New GeForce GT 430 crashes

I'm not sure why, but it has my massively frustrated. I just upgraded the graphics card in my PC to a NVIDIA GeForce GT 430 and I can't really play CoH anymore. What happens is I log in just fine, I can hop around town just fine and even smack around a few critters, but if I turn on too many toggles (or just one with lots of pixels), try to change zones, or attempt to adjust my graphics settings, the screen goes black and my monitor shuts down.

I have no idea why it's doing this, so I don't know if I just have a bad card, bad drivers, bad luck or bad anything else.

---System information gathered by CoH Helper version 0.2.0.2---

DxDiag gathered at October 19, 2010 16:46 (-07:00)
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7600) (7600.win7_gdr.100618-1621)
System Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard
System Model: HP Pavilion P6000 Series
BIOS: BIOS Date: 04/22/10 21:35:46 Ver: 6.04
Central Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) II X2 220 Processor (2 CPUs), ~2.8GHz
Memory: 5120MB
.Net Memory Report: 3598MB out of 5119MB available
Page File: 8584MB (1652MB currently in use)
C Drive: (WDC WD64 00AAKS-65Z7B0 SATA Disk Device) 487732MB out of 598735MB (81%) free
D Drive: (WDC WD64 00AAKS-65Z7B0 SATA Disk Device) 1420MB out of 11641MB (12%) free
J Drive: (WD 5000BEV External USB Device) 115104MB out of 476821MB (24%) free
E Drive: (hp DVD-RAM GH60L SATA CdRom Device) zero-size drive
Windows directory location: C:\Windows
DirectX: DirectX 11
DirectX Diag version: 6.01.7600.16385 (64-bit version)

Display Notes: No problems found.
Sound Notes: No problems found.

No problems found.
Input Notes: No problems found.

Monitor:
Monitor's Max Resolution: (blank)
Video Device Name: NVIDIA GeForce GT 430
Manufacturer / Chip: NVIDIA / GeForce GT 430
Video Memory: 3297 MB
Driver Version: 8.17.12.6089
Driver Date: 10/8/2010 1:47:00 AM
Driver Language: English

Sound Device Description: Speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Driver File: RTKVHD64.sys
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.6053
Driver Date: 2/25/2010 2:14:46 AM

Sound Device Description: Realtek Digital Output (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Driver File: RTKVHD64.sys
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.6053
Driver Date: 2/25/2010 2:14:46 AM


WMI Information
Motherboard Manufacturer: FOXCONN
Motherboard Model: (empty)
Motherboard Product: 2AA9
Motherboard Version: 1.00
BIOS Manufacturer: American Megatrends Inc.
BIOS Name: BIOS Date: 04/22/10 21:35:46 Ver: 6.04
BIOS Version: HPQOEM - 20100422
BIOS Release: 20100422000000.000000+000


Registry Information for Current User
Resolution: 1680x1050
3D Resolution: 1680x1050 (Not using renderscale)
Full Screen: Yes
Maximized: No
Screen Position: -14, 38
Refresh Rate: 0Hz
Vertical Sync Enabled: Yes


Physics Quality: Medium
Maximum Particles: 50000
Max Particle Fill? 10.000
Physics Card Enabled: No


Anti-aliasing: Off
Anisotropic Filtering: 4x
Texture LOD Bias: Smooth
Water Effects: Medium quality
Bloom: 1.000 (turned on)
Depth of Field Enabled: Yes
Desaturation Effects (Sepia) Enabled: Yes
Shader Detail: High


World Texture Level: Very High
Character Texture Level: High
World Detail Level (Vis_Scale): 1.000
Entity Detail Level: 1.000
Shadows Enabled: No
Shadow Mode: Stencil shadows
Shadow Map Shader: Low quality
Environmental Reflections: Disabled
Advanced Occlusion Settings: No
Ambient Occlusion: Off
Occlusion Strength: Off
Blur: Bilateral
Ambient Resolution: Performance


Gamma Correction: 1.000
Geometry Buffers (VBOs) Enabled: Yes
Suppression of FX When Camera Close Enabled: No
Close Suppression Range: 3.000
Show Advertisements: Yes

Audio Mode: Performance
3D Audio: No
FX Sound Volume: 0.638
Music Sound Volume: 0.000

Show Advanced Graphics Options: Yes
Overall Graphics Quality: 0.500
Reverse Mouse Buttons: No
Save Login Username: Yes
Transfer Rate: 830380 bytes/second
Current Game Version: 1850.201009101722.11T2
Installation Directory: C:\Program Files (x86)\City of Heroes

