Sapphire Radeon 9500 Pro - Games Quit Unexpectedly

[akhon]

Hi folks,

I'm just trying to gather experiences and tips from folks who have fiddled with Sapphire Radeon 9500 Pro as I am having problems with almost every game that I have. Basically, what happens is that games start up okay, play okay but then at some point (usually 3 to 5 minutes) into the game will unexpectedly quit and return to Windows, without any error message. I know there coule be many culprits and I've tried a variety of things, and I'm hoping to see what you folks out there have experienced so I know I'm not alone (or am I?).

Here are my hardware specs:
- AMD Athlon XP 2800+
- Asus A7N8X Deluxe (PCB 2.0, newest BOIS flashed)
- 1024MB (2 x 512MB) Spectek DDR333
- Sapphire Radeon 9500 Pro
- SoundBlaster Live 5.1

As for software:
- Windowx XP Pro
- Catalyst 4.3 (Packaging Version 7.991-040224m-013831C)

I have adjusted many things from reading the many threads in this forum, so far the following actions have been taken:
- Video card shares power only with FDD
- 3 empty PCI slots between AGP slot and the first PCI card
- Turned off Write Combing
- Lowered to AGP 4X
- Turned off FastWrite

Before these changes, games would quit from anywhere between 3-5 minutes. With the changes, I can play Crazy Taxi for 10 minutes no prob, Sanity and Ballistics for about 10 minutes then quit. Turning Ballistics resolution to 800x600 I'm able to play the entire 3-lap single race without problem.

I'm not a video card expert but I'm guessing this most likely is a heat issue? Right now I have sort of found the sweet spot (I guess) so that I can at least play a few games without quitting out of the blue and losing everything. Does anyone out there have a similar rig that has found THE perfect combination for this card? I'm almost scared to try anything else at this point and have very little hair left to pull out. LOL.

Oh yes btw watching DVD and regular use don't cause any problems at all. It's only in games, but basically every game.

Just wanted to hear what anyone has to say. Thanks for all input!!!

Akhon
Toronto, Ontario

[usslindstrom]

I had a similar problem with my system a while back.

And the guys here helped me alot!

Turns out, that I thought the games were quiting because of heat. But I was wrong.

I also have a XP 2800+ with an ASUS mobo... Make sure that your RAM is set to 333 MHZ and NOT auto. Even if you have DDR400 sticks, the timing will be off, and won't allow you to do anything for more than a few mins. The FSB has to match what the CPU can handle, and for our 2800s, it's 333Mhz.

Try it.

[akhon]

Hi there,

Thanks for the suggestion. I tried changing the settings as you described. Unfortunately I'm still experiencing the same problem. I've tried a couple more newer games and all do the same thing. Argh!!! Getting very frustrated. I'm going to try swapping the card into another machine and see if it does the same thing, so I can try to narrow down who's the culprit here.

Will keep all posted.

Thanks.

[akhon]

Here's an update...

I switched the Radeon 9500 Pro for a Radeon 9000, and the same thing happens. The Radeon 9500 Pro, meanwhile, works fine in the other machine. Since the Radeon 9000 doesn't require a separate power supply, I'm guessing my PSU is fine (it's a Thermaltake 480W). So that makes me think this is not a heat issue either, because I can't see the airflow being any better in the other machine, and it certainly isn't any coller in the other machine form what I can see. And that leads me to think it's a compatibility issue (since I'm using the same driver in both machines).

Any suggestions on what the culprit may be? Bad (weak) RAM? Bad settings? I'm running out of options... tho I can try taking a stick of RAM from the other machine to see. Will be out of town this weekend so will have to try when I get back.

[Sweeper]

Tt 480w PSU..... What are your 3.3v, 5v, 12v rail specs? Sounds like you may have a Power or "Lack of" problem maybe. Have you tried to erase your video drivers and reinstall another "Earlier" version? Are all your other drivers up to date? MB drivers, etc.?

[akhon]

Well some good news to report (so far). I swapped the 2 sticks of 512MB Spectek DDR333 for the 2 sticks of 256MB Samsung DDR333 in my other machine and voila, everything seems to agree now. I can run my card at 8X with FastWrite on and I was able to play 6 laps of Ballistics without the game quitting on me on 2 separate occassions. So maybe the RAM just didn't like my mobo, and vice versa. So I guess for now I'll stick with this arrangement. The Spectek RAM seems happy in the other machine, which I only use for work-related items so I don't care if games will run properly on that machine.

Off the topic a bit, for anyone running a 2800+, could I ask what CPU temperature you're at? I was away for the weekend and left the windows in my room open, and when I came back the room was freezing but also dropped my CPU temperature by almost 10 degrees (Celcius). I am just wondering if my CPU temp had anything to do with games quitting on me, which was running at 45 Celcius max load (that's pretty good is it not).

Will report if there's any additional news.

[The_Shooter]

Well as for the CPU heat, I have a 2500+ and its at 47degrees Celcius. Now I just built another computer with a 2500+ and it runs at 36degrees Celcius. I dont get it. Both are the same... :/ Maybe the room temp makes that much of a difference?

[washe]

Room temperature means a lot.... I have a 2500+ too... and in winter is around 36-40.... now we are on spring the processor works at 47-50......


Looks like I need another fan to blow in some fresh air