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Dell Studio 540 + ATI Radeon HD 4850 dead after less than 2 years?
The other day, I was web-surfing, and both my internet connection and PC in general seemed to be running slow. So, I tried the first "all-around" cure for PC problems by shutting down my PC so I could restart it anew.
When I tried to start up the PC again, the monitor remained black even though I heard the tower powering up and the monitor was on.
Shortly after, beginning to power up, I hear 8 beeps, which after looking up, seems to be related to the video card for my BIOS.
I read one "solution" where you are supposed to press and hold the power button after removing the power supply cable from the tower. This did nothing, and I decided to remove the video card.
After removing the ATI card, I was able to boot up again using the onboard video card.
I guess it seems "safe" to say that the video card died, but I just find it hard to believe it died the way it did.
The only thing that I did different that day compared to a long time was install Call of Duty 2 and 1, play 2 online for about 2 hours, then try to play 1 only to have it error on start-up attempt.
I kind of doubt it is related, but maybe it is so I thought I should mention it.
The ATI card is just a little less than 2 years old, it was new when I bought the whole PC from Dell.
My other PC is a laptop, so I can't test the card in another PC.
I am running Vista SP1 on a Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 2.33ghz 350watt power supply.
I guess I would like to know why this happened, since the card is less than 2 years old (or is that how cheap cards are made these days?). Does this card have a history like this?
Or is there something I am missing, and maybe my card is okay?
Thanks in advance.
When I tried to start up the PC again, the monitor remained black even though I heard the tower powering up and the monitor was on.
Shortly after, beginning to power up, I hear 8 beeps, which after looking up, seems to be related to the video card for my BIOS.
I read one "solution" where you are supposed to press and hold the power button after removing the power supply cable from the tower. This did nothing, and I decided to remove the video card.
After removing the ATI card, I was able to boot up again using the onboard video card.
I guess it seems "safe" to say that the video card died, but I just find it hard to believe it died the way it did.
The only thing that I did different that day compared to a long time was install Call of Duty 2 and 1, play 2 online for about 2 hours, then try to play 1 only to have it error on start-up attempt.
I kind of doubt it is related, but maybe it is so I thought I should mention it.
The ATI card is just a little less than 2 years old, it was new when I bought the whole PC from Dell.
My other PC is a laptop, so I can't test the card in another PC.
I am running Vista SP1 on a Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 2.33ghz 350watt power supply.
I guess I would like to know why this happened, since the card is less than 2 years old (or is that how cheap cards are made these days?). Does this card have a history like this?
Or is there something I am missing, and maybe my card is okay?
Thanks in advance.
osprey4
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April 2nd, 2011 12:00
Hi Anubisarc999,
It happens. Sounds like it's time for an UPGRADE!! :emotion-2:
JMICHAEL
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April 2nd, 2011 12:00
If you have tried uninstalling the ATI driver and software and reinstalling with the latest driver from the ATI web site and it still does not work, then a comparable card today for a replacement would be the ATI HD 5750. Sapphire and XFX seem to be the most popular brands. Hardware can fail at anytime so there is really no specific reason why it would happen other than overheating in these smaller not well ventilated Dell cases.
AnubisArc999
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April 2nd, 2011 12:00
I wouldl ike to know a little bit more possible reasons than "it happens".
AnubisArc999
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April 3rd, 2011 11:00
Some people said that the 350 watt PSU that my Dell came with is not enough for the Radeon 4850 that Dell also sold with the PC, and the lack of power slowly destroyed the GPU over time.
osprey4
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April 3rd, 2011 12:00
That's bogus (and also extremely funny). Dell PSUs are rated to different standards, so the 350-watt rating is quite conservative relative to the inflated and meaningless "peak capacity" given by most manufacturers.
AnubisArc999
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April 3rd, 2011 14:00
Well, since I will probably have to replace my video card now, (for gaming purposes), which I am considering the Nvidia GTX 460.
I would rather not use the ATI this time around since their drivers and CCC don't function very well, especially with older games.
So, for my next question, will the Nvidia GTX 460 work with a 350 watt PSU, and will a retail card work with a Dell PC/motherboard?
JMICHAEL
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April 3rd, 2011 17:00
No. You will have to upgrade your power supply. The 350 watt unit is not enough for this card and it also does not have the two 6-pin PCIe power cables on the power supply necessary for the GTX 460. A retail card will work though on the Dell PC.
AnubisArc999
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April 3rd, 2011 21:00
Well, besides the card you recommended for a replacement, is there an Nvidia card that would be close to what the ATI Radeon HD 4850 did for me?
Mostly I like to be able to game at 1920 x 1040 resolution at around 60 FPS, which generally the previous card did.
JMICHAEL
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April 4th, 2011 05:00
I would probably look at the Nvidia GTS 450 as shown HERE. I had a GTS 250 and it played at that resolution depending on the game. The GTS 250 and the HD 4850 were always equal cards and the GTS 450 has replaced it with a little bit better performance and less power consumption.
AnubisArc999
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April 14th, 2011 19:00
Will the retail GTS 450 or GTS 250 be okay with only the 300 Watt PSU in my Dell?
JMICHAEL
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April 15th, 2011 07:00
No. You will have to upgrade your power supply if you just have the 300 watt unit. The best card you can get with this power supply is the ATI HD 5670 which is not as good as the HD 4850.
AnubisArc999
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April 15th, 2011 10:00
What if I get another HD4850?
JMICHAEL
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April 15th, 2011 11:00
The retail versions are not the same as the Dell installed card. They use more power and won't work.
AnubisArc999
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April 15th, 2011 11:00
They won't work as in won't even boot, or will boot and be usable, but die out soon?
AnubisArc999
12 Posts
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April 15th, 2011 19:00
What about the Radeon HD 5750, according to Hwcompare.com it only uses 86 watts compared to the 61 watts of the 5670.