I just finished installing my Ati Raedon x1950 and updating to the latest drivers. The load time for the game is incredible but when it gets to the hood screen everything goes pixelated. Anyone else having this issue?

Ati just released drivers like 3 days ago. Anyone have a older version that is working better?

Linda

Could it possibly be my PSU. I have a 420 but i just noticed the cards box said min 450. Either way i just placed at order for

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...

to be a secondary. Any Advice?

It was recommended to you NOT to get the X1950, but you did it anyway. You were told to list your PSU specs, but you never did. Now you've "wasted" your money on an aux PSU for the graphics card when you should have simply replaced your main PSU. Why do you bother asking for advice if you have no intentions of taking it?

how is it wasted? Ok I'm all ears. How do you suggest that I clean up my Mess?

1st of all, you never listed the specs on your PSU. Just saying it's 420W doesn't mean squat. There are plenty of 420W units out there...some are good, some are absolute garbage. If you have one of the garbage ones, THAT's what you should have replaced, not adding some dumb auxilary power unit.

2nd, most of told you that the X1950 is too much card for your system, not to mention too expensive. I even supplied a link to a Tom's Hardware article so you didn't think I was talking out my a$$. I'm guessing you didn't read it? You're upgrading from an FX5200...almost ANYTHING would have been an improvement over that low end piece of crap! The 7600GS or 1650Pro would have been the card to get, or you could have made an argument for the 7600GT. The X1950Pro is overkill. Regardless, you made your decision(s).

Anyhow, about your pixelated screen...it may be a driver issue, it may be due to lack of adequate power to the card, or it may be a defective card.

Jam, I appologize for being ignorant. I Can return the graphics card, that isn't a problem. Also here is a picture of the specs on my PSU.
I honestly have no idea what to be looking for in a new PSU. I cancelled the order for the auxilary unit. Please help me. I will listen to everything you tell me.

Crap forgot to put the link.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c...

There's your problem! The UL number tells you who the actual manufacturer is. Your UL number is E133853. Your PSU is made by REAL POWER ENTERPRISE CO LTD from Taiwan. It sells for about $15-20.

Hopefully this link will work:

http://database.ul.com/cgi-bin/XYV/...

Here's a few PSU possibilities. The 1st one (Ultra V 500W) has been available for a while now for free after rebate at Outpost.com...unfortuantely the rebate has expired. It's still a good deal for $40 with free shipping, but free after rebate is better. lol.

http://shop1.outpost.com/product/45...

Here's 2 more:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...

Ok I got the card running now. I changed to omega drivers and its working perfectly. I think. How can i tell if it is not getting enough power? I don't want to burn it up or anything. ya know.

I am thinking about getting the one from Fry's. Do you thinkg 500w is enough? I want this upgrade to last until AGP is dead.

If it's working OK, hang on & wait for Fry's to run the rebate again...it pops up often.

"I want this upgrade to last until AGP is dead"

If you didn't read that Tom's Hardware article, you should have. If you're a hardcore gamer, you've got about a year with that card....2 years at best. But if you decide to rebuild sooner, the AGP card obviously won't be a part of it. That's why you should have "settled" for a $100 card rather than a $230+ card.

Ahh. I understand now. I'm not a hardcore gamer. I only play the sims 2 and its EPs. The sims 3 won't be coming back until 2009 so I figured no major upgrades after this until then.

Also Jam, How do i make sure the card is not way under powered?

"I'm not a hardcore gamer"

Exactly why you didn't need the X1950Pro! It's a hardcore gaming card & the Sims2 doesn't even come close to needing something that powerful.

"How do i make sure the card is not way under powered?"

You'll know when things start mucking up. And it's not just the card that would be underpowered, it's everything. Keep an eye on that 500W PSU at Fry's.

Yes Sir.