790i Ultra SLI/9800GTX SSC Freeze ,Artifact

[samanthms]

My Setup
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz
XFX 790i Ultra SLI Mobo
EVGA 9800gtx SSC
1000w Ultra PSU
4GB 1066MHz DDR3 RAM running at 1.7v
Windows 7 Professional 64-bit

Problem
I live in Bangalore, India. I have purchased ALL the parts above from the US. They are about 3 years ,3 months old.
I have been experiencing a lot of freezing and artifacting. It is extremely irritating to restart the computer every single time it freezes. I have heard a lot of people experiencing problems with the 790i and 9800gtx.
It keeps freezing while watching Hi Def Movies, playing Crysis , COD, UT3, etc. It also freezes when it gets a little warm.Recently, the XFX logo that appears when i boot up is distorted, then it loads windows in 640x480 resolution and its all distorted. The BIOS and Drivers are ALL latest, up to date ! I just cant seem to find the solution to this problem.I spent a lot of money from my pocket and I am depressesd to see that this is the performance delivered. I am really worried and keep thinking of a new solution. I cant sleep properly !! 🙁

Please help me.

Additional Info
I have tried overclocking the CPU and RAM before.
I have sightly increased the Northbridge and Southbridge Voltages as it keeps my system stable.
RAM is at 1.7v
CPU is at 1.26v (auto)
My cabinet has excellent ventillation (2intake fans, 3 exhuast fans)
The games usually freeze when i play them in 1920x1080
Motherboard bios P06 and GFX card BIOS is up to date.

 

[Gman450]

What are the temps on that card ?
Also, restore the CPU and RAM clocks to stock. See if the problem still persists.
If the problem still occurs, run memtest86+ and see if it's the problem with RAM.

PS: Does these crashes occur even in safe mode ?

 

[icedeocampo]

A distorted image during bootup is a sign of damage on the card. I suggest that you look at the capacitors on your video card to check for a leak, continuing to use a video card with a leaking capacitor can lead to permanent damage on the other components of the video card.

However, an easier thing to do would be to install the video card on another PC and try to place games that you believe is causing the crash, if it does not happen, you will have to run tests (prime95 is good for checking stability and memory) and rule out each sub system.

 

[samanthms]

everything is not only distorted during bootup, it is distorted even after windows loads in safe mode... ! 🙁 Yes, I have set the CPU and RAM to stock voltages and the problem still continues to haunt me !

Anyway, I took screen shots, this is what I see -

 

[Tamz_msc]

Can you try the card on another PC?

 

[samanthms]

No...i cant find anyone or any other computer to try on ! sadly !! 🙁

Guys, do you think getting a new graphics card , say the GTX260 ? can this solve the entire problem ?
Do you think there's a problem with the motherboard ?
PS: i performed memory tests and it went ok and my RAM didnt get hot.

 

[samanthms]

A distorted image during bootup is a sign of damage on the card. I suggest that you look at the capacitors on your video card to check for a leak, continuing to use a video card with a leaking capacitor can lead to permanent damage on the other components of the video card.[/quote]

I just opened up the heatsink of the graphics card to clean off all the dust. The capacitors are perfect, there are no leaks. I didnt see any liquid oozing out.

 

[nforce4max]

A distorted image during bootup is a sign of damage on the card. I suggest that you look at the capacitors on your video card to check for a leak, continuing to use a video card with a leaking capacitor can lead to permanent damage on the other components of the video card.

However, an easier thing to do would be to install the video card on another PC and try to place games that you believe is causing the crash, if it does not happen, you will have to run tests (prime95 is good for checking stability and memory) and rule out each sub system.

The 9800gtx uses solid state caps unlike low end cards from the period.

 

[nforce4max]

I suggest that you go ahead and purchase a new card but in your country you already know how things are. A gtx 260 is a lot faster than your 9800gtx any way so you will like it but one thing to remember keep it clean.

 

[samanthms]

I suggest that you go ahead and purchase a new card but in your country you already know how things are. A gtx 260 is a lot faster than your 9800gtx any way so you will like it but one thing to remember keep it clean.

Roger that I have decided on the GTX 275 896MB Card

 

[nforce4max]

I like the 275's performance but not it's cooler. I noticed when I picked one up just how light it was compared to other coolers from the period.

 

[Gman450]

I think it's better you get the current gen cards from NVIDIA. Preferable the GTX 560 Ti or a GTX 560.

 

[nforce4max]

I think it's better you get the current gen cards from NVIDIA. Preferable the GTX 560 Ti or a GTX 560.

In his country that is more easy said than done and current gen cards aren't all that great when it comes to build quality. If people were the same way with high end and expensive sports cars I would have gotten me a cheap Ferrari by now

 

[Gman450]

Which country BTW ?

 

[nforce4max]

Which country BTW ?

OP lives in India..

 

[Gman450]

I live in India too. The next gen video cards aren't hard to get, but they're tad too expensive when they get shipped here. Cost of a GTX 560 is about $300.

 

[nforce4max]

Yea prices outside the US suck a lot.

 

[samanthms]

I forgot to mention that all the distortion started after I uninstalled the drivers using the control panel and then I tried to reinstall them. Everythings' screwed up after that. I did that because i experienced several freezes. I thought that reinstalling drivers would help, but it just worsened the situation. 🙁

 

[nforce4max]

Well that is just water under the bridge at this point and it was already having issues so it isn't your fault.

 

[samanthms]

my memory seems to be working fine. My Motherboard and CPU are working properly too. Its definitely the graphics card.
Please suggest a good replacement. I am looking for a card under or near $200.
And do you think going for an ATI/AMD card will be better ? because i have heard that ATI cards have better quality components which are sold at a lesser price but the downside is that ATI makes bad drivers. Is that true ? Help me out on this one please !

 

[Gman450]

AMD/ATI cards consume less power than as well.
Yeah, the drivers for an AMD/ATi card is a letdown.
Both NVIDIA and AMD/ATi cards are good.
For about $200,
GTX 560
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127592

But I'd like to ask you, are they available ?

 

[samanthms]

But I'd like to ask you, are they available ?[/quotemsg]

Yes, I generally order things from an International seller on eBay who ships from the US itself.

I have decided on the HD 6870. Do you think it will work well with my nForce 790i mobo ?

 

[Gman450]

I have decided on the HD 6870. Do you think it will work well with my nForce 790i mobo ?

Yes it will run fine on your motherboard.

 

[samanthms]

I have ordered the XFX HD 6870 card. Its en route.

And go to this link below, the first image you see under Video Ram Artifacts was EXACTLY the same problem I faced !
http://www.playtool.com/pages/artifacts/artifacts.html

My new card should take care of everything !

 

[Gman450]

Good luck.