1.61 patch does NOT fix problem for 6800 users

I use a 6800 and while the preformance isnt what I would call good it has been improved about a 100%.. I dont randomly reboot anymore (at least not yet) and the super slowdown and interface futz up can now be fixed (usually) with alt-tabing out and bringing it back up..

Im just happy I dont have to play on a small map anymore *grin*
 
I'm not sure if this is will help but I have a 6800 as well and when I first had Civ4 running would get the same system crashes causing my computer to reboot. The situation improved with the 1.5 patch and I was only subject to the annoying slowdown which could be somewhat solved by ALT tabbing out and back in. However I have just got Sid Meier's Pirates and that crashes literally after two minutes. I remembered reading somewhere that Pirates and Civ4 basically share the same engine so am starting to think this is more than a conincidence. I'm not sure whether its high temp casuign the crash as Ive sometimes had them after a few minutes of gameplay which is surely to soon for the temperature to get dangerously high/

Havn't tried 1.61 patch yet...
 
A user recently (can't find the post) posted a message that he tried rolling back NVIDIA drivers ..I tried that too. I currently have best performance ever!!! That's with a BFG 6800GT!! I rolled back to 78.01....

I posted an earlier message about mod drivers from guru3d.com...they were ok, but did get a few crashes. So, I start experimenting again.

Good luck all....don't give up!!!

nc
 
Okay here is my current status with this.

I installed the guru3D drivers with the link that Colburn gave above. I am not sure if this did anything, but it did give me an easy way to underclock my card.

I did have a side fan that had gone out that I replaced as well.

So here is my experience.

  • Before underclocking (running at 370):
    Idle Temp: 62C
    Running at 1024x768 after 15 min.: 86C
  • After underclocking (running at 300)
    Running at 1024x768 after 15 min: 78C
  • After underclocking (running at 300)
    Running at 1600x1200 after 30 min: 84C

The good news is that I was able to run at 1600x1200 for over an hour without the "static" screen. My take on the problem:

  • Civ4 is a much harder workout on a video card than it seems it should be.
  • BFG cooling on the 6800GT doesn't seem to be outstanding.
  • If you don't have a well cooled case, you may not be able to run this game for an extended amount of time.

This is the first game ever where this graphics card has over heated. I have played all sorts of what I consider to be highly intensive graphics games on this system (with the side fan not working) and never encountered any problems.

Anyway, I did get it working finally.

Thanks to all the responses and help that I got here. Let me know if I am insane.
 
dsmith said:
  • Civ4 is a much harder workout on a video card than it seems it should be.
  • BFG cooling on the 6800GT doesn't seem to be outstanding.
  • If you don't have a well cooled case, you may not be able to run this game for an extended amount of time.

This is the first game ever where this graphics card has over heated. I have played all sorts of what I consider to be highly intensive graphics games on this system (with the side fan not working) and never encountered any problems.
Click to expand...

I, completely agree with you on number 1.

2) I haven't seen that issue, but it could very well be. I know my case has a bigger power supply than is necessary, which in turn leads to better cooling.

3) Absolutely. I have never heard any PC tech state that you can have too much cooling. LOL Personally, I subscribe to the cooling overkill tohught. I wish I could run my PC in a freezer, then I would never have an issue. LOL
 
senwiz said:
2) I haven't seen that issue, but it could very well be. I know my case has a bigger power supply than is necessary, which in turn leads to better cooling.
Click to expand...

I would have thought that I had a pretty cool case as well. It is large, seems to be of good design and comes standard with 5 fans and variable speed control. The 120mm being out on the side panel may have been a bigger deal than I thought.

One last comment - the game for me plays very smoothly on large/huge maps even with underclocking so far. I say so far because I haven't gotten very advanced in my civilizations to date.
 
I don't think this is a specific civ4 problem at all, because I was playing railroad tycoon 3, and it worked completely fine, then I turned on antialiasing, and after 5 minutes I got the same civ4 crash.

I have the BFG Tech 6800GT OC (PCI-E, 256mb), idle temp around 52 (I have arctic-cooling silencer on it), playing civ4 in a 1600x1200 window it rises to about 64, but if i select another window then go back it drops to 58 and stays that way forever more.

I have not underclocked at all, the only thing I did was disable AA and AF in the nVidia control panel. I don't know if the patch helped at all because I downloaded it before trying after disabling AA/AF.
 
I don't think this is a specific civ4 problem at all, because I was playing railroad tycoon 3, and it worked completely fine, then I turned on antialiasing, and after 5 minutes I got the same civ4 crash.

I have the BFG Tech 6800GT OC (PCI-E, 256mb), idle temp around 52 (I have arctic-cooling silencer on it), playing civ4 in a 1600x1200 window it rises to about 64, but if i select another window then go back it drops to 58 and stays that way forever more.

