My graphic card works no more on videogames

Paxx · 10-11-2009, 04:01 AM

Hello
I must say that I'm not sure if the problem is the graphic card, but when I try to play any videogame I'm not able to see anything. The writings disappear, the textures are all wrong, the pc freezes for some seconds then come back to normal and so on. Then, when I try to quit the game, somtimes the pc remains stuck and I have to reset it.
I use an NVidia GEForce 8600 gts, on an asus pk5 with windows xp sp3, and the drivers are all up to date (except for a device called "Microsoft dls Kernel Synthetizer", I was not able to find drivers for this but the pc used to work perfectly until now)

Here are some screenshots of the problem in his "weaker" form, but it's usually worse than this
[img=http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/9489/wowscrnshot101009025430.jpg]
[img=http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/1575/wowscrnshot101109034155.jpg]

Help me please, thank you

**wrench97** · 10-11-2009, 04:12 AM

Looks to be a failing video card, what brand is the card some have a lifetime warranty?
What brand and model Power Supply are you running?
Is you motherboard a P5K Asus P35?

Paxx · 10-11-2009, 04:23 AM

the video card is nvidia gefoce 8600 gts, used to work good until now, I don't know if it's still in warranty or not.
I don't know the brand of the power supply, what do I have to do in order to see it?
Yes the motherboard is a P5K Asus P35

**wrench97** · 10-11-2009, 04:48 AM

Nvidia makes the chips on the card other companies like EVGA. XFX, Asus make and warranty the actual cards.
Pull the side cover off the PC and have a look at the label on the power supply for the brand and model.

Paxx · 10-11-2009, 03:38 PM

Ok the power supply is a 450W Vulcantek ATX-450 JSP.
And now the problem is getting worse, because even windows is starting to be affected by graphic problems (mainly "wrong" pixels widespread across the monitor)

**wrench97** · 10-11-2009, 04:07 PM

It's a little under powered for a 8600GTS, have a look in the Bios on the PC health page for the 12v, 3.3v, & 5v voltage readings, grab the CPU and system temps while your there.

Paxx · 10-11-2009, 04:49 PM

Here are the readings:
CPU temperature 42°C(107°F)
MB temperature 43°C(109°F)

VCORE Voltage->1.272v
3.3v-->3.296v
5v--->5.160v
12v-->11.984v

Phædrus2401 · 10-11-2009, 08:04 PM

The 5V reading is a little high, within the ATX spec (+/- 5%), but outside of what I'd like to see (+/- 3%). Not a major thing, but shows that it isn't a very good power supply.

Sounds like a dying graphics card, but it may be dying because the power supply is junk and has less power than you need. I'd recommend getting the card replaced, and buy a decent 500W+ PSU from SeaSonic or Corsair.

**wrench97** · 10-12-2009, 01:26 AM

Now check them again after windows loads using Sensorview Pro> http://www.stvsoft.com/index.php?opt...d=17&Itemid=33

william03 · 10-12-2009, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paxx

Hello
I must say that I'm not sure if the problem is the graphic card, but when I try to play any videogame I'm not able to see anything. The writings disappear, the textures are all wrong, the pc freezes for some seconds then come back to normal and so on. Then, when I try to quit the game, somtimes the pc remains stuck and I have to reset it.
I use an NVidia GEForce 8600 gts, on an asus pk5 with windows xp sp3, and the drivers are all up to date (except for a device called "Microsoft dls Kernel Synthetizer", I was not able to find drivers for this but the pc used to work perfectly until now)

Here are some screenshots of the problem in his "weaker" form, but it's usually worse than this
[img=http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/9489/wowscrnshot101009025430.jpg]
[img=http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/1575/wowscrnshot101109034155.jpg]

Help me please, thank you

Maybe is the problem about the NVDIA 8600 driver, so you can try to download the lateste NVidia GEForce 8600 gts driver. Here recommend you a website: http://www.downloadatoz.com/driver/.

