Radeon 4850 FUBAR

[libtech]

So I just barely printed my RMA stuff / shipping labels for my radeon 4850. Even after switching out the power supply to a brand new thermaltake 550w, I still get these random shutdowns under load (like monitor goes to standby and computer locks up completely.) I guess I might have gotten a lemon of a graphics card...

Just venting, I'm so tired and pissed off right now after working on this for the last 6 hours.

[Labyrinthine]

What's the amperage on the PSU?

Wattage doesn't really matter so much.

[libtech]

You really don't think (I mean there's always the slightest possibility) that a brand new Thermaltake TR2 at 550watt can't power my mATX machine and a radeon 4850.

I just returned the power supply actually and UPS'ed my card back to newegg for RMA.
But here's the newegg listing of the same power supply I bought from EBC to test:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153059

Anyways thanks for the input, hopefully when I get a new card that will fix it...

[Labyrinthine]

No, that thing has plenty of amperage on the 12V.
I think the 4850 only draws 9 max, that thing has 16-17.

Some do suggest about 35-38 to run it, though. Looks like yours is only pulling 33, which should be entirely fine.

More than likely bad hardware. You getting replacements for them?

[Jedakiah]

Disable restart on system failure.  That should help you diagnose.

[libtech]

Thanks for the response Laby / Jed.

I just UPS'd the RMA back to newegg this morning, so I'll be expecting a card later next week.

The thing is it DOESN'T restart on system failure, the monitor will goto standby. The sound(in game) will play for about 2 seconds longer and loop... and then it locks up. (I can't see what happens on screen anyways -ie bluescreen info - as the display is the first thing to go out)

I've been playing oblivion all day long on my 7900gs (similar power-draw)... so far no problems. I'm hoping it is the card that's at fault and once the replacement comes - good times with crysis!

[Mongoose]

I forgot how, but turn on all dump logs.

Also, welcome to the wonderful club of ATI ownership.

[Jenksz]

I forgot how, but turn on all dump logs.

Also, welcome to the wonderful club of ATI ownership.

Go Canadian hardware companies yeaa!

(buys nvidia)

[Jedakiah]

Meh, my Radeon 9600 was a solid card.  It never gave me a lick of trouble.  Defective hardware can happen to any company...

[libtech]

[jake]

That power supply is sufficient for your needs.

[Jedakiah]

Aye it's sufficient.  Buuuuuuuuuut, a crappy power supply can cause seemingly random stability issues. 

Most importantly cheap power supplies are prone to fry hardware.  Considering that you do not have high power needs you can "splurge" on a "high-end" but low output power supply, like the one you bought.  They should be incredibly cheap.  When you factor in the uninsured damage that crappy PS can do (The $$$ equivalent of everything in your box, including your data!) a >$50 power supply looks like cheap, effective insurance. 

[logicaL!]

I think you should get a decent PSU, like this PC Power and Cooling 610W PSU. Maximum PC uses the bigger brother of this PSU (the 1200W) in their Dream PC's (for the past several years).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703005

Or you could get a Seasonic 550W, works just as well.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151027

Or even the OCZ GameXstream

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341001

[Labyrinthine]

PSU is fine.

Checked efficiency, amperage, watts, he should be able to run it no problem.

If the problem continues it may be something to look into.

[logicaL!]

PSU is fine.

Checked efficiency, amperage, watts, he should be able to run it no problem.

If the problem continues it may be something to look into.

Yeah but that's all in theory. For all we know, it isn't living up to the stated rating.