8800GTS 512 Link Width x2 -- I'm goin crazy!

[MBchrono]

Howdy ladies and gents. I've been looking for the better part of a day for a solution to a problem I, and many other people are having.

I am running the following:
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R
e8400@4.0GHz -- 445FSB
Mushkin 1GB x 2@890MHz
8800GTS 512 (G92)
3DMark2006 Score: 7400-7500

I just built this thing two days ago, and noticed terrible performance in Crysis, and 3DMark. (TF2 still runs pretty good). After snoopin around I noticed that my PCI-e was set to x2 instead of x16. I have my Northbridge@ +.3V, PCI-e@ +.3V, and my PCI-e frequency set to 105. (Overclocked those after it was suggested on other forums.)

I am just goin crazy here tryin to figure out what could be the cause of this problem. It stays at x2 no matter what setting. Even after a CMOS clear. Somebody on the eVGA forums thought I should RMA the card, but I thought I would keep trying for a bit so I wouldn't get a new card and have the exact same thing happen. Any suggestions would be great.

Thanks in advance,
Matt

*EDIT*

Below is an Nvidia output from cp:

NVIDIA System Information report created on: 02/03/2008 05:38:16
System name: Matt

[Display]
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E8400 @ 3.00GHz (4004 MHz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP (Service Pack 2)
DirectX version: 9.0c
GPU processor: GeForce 8800 GTS 512
ForceWare version: 169.28
Memory: 512 MB
Video BIOS version: 62.92.25.00.02
IRQ: 16
Bus: PCI Express x2

[Components]

nvCpl.cpl 1.5.600.01 NVIDIA Control Panel Applet
nvExpBar.dll 1.5.600.01 NVIDIA Control Panel
nvCplUI.exe 1.5.600.01 NVIDIA Control Panel
nvWSS.dll 6.14.11.6928 NVIDIA Workstation Server
nvViTvS.dll 6.14.11.6928 NVIDIA Video and TV Server
nvMoblS.dll 6.14.11.6928 NVIDIA Mobile Server
NVMCTRAY.DLL 6.14.11.6928 NVIDIA Media Center Library
NVOGLNT.DLL 6.14.11.6928 NVIDIA Compatible OpenGL ICD
nvDispS.dll 6.14.11.6928 NVIDIA Display Server
NVCPL.DLL 6.14.11.6928 NVIDIA Compatible Windows 2000 Display driver, Version 169.28
NV4_MINI.SYS 6.14.11.6928 NVIDIA Compatible Windows 2000 Miniport Driver, Version 169.28
NV4_DISP.DLL 6.14.11.6928 NVIDIA Compatible Windows 2000 Display driver, Version 169.28
nvGameS.dll 6.14.11.6928 NVIDIA 3D Settings Server

 

[apache_lives]

perhaps your overclock is to blame? tried stock settings?

also, some motherboards have 2 physical 16x slots but only one does the true 16x and the other, a 2x or 4x - check where the card is.

 

[starcraftfanatic]

First of all, lower the PCI-e frequency back down to 100, or you'll burn the card, same thing with pci-e voltage. There should be an option in Bios, probably in the advanced section or someting. I'm unfamiliar with that motherboard so I really cant help you any further.

 

[bobmitch]

You are definately overclocking the card! Leave the PCIe voltage to Auto and also bring the PCIe bus down to at least 101...if not 100. Most times people experiment with overvolting the video cards in the bios of the card, not the motherboard. You are really hitting the card hard, when the bios of the Video card says one thing and you are pumping in more than it should use. I understand your need and want to overclock the machine...realize that with the fsb you are running, etc....your bandwith is wide enough and fast enough. The G92 will keep up with it by default

 

[MBchrono]

@Apache:
I've tried resetting CMOS settings and still no luck. There is also only one PCI-e slot on this motherboard.

I overclocked the PCI-e to try to remedy the issue, not really to to get more power outta it. Some people reported overclocking those things to get it to report x16, which didn't work. I have since brought everything back to stock except FSB/DDR.

