GPU problem and new card opinion.

[crs]

Hi All,

I was happily using my nvidia XFX 8800GTX for some time. At some point I realized that I am having problems with booting my computer. Problem occurs only if cold boot was performed. All fan started and GPU fan was at its max speed. In normal boot order it should slowdown after few seconds and at this very time signal was sent to monitors and all was fine. But very often it never slows down and monitors reports no signal. It takes few restarts before it engages and then all works fine, no freezes, no problems at all. Card in question is XFi 8800GTX. Does anyone ever experienced such a issue? If so, is a cold boot problem fixable or do I need to change my card. Also, how probable it is that it is no card but other component?

Another question is: If I will need to get a new card is this one good: http://www.evga.com/products/moreinfo.asp?pn=012-P3-1470-AR ?

Is anyone using this card to run X-Plane?

ATI cards are out of question.

Thank you kindly for all help. Should more informations be required please ask for it. Would be great to safe some money and stay with current 8800 if it is possible to fix it.

EDIT:

Also, card pasted above is one of the highest models with 470 (scan.co.uk). For extra £60 I could get the lowest 480 one. What would be a better option? Would going for 480 (worth 1/3 more for example) would be that noticable?

Kind regards,

Kamil

[Simmo W]

my how quickly cards evolve. I bought a GEforce gtx 275 less than a year ago and swear by it, no probs running anything, but CPU is also important, I've got a Core i7 920.

I found Toms hardware a great site to benchmark cards, the graphs and charts section let's you find the CURRENT sweetspot. even now I see no point in upgrading my own, spending another 500 for a 20 % improvement. I'll probably see as much improvement when I escape Vista to goto Win7

[sapam]

I had taste of both ATI and Nvidia with X-Plane 9 on Windows and I can easily recommend a Nvidia card. I got GTX 260 and is great. so any GTX series should be a great choice to make.

Regards,

Sapam

[Kesomir]

Single powerful nvidia GPU if you're on windows, ATI if you're on mac

[Baber20]

GTX 470 will be nice. But this fermi series are having over heating issues. Try googling and it and you'll know what I am talking about. Infact these new GTX cards run so hot that you can fry an egg on them. My advise is that DONT buy stock fermi cards. Buy cards with aftermarket coolers. Here http://pden.zotac.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage_images.tpl&product_id=257&category_id=120&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1 .This is the best option for you at the moment. Comes pre-overclocked with a great aftermarket cooler and runs cool ! This will cost you a bit more but it's totally worth it. I'll be buying GTX 480 soon because my 5970 sucks on X-Plane

[crs]

Hi,

Big thanks for you input chaps.

Problem with cold boots was due to faulty memories. Changed them to new set and no boot problems anymore. That makes me really happy. But unfortunately 8800GTX of mine has developed some artefacts and if fairly useless. Therefore I need to get a new card. I was thinking about that Zotec one you have mentioned Baber20. It will take huge amount of space within my box. I might not be even able to keep my sound card in anymore.

I am not the biggest fan of overlocking - I prefer my hardware to run smoothly and with no overheating problems. But that Zotac card comes with long term warranty and I did consider it as on of the options.

I was thinking about getting 470 and extra fan blowing air at it. That would cost me the same amount of money that Zotac one. Do you have this one by any chances? If it comes to overheating problem I did read that it can operate at about 94°C. No flat heating during the winter needed.

I do not really know too much about hardware - so if you recommend this one - I will get it. Thing is that I have never heard about that brand. Also, is it very laud? Comparing to 8800GTX if possible…

Once again, thank you all for you advices - highly appreciated!

Kind regards,

Kamil

[Baber20]

GTX 470 AMP edition is a must buy! I totally recommend it. It received positive reviews. I don't own one but my friend have two of them in SLI. He said his temps don't go above 70c (that's pretty darn good !!!). Temps of stock fermi cards can reach upto 100c !! Nvidia claims that their cards can operate at high temps but seriously man I am not the type of guy who want's to risk a 400$ card. the 470 AMP runs cool and stable and above all its overclocked too ! So all in all its a great card. I'll be buying Zotac's GTX 480 AMP next month and i'll PM you my temps !! :-) By the way what casing do you have ?

[crs]

This is my case: http://www.silverstonetek.com/products/p_spec.php?pno=ps01&area=usa [sST-PS01B]

Sizewise case is OK. It just look like that after putting AMP card I will lose three slots (PCI slots) and my sound card would be right next to it blocking air flow. Will need to swap from audigy to buildin card then… Will see. Going to place an order first thing in the morning tomorrow.

Very big thanks for your help on that!

That card should let me fly x-plane on highest possible settings, right?

Kind regards,

Kamil

[Baber20]

I think with that card you'll be able to play at pretty high settings. And since X-Plane 10 is releasing sometime later this year, I think its time to upgrade 

Cheers.

[crs]

I think with that card you'll be able to play at pretty high settings. And since X-Plane 10 is releasing sometime later this year, I think its time to upgrade 

Cheers.

Hi,

I got it in my basket now. Few clicks away from having it tomorrow.

I read about two of them in SLI mode - if won't be able to support x-plane10 will get another one once xp10 released. But that will more then likely require changing case, CPU, MB and PSU. So, big issue that is.

Anyways, I should be happily possesing one of those tomorrow.

Big thanks for your help.

King regards,

Kamil

[crs]

Update: Got it in the box next me right now.

Can't wait before taking it home tonight and putting it in PCIE slot.

Once again thanks for all advices. I was also very warm advised to get 460 but still decided to get 470 AMP! edition.

Kind regards,

Kamil

[Baber20]

Glad I could be of assistance 

[crs]

Hi,

I am very concern about my X-Plane's performance. I wonder if there is something wrong with my configuration or hardware.

Here are my settings:

I have got quite good GPU (Nvidia 470 AMP Edition - slightly overclocked), four core CPU, 4GB of RAM (more details in signature).

I am having problem if it comes to drawing a 3D objects. There is absolutely no way for me to have anything higher then default. If I do set more, it is getting very slow.

Regardless to settings (in range I have tested them) my CPU (one core and one core only) is always 100% busy.

I am flying (at the moment) x737, which is quite heavy on graphics, I know, but still, I would expect way more from my machine that what I am getting now.

Is there a bottle neck somewhere in my configuration? Are 3D object generated by CPU by any chances? Because it looks like to me. All new games I have are running on highest possible setting and without _any_ problems. That makes me wonder if there is something wrong with X-Plane itself or my installation.

No other option decrease framerate as much as forest density, number of objects and roads and traffic density (not sure about that one).

Anyone experienced similar thing?

Kind regards,

Kamil

[eaglewing7]

Within your rendering options you have the anti-aliasing, antisotropic-filter textures, water reflection, and texture resolutions set at the maximum settings.  Try turing these all down a level or more each, these all (especially anti-aliasing, antisotropic and water reflections), all take a heavy toll on the performance of the sim.

Also, volumetric fog, and drawing hi-res textures from orbit can also be turned off with you noticing almost no changes in eye candy, but noticeable changes in performance.

Try some of these suggestions, and see what happens.

[PhM]

Default world detail distance is, in fact, the maximum value, try getting it down a couple of notches.

PhM

[X-Plane Australia]

I have been getting lower speeds than normal too. I think its to do with x-plane update. I'm going to run the installer and try again. Your not the first person to suddenly see their system crawling.