Mod files in the Data directory
.\texture_library\GUI\Icons\Powers has 257 files
.\texture_library\MAPS\city has 1 file
.\texture_library\MAPS\Midnight_Squad has 1 file
.\texture_library\MAPS\Safeguard has 9 files
.\texture_library\MAPS\sewers has 44 files
.\texture_library\MAPS\static has 38 files
.\texture_library\V_MAPS\Outdoor_Missions has 9 files
.\texture_library\V_MAPS\Static has 16 files

My HijackThis file:

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.4
Scan saved at 4:46:01 PM, on 10/19/2010
Platform: Windows 7 (WinNT 6.00.3504)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.7600.16671)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Hewlett-Packard\HP Odometer\hpsysdrv.exe
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP MediaSmart\SmartMenu.exe
C:\Users\RCraigo\AppData\Local\Starfield\starfield update.exe
C:\Users\RCraigo\AppData\Local\Starfield\wben.exe
C:\Users\RCraigo\AppData\Roaming\Google\Google Talk\googletalk.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Hp\HP Software Update\hpwuschd2.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\McAfee Security Scan\2.0.181\SSScheduler.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\OpenOffice.org 3\program\soffice.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\OpenOffice.org 3\program\soffice.bin
C:\Program Files (x86)\MSN Toolbar\Platform\4.0.0369.0\mswinext.exe
c:\PROGRA~2\mcafee.com\agent\mcagent.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\Users\RCraigo\Downloads\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://g.msn.com/HPDSK/1
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://g.msn.com/HPDSK/1
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://g.msn.com/HPDSK/1
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://g.msn.com/HPDSK/1
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = C:\Windows\SysWOW64\blank.htm
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Int ernet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
R3 - URLSearchHook: McAfee SiteAdvisor Toolbar - {0EBBBE48-BAD4-4B4C-8E5A-516ABECAE064} - c:\PROGRA~2\mcafee\SITEAD~1\mcieplg.dll
F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=userinit.exe
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {5C255C8A-E604-49b4-9D64-90988571CECB} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Search Helper - {6EBF7485-159F-4bff-A14F-B9E3AAC4465B} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Search Enhancement Pack\Search Helper\SEPsearchhelperie.dll
O2 - BHO: scriptproxy - {7DB2D5A0-7241-4E79-B68D-6309F01C5231} - C:\Program Files (x86)\McAfee\VirusScan\scriptsn.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live ID Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O2 - BHO: McAfee SiteAdvisor BHO - {B164E929-A1B6-4A06-B104-2CD0E90A88FF} - c:\PROGRA~2\mcafee\SITEAD~1\mcieplg.dll
O2 - BHO: MSN Toolbar BHO - {d2ce3e00-f94a-4740-988e-03dc2f38c34f} - C:\Program Files (x86)\MSN Toolbar\Platform\4.0.0369.0\npwinext.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O3 - Toolbar: MSN Toolbar - {8dcb7100-df86-4384-8842-8fa844297b3f} - C:\Program Files (x86)\MSN Toolbar\Platform\4.0.0369.0\npwinext.dll
O3 - Toolbar: McAfee SiteAdvisor Toolbar - {0EBBBE48-BAD4-4B4C-8E5A-516ABECAE064} - c:\PROGRA~2\mcafee\SITEAD~1\mcieplg.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Software Update] c:\Program Files (x86)\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MSN Toolbar] "C:\Program Files (x86)\MSN Toolbar\Platform\4.0.0369.0\mswinext.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Microsoft Default Manager] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Search Enhancement Pack\Default Manager\DefMgr.exe" -resume
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [mcagent_exe] "C:\Program Files (x86)\McAfee.com\Agent\mcagent.exe" /runkey
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files (x86)\QuickTime\QTTask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe ARM] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\AdobeARM.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files (x86)\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [NortonOnlineBackupReminder] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Symantec\Norton Online Backup\Activation\NobuActivation.exe" UNATTENDED
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Starfield Updater] "C:\Users\RCraigo\AppData\Local\Starfield\starfiel dupdate.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [wben] "C:\Users\RCraigo\AppData\Local\Starfield\wben.exe "
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [googletalk] C:\Users\RCraigo\AppData\Roaming\Google\Google Talk\googletalk.exe /autostart
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /autoRun (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\RunOnce: [mctadmin] C:\Windows\System32\mctadmin.exe (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /autoRun (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\RunOnce: [mctadmin] C:\Windows\System32\mctadmin.exe (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - Startup: OpenOffice.org 3.2.lnk = C:\Program Files (x86)\OpenOffice.org 3\program\quickstart.exe
O4 - Global Startup: McAfee Security Scan Plus.lnk = ?
O9 - Extra button: Blog This - {219C3416-8CB2-491a-A3C7-D9FCDDC9D600} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Writer\WriterBrowserExtension.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: &Blog This in Windows Live Writer - {219C3416-8CB2-491a-A3C7-D9FCDDC9D600} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Writer\WriterBrowserExtension.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files (x86)\common files\microsoft shared\windows live\wlidnsp.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files (x86)\common files\microsoft shared\windows live\wlidnsp.dll
O18 - Protocol: dssrequest - {5513F07E-936B-4E52-9B00-067394E91CC5} - c:\PROGRA~2\mcafee\SITEAD~1\mcieplg.dll
