Faulty power supplies

[imported_Nina]

I've been having some problems with distorted graphics in games (CSS at least), that leads to a BSoD that says that there is a problem with nv4_disp. I've been advised that it's likely that my 480W xilence power supply is faulty and causing problems with my graphics card as I've had similar problems with 2 different 7900GTs. I tried measuring the voltage on the 6 pin PCIE connector using a multimeter while playing but I can't spot any big deviations in voltage (it stays between 12.09V to 12.13V). Could the power supply still be faulty if the voltage seems fine? I don't constantly look at the reading, I just check it when I start to get problems as it's hard for me to predict when the problems will start.

 

[BucsMAN3K]

What operating system are you using? I know I had the exact same problem with a 7900GT when I installed Vista for the first time, and they didn't go away until the latest Nvidia driver.

 

[Modelworks]

I doubt thats the supply.
12.09V is pretty good regulation.
Might want to check the 5 volt supply as well just in case.
But 480W should be more than enough for that card.
I have a system using one with only a 400watt supply.

PentiumD system as well, and they like they're wattage.

 

[imported_Nina]

Originally posted by: BucsMAN3K
What operating system are you using? I know I had the exact same problem with a 7900GT when I installed Vista for the first time, and they didn't go away until the latest Nvidia driver.

Windows XP home SP2. I've tried reformatting too but I get the same problems. I've also tried changing the drivers from 94.24 to 91.??.

I might as well post my full system specs:
Asrock conroexfire-esata2. Had newest bios, tried downgrading to an older version but it made no difference. Bios settings on default

2GB geil ultra, 4-4-4-12. I've had to replace these once before as they were faulty. The current set don't show any errors during memtest, although I ran the tests for an hour.

BFG 7900GT OC 256MB. I've had this replaced before as the old one had distorted graphics when I alt tabbed in games and apparent 'dead pixels' when booting and during gameplay (although it didn't ever crash). The replacement one doesn't have the same problem, the distorted graphics usually appear after playing for a while and come mostly in the form of lots of white dots appearing and disappearing as well as distorted graphics (although not as much as the old card), and within a min or 2 of this appearing the system will freeze with diagonal lines of multicolored pixels going across the screen. Usually some time will pass before a BSoD saying that nv4_disp got stuck in an infinite loop. On the odd occasion this will happen while browsing the web although it just crashes straight away. I've tried fighting it will a zalman fan and fan controller, and memory heatsinks and it sits idle at 37C.

Core 2 duo e6300 at stock speed. Never had any problems with this, idle at 34C according to software. Has a zalman fan and fan controller.

Western digital 160GB S-ATA hard drive. Can't recall having any problems with this, although I have to install drivers for it every time I reformat before I can install windows. Currently idle at 34C.

Xilence 480W PSU, ATX 2.0 downside fan, temp controlled.
+3,3V +5V +12V +12V -12V -5V +5VSB
32,0A 31,0A 15,0A 16,0A 0,8A - 2,0A
Cables:
20+4 pin (mb): 1x, length: 400 mm
4 pin 12V (mb): 1x, length: 450 mm
small 4 pin (hdd/fdd): 1x, length: 800 mm
big 4 pin (hdd/fdd): 2x 400 mm, 2x 600 mm
s-ata: 1x 400 mm, 1x 600 mm
6 pin pci-express: 1x, length: 350 mm

The 12v voltage on this seems fine, but as I said I can't watch it all the time and my multimeter isn't the most advanced in the world.

How likely is it that I've just had 2 faulty card from BFG?

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: Nina
I've been having some problems with distorted graphics in games (CSS at least), that leads to a BSoD that says that there is a problem with nv4_disp. I've been advised that it's likely

If your BSOD told you the problem is nv4_disp (I assume you're looking at the dumps in a debugger), I'd send the minidumps to nvidia and see what they said.

 

[maluckey]

the distorted graphics usually appear after playing for a while and come mostly in the form of lots of white dots appearing and disappearing as well as distorted graphics (although not as much as the old card), and within a min or 2 of this appearing the system will freeze with diagonal lines of multicolored pixels going across the screen

Nina, what you are describing sounds like artifacts....this kind of visual distortion isn't normally caused by PSU so much as drivers and/or video card itself. About the only time that I see nv4_disp errors and BSoD is when my vid card overheats. In my case is because the video card is Overclocked. I start to see artifacts and general funkyness, then shortly afterwards the system crashes. This could also happen with too much heat in the case.

How likely is it that I've just had 2 faulty card from BFG?

You replaced the card, so the issue should have been resolved, though stranger than fiction reports of getting two bad cards in a row have happened.

I would monitor card temperatures (you can use nTune) and case temperatures to eliminate them as a possible culprit, then try a known-good video card from a friend to eliminate hardware issues before doing any more hard work.

Good luck!

 

[imported_Nina]

Originally posted by: maluckey

the distorted graphics usually appear after playing for a while and come mostly in the form of lots of white dots appearing and disappearing as well as distorted graphics (although not as much as the old card), and within a min or 2 of this appearing the system will freeze with diagonal lines of multicolored pixels going across the screen

Nina, what you are describing sounds like artifacts....this kind of visual distortion isn't normally caused by PSU so much as drivers and/or video card itself. About the only time that I see nv4_disp errors and BSoD is when my vid card overheats. In my case is because the video card is Overclocked. I start to see artifacts and general funkyness, then shortly afterwards the system crashes. This could also happen with too much heat in the case.

How likely is it that I've just had 2 faulty card from BFG?

You replaced the card, so the issue should have been resolved, though stranger than fiction reports of getting two bad cards in a row have happened.

I would monitor card temperatures (you can use nTune) and case temperatures to eliminate them as a possible culprit, then try a known-good video card from a friend to eliminate hardware issues before doing any more hard work.

Good luck!

The CPU, graphics card, and mainboard all seem to be find temperature wise so I've sent in the graphics card which will hopefully get replaced by a working one or at least reduce the probability that the problems are due to a faulty graphics card.

I'll post an update when I get my card back, thanks for all the help

 

[maluckey]

That would be over the top to get three bad cards I'd certainly play the lotto on the following day. After all, the rules concerning odds would have been severly battered by that time:laugh:

 

[John]

Originally posted by: Nina
How likely is it that I've just had 2 faulty card from BFG?

I had a customer with a similar problem. He RMA'ed his BFG 7800GTX twice, and his 3rd one still produced artifacts, so he brought his PC in for me to diagnose. His PSU rails tested fine under load with a DMM, however I pulled the ATX connectors and a couple of the pins on the main 24-pin ATX connector were burned. I replaced his psu with a quality 500W unit and it solved his problem. A month later he came back to my shop to thank me again.

I would highly recommend that you at least try a new quality psu. You can pick up a Corsair HX520 from buy.com for $80AR. If you cannot afford the Corsair then an Antec Earthwatts 430 for $45AR will also get the job done nicely. Both psu's have excellent voltage regulation, 80%+ efficiency, and long warranties.

 

[imported_Nina]

They sent me back a 7950GT, was pleasantly surprised especially since I haven't had any problems with it.