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General discussion

Graphics Card Failure. Whats wrong with my computer??? please help me!

Feb 19, 2004 6:02AM PST

Hi. I have a compaq computer 1800mhz, 512 mbram, intel 845 chipset. I had a creative 3D blaster 4 TI 4600. It worked great until one day it stopped working. There was still pictures on the screen but thing looked like they were placed on wrong places. It looked like a REAL MESS! I got a Creative FX 5600 Ultra card in return. But sometimes this card shows the same "failures" as the other card, but when i reboot everything is normal again... Does anyone know what that could be wrong? one thing i have thought about is that my powersupply maybe is too small. (250w) Can this have something to do with that my powersupply is not strong enough??? Please answer anyone! i need to find a solution on this problem.

Discussion is locked

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Remember. These boxed computers are not very upgradeable.
Feb 19, 2004 6:07AM PST
http://www.tomshardware.com/howto/20040122/

That video card may add many tens of Watts to the load. Same for memory sticks, about 20 for each CD/DVD/HD added to the box. Many boxes are not set to keep the parts cool and you see early failures.

BUT the double images could be simply that you set the refressh rate too high. Try one step lower and retest. Remove the case cover to help with heat.

Bob
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Re:Remember. These boxed computers are not very upgradeable.
Feb 19, 2004 6:15AM PST

THANKS FOR ANSWERING!

My current refreshrate is 60hz... i cant set it lower...

if it's cooling that is the problem is that strange, i use my computer for many hours every day... and when my ti 4600 card stopped working, the computer had only been on for about half an hour. And Both graphics card have coolingfans.

My computer has 2 harddrives and 1 dvd-rom and 1 cd-rw rom. Maybe 250w is too small... Do you think that the problem might be fixed if i buy a 350w powersupply?

Jorgen

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Higher!
Feb 19, 2004 8:04AM PST

I'd go 450w at LEAST for all the devices you have.

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Re:Re:Remember. These boxed computers are not very upgradeable.
Feb 19, 2004 10:07PM PST

Unless you have a flat panel monitor you should have the refresh set at no longer than 72Hz to avoid the inevitable flicker you see at 60Hz.

If you have a problem at this refresh reate it can be due to a low end monitor, or trying to run the resolution higher than your monitor can support with an optimal refresh rate.