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Started by synthad1 | | 13 answers
stick with 760, or GTX 780's vs R9 290's?
My graphics card issues continue with my GTX 760 2gb.. I get constant black screens then display driver time-out message. Mainly when I'm playing a game (all games - from 2008 to 2014). After I reboot, it tends to go away, for a session, but not guaranteed. I've tried every driver ever issued for GTX 760

Per the GTX 760 spec's, the card should run everything I do with no problem, so I cant figure it out... think I just got a bad apple. idk

Fry's says since its past the 30 days they wont help. Asus agrees its probably a bad apple, but they disclose that the replacement card will most likely be a refurbished card.. sketchy.

So, at this point, I'm ready to just eat it and buy a new card.

theres the rub..
what should I get? I've read all types of articles/reviews and it seems its down to the 780 or R9 290, but I dont know enough to make a decision.

I'd like to stay around $500, but preferably less. heres what I'm looking at

R9 290 and 290x
GTX 780 and 780Ti (gets a little spendy for me)
then theres the topic of just replacing the 760 or bumping to 770


Heres my system:
AMD FX 6300 6core 3.5ghz
Mobo: MSI 990FXA-GD80
NVidia GTX 760
PSU: 850watt (Raidmax RX 850AE)
Windows 7.. 64bit
12 GB RAM (3 sticks of 4gb 1600 Patriot)
32" LG HDTV as monitor. Res settings at the "recommended" 1360x760.. Is this my problem? would this cause all the black screens?
I also use a 21" LG PC Monitor as a 2nd, but dont run it with games. I think I get blackouts on that one too when running it alone.
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September 16, 2014 7:29:47 PM

to clarify, I replaced the Raidmax with a Corsair RM850 850w
September 16, 2014 7:28:13 PM

Joseph DeGarmo said:
Glad to hear that the issue was resolved. Now, with all things considered, have you considered two GTX 960s in SLI as an option?


Yes, now that my fear of GTX 760 is cured, I really would like to bump up. So that leaves running (2) 760's or upgrading to like a 780 or so.

Honestly, I dont know very much about running (2) GPU's. My motherboard is set up for (I believe).. If its a simple 'plug and play' deal, where I just simply insert another GPU, then I'd run that way.. But if it takes a bunch of maintenance and tweaking, and ongoing etc. etc. etc.. I may not do it.
a b U Graphics card
September 15, 2014 7:26:49 PM

Glad to hear that the issue was resolved. Now, with all things considered, have you considered two GTX 960s in SLI as an option?
September 15, 2014 7:19:44 PM

it was the power supply. havent had an issue in a week or so, since new PSU, Corvair 850w
September 4, 2014 2:30:14 AM

hey man , wait few months , i'd get refurbished card if the current one is giving problem. GTX 980 is said to be cheaper than this one.
U might regret of buying gtx 780 and after one month gtx 980 ti is of same price.

And do get a good power supply
a b U Graphics card
September 4, 2014 2:16:35 AM

Check the psu. I suggest if tge need not urgent to wait for nvidia 900 series. That way u wont regret ur choice of getting a new gpu. Mayb 980
September 4, 2014 1:13:19 AM

MostWantedSoulRider said:
I hope the timeout pops up while playing games/rendering heavy graphics. And, please post the maximum temperature recorded by your card during the test. Use Heaven Benchmark to run the stress test. If the temperature gets the fan to rotate 20-30% in your card, then follow the below steps -

Here's the solution:

-> Download and Install MSI afterburner. Click Here (Click Afterburner Official in the page to download)

-> When it asks to reboot to detect the default settings, please do it right away.

-> Open the application (after restart), go to settings, unlock voltage control.

-> Now, increase the core voltage by +7 and hit Apply.

-> Test this card by heaven benchmark for at least 45 minutes. If any artifacts appear during the test, increase the voltage again by +6 and hit apply.

All the above points is applicable only if the current fan speed is about 20-30%. Click Here to download GPU-Z. In this app, go to SENSORS tab and see how much % the fan rotates while stress testing card initially.

Considering your fan already runs between 70 and more, then remove your graphics card from the slot and insert it back again carefully. This sometimes helps you out to bring back the card's performance. If it ain't helping, disable AERO THEME in your desktop (I don't know if this works much but I have seen people with their display drivers crashing all the time when aero theme is kept enabled - for new nvidia drivers). Still not helping you out? Then, it must be a faulty graphics card.

Your PSU: Sorry to say this but your PSU is a very low quality component (tier - 5). I highly recommend you to consider buying Seasonic 550W which has a good build quality with a commendable ampere rating on +12V rail.


I believe I've followed to the T.. Thank you for this step by step. I'm not sure what the results really mean though. Could you please review the attached/image, and let me know how you read the stats. Any issues, or within normal parameters?
http://

or

http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/synthad1/media/benchm...


a b U Graphics card
September 2, 2014 10:47:11 PM

synthad1 said:
Lots of good info. Thanks guys. I might as well pony up for high quality PSU and do the benchmark tests, etc.. If that all doesn't resolve , then I'll revert back to GPU replacement topic.


Try and get an XFX or Seasonic power supply.
September 2, 2014 10:45:10 PM

Lots of good info. Thanks guys. I might as well pony up for high quality PSU and do the benchmark tests, etc.. If that all doesn't resolve , then I'll revert back to GPU replacement topic.

Best solution chosen by synthad1

a b U Graphics card
September 2, 2014 10:43:13 PM

I would check the system with another PSU, if i were you.

Raidmax PSU's are in the bottom tier of every PSU list i have seen, and are not recommended.

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