2 SLI 9800gtx+ lock ups while web browsing, word processing etc.

[dp88]

Ever since upgrading from 2 9800gtx+ 512mb cards to 2 bfg 9800gtx+ oc 1gb I get random lockups. They seem to be random. It can happen while web browsing, using outlook, or compressing a video. It also happens while web browsing. The only time I have lock ups while gaming, is sometime in the first 5 minutes. If I make it longer than that, I can play for hours without problems. My specs are:

2 BFG 9800gtx+ oc 1gb in sli
Intel i7 920 2.66ghz
Gigabyte ex58-udr5
Antec TruePower 650w
6gb Ram

It seems to me, that if this was a power issue, that I wouldn't be able to play video games like crysis for long periods of time without crashing. Also, I was able to use my 2 9800gtx+ 512 cards without any problems.

Do you guys have any ideas?

edit: sometimes before a lock up, I will see flickering on the screen. Not the whole screen. Just an inch tall horizontal bar. It will flash black in one spot for far less than a second, then once a somewhere else. It will do it somewhere between 1 and 5 times and then the system will lock.

 

[nforce4max]

Is your cards 65nm or 55nm? The psu might be a weak link knowing knowing how my antec EA650 is some what similar to yours. If they are 65nm then well there you go you need a better psu. Two of the rails feed the cpu while one feeds the drives, fans, floppy, and last the gpu(s). IT is a big let down when one can't really run much in terms of dual gpu setup. Also test each card separately for any of the usual problems. Ask me if you want me to elaborate on what I have posted now I am going to play my old glide games like drakan order of the flame. 😀

 

[dp88]

aren't all of the 9800gtx+ 55nm and the 9800gtx 65nm? If not, how can I find out which one I have? Also, why do you think it would affect me more when I am not playing games than when I am? You sound like you know what your are talking about. I'm just curious about these things. I'm also a little angry at antec for stating that it is sli ready if in reality, it is not.

 

[nforce4max]

aren't all of the 9800gtx+ 55nm and the 9800gtx 65nm? If not, how can I find out which one I have? Also, why do you think it would affect me more when I am not playing games than when I am? You sound like you know what your are talking about. I'm just curious about these things. I'm also a little angry at antec for stating that it is sli ready if in reality, it is not.

GPUZ it does wonders and also you could look for any stickers on either side of the card since 55nm cards did advertise that they were 55nm for at since it was a selling point. The last way you could do it is to pop off the cooler and look at the die.

http://www.hwstation.net/news/4/828.html
If it is the big one then it is a 65nm if not its the 55nm.

 

[dp88]

GPUZ it does wonders and also you could look for any stickers on either side of the card since 55nm cards did advertise that they were 55nm for at since it was a selling point. The last way you could do it is to pop off the cooler and look at the die.

http://www.hwstation.net/news/4/828.html
If it is the big one then it is a 65nm if not its the 55nm.

gpu-z says I have the 65nm chips. I still don't understand why I would crash so often while not doing anything the slightest bit demanding.

What do you think of this psu:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...011&cm_re=corsair_850w-_-17-139-011-_-Product

Would that support my cards? Also, would it support 2 gtx285's in the future?


edit: more likely, I would get 2 gtx 260 core 216's when they get down to about $120.00

 

[nforce4max]

You picked a good psu so the problem should go away but be sure to clean out any dust while you are at it.