Nvidia graphics cards are crap? They always die out

[AvalancheDiode]

Re: Nvidia graphics cards are crap? They always die out

Mind you that I have a 650W PSU so I pretty much can plug in any single card that I want to. You seems to have a pre-configured Dell or HP desktop that is not built purposefully for gaming. If you want to stick with NVIDIA, I suggest you to get GTS240 instead of any of those mid-to-highend monster cards. There's few things you need to learn before you build your own.

The first thing you need to know is that modern gaming rig is built around PSU, not CPU. The second is heat management. If I keep talking I might overload your brain. So why not post your system spec first:

CPU
RAM (MHz and GB)
PSU (You may need to open the case to check it)
HD
Any other add-in card

[D_ii_4_I3_L_o]

Re: Nvidia graphics cards are crap? They always die out

GTX+ never lets anyone down from statistics. Just Overheating the gc is the only concern for users from their written reviews. From sites that I looked over, they gave a rating 4.4/5 with around 500 users who submitted their rating score.

[D_ii_4_I3_L_o]

Re: Nvidia graphics cards are crap? They always die out

You are fine with 4870 1GB. If you want to get another, just go get it.

Direct3D libraries are highly hardware dependent. Yes, you can do all the calculation with CPU, but that'll be very slow. You can't run DX11 on 4870. The hardware simply doesn't support hardware tessellation in DX11.

For 2x 4870 in CrossFire, you are looking for 750W-850W PSU. Only chipsets from NVIDIA don't support CrossFire. You also need extensive case ventilation and planning if you want to build a two-card system. Heat and noise go up tremendously.

BTW, make sure your computer is not bought from DELL or HP. If yes, then you probably want to learn how to assemble one.

Gateway FX Gaming Series Desktop

Seeming as odd as you described your facts, dxdiag did vividly show me that DirectX Version : DX11 <--- So you saying that not related to the graphic card at all ?

Since i'm going to open my computer to check out the power supply. is the 750W-850W a recommended psu, or just a minimum. When you talk about the chipsets that from NVIDIA dont support CrossFire, you talk about the slots avalible for the graphic card ?

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Modifing the PSU would lead me into modifing something else ? or justing getting an extra gc will lead me into modifing the psu.

[=)BiT(= Evant3k]

Re: Nvidia graphics cards are crap? They always die out

I had 3 Nvidia cards in my computers in my life two of witch ended up in the trash can. None of the 5 ATi cards I had ever died on me and work till this day.

[TheHeartSmasher]

Re: Nvidia graphics cards are crap? They always die out

Please don't forget to post the information I requested on page one, also please be very specific with the details especially the type of power supply you have so we can help you further.

[Cassius55]

Re: Nvidia graphics cards are crap? They always die out

I had 3 Nvidia cards in my computers in my life two of witch ended up in the trash can. None of the 5 ATi cards I had ever died on me and work till this day.

What kind of Nvidia cards where those 2? I hope the new 9000 series isn't like this.

[Cassius55]

Re: Nvidia graphics cards are crap? They always die out

Cassius I am not sure what is going on with your system, but I have not had any problems with my NVidia cards at all. The only reason I have changed them is to get more performance. I used to run ATI, but the last card I had stopped working and I got the red screen of death, even after replacing the fan on the card with an aftermarket due to the fan and other components of the card failing after extended hours of gaming back in the day. I will probably try ATI again in the future though. Since you say this keeps happening which is not normal with regular NVidia cards lets see what might be causing these problems. What are your current systems specs?

Processor:
RAM:
Number of Hard Drives:
Hard Drive Space:
Case
Case Form Factor:
Manufacturer:
Model# of Computer if pre-built:
Graphics Card Manufacturer:
How long is the warranty on your graphics card:
How much did the graphics card cost:
Does it look like a quality built graphics card:
Link to the graphics card you purchased:
Is the graphics card overclocked:
Are you running a stock system:
How old is your computer:
Have you cleaned the dust out of your computer:
What temperature does your current graphics card run at:
What do your other components run at ( hard drive, processors, ram, etc.:
How are the fans operating on your system and your card, are all of them running:
Have you updated your computer's BIOS to the latest version:

Processor: Intel P4 3.2 Ghz Hyperthreading HT
RAM: 2GB DDR2 Ram
Number of Hardrives: 1
Case: Mid tower case
Case form factor:
Manufacture: Dell
Graphics Card manufacture: It originally had a ATI X600 but now has a Nvidia 8400 512meg DDR2
Warranty: I got it from a friend for free after my 8600 died out
Does it look like a quality build gfx card: From the look of it my 8600 card look better, it looked old but it worked
Graphics card Overclocked: No
Are you running a stock system: Yes
How old: My comp is 2 or 3 years old, I remember getting it in April, Im pretty sure it was 2007

I will update other information at a later time after I find it all out.

