Possible GPU failure?

Hey guys, I've been following this nVidia fiasco pretty closely since I have an 8600 GT in my Vostro.

I've noticed lately that while I'm playing CS:S (yes I know it's not THAT demanding...with AA off and AF at trilinear, the and reflections on medium, rest maxed at 1680x1050), my FPS will tank...I usually pull anywhere from 60-120 (according to net_graph 3...not FRAPS) depending on the map and what's going on around me. The past few weeks I'll be in-game playing and all of the sudden my FPS will drop to ~20 FPS and below for a period of time. It doesn't happen severely often, but it happens, and then after a while everything is back to normal.

I can't say that my GPU temps have soared and I'm not overclocking.

Any suggestions, is my card failing?

P.S. My drivers are current.

P.P.S Here's a chat I just had with a Dell rep, in case anyone is interested:


Copy Print Exit

8:45:12 AM System You are now being connected to an agent. Thank you for using Dell Chat
8:45:13 AM System Connected with SMB_Daniel_181440
8:45:27 AM SMB_Daniel_181440 Thank you for contacting Dell's Hardware Support, my name is Daniel. How can I help you?
8:46:47 AM Me hello
8:47:04 AM Me I have a question for you regarding the recent problems with nVidia g84/g86 GPUs
8:47:22 AM SMB_Daniel_181440 Ok.
8:47:42 AM SMB_Daniel_181440 before the question let me just verify.
8:47:46 AM Me ok
8:47:46 AM SMB_Daniel_181440 Adam, to ensure we are working with the correct system, the model type is a Vost 1500?
8:47:50 AM Me yessier
8:47:57 AM SMB_Daniel_181440 And just to let you know your warranty contract expires until: 2008-09-03.
8:48:11 AM Me I am aware of that
8:48:15 AM SMB_Daniel_181440 Ok, so what is the question?
8:48:19 AM Me ...which is why I am very concerned about this issue
8:48:38 AM Me if my warranty expired and my GPU failed along with the others, would I be out of luck?
8:48:47 AM Me ...keeping in mind that this is not an isolated problem
8:49:11 AM Me My laptop is not one of the laptops listed here:
http://direct2dell.com/one2one/archive/2008/07/25/nvidia-gpu-update-for-dell-laptop-owners.aspx
8:49:32 AM Me however, I have heard that all g84/g86 series GPUs are suspect
8:50:13 AM SMB_Daniel_181440 Well let me see
8:50:23 AM SMB_Daniel_181440 Please allow me to take a look.
8:50:38 AM SMB_Daniel_181440 Ill be back with you in about 2-3 min
8:50:41 AM Me no problem
8:54:03 AM SMB_Daniel_181440 Ok.
8:54:13 AM SMB_Daniel_181440 thank you for providing me that link
8:54:42 AM Me you bet...it is your link after all. No point in me hoarding it =)
8:56:13 AM SMB_Daniel_181440 Ok, well this is something that dell is aware of, and you are right Dell and NVIDIA are facing a compatibility issue
8:56:23 AM SMB_Daniel_181440 with this graphics cards
8:56:34 AM SMB_Daniel_181440 and the listed computer that you saw in that article.
8:57:07 AM SMB_Daniel_181440 How ever your computer does not fit into that category since it is not one of the ones listed
8:57:38 AM Me ...I am concerned that my computer and GPU are not on the list "yet"
8:57:39 AM SMB_Daniel_181440 If a problem was to be presented just know that updating the bios will more then likely fix the problem
8:57:47 AM Me ...that is incorrect
8:58:07 AM Me on that website it says:
Note: if you are already experiencing video-related issues like the bullet points above, updating the BIOS will not correct them.
8:58:35 AM Me I'm afraid I have done more research on this issue that the majority of Dell Reps
8:58:47 AM Me I REALLY don't want to get stuck with a fried computer
8:59:10 AM Me I'm in my last year of college, I have 2 kids, and that's not something I can afford right now
8:59:24 AM SMB_Daniel_181440 Now if its a different issue, if it was to become a mechanical problem (a problem on the actual video card) then It will fall under your warranty and wll we do is replace it for you, as long as you have warranty on your system.
8:59:54 AM Me ...but as you know, the issue with the nVidia GPUs is unfolding as we speak
9:00:04 AM SMB_Daniel_181440 And I certainly understand...
9:00:13 AM Me Dell nor nVidia knows the entire scope of the problem (or they aren't willing to voice it yet)
9:00:49 AM Me so basically what you're saying is that I'm toast, unless I shell out some more cash to yours truly?
9:02:29 AM SMB_Daniel_181440 Well not really Dell is aware of this issue, how ever Dell has been working with NVIDIA for a long time
9:02:54 AM SMB_Daniel_181440 and we resolve this issues as they are presented
9:03:16 AM Me ...unless I don't have a warranty left, right?
9:03:19 AM SMB_Daniel_181440 NVIDIA does not offer a separate warranty on their video cards
9:04:09 AM SMB_Daniel_181440 so yes, as long as you have warranty then Dell will take care of all of your problems that you could encounter with your computer
9:04:55 AM Me and if I don't, I'm like an orphan with a lot of buddes who are stuck with fried GPUs and no mommy to run to?
9:05:05 AM SMB_Daniel_181440 So if you are having any of the following issue you must let us know in time, se we can help you resolve the problem, either by downloading drivers, reseating or replacing if needed.
9:05:15 AM SMB_Daniel_181440 (Multiple images Random characters on the screen Lines on the screen (This is similar to a possible LCD issue. Additional troubleshooting will be needed to determine exact cause.) No video )
9:07:20 AM SMB_Daniel_181440 What I would advice you is to extend your warranty that was you will assure to keep your computer running.
9:07:30 AM SMB_Daniel_181440 *way
9:07:37 AM Me man, how much would that cost?
9:08:45 AM SMB_Daniel_181440 Well I do not know the exact prize, but I don't thing its anything over the border or anything. Its actually real affordable and reachable to anybody.
9:09:01 AM SMB_Daniel_181440 If you like I can give you the phone number for that department
9:09:05 AM Me where can I find information on the pricing?
9:09:15 AM SMB_Daniel_181440 so we can give you accurate information.
9:09:19 AM Me that's fine
9:09:45 AM SMB_Daniel_181440 Adam, the extended warranty support department phone number is: 1-800-247-4618.
9:10:35 AM Me allright, thanks for the info
9:10:46 AM Me even though it's what I was afraid I'd hear
9:11:00 AM SMB_Daniel_181440 I am sorry..
9:11:10 AM SMB_Daniel_181440 Adam, you’ll be receiving a transcript of our conversation via email. If you require assistance in the future, please visit us online at www.Dell.com/SmallBusinessChat or call 1-800-456-3355. Is there anything else I can help you with today?
9:11:18 AM Me nope
9:11:20 AM Me take it easy
9:11:34 AM SMB_Daniel_181440 You too, remember we do appreciate your business. Thank you for choosing Dell. Have a great Day!

