Radeon X1950Pro AGP Graphics Card Problem?

Question

I am a PC gamer. I currently have a problem with my graphics card and I am hopeful that someone can help me answer my question.

I have a Radeon X1950Pro AGP graphics card with 512MB RAM. Everytime I play a graphics-intensive game (like S.T.A.L.K.E.R.), my whole computer locks up. I have to manually turn off the PC. Is there some kind of glitch with the Radeon X1950Pro cards to where they can only handle up to a certain load and then freeze up or what's the deal? I have been trying to figure out this problem and have even posted in the ATI forums but nobody has even bothered to try to answer my question. I know it's not overheating because the stock fan and heat sink work really well. It has to be something software related. I am using an older driver version cuz the newer ones were crippling my card's performance and causing it to do the same thing: lock up mid-game. Can someone please help me solve this problem or at least tell me why the card is doing that? Could it be the drivers?

Answer 1

ATI's driver and card management software sucks. So does the stock heat sink and thermal paste ATI uses.

After getting the fan tool mentioned in the first post, get yourself a solid copper cooler with a big fan and some Arctic Ceramique thermal paste.

Answer 2

the ccc panel from ati which you are probably using manages the fan on the card horribly, you're probably overheating

I suggest downloading a 3rd party tool, ATI Tray Tools and installing it. In the settings of this program there is a fan speed setting that allows you manually set the temps and speed of the fan.

I have the same card, PCIE version, same problems until I did this.

If you don't believe me take the side off your case and put a box fan there to keep it cool, when it doesn't freeze up you'll know i'm right :)

Answer 3

you have an agp slot so no concerns, yet hear i've got been helping that card for weeks now and it has a large potential requirment. That card desires 30amps on the 12v+ rail, and its terrific on a single. maximum PSU have distinctive 12v+ rails yet ask your self you cant upload them, it would not artwork out that way. (you basically get like sixty 5% of the rails added at the same time, and could rob the the remainder of your equipment, CPU. SATA, relies upon specifically on the 12+v now...) bypass to Sapphire technologies's website and study the techsupport communicate board. they have a reported PSU record. in the journey that your PSU is only too susceptible this is going to burn out the cardboard in below a month. you may desire to be working 50-60 at maximum idle and sixty 5 at load. It extremely impacts the overall performance and physique cost of the cardboard so its properly worth getting a competent psu. in case you have the money I recommend the corsair TX750, coz this is going to run your recent board and something you desire to enhance to interior the subsequent 2-3 years.... howdy brian down under, high-quality submit. Ya the 2600xt with directX 10 is an workable option (one hundred thirty$ card + Vista$), yet in my view I honestly have seen no longer something on the overclockers boards with DX10/2600XT/Vista Vs the X1950/XP (a hundred and fifty$+PSU you ought to use in next equipment) that could desire to get me to alter thinking each and every of the subject concerns vista has. have you ever seen the Vista SP1 benchmark vs the XP SP3 that have been completed?

Answer 4

Try running the game with ALL non-game related startups disabled in msconfig. Just retain sound and graphics related startups.