Video Card Glitch

[andper10]

Hello everyone. I would like to apologize in advance because my posts are very long. So, I have a Gecube brand X1600Pro Video Card [ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814241018 ] this one but it is an earlier model without the hypermemory. It is being powered by an Xclio 500 Watt Goodpower PSU Version 1 (the link is version 2) [ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817189005 ]. (5V 28A, 3.3V 30A, 12V1 14A, 12V2 15A) So I have been told that the version one PSU’s can fluctuate under heavy loads. And my video card is made by a no-name manufacturer. So that brings me to my problem. I don’t really know how to describe it. It is like the video card can’t shade the gradients. And when I watch videos online shadows do the same thing. It is really hard to get it to show up in pictures, but here is an example where it is apparent (Please don't sue me for using a frame from a tv show. That is where the glitch is most apparent and the show is free to watch online at nbc.com anyway). It is also very apparent when logging out of Windows XP there is suppossed to be a gradient from blue to a light whiteish circle, but on my computer it is just a white circle and then blue around it. There is no gradient. It is also apparent on the default desktop background "bliss" between and around clouds.

What it should look like:
http://www.freewebs.com/andper10/Test_Pic_Correct.bmp

What it does look like (the camera makes it look more green, it really looks like more of a grey/blue):
http://www.freewebs.com/andper10/Test_Pic_Glitch.JPG

It is especially visible with blue and grey gradients. So I technically have until July 9th before my 1 year replacement policy ends with newegg (and unfortunately I have already passed the 1 year mark on my PSU). So I AM OPEN TO ANY AND ALL SUGGESTIONS. Have you ever had this happen to you before? Have you heard about it happening? What should I do? It wasn’t there for the first 3 or 4 months I had the card, but it appeared at about Christmas time. It is tolerable, but I want to deal with it before my warranty is up. Since it wasn’t there for the first few months, it makes me think that either the PSU is not powering it adequately and causing the problem, or the video card itself has either been damaged by the PSU or it is just defective. I have also noticed that the problem is not present when I watch TV with my TV Tuner Card. And, when I take print screens of the screen with the glitch and view them on a different computer, they look perfectly normal. It is very bizarre.

Hang with me here. I would also like to have a little better performance in games than I am getting now, and I have some money to spend, but I am having a tough time deciding what to get. I figure that I can return the video card and sell the replacement on ebay and use that money plus money that I have to buy a better video card. Is it worth it trying to get a used Video Card off of ebay or should I stick strictly to buying retail from newegg (or is there somewhere better for video card prices)? I also figure that I will need a new PSU. I don’t know what to do with my current one, and they don’t go for very much on ebay. I play CS: Source, RCT3, NFS Carbon, and I hope to get more games this summer (Possibly BF 2142 and Command & Conquer 3). What video card should I get? What PSU should I get? I don’t want to spend over $300 max (for the PSU and Video Card combined), but I would really like to stay way under that if I will still get a good gaming performance increase (keep in mind I am a teenager with not much money). Here are some of the cards that I am looking at (I don’t want to mess with Mail In Rebates b/c they can void newegg’s 1 year replacement warranty):

$134.99 - SAPPHIRE 100199L Radeon X1950GT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102034

$145.99 - SAPPHIRE 100176L Radeon X1950PRO 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card – Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102061

$119.99 - SAPPHIRE 100189L Radeon X1900GT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 VIVO Video Card – Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102022

Really leaning towards this at the moment b/c of the 512mb of memory for a pretty good price:
$154.99 - SAPPHIRE 100200L Radeon X1950GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card – Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102094

This one also looks nice, its got 512mb of memory and its clocks are a bit faster than the x1950gt, but it costs more:
$169.99 - MSI RX1950PRO-VT2D512E Radeon X1950PRO 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card – Retail –http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127246

Tom’s hardware really likes this one, but it only has 256mb of memory. Won’t that bottleneck things at high resolutions (my monitor supports up to 1200x1600)? Also, my p4 3.0ghz w/ 2mb cache (and my 1gb stick of corsair vs ddr400 for that matter) won’t bottleneck the latest games on high settings, will they?
$189.99 - SAPPHIRE 100186L Radeon X1950XT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 VIVO HDCP Video Card – Retail –http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102067

And I have also been watching X1900XTX’s on Ebay and I could get a used one for between 150 and 175 before shipping.

And the only good PSU that I have found is this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817189007

Other Thoughts: I am using a DVI to VGA adapter to run my monitor (Dell 19” CRT Flat Screen). Should I buy another one (DVI to VGA Adapter) and see if that is causing the problem? I have been using it from day one back when the problem wasn’t visible, so I am thinking that it is not the adapter. I have also tried both of the DVI ports and it doesn’t make a difference. My card doesn’t have a 6 pin video card power plug (but my PSU does). I have also tried another monitor and it still displays the glitch. Also, should I look at Nvidia Cards too for my price range? From what I have seen, ATI has better and newer cards for my price range.

