Radeon HD 5870 Troubleshooting

Hi,

I own an Asus G73JH, but have recently been having troubles with the GPU.

This all started after I installing and playing Starcraft 2, and I believe a software related bug has caused possible hardware damage to my system. (Check their tech support forums, it's common)

Anyways, what happened is that while playing, my laptop would black-screen and shut itself down. I assumed it was overheating, which seemed odd considering I played other more graphically intense games on high settings with no problems. However, it has been happening more and more recently, and the problem has spread to when I play other games as well, so I suspect some kind of hardware failure.

I've installed software to keep track of my temperature, and the GPU now idles anywhere between 60-70 degrees, which seems very high. My computer's also started shutting down in Starcraft even when the GPU hasn't gained much heat (only being at ~75 degrees).

Like I've said, it only happened while playing Starcraft 2, but now happens across all applications.

I did a test the other day as well. I opened Battlefield: Bad Company 2, and joined a game. I just let the game sit while I watched my temperatures. Within about two minutes the GPU's temperatures jumped twenty degrees to about 90, before I shut down the game to avoid overheating.

I was using Everest, and it showed that the GPU's fan speed never changed from 30%, and it still doesn't seem to budge.

Is this just the program not showing the correct fan speed for the GPU? (It shows correctly for the CPU)

Is there a way to fix this if the fan speed does not change in response to increased load?

Any ideas for workarounds or solutions would be greatly appreciated. I've only owned this laptop for about 5 months, and would hate to have to use the warranty already.

Thanks.

 

Update your video drivers. OR in the case that you own 10.7 drivers, roll back to 10.6.

 

ATI 5870 has multiple sensors, memory, core, etc. I would recommend you install HWinfo32, and use that to check the different temps.

SC2 idle screen is a taxating screen, i get higher temps on that screen than playing the game. So be careful staying to long there, you might enter games already on with a gpu overheating. Check Blizzard software ate my GPU.

Other than that could try other drivers, ATI didnt try to maximize their drivers while SC2 was in beta, like Nvidia did. So probably try newer drivers.

 

triple buffering vsync how do people still not know about this? Several games do not have frame caps in the non gaming screens or intro movies.

 

It's worth noting that GPUs have different acceptable temperature ranges from other components since they are expected to reach high temps. I can't tell you what your 5870 should be at, however you should do the following:

- check your BIOS for any options related to cooling (ex, fan settings)
- ensure that the fan is functioning
- make sure the laptop is set on a flat surface, with unobstructed exhaust and intake vents for adequate ventilation

- ensure that the cooling system is free of accumulated dust and debris. Given that you've had the unit for 5 months, a gaming laptop should be cleaned frequently and thoroughly (preferrably once a month). See these links for guides on cleaning your computer:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/har...rket-upgrades/263039-nbr-cooling-central.html
http://forum.notebookreview.com/not...uide-cooling-down-your-notebook-computer.html

Please excuse the 'no-brainer' suggestions, but assumptions can defeat efforts at troubleshooting.

 

this is the issue.. seems to be with SC2.. u need to turn it on i think