HD 3850 AGP pixelating

[hiker178]

cannot see post screen but I sort of see windows start up screen then nothing Pixelating during boot up. psu has 29amp 12volt.p4p800-vm mobo with northwood 3.2 acepower 400 watt psu which runs hd6770 fine in other pc.

 

[COLGeek]

The HD6770 is much more power efficient than the HD3850 (which are notorious for generating lots of heat and consuming lots of power). Given the age of the components, I would suggest that you PSU is no longer up to the task of power the rig with the HD3850 installed. PSUs can and do wear out.

 

[hiker178]

I was thinking that even though specs say different.Do you think card could have been damaged? It does seem to work a bit.The psu is 2 years old.Thanks

 

[COLGeek]

Probably not damaged. Swapping in a stronger PSU can confirm the issue easily though.

 

[hiker178]

I was thinking of buying another psu anyway so I will give it a try and post my results.

 

[COLGeek]

Good luck! We are always here to assist.

 

[Onus]

Make sure you get a QUALITY PSU, not necessarily a bigger one. A 380W Antec Earthwatts would be sufficient for either of those cards.

 

[hiker178]

Went to buy new psu but the tech there said it wouldnt help.My psu should handle it.( he sold it to me)Figures it must be the card.Thinks the pix and poor resolution means a bad card.He is really good at not selling you something you dont need.I've only seen one other post similar to mine and he thought is was a bad card.Used card guess I should have known but not much new agp left.Thanks for your input.

 

[COLGeek]

Seriously, you should check the PSU. Not arguing with your tech, but you are describing classic signs of a PSU issue.

 

[hiker178]

Managed to get it to post and boot by using hdmi adapter instead of vga. terrible picture though readable thru the pixilation(?).Loaded drivers but would not boot to xp.

 

[hiker178]

One more note to anyone I checked this out and first pic is exactly like mine.

http://www.playtool.com/pages/artifacts/artifacts.html

Still might try a new psu at some point to be sure. I guess artifact is another word for pixelations.

 

[COLGeek]

Yep. Pixelation and artifacting are synonymous (means the same thing).

 

[hiker178]

Just an end note. Contacted seller and he now thinks card is bad as well.Willing to refund. He had video problems as well but upgraded m/b thinking that was the problem.
Thanks for input. great and helpful site.