A few months back, one of my Geforce 8800s died (heat damage I assume, eventually wore out). Since I had two, I just removed the bad one, and away I went. Last week, the other started to die if I used graphics-intensive programs. So I placed an order for a GTX 580. Today I turn on my computer, and the video card overheats within about 10-15 minutes of running normally, no programs. I heard that some 8800s had heat issues, and after about 4 years, I think these things lived their life pretty well (only had a 3 year warranty on them). My 580 will arrive tomorrow, but until then I am forced to use my old gateway computer from 2001/2002 with a Geforce TI-4200. I miss having a real computer.
Tirrith,I can send you over a Toshiba Laptop if your stuck-it has all the porn tube sites bookmarked LOL
You're supposed to treat it with love and kindness. I took my computer out for our annual honeymoon last night. We made hot, hard love.
nvidia cards/drivers seem to have deteriorated in the last few years, which is why I switched to ati last september.
I'll have to wait for a power adapter now. I only had some 6 pin PCIE connectors. The 580 needs an 8 pin PCIE (additional two pins are only ground connections). My power supply has enough power for the card (61A available on the 12V, card needs 42A at max usage), just not the right plugs. I ordered one, and will see if anyone at work has a spare floating around. I should have paid closer attention, now I have to wait.
I've been needing a new computer for years now. And with me playing Minecraft all the time I think I'll have to get a new computer so that mine doesn't fry. I'll probably just make one though.
Technically the manufacturer doesn't recommend using a 6pin to 8pin adapter because the 6pin is only "supposed" to be able to provide 75W, and the 8pin is 150W. But in reality, the 6pin with a full 3 12V wires (apparently the standard only requires 2 12V) can provide 150W safely as long as the power supply can provide the required power. Since the 8 pin PCIE has only 3 12V and 5 Ground connections, the 6 pin has 3 12V and 3 Ground connections. Same gauge wire, same everything. The only difference would be on the power supply end. The issue isn't that my power supply doesn't have enough power, it's just that my power supply is from 2007, and if I read right, the 8 pin PCIE standard was made in 2008. The only adapter my video card came with for power was a 2x Molex to 6 pin PCIE power (in case I didn't have a 6pin, I guess). And a mini HDMI to HDMI and DVI to VGA. But those are worthless to me since I can't even power up the card yet. Looking around locally today at a few computer stores, no one stocked them, and one told me it wasn't recommended and I should buy a new PSU. They are only 4 dollars online, but they take 3-5 days shipping, I ordered it yesterday, but since it's so close to the weekend I'm likely going to have to wait until Monday or Tuesday.
Geforces haven't had alot of issue that i've seen, Nvidia from what i understand is still at a 3:2 in the market when compared to ATI. I haven't had an ATI card in about 2 years but last i remember was issues in dealing with certain graphical applications and conflicts with ATI drivers. At least thats what i remember when working on PCs last, most i heard from Nvidia was that whole 3D glasses thing that people picked up, so many people screwed that up as easy as it is. It'll flip flop again and again though, one is always getting ahead of the other in the graphics market. To be more on topic, every manufacturer has been making crappier fans that clog easily or do not disperse heat quickly enough for some years. It seems lately they are picking back up on the cooling habits but i find most people buy as tiny or cheap of cases as they can and do not correct their airflow when they slab on a bunch of fans. Even the most "professional" of at home computer techs don't create proper airflow, they just think the more fans the better. Make sure your video card fan actually starts spinning on power up, and make sure that you don't have dead zones or slow airflow in your case. I typically use IR sensors or temp probes in multiple locations when building a new case and running demos before leaving it alone. But the ATI vs Nvidia thing, i haven't had issues relating to hardware failures from either, but i have had numerous issues in the past with ATI software.
Yes, the fans on my 8800s were very tiny, and didn't dissipate heat very well. Near the end of it's life, I swear I could cook an egg on the last one. The fan on the GTX 580 is Huge when compared to the 8800s fan. It takes up almost the whole back half of the card. The fans on the 8800s I had were maybe an inch and a half diameter? While I have it apart waiting for my cable (which arrived today at lunch, but I am currently at work) I am going to be cleaning out every bit of dust I can find. Edit: Well, they sent me the wrong cable. The one I ordered was 6pin PCIE to 8pin PCIE. They sent me the correct cable according to the part number/description. But the cable in the bag was a 6pin PCIE to 8pin EPS (I think that's what it is called. The 8pin CPU motherboard connector). The wiring was correct for the 8pin PCIE but the connector was an 8pin EPS, so it wouldn't fit. I contacted them, they said it wasn't worth returning, and refunded my money (price and shipping). I modified the plastic body so it will fit in my video card, and everything works fine now. It was a snug fit, but I unplugged it afterward and no damage is done to the card.
