Video Not Good with 880 Board

[dougf4]

OS - Win XP Pro

GA0880GM-D2H Rev 1.4
Bios reports as the latest one
Radeon 4250
AMD 2.8 Rena CPU
4 GB GSkill Ram

Catalyst 2011.0126.1740.31600
2D Driver  6.14.10.7164
3d Driver  6.14.10.0812
Open GL  6.14.10.10524

I built this box as a Home Theatre PC, so expected crisp, clean video.  I am not getting this so far.

I am not at all impressed with the video output on this new build.  My five year old HP box does a better job with way less processor, chip and RAM.

I am hoping that it is a setting somewhere.  I have tried everything I can think of so far.

I have set the machine up on my older HP monitor, a brand new Samsung 21"monitor and my 42" Visio HD through HDMI - all look pretty bad.  Not awful, but not what it should be.

The video will size correctly and I can get the dual monitor to work.  I have the monitor set to 1280X1024.

The issue is video quality.  It seems to be a little dull and definitely "noisy", full of grain. As I stated before, I have a 5+ year old machine with no where near the horsepower as this one and this new setup is inferior to it.  The noise/grain is my hangup with things.

When playing back a high quality DVD, there is some very minimal lag when the action is fast on screen.  I've tweaked the settings in Catalyst all over the place, reset to defaults and tried again.  Re-loaded the video driver twice.

So, is there anyone can offer any thoughts or suggestions for me?  Settings, tweaks,third party utilities etc.

If I need to buy a video card, so be it.  I'll sure be disappointed with this board if that is the case.  If I do need a card - any suggestions?

Thanks in advance for any help!!

[absic]

Hi there,

Have you tried the latest catalyst drivers 11.2 which has the following specs?

Driver Packaging Version   8.821-110126a-112962C-ATI   
Catalyst Version   11.2   
Provider   ATI Technologies Inc.   
2D Driver Version   8.01.01.1123   
2D Driver File Path   /REGISTRY/MACHINE/SYSTEM/ControlSet001/Control/CLASS/{4D36E968-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}/0000   
Direct3D Version   7.14.10.0812   
OpenGL Version   6.14.10.10524   
Catalyst Control Center Version   2011.0126.1749.31909   

Check here for latest ATI Drivers: http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/Pages/index.aspx (can't post direct link as you don't say which OS you are running)

[dougf4]

I have uninstalled Catalyst and re-installed from the link provided.

My version reports:

Driver Packaging Version   8.821-110126a-112958C-ATI   
Catalyst™ Version   11.2   
Provider   ATI Technologies Inc.   
2D Driver Version   6.14.10.7164   
2D Driver File Path   System/CurrentControlSet/Control/Video/{D7E454F8-F8C4-406B-BA74-C99D525FC0E8}/0000   
Direct3D Version   6.14.10.0812   
OpenGL Version   6.14.10.10524   
Catalyst™ Control Center Version   2011.0126.1740.31600   

I can not see why my version comes out "older" than the one you reference?

Thanks for your help!

[absic]

If you are running the integrated graphics that's possibly a reason why there is a slight difference in drivers.

Have you checked that your other drivers are up-to date?
Which OS are you running?
Latest BIOS for your motherboard is F6. Are you sure this is the version you're are using?

Also I'm having a small problem identifying your CPU as their isn't a 2.8GHz Rena version that I can find.
Is it an Athlon ii Rena Triple Core or an Athlon ii Regor Dual Core processor that you are running? The closest match I can find is the Athlon II X2 240 Regor CPU.

[dougf4]

My mistake on the CPU.

It is a Phenom II X4 820 Deneb 2.8 GHz

Yes, I am running on the integrated graphics.  (I have no external card installed)

Yes. to all Drivers being updated and my bios as well. 

My OS is:  XP Pro

Thanks again for your advice/expertise.

[absic]

Sorry for all the questions but .....
What other components do you have installed on your PC?
What programme(s) are you using to play back video?

[dougf4]

There really are no other components installed.  Just using on-board video and audio.

Clean install of WIndows XP Pro on a brand new hard drive 2 days ago.

Installed AVAST anti-spy.

I won't install anything else until I'm satisfied with things.  Hate to spend time loading/configuring if I may end up f/disk-format all over again.

I'm using VLC Player and KPlayer to play the videos, BUT.....The HD TV Video seems good now.


I downloaded a media pack from the AMD Site and that may have done the trick for that issue.

My monitor output is still doggy though.

I'm using my old Atholon 3800 machine with on-board video and the screen is much more crisp and clear than with the new setup.  No noise and grain when playing "Finding Nemo" or a "Harry Potter" DVD on the old machine, just on the new one.

Again, I tried my son's brand new 23" Samsung Monitor last evening and that also showed the grain and noise.

Again, my thanks for your help/advice.

[absic]

What make and model of DVD/CD drive are you using?
How are the SATA Controllers set-up in BIOS; IDE, AHCI or RAID?
If the DVD/CD writer is a SATA Model, which SATA Port is it connected to on the motherboard?
Is the video playback only dodgy from a disc or also when you watch a downloaded/ripped film from the HDD?