BTW...sending me the new cable was my idea. The tech's idea was to disable catalyst AI, thus negating that extra gpu I paid for on my 5970. =(

Never post your service tag except in a private message to one of the dell folks. You might want to list your specs / bios/ drivers ect so some one on the board can help. You list an overclock - what  processor are you using ?

Halbrium,

Try the AMD HD5970 in the other PCIe x16 slot. The Intel i7-920 should not be overclocked beyond 3.20GHz.

Specs are

Aurora Reg

i7-920 lvl 1 OC 3.2

5970

SB XFI

Dell 3007WFPHC

I have never done anything to it beyond level one (factory) overclocking. That is when I get the failure (It will run for a while, however every once in a while, at least 10 times since I have owned it, it has failed. Does not seem like a very good sign)

What should I do about this?

As far as the 5970, I will try moving it if the new cable does not work. However since this is my second board, I am skeptical, it is a bad pci slot.

Thanks for your assistance.

btw a09 bios and 10.9 ATI Drivers.

Any suggestions?

ATI 5970:

Uninstall old, DriverSweep, and then install new ATI Beta Drivers from support.dell.com (same as CCC 10.7). Install 5970 VideoBIOS firmware update.

OverClocking:

Sounds like you might have to choose between stability or a little more performance. I personally don't think a little extra speed is worth it if the PC isn't stable. Plus, the i7 will TurboMode itself anyway when more speed is needed.

Sound Card:

To help narrow down the problem, you might want to try removing the card and drivers. Use internal SC and see how it goes. Even if using internal sound instead, you won't be giving up much. If you must use the XFi, try clean installing either the Dell drivers, the Creative drivers, or the Windows drivers (starting over and clean installing each set).

ATI 5970:

Uninstall old, DriverSweep, and then install new ATI Beta Drivers from support.dell.com (same as CCC 10.7). Install 5970 VideoBIOS firmware update.

Thanks for the suggestions. Dell has replaced the GPU twice. I have installed 5 differnt drivers, including ccc 10.7, problem seems to persist.

OverClocking:

Sounds like you might have to choose between stability or a little more performance. I personally don't think a little extra speed is worth it if the PC isn't stable. Plus, the i7 will TurboMode itself anyway when more speed is needed.

I feel like if you buy something "factory overclocked" it should at least maintain that speed during the warrarnty period.

Sound Card:

To help narrow down the problem, you might want to try removing the card and drivers. Use internal SC and see how it goes. Even if using internal sound instead, you won't be giving up much. If you must use the XFi, try clean installing either the Dell drivers, the Creative drivers, or the Windows drivers (starting over and clean installing each set).

Internal SC works fine, however being that I paid for it, it should work, and dell should make this right. The card has been moved twice (once during a Mobo swap) I have tried a variety of drivers to no avail.

Again, I really appreciate these thoughts.

ATI 5970:

Uninstall old, DriverSweep, and then install new ATI Beta Drivers from support.dell.com (same as CCC 10.7). Install 5970 VideoBIOS firmware update.

Thanks for the suggestions. Dell has replaced the GPU twice. I have installed 5 differnt drivers, including ccc 10.7, problem seems to persist.

Many here have said:

1. CCC 10.7 is the best driver for 5970
2. The posted VideoBios update corrects many problems (including artifacting)

OverClocking:

Sounds like you might have to choose between stability or a little more performance. I personally don't think a little extra speed is worth it if the PC isn't stable. Plus, the i7 will TurboMode itself anyway when more speed is needed.

I feel like if you buy something "factory overclocked" it should at least maintain that speed during the warrarnty period.

Maybe the tech didn't get the cooler on there properly last time, or didn't use the right thermal paste. How are your temps?

Sound Card:

To help narrow down the problem, you might want to try removing the card and drivers. Use internal SC and see how it goes. Even if using internal sound instead, you won't be giving up much. If you must use the XFi, try clean installing either the Dell drivers, the Creative drivers, or the Windows drivers (starting over and clean installing each set).

Internal SC works fine, however being that I paid for it, it should work, and dell should make this right. The card has been moved twice (once during a Mobo swap) I have tried a variety of drivers to no avail.

Sounds like a bad a card, improper drivers, or improperly installed drivers. I'm sure they will figure it out eventually ... good luck.

GPU: I will install the new bios. I installed it on my last gpu and it didnt fix the issue. Hope it helps this time!

CPU: Temps seem ok. The OC was failing before the mobo swap

SC: Yea I have played around a ton with it. I really think its a bad card.

Thanks again. I wish I could figure out this cpu issue. It sounds like a bad cpu to me. Infact I don't understand why they replaced the mobo, when the oc was failing.

Well my cpu just failed lvl 1 factory overclocking again.

idle temps are 48-54 C

Also: Looks like the new bios was already in the 2nd replacement gpu. It said error: flash already programmed. I assume that means its in?

The only thing the tech is doing on tuesday is replacing my soundcard, but I would really like to resolve these other issues. I called in March, and these issues are still outstanding.

Well my cpu just failed lvl 1 factory overclocking again.   idle temps are 48-54 C

Your idle temps sound high:

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/259635-28-core-idle-temp-high

Not all processors OC as well as others. Sometimes it's the Stepping Revision, cooling, or just the chip itself. Maybe it has been damaged from other OC attempts. If this is the same 920 you have always had, maybe it just can't cut it. Maybe your good 920 accidentally got swapped out on last MB exchange, and now you have this one of questionable origin. CPU-Z will reveal your exact model.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/3521

Can you try for a little less OC?

Just trying to help ... I really don't believe in OCing.

In CCC, you can read the VideoBIOS for 5970. Either the firmware .exe or it's release notes should state the proper target BIOS version string.

What I don't understand is core temp is saying my idles are around 50 when alienware thermal controller says 28c

Does this make sense?

According to core temp, when I play WoW my pc is around 70C

I opened up my pc to see if I could make sure the cooling looked ok. I don't know much about watercooling, but I did notice the pipes feel very warm.

Here is mine with no apps running (idle) on desktop.

High temps were received after running Excel 2007, IE8 and small desktop apps (but no games).