In addition, you can compare konw the comparison between NVidia GeForce 8600M GS and 8600m GT~~~http://www.downloadatoz.com/driver/a...-download.html

Paxx · 10-12-2009, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrench97

Now check them again after windows loads using Sensorview Pro> http://www.stvsoft.com/index.php?opt...d=17&Itemid=33

Ok, these are the readings before...

...during...
CPU temperature 39°C(102°F)
MB temperature 39°C(102°F)

VCORE Voltage->1.272v
3.3v-->3.296v
5v--->5.184v
12v-->11.984v

...and after the reboot

@William03_ I'don't think it's a drivers problem, beacause I've just updated the video card drivers... Anyway I'l try your drivers too

@Phædrus2401_ i'm not very keen on hardware stuff... for example, if I buy a 600W psu will it be ok or will it be too powerful for the vido card?

**wrench97** · 10-12-2009, 12:45 PM

It's a voltage problem, when the drivers load the video card and drives spin up loading the PSU, your 12v rail dropped to 11.4v, We see video problems start around 11.7v.

For the 8600GTS you need a minimum of a 550w Quality unit, a larger supply will only put out what the system needs, so yes a 650 would be fine and if you're thinking of upgrading the video card at some future point larger would be the way to go.
If you have a link to where your shopping post it and we'll have a look at what they offer.

Paxx · 10-12-2009, 03:55 PM

First of all I want to thank you for your help, because it has been very useful :)
I'm planning to purchase a new PSU as soon as I can, but alas I have not enough money to buy a quality one right now, so I was thinking about buying a cheap 700W (seen on ebay), just for a couple of months until I start working. Then I'll be able to buy a good 6-700W Corsair or Seasonic.

**wrench97** · 10-12-2009, 04:09 PM

I really couldn't recommend that often those eBay specials will cause more problems then they solve. A power supply with unstable output/inferior components can damage video cards and motherboards.

trip1red · 10-12-2009, 08:57 PM

driver conflict overheating ect...

pavin · 10-12-2009, 09:50 PM

can i download pixel shader 3.0

pls i neeedddd helpp

Phædrus2401 · 10-12-2009, 10:11 PM

1.) Don't hijack threads.

2.) A pixel shader is a hardware component, not something you can download. You'll need to buy a better graphics card and probably a new PSU.

3.) Don't hijack threads.

10-11-2009, 04:01 AM	#1 (permalink)
Paxx Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Florence, Italy Posts: 14 OS: Windows XP Home SP2	My graphic card works no more on videogames Hello I must say that I'm not sure if the problem is the graphic card, but when I try to play any videogame I'm not able to see anything. The writings disappear, the textures are all wrong, the pc freezes for some seconds then come back to normal and so on. Then, when I try to quit the game, somtimes the pc remains stuck and I have to reset it. I use an NVidia GEForce 8600 gts, on an asus pk5 with windows xp sp3, and the drivers are all up to date (except for a device called "Microsoft dls Kernel Synthetizer", I was not able to find drivers for this but the pc used to work perfectly until now) Here are some screenshots of the problem in his "weaker" form, but it's usually worse than this [img=http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/9489/wowscrnshot101009025430.jpg] [img=http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/1575/wowscrnshot101109034155.jpg] Help me please, thank you Last edited by Paxx; 10-11-2009 at 04:13 AM.

10-11-2009, 04:12 AM	#2 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,483 OS: Win7	Re: My graphic card works no more on videogames Looks to be a failing video card, what brand is the card some have a lifetime warranty? What brand and model Power Supply are you running? Is you motherboard a P5K Asus P35? __________________ Power Supply and Selection

10-11-2009, 04:23 AM	#3 (permalink)
Paxx Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Florence, Italy Posts: 14 OS: Windows XP Home SP2	Re: My graphic card works no more on videogames the video card is nvidia gefoce 8600 gts, used to work good until now, I don't know if it's still in warranty or not. I don't know the brand of the power supply, what do I have to do in order to see it? Yes the motherboard is a P5K Asus P35

