4850 issues: upgrade now or go back to old card?

[modelCS118]

I purchased Visiontek 4850 when it came out and then did the Accelero S1 mod, thinking this would help temps for some minor artifact issues. Seems over time, it just gets worse, screen blanks during some games and bands of artifacts during resolution changes in game (like for cut scenes etc.) Some of the time it fixes itself other times (like screen blanks) need hard reboot. The other thing I don't know is if this could damage my monitor?

But not returnable now so left with either upgrading or going back to my 8800GTS 640. It looks like I'll be returning to Nvidia either way, right now it would be the 260 if I did it.

Is now a good time to play the waiting game? It seems not much has changed since the 4850 came out except prices. I managed ok playing Crysis on X2 3800 with that 8800 so it must still be ok against more recent titles?

Current set up is E7200, Biostar P43 board, 2gig ram, XP Pro, Sceptre 24 monitor, 650 cert 80 ps.

Any thoughts appreciated.

 

[octopus41092]

If you had artifacts when you just got it even before the Accelero S1 mod you should have sent it in for RMA then. Sounds like you got a bad one to start with.

Is it not returnable now because you swapped the cooler? You could always put the old one back on and try sending it in for RMA. Worst that could happen is they turn you down.

 

[modelCS118]

Well the artifacts---RGB speckles really--- were there but only sometimes after coming out of games not during games.
I thought it was because drivers were brand new at the time.
At first on the desktop I'd see some red speckles. I was ready to RMA, Visiontek was helpful.
Instead I went another direction and one version of the Accelero mod damages the original cooler so they would know.
It worked quite well really temps are 38C. So sure, I probably should have just sent it back but now I did get some use from it.

So what do you think? Wait it out or go for a 260?

 

[dug777]

Are you running at stock? If not, back off to stock on everything.

 

[modelCS118]

Yep, running stock, had just a little boost in the Ati tool a while ago, now stock.
Just FYI, I consistently get "EDID out of range" error on boot in Event Log linked to ati driver.
Don't know if that means anything, I've googled it and atiforums not very helpful.

 

[error8]

The card was defective since you bought it. You should have never used an aftermarket cooler, because that can't fix a damaged card. My advice for you is to take the accelero out, put the stock cooler on it as it was and RMA. I don't think that Visiontek will know that you've changed the cooler, if you haven't damaged anything in the process.

 

[AmberClad]

Let's not discuss ways to fraudulently circumvent warranty policies here...

AmberClad
Video Moderator

 

[error8]

I believe that you have a fraud on your hands when you damage the card and then somehow try to get your money back or replace it, but since he already had the card defective from day one, then by putting back the stock cooler and RMA it, nothing illegal has been done.

 

[AmberClad]

If that's truly not fraud and does not void the warranty, then there shouldn't be an issue with just being upfront with customer service. Instead of attempting to conceal the fact that an aftermarket cooler was installed.

AmberClad
Video Moderator

 

[modelCS118]

I realize that RMA should have been done--but I tend to go overboard on troubleshooting stuff before RMA--- and appreciate the advice but it isn't an option (even if I was to think I could do that) because I sawed the heatsink of the original cooler and that is now in 4 pieces. I also used thermal adhesive on the card.

But let me clarify, the card runs fine 95% of the time, 3D mark is 11k plus, test fine in all programs, it's just getting on my nerves now with odd behavior in some games and apparent inability to switch back to DVI.

So was looking into upgrade or go back to old card, whatta do you think?

 

[zagood]

In order...

1. Go back to old card.
2. Get sick of lower framerates and buy new card.

For anyone else questioning RMA policies, unless specifically stated, switching heatsinks is generally ok as long as there isn't any damage from the heatsink switch, and you replace the stock heatsink. For example, here's Visiontek's warranty policy, if you'll notice everything stated is "Damaged by":

=====================

VisionTek Products LLC, (?VisionTek?) is pleased to warrant to the original purchaser (?Warrantee?) of the graphics card (?Product?), that the product will be free from manufacturing defects in material or workmanship for the lifetime of ownership of the product when given normal and proper usage. The provisions of this warranty shall not apply if, in VisionTek's sole judgment, the product has been subjected to incidental damage including but not limited to the following:

Damaged while being installed
Damaged by software or hardware by someone other than VisionTek or by motherboard incompatibility/design
Damaged by tampering, user error, disaster, misuse, neglect, abuse, power supply, power application, alteration, repair, modification, a fix or replacement by an unauthorized technician that in any way affects its performance or reliability.

=====================

Other companies like eVGA have a liberal "official" policy, even going so far as to state that the stock heatsink must be replaced before RMA.

 

[cerebusPu]

Originally posted by: modelCS118
I sawed the heatsink of the original cooler and that is now in 4 pieces. I also used thermal adhesive on the card.

looks like its not returnable for sure. i dunno why people keep suggesting to return it when you've decided it cant be returned anyways.

 

[Denithor]

Exactly my take - I presume the people posting simply didn't realize what was entailed in the S1 modification. You had to cut off the portion of the original heatsink that covers the RAM and re-mount it after mounting the S1 over the GPU core.

So yeah - you have no grounds to return the card. If it's artifacting with the S1 installed (properly, I assume - what are your temps like?) then your only option is either your old card (and yes - 640MB 8800GTS is not going to push 1920x1200 very well - maybe try running 1680x1050 instead) or just bite the bullet & upgrade to a new one (I've seen 4870 512MB for $145AR and 1GB cards for $180AR - those are great deals!).

 

[Modular]

Originally posted by: Denithor
Exactly my take - I presume the people posting simply didn't realize what was entailed in the S1 modification. You had to cut off the portion of the original heatsink that covers the RAM and re-mount it after mounting the S1 over the GPU core.

So yeah - you have no grounds to return the card. If it's artifacting with the S1 installed (properly, I assume - what are your temps like?) then your only option is either your old card (and yes - 640MB 8800GTS is not going to push 1920x1200 very well - maybe try running 1680x1050 instead) or just bite the bullet & upgrade to a new one (I've seen 4870 512MB for $145AR and 1GB cards for $180AR - those are great deals!).

OP mentioned that temps were at 38c, so that's not the issue at all.

I'd say Denithor is right; the 4870's are killing it with prices at this point and would be an exceptional buy. I know you said you want to go back to NV and that's fine (I don't care either way TBH), but from a price/performance standpoint, you can't beat the 4870 for $145. Give ATI another chance; and if you get a bad card this time, RMA it from the start.