PC help needed

[Dedalus]

Hello all. Just want to run this by you before I spend any cash to see if I am missing something. I think my video card died, but I want to know if you all think it could be something else.

Before the final crash, I was getting some artifacts (flickering and a blue grid bleeding through all windows). Finally the machine locked up. Upon reboot, the monitor was getting no signal from the PC. Took the video card (EVGA Geforce 8800 GTS) out and reseated it after realizing all my old cards are AGP. Rebooted again and got video to the monitor, but it was 4-bit. Windows booted, but the machine is not recognizing any video card at all. All fields about the video hardware read "unknown."

To me this says I need a new video card, but is there anything else you would investigate before dropping the cash on one?

Oh, and I am broke... any ideas for a cheap "good enough" card?

[Pratt]

Well, first of all, it sounds more like a driver issue to me than hardware, but supposing it is the card, how do you like the GTS? I have the GT, and I paid just over $100 for it last summer and it's all the card I need right now. Just suggested to basser/Requiem/sanch that he get one and he's very happy with his too.

You said your OLD cards are AGP, I assume by that the problem card is PCIe. If so, here's a replacement for $90:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814130325

If you're thinking of upgrading instead of replacing, I *swear* by the Tom's Hardware monthly "best card for the money" articles. The May '09 version is here.



Addendum:
Here's a helluva nice card for $150:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... _-14143140

[Dedalus]

Thanks for the reply. It did turn out to be a fried card. After a little more patient experimentation, I think fan was only working intermittantly and eventually just toasted the thing (smells like it too)... which explains the PC being more quiet at some times than at others.

Anyway, being broke like I am, I ended up having to downgrade a bit, but I accidentally ended up with Tom's "Best PCIe Card: $60 To $110" with a variation on the Radeon HD 4670. $74.99 locally for http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814161252

So far it is doing great for me. Though since I don't play many games these days, I don't need much, so your milage may vary. I'd say it is a damn good value card.

[basser]

good to see you found the problem.

funny thing, my problem was also the fan. When I used to play l4d on it I would have to play with the side off my case. If I heard the fan stop I would have to tap on the fan with my fingers to get it spinning again. Thats got old real quick. I wouldn't always notice that the fan had stopped and if I didn't keep that fan going it would take less than 10 gaming min before my system would crash.

Things are much better now with the new card.