Graphics card instability

[rynnor]

Just bought and installed a Sapphire 4870 card - lovely piece of kit tho bloody large.

Ran ok for a while and played some graphically demanding games fine for a couple of hours then basically crashed. Restarted after letting it cool and its fine again.

However my PSU is only a nasty Max 360W rated box - is it possible that the dirty power/overloaded psu is the cause of this kind of instability?

 

[old.Osy]

I'm experiencing the same thing with an older card -- x1950 Pro. The need of this card over on the 12v rail is between 18-22 Amps, my trustee 430W Sirtec only dishes out 14-16 Amps on the 12V rails.

Card is fine, however it crashes after 1-2 hours of playing.

Check the producers tech spechs for the card, and the power outed on your 12V rails.

 

[inactionman]

You don't want the standard rant from Kryt or myself about PSU's.

Looks like you need to upgrade your PSU, I'd suggest something like a corsair TX 650.

 

[Kryten]

Almost certainly the PSU, 360w isn't going to do it much good
Go find a decent brand unit of at least 500w. Corsair 520w is ideal for price/performance.

 

[rynnor]

I'm going for the Corsair 650W TX - should mean I can use the same PSU to build my next system also.

While I'm at it the 4870 card is so big I think I'll take the opportunity to buy a new full tower case and some new fans for it - the reviews say that the Sapphire 4870 is a hot running card.

Any reccomendations on a really big spacious case? It doesnt have to look great as it will be stuck under a desk.

 

[rynnor]

Considering this for the case but ebuyer doesnt have much range?

Antec Nine Hundred 900 - Gaming Case with 200mm Top Fan - No PSU - Ebuyer

 

[inactionman]

Antec cases are good, that's a pretty good value one as well.

 

[Cemeterygates]

I got a 900 gaming case....cant complain at all tbh. think it's a nice an cool (looks and airflow) case.