Please help me out on this! –Thanks!

[flanzig1]

since you have an Asus board, run Asus PC Probe and check the voltages and watch the voltages monitor to see if you are getting voltage level changes.
As for the video card, try the latest drivers for your card/make sure the fan is working and the heatsink isn't full og dust.
If everything checks out, the video card may be going out.
Looks like the specs for your PSU are good enough to power any of the X1900 series of cards and don't buy used from Ebay, you don't how abused the card is from possible OC,heat,etc.

[andper10]

I don't have PC Probe installed. Can I do it through Everest Home Edition or Speedfan instead? I would still like some upgrade suggestions too.

[andper10]

I checked the voltages at idle with everest home edition and they were:
CPU Core: between 1.08V and 1.16V
Aux: 3.66V - 3.68V
+3.3V: 3.25V-3.36V
+5V: 5.46V-5.48V
-12V: 1.38V
-5V: 2.24V-2.29V
+5V Standby: 4.92V-4.95V

I didn't see a +12V line listed. Hopefully I will be able to check those in BIOS and maybe install PC Probe and test it in there, and then test it while gaming (alt tab during a game and check voltages) in a while. I will post back soon with more test results hopefully.

[andper10]

After a bit of gaming, Asus PC Probe says:
+12V: 12.143V
+5V: 5.068V
+3.3V: 3.248V
Vcore: 1.28V

That looks a lot better than 5.5V on the 5V line.

[andper10]

It is always refreshing to have a conversation with myself about my video card . Seriously, what do I do now? Are the voltages ok? (I think that Everest Home is not correct.)

[Alaron]

Those voltages look fine. I don't suspect it is a power issue.

Have you tried cleaning out the fan on the card or blowing a fan on it to eliminate a heat issue?

Upgraded your video card drivers?

As for the new card, any of the ones you listed will be fine. I'd try one with your PSU first, since the XClio seems to be holding up well.

[andper10]

I just downloaded and installed the latest drivers and the glitch is still there. I gave my PC a good dust out with canned air about a month ago (video card heatsink assembly included) and it didn't change anything. The card runs below 50C when gaming, so it doesn't look like it is overheating. How good of a card do you think my PSU can handle? (remember it doesn't have active PFC and it only has 29 Amps combined on the 12V rails). What upgrade card would you recommend if you had to pick one (or two).

[Alaron]

According to ATI, the X1950Pro needs 450w with 30Amps on the 12V rails, so it would be cutting it close. Perhaps a PSU upgrade is in order.

Your best bet is probably to buy for the future, give yourself plenty of headroom. Your budget allows for a nice PSU. The Corsair 520w is excellent: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139001

[andper10]

My budget is ideally less than $300, that is just the max that I want to spend right now. As for the PSU, I have heard a lot about the Corsair's and that they have a single 12V rail but it is listed as 3 seperate rails and whatnot. But the Xclio 600W Greatpower beats it in all areas and the Xclio is $15 less:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139001
Corsair Specs: (12V1: 18A, 12V2: 18A, 12V3: 18A, 3.3V: 24A, 5V: 24A)
Xclio Specs: (12V1: 18A, 12V2: 18A, 12V3: 18A, 12V4: 18A, 3.3V: 30A, 5V: 28A)
As you can see, the Xclio has more 12V Amps, more 3.3V Amps, and more 5V Amps, and more Watts. And both PSU's are said to be made by good manufacturers, but the Xclio costs $15 less. I am just curious what makes the Corsair so much better.

[andper10]

bump

[andper10]

If I went ahead and bought the X1950XT, what would happen if my current PSU was not able to power it (I am guessing if there was a problem it would be while gaming)? Would it go out with smoke and sparks and take other components with it, or would it just lock up and/or restart my computer? Would it damage the video card?

[Mr.Ferrari]

You've probably already come to this conclusion, but your video card is buggered, looks to me like memory corruption.

The 1st revision of your psu did have some quality and reliability issues.

Even for the X1950XT, your don't really need more then a decent 500watter. However if you look up www.zipzoomfly.com, the Corsair should be there for $95 after $10 MIB and has free shipping. It having no over current protection (3 rails really only being one) is actually a good thing, its also of higher build quality, quieter, modular, and has more power (wattage) dedicated to the 12v rails.

