MSI R9 290X Lightning issues... Help!

[Snapdragon]

Hey all, I have had a little stress recently after finally convincing myself to upgrade my GPU - I get a 290X lightning all set up in my case and I've had no end of trouble with random freeze/stalls or instant reboots. So assuming the the GPU was faulty, I went ahead and sent for a replacement (Bought from Amazon).

Convinced that if this second GPU was causing problems, that it couldn't also be faulty - there must be something wrong with my system set up. Sadly, I had the same problems. (Instant reboots / freezing / stalls)

With both GPU's I managed to at least pass a benchmark or two without stalling. I even played Thief for a while on the second one. It didn't seem to have any issue doing what it was made to, but would often stall/reboot on simple desktop tasks or VLC. I did assume that maybe it was a software/driver problem and actually re-installed Windows and installed just the 290X Catalyst Drivers but to no avail, it had the same problems.

The only other thing I can think of: The PSU is not strong enough. But I struggle to believe this... and have sent the card back for a refund. NOTE: Both boxes look like they had been opened prior to my delivery and thus I will not be ordering from Amazon again for these high cost purchases, nightmare Amazon Logistics delivery services IMHO.Sorry for the block of text but any help would be appreciated! (I really want to buy a new 290X!)

My Current System:
Operating System: Windows 8.1 with Update 1 Pro N 64 Bit

CPU - AMD Phenom II X4 965

MOBO - ASUS M4A78LT-M

RAM - 2x4GB Kingston Hyper-X Blu

GPU - Sapphire HD 6850 1GB (Before MSI 290X Lightning(s))

SSD - SanDisk 128GB

HDD1/2 - 2TB WD Green / 320GB Samsung

Monitor(s) - 29" LG 29UB65 & 23" LG (Forgotten Model) Monitor

Case - Corsair 750D

PSU - Cooler Master Silent Pro M, 700 Watt, 80+ (Bronze) - NOTE: Yes the CM PSU does have two separate 8 pin PCI connectors (Each cable has 6+2 and 6 pin connectors)

For some further information for those wondering:

I tried using all connectors (6+8+8 Pins) and just the two required (8+8 Pins) and both yielded the same problem.

I also tried the LN2 Bios which usually only made things worse on the first card (an actual blue screen sad face crash (hehe) in Windows 8)

 

[flynnbo3]

Sadly these r9 cards are beset with probs i have the same on my msi r9 290 black screens ,freezes,blue screen with atikmdag etc, so i put the gpu memory to 1200 instead of 1250 and all great for a while now i cannot play a game without crashing again, with a 750 psu also which is fine am about ready to give up now

 

[Snapdragon]

Ack... This saddens me... I really want to hear more on this issue.

 

[flynnbo3]

I have tried updating my mobo bios,different drivers,different hdd,cleaning drivers, setting fan speed to 50%min,force constant voltage,disable ulps,reinstalling windows and all drivers,
For a while after setting the gpu memory to 1200 all was fine ,but now and i do not know why it has started bsods with atikmdag again when i play ,or i should say try to play games

 

[Snapdragon]

I only got one BSOD from either card which was from switching to LN2 Bios booting up and in a few seconds - visual artifacts and tearing then BSOD. This problem is not related to atikmdag problems (I don't think :S) as Benches and Games seem to run better than a Browser or VLC as they more often gave freezes... so weird...

 

[flynnbo3]

It's annoying as I thought I had sorted the problem, I will try my system backup next

 

[Snapdragon]

Good luck to you, I hate it when random problems seemingly appear like that...

 

[flynnbo3]

Hope you sort yours too

 

[Kushiro]

Hey Snapdragon,

Did you happen to check whether it used elpida or Hynix? Also what driver revision did you install.

Also I may be a tad bit biased, however I have never liked nor recommended the CM silent pro series, mainly due to my poor experience with one of them if my first builds, struggled to provide for a 560ti.

If you have already returned the lightning and are still willing to try the R9 series, perhaps take a look at the Sapphire triX either the 290/290x, as it is decently valued and has pretty much only received praise.

 

[Snapdragon]

Hey Newbie - I'm afraid I didn't check the memory manufacturer but as far as I'm aware the Lightning cards only use Hynix or Samsung (I may be wrong on this!).

I see, I have been under the impression that older CM PSU's weren't as good as others but I find it hard to believe it can't provide. :s

I had considered buying the Sapphire 290X card as it was much cheaper but I justified the cost of the Lightning and really wish to get another should I get a strong indication that the problems can be corrected/avoided - If I were to try again with this card with a different PSU would all be fine?

NOTE: I actually do have a spare PSU but it has been in a different household for a while and have never been able to pick it up - I can soon (Corsair RM850 for reference)

 

[NeverBackDown]

Don't expect to be getting the most out of the 290x Lightning either. Your cpu is holding it back.

Driver revision 13.12 seems to be the most stable and very low complaints about it from the 290/290x cards.

 

[Kushiro]

I see, also dont take my hate on the CM silent pro series seriously, from what I have seen there are a few OC3d members that use it and dont seem to have any complaints. Was actaully planning to give their 1200W model a shot, but ended up getting the RM1000 instead.

haha noticed the cpu before my hatred for the PSU took over xD, but yea like the above says, you arent going to be utilizing the GPU to its full extent, dunno about how much mantle will help, but maybe consider upgrading, perhaps the 8350? though there are some good deals for the intel CPU's atm maybe take a look at those too.

 

[Snapdragon]

I am planning on getting the new Devils Canyon processor next month - I do understand the CPU is a big hold back right now, I have plans for that to change.

I had tried the 13.12 Driver and still the problem persisted :/

 

[Kushiro]

Wahh that is what I was going to do, NOT anymore. Jokes. I just decided to hold off till 2015 to see AMD offerings, been with intel too long. . . .

And sorry about the problems, makes me feel bad when other people are getting problems with their 290/290x cards, as aside from 2 or 3 cards having some degree of coil whine the 290/290x cards have been performing well for the people that I installed them for.

 

[Snapdragon]

I've never had an Intel cpu in my Desktop so I decided now would be a good time.

In your opinion - should I try the Lightning again with the newer PSU (RM850) or go and settle for the Sapphire TriX 290X?

 

[Kushiro]

honestly I would actually be reconmending the 290 as opposed to the X version, as it is hard to justify the extra$$ at times, however for the 290x I would recommend the lightning, but dunno if you want to take that risk again, the reason being the sapphire uses the original AMD components for the PCB whereas MSI has their custom ones installed which are supposedly better.

Also thanks for helping me discover what those little gray circle things were under the username

 

[Snapdragon]

Hmm, well I have time to think as I won't be buying anything until I get my refund through from Amazon...

What was the most likely causes of these issues happening to both cards though?

Edit: You're welcome xD

 

[Kushiro]

err sorry but I have literally not clue lol, the lightnings were supposed to be a top notch product, with the only complaint coming from the owners that installed one of AMD's beta drivers.

Also I noticed that you are located in the UK, why not buy from the OCUK store, as they are definitely trustworthy and sell good products. I believe that they have stock of the lightnings as well as almost any other model/brand even some exclusive ones.

 

[Snapdragon]

I may do just that - though preparing for the worst...

How is there returns policy and troubleshooting etc?
(I much prefer their choice of DPD over Amazon Logistics!)

 

[Kushiro]

Sorry havent had any first hand experience with them, though other members will be able to help you out. You should be able to find them on their site too.

Also Amazon refund probably going to take a while. . . They like to do this especially if your getting a refund and not some kind of replacement/credit instead.