Graphics card not functioning properly

[donk]

Hello.

 

I recently bought a Palit GeForce 210 (Pcie 1GB DDR3). I've now installed it and it works and doesn't. I can play Starcraft 2 for example, but the performance is horrid compared to my previous, seemingly less powerful graphics card.

 

I don't know what the problem is. It is in the correct slot, obviously, there is this 2-pin connector on it but I'm told that is for HDMI audio or something, so that seems irrelevant, and there doesn't seem to be any other connectors to the card. It uses a heatsink so there is no fan connector either.

 

What am I doing wrong here?

 

I've used the beta profile spec inspector software that Blizzard is giving out to anyone interested in their betas and it states that my graphics card is 0 MB, as opposed to 1 GB like it should be. There has also been some reports that the memory type is unknown and the memory bus is 0 bits.

 

I've gotten all the latest drivers to both the card and the motherboard.

 

 

There is also these unexplainable power losses to my computer now, I don't know if that is related, I've upgraded other parts recently as well but all seems to function ok, aside from the graphics card having subpar performance.

 

 

EDIT:

I've tried installing and running SiSoft Sandra to debug this problem but everytime I try to launch the program, the computer crashes, which seems irrational, but it has happened three times now so I doubt it is a coincidence.

 

I've disables Cool 'n' Quiet from BIOS, and the system seems more stable now (can't really say yet), although no difference in CPU temperature or noise has occured.

 

 

EDIT2:

 

The power cuts have occured before and after I've changed the PSU, and most of my other components, so the culprit might be the HD, if it is possible it can cause power outages (it is pretty old).

 

Dxdiag gives out reassuring info about my computer (everything is seemingly as it should), and all the tests run smooth.

Edited September 22, 2011 by donk

[KenB]

Hi and welcome to ExTS

 

It uses a heatsink

If this is your card - this one has a fan.

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Palit-210-1GB-Graphics-PCI-Express/dp/B003CMNX7K

 

Are you sure yours has 1GB onboard memory ?

 

Trying to determine the PSU requirements.

How many Watts does your PSU supply ?

 

==============

 

There is always the possibility that the card has a fault.

[donk]

It isn't the same card as in the picture, but I'd dare say it is identical to it in every regard except that it has a heatsink and no fan.

 

Dxdiag, and this nvidia software that came with the drivers CD ensure me it has 1GB onboard memory, as does the package the card came in, as well as a number of other things.

 

As for the psu, it is either 420 or 480 W, don't remember which right now, which to my knowledge is more than enough for a mediocre PC such as mine. I do think the power outage problem might be related to the harddrive though, as I've had some problems with it, although I'm not sure a temporary malfunction in the HD would result in a reboot. Also changed the power cord from one outlet to another and the problem did persist so it isn't that either.

 

After setting Cool n' Quiet off from BIOS I've haven't had a crash. Might be a coincidence.

 

Now as an update, I played a game of League of Legends, and it gave a pretty good performance on that, so maybe there is some problem with Blizzard products? In any case the CPU and GPU both hover around 35 - 40 Celsius, so they definitely aren't overheating either.

 

I'll fiddle around a bit and come back to this later on.

[KenB]

I've used the beta profile spec inspector software that Blizzard is giving out

The key word here is - beta.

 

This product is still in the development stage.

There are no guarantees that it is functioning correctly.

Personally - I wouldn't have it on my system.

[donk]

The software just checks your system specs and updates your account info with those specs so it is quite harmless, and I'd rate Blizzard as pretty trustworthy.

 

Regardless, I've now tried the graphics card on another system and it seems to function, surprisingly. The key difference is that the old system had XP, this new one has Vista. Now, I'm not entirely sure since I haven't actually tested the graphics cards capabilities in real use BUT I am currently installing a few games and then we will see how it goes.

 

So in the end the problem seems to have been a compatibility issue. I'll get back to this after I know for sure if this new stuff works.