[andper10]

I still don't see how the Corsair is better than the Xclio when:
Corsair is 520W and Xclio is 600W
Corsair has 120mm fan and Xclio has 140mm fan (bigger fan should be quieter)
Build quality shouldn't be an issue since they are both on the good quality list on this site
Both are modular
The Xclio has an extra 12V 18Amp rail over the Corsair
The Xclio has more Amps on the 3.3V Rail and more Amps on the 5V rail than the Corsair
And to top it off the Xclio is cheaper than the Corsair on newegg (or about the same if you get the Corsair from zipzoomfly)
The Xclio is made by Channel Well, which is suppossed to be a very good PSU company. So if you could go into a more detailed explination of what actually makes the Corsair better than the Xclio, I would like to hear it. The specs all say that the Xclio is better, so I just don't get it.

[flanzig1]

The differances are small like the Corsair has auto line sensing and the Xclio has a switch. The Corsair looks to have more cables than the Xclio. Having more amps on the 3.3 and 5v rails are good for older P4/AGP systems

[andper10]

But isn't the Xclio's 4th 12V Rail a big plus if I want to upgrade to a very power hungry video card (or possibly even two) in a few years?

[Mr.Ferrari]

Originally Posted by andper10 Corsair has 120mm fan and Xclio has 140mm fan (bigger fan should be quieter)

-Not necessarily, the Corsair is a higher tier Seasonic design (M12) and it uses capacitors and other components with better tolerance to high heat conditions then the Xclio. The Xclio is the same thing as the thermaltake toughpower, and judging by that, the Corsair should be quieter.

Originally Posted by andper10 Build quality shouldn't be an issue since they are both on the good quality list on this site

-Yes they are, but there are different levels of quality, even if a powersupply is made by the same manufacturer or OEM. This is a high end seasonic model, versus a high end CWT model. The Seasonic wins out, much better rail stability and line conditioning. Don't get me wrong, the Xclio is by no means a poor power supply or even close to it.

Originally Posted by andper10 Both are modular

-It does, my fault. But I would trust a experianced company like seasonic a bit more over cwt with modular.

Originally Posted by andper10 The Xclio has an extra 12V 18Amp rail over the Corsair

-Yes but the available power on the 12v rails is higher on the Corsair. However I still say the Xclio has the power advantage here.

Originally Posted by andper10 The Xclio has more Amps on the 3.3V Rail and more Amps on the 5V rail than the Corsair

-True, but these rails are used very lightly compared to the 12v on modern components. But the Xclio does have the advantage here.

Originally Posted by andper10 And to top it off the Xclio is cheaper than the Corsair on newegg (or about the same if you get the Corsair from zipzoomfly)

-The Corsair at ZZF is $95 after a $10 MIB, with free shipping. The Xclio at newegg, $110 plus ~$8-9 shipping giving you about $120. But if you prefer newegg, the Xclio is definately a better price.

Originally Posted by andper10 The Xclio is made by Channel Well, which is suppossed to be a very good PSU company. So if you could go into a more detailed explination of what actually makes the Corsair better than the Xclio, I would like to hear it. The specs all say that the Xclio is better, so I just don't get it.

-CWT is a good company. Excluding the not so good CWT based Antec line, their new models have been doing much better. They are a great all around power supply. They are however, not in the same tier. One is good while the other one is better.

Either one is a GOOD choice, don't let me convince you that one is poor while the other is king.

[andper10]

Ok, thanks for the explanation. I don't really like mail in rebates, and I haven't used zipzoomfly before, so I think if I get a PSU soon, I will go with the Xclio. I am thinking about getting an X1950XT pretty soon here (hopefully within a couple of weeks). Do you think that anything will be harmed if I get the X1950XT first and try it on my current Xclio 500W (with 29A combined on two 12V rails) even though it is "recommended" that I have 30A on the 12V rails for the X1950XT. If my current PSU can't power it while gaming, will the PSU, Video Card, or any other components be harmed in the process? Also, should I look into getting a 5.25" bay GFX Card Power supply to go with my current one? Thanks for all of the help!

[Mr.Ferrari]

Like I said before..the first revision of your psu has been known for issues. But if the psu can't power it right off the bat, or while gaming, it *should* just shut off..no harm done. If it does power the card, which it probably will, I would be worried about the long term stress on such a older CWT unit.

Don't take my word on this, but worst case scenerio over a long period of time might be blowing the caps on the powersupply..and only hurting the powersupply.

Those modular GFX units have not really been put through any kind of extensive testing. It'll be a gamble. IMO, they aren't the best choices for the money either, I'd rather just spend that money towards a full system power supply.

[andper10]

Do you think that it is worth the extra $40 for the 512MB version of the X1950XT?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102082

[Mr.Ferrari]

Only if you game at very high resolutions (1600x1200, 1920x14 etc) with everything turned up will you notice even a little difference.