Video Card Woes. Or is it?

2006-06-28 18:53:18

#1

MorbiD.ShoT: Stormin' through the party; +322|6893

I dunno if this will work but about 2 weeks ago i took this picture of bfhq.

https://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g163/ultimate5metal/bf2messed.jpg

and i dunno if its the vid card (Radeon 9700 Pro) or what, but it prolly is the card, because now when i even try to play a simple 2d game such as Soldat it gives this:

https://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g163/ultimate5metal/blahr.jpg

So my question is, is the vid card fried? Because i have been trying to play that on "Medium" Settings and it gave many black dots all over the screen, but it never bothered me.

And if it is fried, what vid card would you guys suggest for Intel P4 3.05 Ghz, 512mb Ram (RDRAM so don't tell me to upgrade that stuff, its a zillion bucks per 256), only AGP slots (Can Go Pro), and a New Power Supply.
All for around $250 or under please.

Edit: Shite, sorry i do not know how to make those images bigger, but the first one is bfhq with artifacts all over it and the second one is when i tried playing soldat it says:
Error Initializing 3d Hardware. Your hardware does not support DirectX8. Be sure to install the latest video drivers. Now software will be used...

I already have installed the latest ATI drivers, so I don't know what is wrong.
Help, Please?

Last edited by MorbiD.ShoT (2006-06-28 18:55:30)

2006-06-28 18:57:05

#2

PuckMercury: 6 x 9 = 42; +298|6824|Portland, OR USA

There's an AGP version of the 7800, I believe it is the 7800GS. Do you have an integrated video card you could use as a data point for comparision to verify the video card is the issue? If you can get a work around, you may just want to save until you can get a new board/ram/vid card. The CPU might be transferable

2006-06-28 18:59:58

#3

MorbiD.ShoT: Stormin' through the party; +322|6893

Thanks for the reply. Integrated vid card? Nope, i only have the Radeon 9700 Pro to base this problem off of. I've been trying to fix it by myself for a while now and it's only gotten worse. I really would not like to have to buy an entire new mother board and whatnot, i just would like to know if i should upgrade my vid card and power supply because i frankly could care less about map load times and the likes; I just want to be able to play again so that I am not bored out of my mind when I have nothing else to do for the summer.

2006-06-28 19:04:45

#4

PuckMercury: 6 x 9 = 42; +298|6824|Portland, OR USA

to that end I would check out the 7800GS from nvidia. It is an AGP vid card. If you can get your hands on ANY other AGP card even to borrow or whatever I would just to check as a point of reference before you plunk down a chunk of change on the new vid card.

Here's a link to the 7800GS:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6814130274

ATI has a couple cards that appear to work as well, though I have always been partial to nvidia and don't know much about the other side of the tracks so to speak. They look good on paper, though.

2006-06-28 19:10:11

#5

MorbiD.ShoT: Stormin' through the party; +322|6893

Gah! That card is a bit pricey, I have a 200 Watt power supply so it'd burn my pc to the ground, and i don't wanna run on maxed out settings, maybe have the capability to but i would like a solid vid card that is anywhere from 150-200 dollars, along with a good cheap power supply, im looking right now but i would like your guys support.

I do need a new vid card right?
Or should i pop a Radeon 9250 in there and see what happens first?
Help?

2006-06-28 19:11:55

#6

[BBF*EF]Stuka: Junkers Ju 87; +58|6875|Phoenix, AZ

I just had a similar problem with my 9800SE so I upgraded to a 6800XT 256mb from XFX. It's the best budget AGP card, and it's on sale right now for free three day shipping.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6814150157

Or you can just go ahead and pay the extra money for the 7800GS as posted above. If you need a new PSU go with a Hiper Type-R.

http://xoxide.com/hiper-power-supply-blue.html

Google it, great reviews, great power, great looks, and it's modular! I think newegg has them too, but I just know that xoxide carriers them for sure. Good luck and I hope you can get back on BF2 ASAP.

EDIT: BTW, NEVER GO CHEAP WHEN BUYING A PSU! It is one of the most important parts of your setup, and cheaping out on it is never a good thing. If you get both of those I linked, which seems like what you want plus a better PSU, it'll be 250ish + shipping. Cheaper than that 7800 .

