Underpowered 6800??

demonjd22 · Aug 30, 2004, 05:06 AM

Hey guys I just bought a BFG 6800 OC and installed it today on a practically fresh installation of WinXP with SP2 done about a week ago. The problem is my fps is only slightly better in CS Source and Doom 3 than my previous Geforce 4 TI 4600. I expected more than the 5-10 fps increase. Finally to my question, is it possible that my anemic compaq presario 8000 psu that says rated 180 watts could be underpowering the thing? I got a Antec Sonata case with 380 watt truepower antec psu on standby but i got a feeling the compaq board is some kind of proprietary dimensions. One last thing that has me more confused, is I remember seeing specs of 4600's that said min req 250 watts, which would mean THAT card shouldnt have ran in the first place as well. PS (sorry for the length)

Go easy on a Sensitive Newbie hehehehehe

Rox271 · Aug 30, 2004, 10:46 AM

I don't think your PC is underpowered. For sure 180W is not enough, the minimun being 300W. But if you actually had a problem, I think your PC would simply not start!
Now regarding the poor performance, I had a similar issue and came to the conclusion my CPU was the weak link. There is a hype on 6800 but everybody forgets to mention that CPU does at least half the job. My 2.4GHz overclocked to 3.2GHz cannot deliver the performances shown on website.
You may have a similar issue.

~~HawK~~ · Aug 30, 2004, 10:54 AM

Low power means more errors, more errors means lower performance
and yes it would start on a 180watt because NV uses other speeds on 2D than on 3D, meaning the 12v rail doesnt get overloaded in 2D..

i'd say get a bigger(450w) PSU.. ASAP

dipstick · Aug 30, 2004, 03:14 PM

I agree with HawK. If the card is not getting enough power it will throttle back to remain stable. Not sure how much luck you'll have with that Compaq mobo though, a non-compaq psu might not work with it

demonjd22 · Aug 30, 2004, 11:32 PM

Hmmm kinda what I had suspected when I didnt hear the fan running full throttle during heavy 3d usage. Well thanks for the replies guys, and wish me luck on getting this pos compaq board to boot on a (gasp!!!)

standard atx case. If not, complete new system here i come, when i get the money that is. Hahahahahhaha anyone feeling generous????

~~BMG_Cya=-~~ · Sep 6, 2004, 11:46 AM

I'll trade ya a Gigabyte GA-7DX mobo...AthlonXP 1900+...350 watt PSU...and 512MB of Samsung DDR 2100 for that 6800 OC.

That way...you only need buy a graphics card again for your nearly new, near complete, and probably much improved PC over that Compaq deal.

J/K...that would be cruel

A girl<--->friend of mine was using a Compaq for her home office.
Thing is only 12-18 months old. Slowest POS I have ever seen. One thing she had WinXP and only 256MB of RAM.

But of course...she "got a great deal on this. Had a ton of rebates with it!"

I told her yeah..."you need all those rebates so you can actually buy a real computer..."

My only experience with a Compaq. Hopefully my last.

novaz · Sep 18, 2004, 08:08 PM

Sounds like your cpu is not keeping the 6800 feed.I have the same card bfg6800gtoc on a antec 350 overclocked to 335\1100.

Aug 30, 2004, 05:06 AM	#1
demonjd22 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 4 Rep Power: 0	Underpowered 6800?? Hey guys I just bought a BFG 6800 OC and installed it today on a practically fresh installation of WinXP with SP2 done about a week ago. The problem is my fps is only slightly better in CS Source and Doom 3 than my previous Geforce 4 TI 4600. I expected more than the 5-10 fps increase. Finally to my question, is it possible that my anemic compaq presario 8000 psu that says rated 180 watts could be underpowering the thing? I got a Antec Sonata case with 380 watt truepower antec psu on standby but i got a feeling the compaq board is some kind of proprietary dimensions. One last thing that has me more confused, is I remember seeing specs of 4600's that said min req 250 watts, which would mean THAT card shouldnt have ran in the first place as well. PS (sorry for the length) Go easy on a Sensitive Newbie hehehehehe

Aug 30, 2004, 10:46 AM	#2
Rox271 DriverHeaven Addict Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Here Posts: 251 Rep Power: 0	I don't think your PC is underpowered. For sure 180W is not enough, the minimun being 300W. But if you actually had a problem, I think your PC would simply not start! Now regarding the poor performance, I had a similar issue and came to the conclusion my CPU was the weak link. There is a hype on 6800 but everybody forgets to mention that CPU does at least half the job. My 2.4GHz overclocked to 3.2GHz cannot deliver the performances shown on website. You may have a similar issue.

Aug 30, 2004, 10:54 AM	#3
~~HawK~~ Banned Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 2,092 Rep Power: 0	Low power means more errors, more errors means lower performance and yes it would start on a 180watt because NV uses other speeds on 2D than on 3D, meaning the 12v rail doesnt get overloaded in 2D.. i'd say get a bigger(450w) PSU.. ASAP

Aug 30, 2004, 03:14 PM	#4
dipstick HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: USA Posts: 3,609 Rep Power: 71 System Specs	I agree with HawK. If the card is not getting enough power it will throttle back to remain stable. Not sure how much luck you'll have with that Compaq mobo though, a non-compaq psu might not work with it

Aug 30, 2004, 11:32 PM	Thread Starter #5
demonjd22 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 4 Rep Power: 0	Hmmm kinda what I had suspected when I didnt hear the fan running full throttle during heavy 3d usage. Well thanks for the replies guys, and wish me luck on getting this pos compaq board to boot on a (gasp!!!) standard atx case. If not, complete new system here i come, when i get the money that is. Hahahahahhaha anyone feeling generous????

Sep 6, 2004, 11:46 AM	#6
~~BMG_Cya=-~~ Banned Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 718 Rep Power: 0	I'll trade ya a Gigabyte GA-7DX mobo...AthlonXP 1900+...350 watt PSU...and 512MB of Samsung DDR 2100 for that 6800 OC. That way...you only need buy a graphics card again for your nearly new, near complete, and probably much improved PC over that Compaq deal. J/K...that would be cruel A girl<--->friend of mine was using a Compaq for her home office. Thing is only 12-18 months old. Slowest POS I have ever seen. One thing she had WinXP and only 256MB of RAM. But of course...she "got a great deal on this. Had a ton of rebates with it!" I told her yeah..."you need all those rebates so you can actually buy a real computer..." My only experience with a Compaq. Hopefully my last.

Sep 18, 2004, 08:08 PM	#7
novaz Nova-z Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Pensacola Fl. Posts: 16 Rep Power: 0	Sounds like your cpu is not keeping the 6800 feed.I have the same card bfg6800gtoc on a antec 350 overclocked to 335\1100.