7900gt issues

[Dervacumen]

I love old time games as much as anyone here.  But I do know (think) some of you play new games too.

I've had a seriouslt annoying issue with the 7900gt.  Specifically the MSI nx7900gt, though the problem isn't exclusive to MSI.

I've gone through 3 cards now and they all produce the same artifacts.

Anyone else having this problem?  I'm running X2 3800 on an M2N-SLI Mobo w/1 GB.  Thoughts appreciated, I just need to get running.

Tks,
Derv

[USSEnterprise]

What is the problem you're having?

[NightGod]

Drivers?

(answer crafted to give as much detail as the OP)

[Dervacumen]

I've tried all the newest drivers, updated the BIOS, swapped cards into a different computer, tried differnet cards in my computer, different PS,...all the things you would normally try in troubleshooting.

I finally got a chance to talk with an MSI tech (who was very nice BTW) and he determined that my NX9700gt was faulty after I mentioned there were several docmented problems with this card.   Then he upgraded me to an nx7900gtx (which is much more expensive but takes two slots on my MB).  I don't really care for or need a GTX, but whatever.  I 'm just  wondering if anyone else has this issue?

The new card should be here in a few of days.

I'll let you know if it works or not.

BTW, there have reportedley been issues with the onboard RAM, and the new 7900GTX he is sending has the new RAM modules which may fix the problem.  Just an FYI.

Derv

[USSEnterprise]

WTF is the issue???

[Dervacumen]

I can only state what I've read so I can't confirm or deny, however the bad ram module hypothesis seems plausible.

There are thermal images on the web which show some uneven heat distribution on a couple of the RAM chips on the GT7900XXX boards.  There are a few common problems that are independent of all other computer compnents, all indicative of gradula unstability caused by heat issues.  My computer temps never reached 70C and the technician at MSI told me the chips should be reliable up to 100C-110C.  The problem was with not the first batch, but the batch of cards after that, and it is independent of the board manufacturer.  It may occur more with cards that come overclocked from the factory.

There may be bad memory modules on some of those cards.  Those memory modules overheat while taxed and become permanently corrupted and increasingly unstable until they just plain don't work.  Some if not all manufacturers have received new batches of cards with new memory modules that some say have fixed the problem. 

I'll know how I fared later this week.