugged, even the optical unplugged. Everything down to a min and thus a more "typical" computer config, this 550 watt Antec isnt good enough ?

The link to the PSU page says its SLI ready! If it cant do 1 Graphics card ......


Any recommended PSU's for an 8800GT ?

[l337_GuY]

I'd get like a thermaltake toughpower 600W or more. They have like Quad 12V rails and have around 48A total 12V output, which is heaps.

[DaveQB]

Trio 550W has 3 12V rails

This guy recommends someone to upgrade to it to run an 8800GT
http://www.overclock.net/nvidia/2673...ml#post3076711


Maybe I have a slightly dodgy one. Might need to claim warranty on this thing, if its the cause.

[l337_GuY]

Could be a memory issue.

Might want to try checking your RAM with memtest86. Let it run overnight, if it finds any errors your RAM is bad.

[DaveQB]

Good call.
I am pretty sure I have memtest the memory when I first got it, trying to get he 8600GT working. Even sent my RAM and CPU to a mate to test and he played games all night with them and my 8600GT.

PSU/motherboard are the only things that I havent get stuck into.

Bugger, what a PITA!

[l337_GuY]

Memory can go bad after a while though, Might pay to memtest it anyways you might find it is incompatible with your motherboard.

[stang10001]

i say psu it i went and put your specs in on the extreme outervision and it
says you need 630 Watts. man you need to get some bigger HDD

[DaveQB]

I put my system through the extreme 2.5 lite version of the PSU calculator and it came back with 380watts for my system.

But either way, I unplugged everything but essentials and it still had the same problem.


Anyway, mucking around with it last night and another PSU and I got it working !!!

The way I got it going was to pull 2x DDRII modules out and leave just 2 in. So only 2GB of RAM.

It worked in Kubuntu and Windows.

So now to find out why this is the case and find a better solution to have both 4GB of RAM and the 8800GT working together.

[l337_GuY]

Are all sticks the same? 1 of the 2 you pulled out could have been a bad stick.

[DaveQB]

All sticks are identical, bought at the same time.

I did a memtest on the system yesterday, 5 passes and 0 fails. So thinking RAM is ok.

I am thinking the board has issues with being fully populated. This used to be an issue back in the day. Maybe need a BIOS update ......