Maybe it really is the card. I cannot think of anyting else it could be. There are no PCI-e settings in motherboard or anything. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[quantumsheep]

P35 DS3 boards have 3 pci-e slots as far as i remember - 2 for crossfire and 1 for pci-e cards. Just make sure it's in the right slot. I could be wrong on this, but it's worth a shot.

 

[MBchrono]

yeah you are right. 1 x16x and 2 x 1x. The 1x slots are very small. The PCI-e slot is big and blue, so it looks like it is in the correct slot.

Most people who have this issue are running at 1x. I havn't seen too many people with the 2x problem. Kinda reinforces my thinking about it being the card.

 

[apache_lives]

@Apache:
I've tried resetting CMOS settings and still no luck. There is also only one PCI-e slot on this motherboard.

I overclocked the PCI-e to try to remedy the issue, not really to to get more power outta it. Some people reported overclocking those things to get it to report x16, which didn't work. I have since brought everything back to stock except FSB/DDR.

Maybe it really is the card. I cannot think of anyting else it could be. There are no PCI-e settings in motherboard or anything. Thanks for the feedback.

perhaps find another tool and detect your PCIe settings (second opinion)?

 

[pchoi04]

I would try to set everything completely to FACTORY default including your CPU and RAM. If that fails I would RMA the card.

 

[MBchrono]

Nvidia cp, cpuz and gpuz all show 16x max and current at 2x.

http://www.mbchrono.com/heelp.JPG

pchoi04:
Just reset to factory defaults again. Im gonna try running a lower cpu multiplier (No clue what I expect to gain from that, but I tried everything else). If that fails, then I guess I have no choice.

 

[apache_lives]

Nvidia cp, cpuz and gpuz all show 16x max and current at 2x.

http://www.mbchrono.com/heelp.JPG

pchoi04:
Just reset to factory defaults again. Im gonna try running a lower cpu multiplier (No clue what I expect to gain from that, but I tried everything else). If that fails, then I guess I have no choice.

perhaps also try removing the video card, cleaning the pins and reseating the card - maybe theres a bad connection between the video card and the motherboard?

 

[jt001]

Try installing the latest chipset drivers.

 

[dagoth_ur]

I have exactly the same board, as well as the 8800GTS (Leadtek, no EVGA or whatever) and E2180 and everything runs fine, at x16 speed. Have you tried other VGA drivers (sorry didnt read the whole thread)? This remembers me of the radeon 9600XT times, when it was almost impossible to enable FastWrites : )

 

[prolfe]

It can't be VGA or chipset drivers, since according to the OP the PCI Express is set to X2 in the BIOS and it won't reset itself.

@OP: Have you tried any other video cards in the board, or the card in other boards? That would help tremendously with troubleshooting!

 

[MBchrono]

Awesome! Thanks for all the feedback guys!

From what I have read, like prolfe said, the x2 is set during startup. Though I have tried multiple video/chipset drivers.

I was building two computers at the same time. One for me, and one for my dad. He has the DS3L, 8800GT and an Allendale processor. I put the 8800GT in my PC and it was fine. The 8800GT is also fine on his computer. The 8800GTS 512 read x2 on both of our computers. I thought maybe it was a problem with the P35 chipset, but it now appears it is definately the card. I put in an RMA and am sending it back today.

Thanks again for all the feedback, I appreciate it.

 

[MBchrono]

Just got my new card today. Its now running at x1... I am about ready to cry I think.

 

[apache_lives]

Just got my new card today. Its now running at x1... I am about ready to cry I think.

Both PC's?

 

[Mousemonkey]

Just got my new card today. Its now running at x1... I am about ready to cry I think.

EVGA card?, is the step-up program really worth this much aggravation if so then stick with it but if not then return the card and try a different brand.

 

[soundefx]

Another thing you could do is try the 1x solutions, seeing that it moved from 2x to 1x.
Or as mousemonkey said, try another brand.

 

[flank2]

hey MBchrono, I have the evga 8800gts 512 aswell and i'm having the same problem you are. I only get like 8k in 3dmark06, I should be getting about 13k with nothing overclocked .... i dunno what the deal is, but if you do find a solution please share it