BSOD - 4870x2 Problem

Hi Guys,

I have a ASUS EAH 4870x2 which is about 3 years old. About 2 months back It started getting artifacts on screen, BSOD, and crashing the pc. I took it back and ASUS replaced the memory module on it and said it was good to go. When I started using the computer again the same thing happened again so I took it back. Asus then returned it and said they had "detected and fixed a fault". As soon as I used it the same thing has happened.

Could you possibly please look at the BSOD I have photogtaphed and see what might be causing this issue? Thanks!

4870x2 runs with a P5Q Pro Motherboard and a E8500 CPU

 

This is not an easy problem to pin down and fix, it's longstanding (XP used to have problems with the same thing only the crash type and error messages were different back then), similar issues are faced by nVidia users.

The 4870 was a pretty power-hungry card when used in anger, maybe you can borrow a known good PSU to test - what age, make, model is the PSU?

You can try clearing out the current drivers and reinstalling older drivers, preferably WHQL from a few months ago (I think there's a new WHQL version due out very soon now). Check that the card is seated correctly and that the auxiliary power cable is firmly attached.

Keep the machine low down but not directly on carpeting and away from any heat source, open the side case and point a household fan into it to reduce temperatures.

Ideally, each of these things should be run for a week or so, or until another BSOD happens.


Check that the computer is set to create minidumps, details at Caliban's site, once you have one, copy it to the Desktop, zip it (right-click it and select Send to > Compressed folder) and attach the resulting zip to a reply here, someone will try to make sense of it.


Re ASUS' comments: the memory change sounds like a genuine repair, any artifacts on screen would make me immediately suspect memory to be a likely cause. However, "detected and fixed a fault" could mean anything or nothing was done.

 

Thanks for reply - Will get the dump sorted as soon as I can get into windows without BSOD - Will try the card in another rig over the weekend to see if it is the PSU.

PSU is 4 months old Cooler Master GX650w

 

Cooler Master is one of the better brands and I see no big black marks against that model in a quick search, Newegg comments by verified owners: 65/86 rate it 4 or 5* that's pretty good but studying their comments may reveal more detail.

Good luck with the testing, I hope it pinpoints or rules out something quickly

 

I've just noticed a very recent comment elsewhere from someone I consider much more of an expert than I am in many things hardware; he said to stay away from Cooler Master and suggested that this PSU is the best in that price/output sector. I'm also getting a vibe from another source that Cooler Master PSU's are being returned a little more frequently over the last year or so.