O18 - Protocol: sacore - {5513F07E-936B-4E52-9B00-067394E91CC5} - c:\PROGRA~2\mcafee\SITEAD~1\mcieplg.dll
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\Alg.exe,-112 (ALG) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\alg.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: AMD External Events Utility - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\atiesrxx.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: ASP.NET State Service (aspnet_state) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\aspn et_state.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
O23 - Service: CinemaNow Service - CinemaNow, Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\CinemaNow\CinemaNow Media Manager\CinemanowSvc.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\efssvc.dll,-100 (EFS) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\fxsresm.dll,-118 (Fax) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\fxssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: File Backup Service (File Backup) - Starfield Technologies, Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Starfield\offSyncService.exe
O23 - Service: GameConsoleService - WildTangent, Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\HP Games\HP Game Console\GameConsoleService.exe
O23 - Service: HP Health Check Service - Hewlett-Packard - C:\Program Files (x86)\Hewlett-Packard\HP Health Check\hphc_service.exe
O23 - Service: hpqwmiex - Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Hewlett-Packard\Shared\hpqwmiex.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: @keyiso.dll,-100 (KeyIso) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: LightScribeService Direct Disc Labeling Service (LightScribeService) - Hewlett-Packard Company - c:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\LightScribe\LSSrvc.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee SiteAdvisor Service - McAfee, Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\McAfee\SiteAdvisor\McSACore.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Security Scan Component Host Service (McComponentHostService) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\McAfee Security Scan\2.0.181\McCHSvc.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Services (mcmscsvc) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\PROGRA~2\McAfee\MSC\mcmscsvc.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Network Agent (McNASvc) - McAfee, Inc. - c:\PROGRA~2\COMMON~1\mcafee\mna\mcnasvc.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Scanner (McODS) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee\VIRUSS~1\mcods.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Proxy Service (McProxy) - McAfee, Inc. - c:\PROGRA~2\COMMON~1\mcafee\mcproxy\mcproxy.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Real-time Scanner (McShield) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee\VIRUSS~1\mcshield.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee SystemGuards (McSysmon) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\PROGRA~2\McAfee\VIRUSS~1\mcsysmon.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Personal Firewall Service (MpfService) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\McAfee\MPF\MPFSrv.exe
O23 - Service: @comres.dll,-2797 (MSDTC) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\msdtc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\System32\netlogon.dll,-102 (Netlogon) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Driver Helper Service (NVSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\nvvsvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\psbase.dll,-300 (ProtectedStorage) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\Locator.exe,-2 (RpcLocator) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\locator.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\samsrv.dll,-1 (SamSs) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\snmptrap.exe,-3 (SNMPTRAP) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\snmptrap.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\spoolsv.exe,-1 (Spooler) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\spoolsv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\sppsvc.exe,-101 (sppsvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\sppsvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Stereoscopic 3D Driver Service (Stereo Service) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\NVIDIA Corporation\3D Vision\nvSCPAPISvr.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\ui0detect.exe,-101 (UI0Detect) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\UI0Detect.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vaultsvc.dll,-1003 (VaultSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vds.exe,-100 (vds) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\vds.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\vssvc.exe,-102 (VSS) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\vssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\Wat\WatUX.exe,-601 (WatAdminSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\Wat\WatAdminSvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\wbengine.exe,-104 (wbengine) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\wbengine.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%Systemroot%\system32\wbem\wmiapsrv.exe,-110 (wmiApSrv) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\wbem\WmiApSrv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%PROGRAMFILES%\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe,-101 (WMPNetworkSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe (file missing)

--
End of file - 11798 bytes

quickly looking over the logs, I don't really see any system problems, the the drivers look good. nothing really sticks out.


try this real quick, download GPU-Z from techpowerup. run it, and look at the sensors tab while the game is running. see what the GPU temp is.

