I ordered a Sapphire Radeon x1650 GPU from Newegg here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102086 and some strange things are occurring. First off, the core clock came about 90 MHz underclocked, if I try and change it, the GPU messes up, the monitor loses signal, and forces me to restart my computer. The memory clock is really odd because it is 796 MHz, only 4 MHz less than the should-be-clocked limit, but, on occasion, it will for no reason OC itself up to 830 MHz, then after a restart, go back down. At least this is what ATiTool reports. If I try and make the slightest adjustment to the core clock or to the Mem clock the GPU either makes games flicker or if I do it more than a few MHz, I get a black screen with no change, just a black screen, on one occasion a white screen. It is at 56C at its current clock and I don't NEED to desperately OC but I'd like my core clock to be where it should be. I am using the DVI cord that came with it, could it be the cord? I have the GPU connected in the AGP 8x slot, it is properly connected to the PSU (400W PSU I bought from FSP Here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104953 its max is 400 and normal is 350W, however, the GPU I bought only requires 350W, on top of that, I took out my floppy drive and disconnected a CD Drive because I decided I didn't need them, nor do I have the time to re-connect them), it is properly connected to the cord that came with it, and then to the PSU and then one of my hard drives.
Should I return the GPU as defective? I'd really rather not, as I hate shipping things back and forth back and forth, quite annoying. Plus, as you may have seen from the "Am I a Jerk to Customer Service" topic, I don't take customer service well. I've tried removing/adding the drivers back in from ATI (the newest ones from ATi themselves). More confusing, when I try to adjust the settings down or up too much, after I restart my PC the corner of my screen has huge white blotches spraying everywhere from the bottom left corner of the screen (the Windows login screen) and is on 1680x1050 at 16 bit (this is corrected by bringing it up to 32 bit). The GPU is working fine now, albeit severely underclocked Core-wise, no spray marks, looks good, but, I can't get it to factory settings, it is underclocked, and any adjustments screws it up. I could try using D-Sub/VGA... but, I'm not too sure. As I said, I tried re-installing/uninstalling the new Catalyst drivers, but, to no avail. ATITool and the Catalyst control center both report that the GPU's temp is a decent 56C and isn't overheating. So what's the deal? I bought a new AL2216Wbd 22 inch Widescreen LCD Monitor but from what I'm seeing I severely doubt it's the monitor. This is odd!
Should I return the GPU as defective? I'd really rather not, as I hate shipping things back and forth back and forth, quite annoying. Plus, as you may have seen from the "Am I a Jerk to Customer Service" topic, I don't take customer service well. I've tried removing/adding the drivers back in from ATI (the newest ones from ATi themselves). More confusing, when I try to adjust the settings down or up too much, after I restart my PC the corner of my screen has huge white blotches spraying everywhere from the bottom left corner of the screen (the Windows login screen) and is on 1680x1050 at 16 bit (this is corrected by bringing it up to 32 bit). The GPU is working fine now, albeit severely underclocked Core-wise, no spray marks, looks good, but, I can't get it to factory settings, it is underclocked, and any adjustments screws it up. I could try using D-Sub/VGA... but, I'm not too sure. As I said, I tried re-installing/uninstalling the new Catalyst drivers, but, to no avail. ATITool and the Catalyst control center both report that the GPU's temp is a decent 56C and isn't overheating. So what's the deal? I bought a new AL2216Wbd 22 inch Widescreen LCD Monitor but from what I'm seeing I severely doubt it's the monitor. This is odd!
most sellers will arrange the pick-up (i don't know about Newegg since i don't use them) on a day you choose and they'll also cover the pick-up charges (all 3 different suppliers I've had to RMA something with have done so).
