6800GT runs in 2D, but not 3D mode. Please help!

**mrhelloo** · March 1st, 2007, 03:33 PM

Hi, someone has a BFG 6800GT that works fine in 2D mode, but in 3D mode the card starts to have problems as well as in benchmarks. Could this be due to the card not having enough power? Or should I try to RMA the card as a busted card?

**KarmaKiller** · March 1st, 2007, 03:41 PM

How big of a power supply do you have?

**mrhelloo** · March 1st, 2007, 04:06 PM

Err, sorry, it isn't my card, not sure why I wrote mine, just helping someone troubleshoot for the card. I'm trying to find out on the PSU size and the amps on the 12v. But until then, I was just trying to see what this could be caused by.

**carl33p** · March 1st, 2007, 04:14 PM

Could be due to temps, underpowered, or possibly drivers.

First I'd suspect it being underpowered; if not, download Everest Home Edition and check out the temps.

Try to get the manufactuer, watts, and 12V amps: all should be located on the side sticker of the power supply.

**JLK03F150** · March 1st, 2007, 04:25 PM

You want about 18amps on the +12v rail to run that card.

You can monitor the temp's from the 6800gt tab of the advanced display properties.

**mrhelloo** · March 1st, 2007, 05:36 PM

Ya I told him to make sure he has 18 or more amps on the 12v. I'm waiting for him to get back to me. I was suspecting that would most probably be the issue, since there is no problem until it goes into 3d mode in a game or benchmark. I guess I'll wait for his response and go from there. Thanks

**Bizkitkid2001** · March 1st, 2007, 05:58 PM

What are the "problems" it has in 3D?

**mrhelloo** · March 1st, 2007, 06:10 PM

I was told it just completely messes up. I'm assuming either "rainbow" screen, black screen or just a reboot. I will try to find that out too.

**Bizkitkid2001** · March 1st, 2007, 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by mrhelloo

I was told it just completely messes up. I'm assuming either "rainbow" screen, black screen or just a reboot. I will try to find that out too.

Depending on what it does will depend on the fix.

For instance, if nothing 3d will even start, I'd say it was a driver issue.

If he is getting artifacts in 3D (discolored/large/stretched pixels) that I would say its either bad ram or an overheating issue.

If the computer restarts after running something 3D then I would say an underpowered PSU.

Let us know exactly what he experiences.

**EXreaction** · March 1st, 2007, 06:42 PM

Biz, getting artifacts can be a sign of low power as well.

Try getting a screenshot and see if the artifacts show on the screenshot as well.

**mrhelloo** · March 1st, 2007, 08:56 PM

Ok I got some more info from him. He is using an ASUS MB and an Antec 550w PSU which should be more then enough for this card. When he tried to benchmark the card or play BF2 or any game, he says he gets a lot of snow type artifacts and rectangle boxes around the screen.

The part I find weird is I checked this card in 2 systems in my house to make sure it was working. Worked without any problems in Benchmarks as well as any game I tried with it. I'm trying to see if the RMA route is the way to go, or there is something simple that I'm missing.

**carl33p** · March 1st, 2007, 09:01 PM

Possibly his drivers.
Make sure he has the most recent nvidia drivers.(And they are the correct ones)

Also, if there is a power connector on the card, make sure he has it plugged in!

If the card works on other computers, just not his, the card is most likely fine.

**Bizkitkid2001** · March 1st, 2007, 09:09 PM

Download and install the latest motherboard and video card drivers.

Make sure that the power connector is plugged in.

Test the system ram with memtest86

Check the temperature of the video card (Should be under advanced display settings)

**mrhelloo** · March 2nd, 2007, 12:02 PM

Display and chipset drivers were updated. The card is plugged in through the molex, going to a 550w Antec PSU. His system works perfectly with his old video card, but once the 6800GT gets put in, it won't run in 3d mode without artifacting like crazy.

**EXreaction** · March 2nd, 2007, 02:34 PM

Is the 6800 GT new, used, or what?

**Bizkitkid2001** · March 2nd, 2007, 03:26 PM

What is the temperature of the card when running a game? If it is not a heat issue, I am going to suspect that the motherboard is at fault.

Can you get another video card from a different computer and run it on your friends motherboard to see if it has artifacts as well?

**mrhelloo** · March 2nd, 2007, 04:32 PM

Used card but worked without any problems at all in two of my systems. He says his old 9800 works without any problems. I'm not sure about the temp.

**#43 fan** · March 2nd, 2007, 06:48 PM

Did he uninstall the old drivers (the ATI ones)? That may well be the problem.

**mrhelloo** · March 2nd, 2007, 09:20 PM

Yup, he said he uninstalled and reinstalled new drivers. Installed new chipset drivers. Checked to make sure the card was seated with no problems and plugged in.