I have not underclocked at all, the only thing I did was disable AA and AF in the nVidia control panel. I don't know if the patch helped at all because I downloaded it before trying after disabling AA/AF.
 
I have AA turn on, running high graphics at 1024 by 768.

My bet is that this is an overheating problem. Turning AA off and underclocking does make the card work less and that would mean less heat. Depending on what your case is, that could be a very significant issue. Myself, I have a standard mid tower case, and it pulls in a lot of air. I am running it completely closed up for now. Once I move in a couple of months, I'll go back to running with no covers, but right now my roommate has cats running around creating a mess...I'd rather they not do it in my computer. LMAO
 
Just an update...game still crashes to the checkerboard screen with roll back drivers however, not as often.
I’m kind of fed up with this problem…. too much time spend on trying to get this game to work ….I have no problems with any other game.
With the problem most likely related with the BFG 6800GT video cards, I’m doubt we’ll ever see a fix from BFG, Firaxis or 2k.
 
Colburn:

Since fixing my side fan, I have not had a problem with this game. I am almost emberased to say, but I played for probably 6 hours straight yesterday without a crash. Since fixing the fan, I have not had a crash at all.

I still think that this game is more of a work out on the video card than it appears it should be. However, I also think that the stock cooling on this video card is marginal - I just ordered a new fan to try out. I will post my results after trying it, but it appears that it will take about 10-15C off of the card.

One thing I am certain of is that this is absolutely a heat issue. I know that you may not want to spend $30.00 just for this game, but a cooler system is a better system.
 
DSmith:

My card has the stock dual fans with the blue lights...do you have the same card? I would like more information on the fan replacement options!

Also, I also question if the video problem with CIV4 are only related to BFG 6800GT AGP cards?

And, I did find another game (Guide Wars) that didn't like older drivers, now using 84.21
 
Somewhat confused.. whats the problem? Crashing? What card you got?

I have a Gainward GS6800 with 512 ram.. And i have no "crashing" problems.

I do have one problem, which i'm currently installing imageshack to show you.

Basically, if i zoom right out the whole world becomes gibberish. Last time i was graphics go like this was when i tried to run a non winNt compatible game. - //Edit, typical, i install screen capturing software and the bug stops happening...however i have noticed that since 1.61 install that the frontend intro is jumpy and glitchy...//end of edit

I'll update this post with screen in a few mins.

My current drivers are the nvidia 84.21 installed atm. and Civ4 1.61 patch...
 
@Colburn:

Yes that sounds identical to my card. Here is a link to a review of this fan. This guy installs it on a 7800.

His idle temp was measured at 39 - my idle temp right now(posted above) is 62.

My game temp was 84 his was 59. (different game but still)

It appears that 90 is the cut-off on these cards. So even though I can play right now, I am approaching the cut-off temp on the card which can't be good on the chip.

The biggest thing that this fan does is get rid of the air in the slot below the video card instead of just raising the ambient temp of the surrounding area. I think that is why without the side fan on my case my video card was overheating.

One thing to note - modding your card will void your warranty.

@Rugster:
When the card overheats we are basically getting a "static" looking screen with a blocky static looking cursor. It absolutely freezes everything to the point of having to do a hard reset to get out of it. The problem that you are having sounds different.
 
DSmith:

Thanks for the link!! I was looking at this cooler!!! Lots of good reviews too!! I just purchased one at Newegg....I will give you an update in a few days.

Not worried about warranty....I plan to build another computer some time in the near future....
 
I can't wait until I get moved, will be soon. ;) Then, I'll really find out if heat effects anything. My roommate has cats, so I have to keep my side covers on. Once I move...They come back off again. :devil: Then I'll find out if heat is affecting anything. mwhahahaha
 
Okay, I got the Artic Cooler and it gave the promised results.

For a refresher:

Pre Artic-Cooler
  • Idle temp: 62C
  • Playing temp:84C

With Artic-Cooler
  • Idle temp: 54C
  • Playing temp: 71C

That is also running at the card clock speed (370Mhz)

For a test, I overclocked the card using the Nvidia tweaker utility for optimum settings. It ended up setting the card at about 450Mhz. Using this setting, the game crashed after about 20 minutes.

So, the cooler does work, but agressive overclocking will still overheat the card with Civ4.
 
dsmith said:
For a test, I overclocked the card using the Nvidia tweaker utility for optimum settings. It ended up setting the card at about 450Mhz. Using this setting, the game crashed after about 20 minutes.

So, the cooler does work, but agressive overclocking will still overheat the card with Civ4.
Click to expand...


I figured it was going to be something like that. :) Thanks for the results. I wonder how many others are having the overheating issue and just not noting it as easily. :D
 
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