Last edited by [BBF*EF]Stuka (2006-06-28 19:13:38)

2006-06-28 19:16:02

#7

PuckMercury: 6 x 9 = 42; +298|6824|Portland, OR USA

before you buy ANYTHING, pop in something else to verify, sorry I didn't make that clear enough.

This card may jive better w/ your price range. Don't expect the same performance, though. However, this is still an excellent card from an excellent manufacturer:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6814150157

after looking at your PSU wattage, the issue may simply be an underpower issue. I had that on a system I was working on. Put a good PSU in it, and bam - happy video.

Alternative solid PSU:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6817256001

Last edited by puckmercury (2006-06-28 19:19:13)

2006-06-28 19:23:02

#8

MorbiD.ShoT: Stormin' through the party; +322|6893

Hey Thanks for the reply and that vid card looks great but I dunno about getting it because its 8x and right now my 9700 is running at 4x and i found this card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6814102608

It looks good for my tastes and i also found this PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6817153007

What do you guys think?
Will this run bf2 on Medium Settings or High, with 512 mb RDRAM, P4 3.05 ghz, blah blah
And my final question, should i make this upgrade?

2006-06-28 19:28:23

#9

PuckMercury: 6 x 9 = 42; +298|6824|Portland, OR USA

Does your board support 8x? If it does, you should absolutely move to it as it will help alleviate the gap between PCIe and AGP. That sapphire looks good and seems to have the right numbers. The only thing I saw I'm sure you also did which is the reviewer thought it ran hot. This is also a 4x/8x card FYI.

As for the PSU, I am running a Thermaltake Purepower 680W myself and love it. This little brother so to speak seems to be an alright choice. The reviewers seems to like it as well. I would only point out the lack of PFC and the fact that dual rails might be nice.

2006-06-28 19:30:20

#10

MorbiD.ShoT: Stormin' through the party; +322|6893

I honestly have no clue as to how to find out if my board supports 8x, because all i know is that it is set at 4x right now.

2006-06-28 19:30:48

#11

PuckMercury: 6 x 9 = 42; +298|6824|Portland, OR USA

on paper, the vid card I put up is slightly better, yes. I still like the PSU I posted originally, but I understand if it is a cost issue. As for the 8x thing, I would ask what board you have and check if it is capable of 8x

As for which card to purchase with the 4x 8x thing, both cards are capable of stepping down to 4x, so from a compatability standpoint they both work.

Last edited by puckmercury (2006-06-28 19:34:35)

2006-06-28 19:36:18

#12

MorbiD.ShoT: Stormin' through the party; +322|6893

I would tell you if i knew were to look. Do i run Dxdiag? Or do i have to turn off my computer and looks inside the case to do this?

Sorry for not knowing this beforehand

2006-06-28 19:39:43

#13

PuckMercury: 6 x 9 = 42; +298|6824|Portland, OR USA

that's hard to say really. DXdiag probably won't do it. Is your system custom built or prefab like Dell or HP or something?

2006-06-28 19:40:39

#14

MorbiD.ShoT: Stormin' through the party; +322|6893

It's a gateway E-6000. So prebuilt. I just really dont know where to look, sorry for taking up so much of ur time, id karma u more but i cant.

Ohhh so they will work, even if i run it at 4x? Haha, damn i wish i knew that before hand so that i wouldnt be perstering u right now.
So i gues i'll just pop in the Radeon 9250 when my friend gets back, see if the problem is gone, and then i'll buy the new stuff, thanks for all the help puc.

Last edited by MorbiD.ShoT (2006-06-28 19:42:18)

2006-06-28 19:45:49

#15

PuckMercury: 6 x 9 = 42; +298|6824|Portland, OR USA

looks like that board does support 8x according to Gateway. I found a 6100, but not a 6000. NP about the karma, and you aren't pestering. If I was irritated ... I'd stop checking the forum. ;-) Good luck getting it to work!

2006-06-28 19:47:17

#16

coke: Aye up duck!; +440|7006|England. Stoke

not sure but cant u just check ur bios to see if you can turn the AGP acceleration up to 8x, if you can it supported?? not 100% sure though just a suggestion...

2006-06-29 05:56:45

#17

_j5689_: Dreads & Bergers; +364|7014|Riva, MD

This program can tell you what your AGP acceleration currently is and what it could be. And what version of AGP it is, and if it side band enabled(whatever that is).

Last edited by _j5689_ (2006-06-29 05:57:13)

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