Load CoX in windowed mode and see if you can do anything different. (if your not already doing that.)

The monitor going dark and turning off is an indicator that the monitor has lost signal. it sounds like the video card is directly shutting down. so, my last question, do you have to manually reboot the PC, or is there something your able to do to recover without shuttingdown?

I have no idea how hot too hot is, but the GPU Temp usually sits around 65-80 C, and when the game is on it's more like 80-100+ C. After watching the temp while attempting to play, the temp rises really quick then crashes shortly after getting to 100C. I also tried the game in Windows mode, and it kept the temp down to 80C but it still crashed.

EDIT: I just found out that GPU-Z doesn't display updates unless it's on top, so I have no idea what the temp was while playing in windows mode. I had just kept it open next to the game window and marveled and how the temp didn't rise while playing. I guess I know why now.

What happens during the crash is the monitor turns off (due to signal loss, just like it does when I power down the comp or it hibernates. The power is still on with the comp, and I have to manually restart it to get any response from anything. The comp experiences the same crash in other MMOs I try to play.

Thank you for your help, I really appreciate it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AncientGuardian quickly looking over the logs, I don't really see any system problems, the the drivers look good. nothing really sticks out. try this real quick, download GPU-Z from techpowerup. run it, and look at the sensors tab while the game is running. see what the GPU temp is. Load CoX in windowed mode and see if you can do anything different. (if your not already doing that.) The monitor going dark and turning off is an indicator that the monitor has lost signal. it sounds like the video card is directly shutting down. so, my last question, do you have to manually reboot the PC, or is there something your able to do to recover without shuttingdown?

Ok, wow. Um, can you double check to make sure it is really reading celcius and not Fahrenheit? because, the maxium rated temp for video cards is in the 90°C range. the GT 430 has a max of 98°C according to nvidia's reference.

if it is really going over 100 Celcius, then that would definatly be a problem.

so, If you can try another test, in gpu-z see if the fan speeds increase as temps increase, or even if the fan is running for the GPU (that is, if it has a fan, I only know of one brand that has passive cooling)

If there is a fan on that video card, and its not spining to keep up, you may have to open the case and see if there isn't something hindering the fan. make sure the card is seated properly as well.
all this if GPU-z is definatly reading celcuis. if gpuz is reading in Fahrenheit, then those temps are good, and we now have a whole other issue of troubleshooting.


In summary, if those temps are reading celcius, and you check the fan, and its working, and gpu-z shows its going faster as temps rise, and you still crash and/or the temps still get into the upper 90°C range, I think the best thing is an RMA...

Yep, those are definitely C, and I double checked with a 2nd application (SpeedFan) to verify the readings. Looking inside the case nothing is really obstruction the fan, but the way the card sits the fan is blowing into an empty cavity with poor ventilation so it may just not be able to do its job. This is one of the things I've never liked about HP products, is that they are really compact and don't leave a lot of room in the case for anything.

I've returned the card and replaced it with a different, older/slower card. It's not the performance I really want, but upgrading to a card which is likely to give it to me will require me to make other upgrades (at least a new power supply and case) I'm not ready to make yet.

Thanks for the help, discovering the overheating would have taken forever without otherwise.

Also, the GT 430 is not a gaming card.

Like it was said above, the 430 isn't a gaming card. It's really fairly low end.

The problem many people have is in thinking that just because a video card is a brand new release that it must be better than the card that they have had for a few years. Oddly it's unlikely anybody would make that mistake with cars. Nobody is likely to trade in their 10 year old Mustang for a brand new Honda Insight with the idea that since the Insight is newer it must be much faster and more powerful.

And yes AG, it's entirely possible that the 430 could be quickly overheating even though it's a brand new card. Some cards are stressed much more by opengl and it just may be that the 430 is one of them.

At any rate. Before "upgrading" a video card it's a good idea to check out this page http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/high_end_gpus.html or something similar. Just a quick look shows that the 430 is about the same power as a 7950 GT which was a decent though not top end card 4 years ago.

Thanks for the advise Mandu. While I consider myself a bit of a techie and computer nerd, I've rarely gotten under the hood of my machine for anything other than to clear out the dust once in awhile. I bought the 430 off the recommendation of a store rep, which I learned could be really really good (if the rep plays PC games) or really really bad (if the rep doesn't, like it turns out was the rep I had). The 430 was a much better card than what I already, but it was more like trading in my old Mustang for a brand new Hummer. Both are awesome but the one just doesn't do what I want it to do, at least not in the machine I put it in.

The 430 works fine in my wife's machine though. Different motherboard and processor, which is probably what made the difference there.