[[Expletive Deleted]]

Re: Nvidia graphics cards are crap? They always die out

Wow, you're unlucky.

Out of the four desktops in my house, all have Nvidia cards. I got an EVGA 8800GTS 640MB when they first came out, it's still going strong in my kids' PC. I got the ECS 8800GTS 512MB soon after they came out, my wife uses it now. I got an MSI 8600GT right after they came out to stick in my always-on media center PC. And my BFG GTX280 is still rocking socks. So I've used nothing but Nvidia cards since I got a 7800GT in late 2005/early 2006 and have only changed out cards for performance upgrades since then. My 8800GTS 640MB has been used since late 2006 almost constantly in three different PCs with different PSUs (All Antec), and other hardware.

The last ATI card I used was a weak X1300 for my media center PC, and that died in failtacular fashion in the middle of my daughter's Dora DVD. I doubt all of them suck that bad, but even before that I had more heat and driver issues with ATI cards so I switched to Nvidia and have had no reason to switch back.

[TheEn|gma]

Re: Nvidia graphics cards are crap? They always die out

To be fair I've had 6600 and my current 8800GT with no problems, but my ATi Radeon 9800 pro back in the day used to give me headaches with Joint Operations and BF2 :p

[AlecJ32]

Re: Nvidia graphics cards are crap? They always die out

Your cards dying likely has little to do with Nvidia. There's plenty of outside factors which could shorten the lifespan of these cards, such as a faulty power supply unit, improper cooling/temperature management, mishandling during shipping and distribution, etc. I've owned many Nvidia cards, and worked with many more, along with several ATI cards, and there are no significant problems with either chip-maker.

[Cassius55]

Re: Nvidia graphics cards are crap? They always die out

Well Im going to be getting a new power supply and graphics card so hopefully the problem should be fixed after I get that. I get Hardware parity errors frequently, sometimes my computer just freezes and the screen just gets all colorful or flashes really fast. The source of these problems must be with my graphics card or power supply, I constantly hear a small humming noise from my computer.

[AvalancheDiode]

Re: Nvidia graphics cards are crap? They always die out

Your CPU is simply not powerful enough for modern games. In short, it is the bottleneck for your game once you get a decent card. However, it seems that you have very little choice but a total upgrade in near future.

[Cassius55]

Re: Nvidia graphics cards are crap? They always die out

I know its not powerful enough for modern games. I just wanna upgrade the graphics card for now, that will make a difference in performance right? I just wanna play Medieval 2 total war and get more FPS and graphics quality in Red Orchestra, BF2 and WoW (I play for free on a private server). The 9000 series better last long, hope they corrected the short life span problems that where common with some 8000 series cards.

[AvalancheDiode]

Re: Nvidia graphics cards are crap? They always die out

Oh, in that case, 4870 is way over kill. M2TW needs quite a bit CPU power. If you are into TW series, than you'd better be with a quad. I have 9800GTX+ with Phenom 9850, and M2TW still runs a bit choppy at times, usually when I put like 6000 soldiers on a battlefield (no puns intended). BF2 should be OK, but a more powerful CPU is still required if you want to run everything in high.

[Cassius55]

Re: Nvidia graphics cards are crap? They always die out

The problem is my motherboard won't support a better CPU, though I could get a motherboard for 60 and CPU for 110, a quad even. But I need a graphics card more then I need a new CPU now since this Nvidia 8400 is about to die, with all the color pixels that appear on the screen sometimes and it frquently freezes. I also can't play any games and it freezes automatically with all the color's going messed up. I played the Medieval 2 demo on my comp now before I had these problems and everything ran smoothly with no lag on some high settings with no grass of course. Though these battles where small with about 3000-3500 on screen at once. Won't getting a new graphics card boost my performance a bit? I should beable to handle 6000 soldiers on the battlefield if I lowered the graphics a lot.