Need new video card

[Lightwysh]

Ok I've been putting this off for some time now. I need to get a new card or something. Lately anytime I try to play anything other than WoW my video crashes. I get random Pink/white/yellow lines and have to hard boot to clear it. I was able to get SWTOR to work by going into the file and forcing the game to launch in windows mode, but it seems every time I try to play anything in full screen it just craps out. For example I was trying to play Mafia I got on steam, and once I got to the first mission, BAM! Pink screen.

Specs:
Gateway FX-6800-01e
Intel i7-920 @ 2.67
9gig 1066 ram
ati 4850 1gig
power supply is 500w.

I'm thinking of switching to nvidia and grabbing a 550ti or 560. If so will I need to upgrade my PSU or should I be ok?

Also, any tips on switching from ATI to Nvidia?

[Deleted]

Gtx 680 ;-D

[Lightwysh]

Gtx 680 ;-D

I wish... budget constraints.

Im curious if this will even fix my issue.

[Raphtheone]

I wish... budget constraints.

Im curious if this will even fix my issue.

Assuming the new card you'll buy isn't the one you're having at the moment, yes, I'd wager it'll solve the problem. I've had similar (if not the same) issues on old GPU's dying on me. I believe a friend had a similar problem recently, but he just bought a new computer instead of listening to me and simply replace the GPU.

[Lightwysh]

I just went and uninstalled every scrap of ATI drivers and software, removed the card, rebooted to the on-board, re-installed the card and let windows pick the driver, which was 8.8 and I'm getting the same issue. I guess I never noticed as I run WoW in windowed full screen. But trying SWTOR and Mafia, I had to run in Windowed mode.

[noteworthynerd]

The problems you described sound a lot like a dying card, which is expected when a card is as old as yours. What is your budget? Generally speaking, AMD/ATI's cards are better performance for the price, but there are some exceptions.

[Sativex]

How does the fan on gpu sound? Could be as easy and taking it a part a cleaning in, could be dust stuck in the heatsink also. Either of these would raise the temp on the card and cause issues when it is put under stress. Check the temp, has it been climbing steadily?

How to clean:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19Zgse9xj18

People with some issues like yours and some solutions(mostly cleaning or new thermal paste):
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/30...-thermal-paste
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/28...50-overheating
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1357522


Then again, could just be an old card dying, had it happen a few times over the years myself.

[sizzlinsauce]

Yep a dying card. plus a 4850 is fairly old. seen one the other day for $20 with MIR. you could go ahead with 560TI 448Core one. or if like you said budget restraints go for something around $150-175 with the best price per performance for you.

[Lightwysh]

How does the fan on gpu sound? Could be as easy and taking it a part a cleaning in, could be dust stuck in the heatsink also. Either of these would raise the temp on the card and cause issues when it is put under stress. Check the temp, has it been climbing steadily?

How to clean:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19Zgse9xj18


People with some issues like yours and some solutions(mostly cleaning or new thermal paste):
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/30...-thermal-paste
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/28...50-overheating
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1357522


Then again, could just be an old card dying, had it happen a few times over the years myself.

Its got a thorough cleaning about 3 weeks ago, but the problem has been happening since December, but I never really paid much attention because I run WoW in windowed-fullscreen. Its just when a game tries to launch in full screen my comp freaks out.

I think im gonna pick up a 550ti here in a few hours. I need to wait for landscapers to leave.

Is my old 500w stocker PSU gonna handle it?

[jmt]

What's your budget?

GTX 480s keep popping up for a hair about $200 US.

I've also seen 5770/6770 cards going for $70.

[Lightwysh]

i just picked up a 2 gig 550ti for $150. getting ready to go through and scrub out the ati crap and install

[DeltrusDisc]

Really would have suggested an AMD 6850 or 6870 for the price range of $150. =/

[Lightwysh]

Really would have suggested an AMD 6850 or 6870 for the price range of $150. =/

I looked for those but Best Buy doesnt stock em near me. Had to go to BB cause I had gift cards and coupons.