10-11-2009, 04:48 AM	#4 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,483 OS: Win7	Re: My graphic card works no more on videogames Nvidia makes the chips on the card other companies like EVGA. XFX, Asus make and warranty the actual cards. Pull the side cover off the PC and have a look at the label on the power supply for the brand and model. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

10-11-2009, 03:38 PM	#5 (permalink)
Paxx Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Florence, Italy Posts: 14 OS: Windows XP Home SP2	Re: My graphic card works no more on videogames Ok the power supply is a 450W Vulcantek ATX-450 JSP. And now the problem is getting worse, because even windows is starting to be affected by graphic problems (mainly "wrong" pixels widespread across the monitor) Last edited by Paxx; 10-11-2009 at 03:46 PM.

10-11-2009, 04:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,483 OS: Win7	Re: My graphic card works no more on videogames It's a little under powered for a 8600GTS, have a look in the Bios on the PC health page for the 12v, 3.3v, & 5v voltage readings, grab the CPU and system temps while your there. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

10-11-2009, 04:49 PM	#7 (permalink)
Paxx Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Florence, Italy Posts: 14 OS: Windows XP Home SP2	Re: My graphic card works no more on videogames Here are the readings: CPU temperature 42°C(107°F) MB temperature 43°C(109°F) VCORE Voltage->1.272v 3.3v-->3.296v 5v--->5.160v 12v-->11.984v Last edited by Paxx; 10-11-2009 at 04:51 PM.

10-11-2009, 08:04 PM	#8 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,775 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: My graphic card works no more on videogames The 5V reading is a little high, within the ATX spec (+/- 5%), but outside of what I'd like to see (+/- 3%). Not a major thing, but shows that it isn't a very good power supply. Sounds like a dying graphics card, but it may be dying because the power supply is junk and has less power than you need. I'd recommend getting the card replaced, and buy a decent 500W+ PSU from SeaSonic or Corsair. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

10-12-2009, 01:26 AM	#9 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,483 OS: Win7	Re: My graphic card works no more on videogames Now check them again after windows loads using Sensorview Pro> http://www.stvsoft.com/index.php?opt...d=17&Itemid=33 __________________ Power Supply and Selection

10-12-2009, 12:45 PM	#12 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,483 OS: Win7	Re: My graphic card works no more on videogames It's a voltage problem, when the drivers load the video card and drives spin up loading the PSU, your 12v rail dropped to 11.4v, We see video problems start around 11.7v. For the 8600GTS you need a minimum of a 550w Quality unit, a larger supply will only put out what the system needs, so yes a 650 would be fine and if you're thinking of upgrading the video card at some future point larger would be the way to go. If you have a link to where your shopping post it and we'll have a look at what they offer. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

10-12-2009, 03:55 PM	#13 (permalink)
Paxx Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Florence, Italy Posts: 14 OS: Windows XP Home SP2	Re: My graphic card works no more on videogames First of all I want to thank you for your help, because it has been very useful :) I'm planning to purchase a new PSU as soon as I can, but alas I have not enough money to buy a quality one right now, so I was thinking about buying a cheap 700W (seen on ebay), just for a couple of months until I start working. Then I'll be able to buy a good 6-700W Corsair or Seasonic.

10-12-2009, 04:09 PM	#14 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,483 OS: Win7	Re: My graphic card works no more on videogames I really couldn't recommend that often those eBay specials will cause more problems then they solve. A power supply with unstable output/inferior components can damage video cards and motherboards. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

10-12-2009, 08:57 PM	#15 (permalink)
trip1red Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: La Posts: 79 OS: vista	Re: My graphic card works no more on videogames driver conflict overheating ect...

10-12-2009, 09:50 PM	#16 (permalink)
pavin Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1 OS: win98	Re: My graphic card works no more on videogames can i download pixel shader 3.0 pls i neeedddd helpp

10-12-2009, 10:11 PM	#17 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,775 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: My graphic card works no more on videogames 1.) Don't hijack threads. 2.) A pixel shader is a hardware component, not something you can download. You'll need to buy a better graphics card and probably a new PSU. 3.) Don't hijack threads. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.