BFG GTX 285 issues

[dmitriy167]

Hi all,

I decided to update my rig with a BFG GTX 285 OC replacing an old 7600GT. I've been getting nothing but trouble from this setup, and I'm trying to figure out which component is crapping out on me.

Specs:
Core 2 Duo E6550
MSI P35 Neo2-FR mobo
WD 320gb SATA hdd
3GB DDR2-800
Antec Earthwatts 380 psu (later Raidmax RX-600AF)
XP Pro

First, after I installed the card and latest drivers, I had issues with the BIOS. When I turned on the computer, the fans would spin up for 3 seconds, turn off, spin up for 3 seconds, turn off 3 times. Then the machine would POST with a message saying "WARNING! The previous setting for overclocking is failed" or some such. When I accessed the BIOS, I saw my CPU frequency set at 1400 instead of the expected 2333, and my memory was set at 480 instead of 800. Upon exiting the BIOS, the machine would turn off. This time it would cycle 5 times and then give me the same error message. Now, however, the cpu and mem speeds would be correct and I could start Windows. This procedure (3 cycles, BIOS, 5 cycles, BIOS) would have to be repeated every time I turned on my machine. Problem was, my PCI-E link width shows up as x1 instead of x16 in CPU-Z, and so the card looks barely faster than my old one.

So, I figured it was a weak psu, and upgraded to a Raidmax RX-600AF 600W. Still got the same issue. Updated my BIOS, and the power cycling went away, but the PCI-E link width is still x1. I found the following link to my issue:

http://www.techarp.com/showarticle.aspx?artno=522

I tried this and it didn't help.

Any solutions?

 

[dmitriy167]

UPDATE: I stuck the card into the slower PCI-E slot and was able to get x4 link width by forcing it in the BIOS.

Any ideas on how to get x16?

 

[dmitriy167]

UPDATE 2: Ran Crysis for half an hour and then the machine locked up, and would cycle infinitely on reboot. Pulled out the new card, stuck the old one into the x16 slot, got x16 link width. Then put NEW card into the x16 slot, still getting x1 link width.

I still can't figure out if it's the mobo or the card. Will try sticking it into another computer to see if it gets x1 or x16 width.

 

[Gin Fushicho]

UPDATE 2: Ran Crysis for half an hour and then the machine locked up, and would cycle infinitely on reboot. Pulled out the new card, stuck the old one into the x16 slot, got x16 link width. Then put NEW card into the x16 slot, still getting x1 link width.

I still can't figure out if it's the mobo or the card. Will try sticking it into another computer to see if it gets x1 or x16 width.

Do you have PCI-e 2.0 activated in your BIOS?

 

[dmitriy167]

The mobo doesn't have PCI-e 2.0. I don't think this would matter since the new standard is backwards compatible.

 

[Gin Fushicho]

True but I that it would help.

 

[geofelt]

I think your raidmax psu is the source of your problem. Even though it is a 600 watt psu, it has only 432 watts on the 12v rails, or 36 amps. That is maximum power, not continuous power. The GTX285 needs 40amps on the 12v rails. At $49.99 you should not expect much quality. Return it for a quality unit from Corsair, PC P&C, Seasonic, or Antec.

The PC P&C silencer610 at $79.99 after rebate would do nicely:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703005

Corsair 550VX at $69.99 a/r would be a minimum:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004

 

[Gin Fushicho]

Thanks for bringing up the Amperage , I could not find his power supply.

 

[dmitriy167]

Well, I don't think the PSU is the problem actually. The 40A value gives 480W at 12V, which is more than double the card's TDP of 204W (see nVidia GTX 285 page http://www.nvidia.com/object/product_geforce_gtx_285_us.html ). The TDP shows that a supply of 17A peak should be enough. Furthermore, the tomshardware tests of this card ( http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-285,2139-9.html ) generally show a global supply draw of around 360W at 100% load, and this is with a Core i7 overclocked to 4 GHz. I am doing EE with a specialization in power electronics, so I do have some qualification, and I am convinced that the PSU is not the issue here. With the Earthwatts supply, the +12V dipped to 11.88 at full load with this card, and here it should drop even less.

I put the Earthwatts supply and this card into a different machine, and it didn't post and gave the beep error code for bad video.

 

[Gin Fushicho]

Its asking for a minimum 550Watt PSU in the Nvidia link you just posted. <.< look at the Specs of the card. It also useing 204 watts at max already and with other stuff in your computer especially if your overclocking your definitely not getting enough power.

 

[dmitriy167]

I don't know why nVidia would post such a figure because different people's setups have different power draw and it's impossible to give a definite number. Look at the tomshardware link I posted. The test machine is FAR more power-hungry than mine, and it's not even drawing 400W. My supply is 80plus Bronze rated, meaning its efficiency is above 85% or so.

 

[geofelt]

I don't know why nVidia would post such a figure because different people's setups have different power draw and it's impossible to give a definite number. Look at the tomshardware link I posted. The test machine is FAR more power-hungry than mine, and it's not even drawing 400W. My supply is 80plus Bronze rated, meaning its efficiency is above 85% or so.

I got the 40a figure from the EVGA reqiorement for the GTX285:
http://www.evga.com/products/moreInfo.asp?pn=01G-P3-1180-AR&family=GeForce 200 Series Family
I think they are conservative to account for the possibility of a lesser quality psu.

Raidmax is considered a tier 5 quality unit on this list:
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=108088
Lesser psu's advertise high wattage for marketing purposes. The wattage is usually peak, not continuous, and it is measured at an unrealistic 25c room temperature, not the 40c that you would expect in a case. They will often deliver much of that wattage on the 3 and 5 v lines, not at 12v where a modern system needs it. At $50 you just can't expect much.

The two changes you made were the vga card and the psu. It is possible that you got a bad vga card. The usual symptoms of inadequate power is ok operation at the desktop, leading to failure when the vga card enters 3d mode while gaming. That is where the power draw increases.

On the other hand, you might also have recieved a psu that is faulty.

What to do?

Does your 7600GT still work with the new raidmax psu? If it works properly, then the new vga card is probably faulty. If not, then the new psu is suspect.

You could return either, but I think I would return the psu in favor of a quality unit. Even if it turned out not to be the problem, now, it will serve you well in the future.

 

[Gin Fushicho]

^+1 Thank you geofelt , couldn't have said it better my self if at all , i'm not so good at explaining things.

 

[dmitriy167]

Yes, the 7600GT works with the Raidmax psu and in another machine. The GTX 285 is in limp mode in one machine and does not work at all in another, so I am RMAing it. I still do not think that the x1 link width is a psu issue, but a bad card. If the psu ever gives me more trouble after the card RMA, I will replace it as well.

 

[Gin Fushicho]

Thats a good idea, just to be safe.