Driver or power supply problem

I recently did a video card upgrade to my aging AGP system. I replaced my FX 5200 card with a 6800 XT. XFX recommends a 500W minimum power supply and when I opened my case I had just a 300W. I decided to try it anyway. Everything seemed to work ok and I first uninstalled the old drivers then installed the new drivers that came with the card on a cd. When I tried to load HL2 and Fear to experience the difference in frame rate when the opening menus appeared the system just froze up on both games. I am wondering if this is a driver issue and I should go to XFX's website and download the most recent drivers or this is a power supply issue with too low of a wattage. Reviews from other folk at the vendors website said that it ran on their system on a 250w power supply. any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

In most cases a lock usually indicates driver/software issues. I would download and install your latest chipset driver, then make sure the latest directx is installed, then install the latest video driver.

You may also wish to try other games.

If it still locks, try an earlier video driver revision.

If you continue to experience locks then it may be time to invest in a good quality power supply.

 

Of course, you did not forget to connect the molex to the VGA card correct?

Let me ask you a question, with the 6800XT installed in your pc, you can boot to the desktop and essentially it's ONLY when gaming that your rig locks up is that also correct? Or is there any other instance when you get this lock up.

What VGA driver are you using? Remember that the newer driver are not necessarily optimised for your card. I am still on version 79.11.

F.E.A.R is an EXTREMELY demanding game and will tax your pc's components to the limit, HL2 less so. Purely, on that basis and if I had to compile a list of possible suspects, the psu would be at the top.

Since you have not listed your system's specs, it is not possible to make a valued jugedment in this area, but your psu will need to deliver a very minimum of 20A on the 12V rail and personally I would not use anything less than 24A (on a psu with a single 12V rail). My gaming rig has an OCZ PowerStream whose 12V rail is 33A.

I know that quality psu's are expensive and would not advocate you buying another just yet but is it not possible for you to borrow one from a friend.

Good Luck

 

Can you also list your systems specs to include what ram you are using

 

If XFX recommends 500w you should use 500w
Your 300w might power your system, but for how long, usually an overloaded PSU works Great till it suddenly dies & kills other hardware with it.


The PSU is the Heart of your system, not a good place to skimp.
Whats more important than total watts is How much +12v amps your PSU can provide.

Many Generic & even some Brand name PSU's fluff their total watt ratings

Good Luck with yours