Leadtek A400 GT overheating/Power source issues?

[AzureCuzYeah]

Just recently I just took out an air conditioner in my room that kept the room around a constant 60F. After doing this my computer started to freeze and have weird funny patterns on the screen. Then while the computer was still on the screen would display the monitors start up screen as if the computer wasn't on. It was over two years since I last formatted my computer so I figured that it was just the build up of bugs so I wiped it clean. I installed the same game and played it for about 20 minutes and the same thing happened after the format. I opened up my case and felt the heat coming from the video card and it was extremely hot even though the heatsink was blowing and I had 3 fans (1 blowing in 2 blowing out). I turned the computer back on and opened up a program called speedfan, which tells you the temperatures and speeds of fans in your PC. I noticed that the numbers were extremely higher then they used to be (when I was at college and my room was 90F), It doesnt not say exactly what the temps belong to but it used to be like this. (This is a estamate)

Temp1 25C
Temp2 25C
Temp3 30C
Local 40C
Remote 50C
Temp 1 25C

I have no idea what they actually are but I am guessing the 4 temps are on the motherboard and the local and remote are my graphics card and power source. (I don't know why there are two Temp1's) Right now I have my game minimized and a few messengers open and the temperatures are:

Temp1 26C
Temp2 25C
Temp3 46C
Local 54C
Remote 65C
Temp1 22C

The changes in Temp 3, Local, and Remote sensors are drastic. Since I am not sure what each one is I cannot tell what to replace or fix. I noticed that the heatsink of the graphics card is spinning still although it isnt the fastest thing in the world and the fan on the power source is still going. The graphics card is a WinFast A400GT aka (Nvidia 6800GT). I have had it for about 6 months total now and I had the newest Nvidia driver as they came out. For the power source; it is a no-name brand 350W. It came with my old computer case and I never invested in a new one. On Speedfan it also gives readings on the power. Currently this is what its reading:

Vcore1: 1.52V
Vcore2: 2.58V
+3.3V: 3.31V
+5V: 4.19V
+12V 12.48V
-12V: -9.3V
-5V: -4.80
+5V: 2.71V
Vbat: 4.08

I do not know what any of this means but hopefully it will tip off a red flag if it is part of the problem. I cannot tell when exactly the problem started happening exactly because the air conditioner might of been cooling my computer enough to keep it running smoothly. I just need to know the proper course of action to take to fix it, if thats a new heatsink, better cooling, or power source. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

*Update* Video Card Idles around 62C

*Update* I have done some research and I think my card is on its way to die. In the booklet it says I have a one year limited warranty but gives no number to call. I keep seeing on websites that it is 2-3 years and lists 800-LEADTEK as a number to call. I noticed most of the guys who mention problems with leadtek have absolutely no luck when talking to them. If anyone knows if it is possible to get a replacement through them?

 

[AzureCuzYeah]

up

 

[Gstanfor]

remove the card from the system. remove the 3 black screws that retain the circular mesh in front of the fan. Clean out the heatsink/fan assembly, which is likely choked with dust. Reassemble. Problem should be resolved.

 

[BassBomb]

borrow a psu off someone ( a high quality one if u can) and tyr it out again

 

[aka1nas]

Also, install rivatuner and make sure the speed is running at full. Some driver sets do weird things with fan speeds, like force it to 40% always. I have the nonGT version of that card, and I had to play with those settings until I got it the way I liked. That PSU is probably insufficient for that card also. I wouldn't trust a name brand 350watt unit with a graphics card like that, let alone a non-name PSU.

 

[AzureCuzYeah]

I installed the newest forceware and now my gpu idles at 85C @_@ I uninstalled back and even went back to march 2006 nvidia drivers. Still idles at 85C. I have a giant room fan next to it now and it lowers it to 60C which is the temp I was pretty much complaining about before lol. I hate 6800Gt's!

 

[orangat]

The Leadtek A400GT heatsink design can get clogged with dust very easily. The front grill of the heatsink is probably clogged. Wipe it off.

 

[TGS]

Actually I *just* had this problem myself. The card ended up dying, by itself. I did the periodic mesh cleaning process as I started to get graphical glitches. Then I started to get hard locks and really odd visual issues. Not simply tearing or flashing associated with overheating or buggy drivers/software. Then I was playing games and my computer screen was rendered in ascii characters top to bottom. I tried to reboot, and the board would not POST past the vga initiation stage.

I tried replacing the PSU as it would not spin up. After that the computer would still stop at the VGA initiation point. I replaced it with a 6600, and the comptuer would boot fine. I ended up RMAing the 6800 at that point. Through newegg, it clearly states my purchase is covered by a two year warranty through leadtek. I'm not sure if that's the same for all leadtek cards, but its worth a shot.

I called up the support number (which was busy by the way), and spoke with a service rep who told me to go to LINK and fill out the RMA request form. You have to provide purchase verification, via email/fax/or mail, and then you will be issued an RMA number. You will have to pay for shipping to them, and they will provide shipment back.

I shipped my card out on the 21th of July and it was received on the 28th. The replacement according to UPS, should be arriving today. I shipped out UPS ground, and they sent back the replacement card in the same fashion. So the overall process isn't exactly timely for shipping, but the actual turn around for the card was within a few days after they received my bad card.

 

[AzureCuzYeah]

Originally posted by: TGS
Actually I *just* had this problem myself. The card ended up dying, by itself. I did the periodic mesh cleaning process as I started to get graphical glitches. Then I started to get hard locks and really odd visual issues. Not simply tearing or flashing associated with overheating or buggy drivers/software. Then I was playing games and my computer screen was rendered in ascii characters top to bottom. I tried to reboot, and the board would not POST past the vga initiation stage.

I tried replacing the PSU as it would not spin up. After that the computer would still stop at the VGA initiation point. I replaced it with a 6600, and the comptuer would boot fine. I ended up RMAing the 6800 at that point. Through newegg, it clearly states my purchase is covered by a two year warranty through leadtek. I'm not sure if that's the same for all leadtek cards, but its worth a shot.

I called up the support number (which was busy by the way), and spoke with a service rep who told me to go to LINK and fill out the RMA request form. You have to provide purchase verification, via email/fax/or mail, and then you will be issued an RMA number. You will have to pay for shipping to them, and they will provide shipment back.

I shipped my card out on the 21th of July and it was received on the 28th. The replacement according to UPS, should be arriving today. I shipped out UPS ground, and they sent back the replacement card in the same fashion. So the overall process isn't exactly timely for shipping, but the actual turn around for the card was within a few days after they received my bad card.

Thanks TGS. I actually bought mine through Ebay, Although it was sealed they need the origional owner. So I pretty much cannot get a replacement. These cards just seem to fail and this is what I get for not shopping around.