 

Could you do something else while playing? Set up a test to monitor GPU temps and CPU temps, RAM usage, and CPU usage.

If any one of those gets close to the allowable maximum, the laptop would downclock to save itself. 85+ C, 90+ % of RAM, are what I consider to be pushing one's luck.

 

Roger that.

I'll mess with it when I get home from work.

...according to HWmonitor my CPU has been reaching 90C.

...in the meantime it sounds like I need to find a good monitoring program that will give me graphs for monitoring everything in Vista x64.

 

Holy bleeping bleep batman! 90C on the CPU is failure range, totally unacceptable. The next time you power up you need to make sure your fans are even spinning! If you're still under warrant tell them about your temps, you definitely need new cooling.

 

Use Rivatuner for customised graphs

 

I wouldnt even be turning that bread toaster on...

 

=D...funnyman Luc

It doesn't do that all of the time. I'll mess with it when I'm home from work and give you some conclusive evidence.

Thanks for the initial info!

 

Everyone needs a laugh when they're at work right? =D

But yeah, 90c bad. Very bad.

 

Meetloaf, see this thread. You seem to have the same problem

 

Any suggestions on how to stress the system to duplicate the erratic problems I've had?

I'm going to back up all my data, and get this problems resolved before school starts in a month (and my warranty is up).

I want to get some good hard evidence....should I download a demo of Crysis or CoD4? I only own HL2 products.

 

You can run Prime calculations program to achive that god awful temp again, then download Ik8gui or HW monitor to record the temps.

 

does Ik8gui work in Vista x64 for you?

 

You can get ATITool and Orthos, and run them at the same time, i.e. "show 3D view" in ATItool and "Small FFTs - stress CPU" in Orthos. Keep ATItool window on the top to run the 3D test in parallel.

 

Sweet, thanks guys, I'll report back (part of me not-so-secretly wants GPU & CPU defects so I can get new ones before my warranty expires...but in the end I just want a lappy to use )

 

We all do Meetloaf :-D

I plan on complaining about the lines being raised on the exterior of the laptop, and about the touchpad being unresponsive. This will get me a new palmrest and lid :-D

 

Haha...hey, alls fair in love and war. You should get what you pay for...and when you spend $1000+ on something, I would hope that you get quite a bit.

P.S. You guys get reps when the system lets me again...<le sigh>

P.P.S Freak! I wish I was home so I could mess with this! I'm so curious! =D

 

I would like some rep too if possible... pweeeez

Download a demo of World in Conflict and run the benchmark over and over again to stress your system, and maybe play it some. Though a GPU Stress Tester I highly recommend is:

http://www.daionet.gr.jp/~masa/rthdribl

It works very very well.

 

I personally love running the FFXI Benchmark. If I overclock and run the Low Resolution benchmark I score a 9999 :-D

 

Since we have similar configurations, here are my temps after running atitool and orthos in parallel until temps stabilize. CPU:71C, GPU:65C.

 

Meetloaf have you checked the CPU vents for excessive dust? Have you cleaned them since owning the laptop? Someone else mentioned the fan. It sure as hell sounds like it's intermittently not coming on.

If you install I8kfanGUI you can manually run the fans in either low or high speed mode. Since the overheating issue has come up I now run I8kfanGUI all the time in low speed mode. My temps stay low.

My GPU (8400 GS) idles at 47c and peaks at 55c.

 

I get much different temperatures. I idle at 60-62C, i've seen it peak at 80+. I thought my temperatures were normal!

 

I wonder why, when your GPU is already showing signs of failure, you bothered to talk to a rep and basically wait for him to just offer you a new GPU or guarantee a fix for when it fails. You should have straight up told him it was toast and get a warranty fix in the pipe. Now you are just trying to provoke a failure? What a waste of time.

I find that if you run some 3dmark loops while your lappy is on a pillow or something you can get real toasty. Nothing blocks airflow like carpet, couch, or bed.

 

*edit* . . . I should have said "nothing tests thermal capacity like carpet, couch, or bed" ; )

 

Haha...actually mgh, I would not have wasted the time talking to the rep in such a manner. It actually was not until I was in the process of posting that conversation that I realized that maybe I DO have a faulty GPU already...it's all starting to come together.

When I get home I'll check for dust and run the programs and we'll go from there.

 

Keep in mind we probably have different laptops. I have a Vostro 1500 and Vostro 1700 which both of them for some strange reason are not on Dell's list of problematic laptops even though they both use the 8400 GS and 8600 GT GPU's.

 

I dunno, FPS dropping as much as they have can only signify that you have totally run out of balls for what you are trying to render, OR, you are already clocking down due to heat issues. Neither case is desirable, the latter case is a clear sign that there is probably already damage or compromise in the cooling chamber.
I say that as someone who clocks their desktop GPU on a regular basis. Unless it is a fluke, and you will run much better all the time later on, I would say you should think about getting the warranty process under way immediately.

 

The difference is that the GPUs are installed on a separate card in Vostro 1500 and Vostro 1700. The problematic GPUs are soldered on the motherboard.

 

I ran ATItool w/ Orthos and GPU never topped 75

I ran ATItool with the other GPU testing tool and the same result

However, after 3-5 minutes of Orthos my CPU temp was ~92C

I will open her up and clean her out, and report back.

 

Yes I was aware of that as i'm hoping to upgrade the graphics card down the road.

So are the suspect GPU's those that are soldered onto the motherboard? Maybe that's why the Vostro 1500 and Vostro 1700 are not on the list.

 

Meetloaf did you say what system you have?

 

Just pulled the Vostro apart and reassembled. I only found one little dust bunny in the fan, and the blades were maybe "lightly coated" with dust at most.

I ran Orthos again and I'll include the screenie.

...btw, I think the GPU is fine, I might have a problem with the CPU though ;\

UPDATE:
Just Ran the World in Conflict Demo or a few minutes, nothing too crazy happened, temps didn't get high at all. I'm going to play CS:S and see if I can duplicated the FPS slowdown.

 

If you have some thermal paste, like Tuniq TX-2. Arctic Silver 5, or Arctic Cooling MX-2, you could try to reseat the heatsink. I did with mine using Tuniq TX-2 while upgrading the CPU.

 

Yeah, I have some Arctic 5, but frankly I don't want to touch anything right now...if it comes to that I'll do it.