Solution to crashing problemns with GTX 6xx cards!

[Evenstar]

A few days ago I build a new computer, with two GTX 660 cards in SLI. I stress tested everything pretty hard and it survived all of it.

So, the first time I start FFXI I end up crashing after just 2-3 minutes. Sometimes I would get a BSOD, sometimes I would just crash to desktop with the message that my graphics drivers had crashed and recoverd (the TDR crash).

After searching around for hours I found out that SE added a new function to the FFXI Config, called graphics stability. For most people that were crashing with GTX 6xx cards activating this graphics stability would solve the problem. Before this graphics stability was added most people had to turn down shadows and weather effects to stop crashing.

After searching some more I was REALLY suprised to see that the latest BETA drivers (320.14) of nVidia stated something about fixing a crashing problem with FFXI during Smite of Rage.

So I went online to fight some Evil Weapons until they used Smite of Rage and this were the results:

1) Latest nVidia WHQL drivers + unchecked graphics stability = crash
2) Latest nVidia WHQL drivers + checked graphics stability = no crash
3) nVidia 320.14 BETA drivers + unchecked graphics stability = no crash
4) nVidia 320.14 BETA drivers + checked graphics stability = no crash

So I assume the problem is really fixed!!

So if you have a GTX 6xx card and are crashing at random moments or were crashing before but fixed it by turning off shadow and weather effects please try the following:

1) Check graphics stability function in FFXI config

OR (even better)

2) Update your nVidia drivers to the latest BETA drivers 320.14

I hope this might help some of you guys. I made this thread to avoid more people going completely nuts (like I went today).

Enjoy a crash free game with shadows and weather effects!

[ReplicaX]

Unfortunately this isn't a fix for everyone with a 6xx series card. I run XI with stability off on a 660TI, weather effects and shadows full with zero issues since I purchased the card in Nov 2012.

Without a proper dump file from your Watchdog, you really don't know what infact caused this issue.

[FrankReynolds]

I'll give it a shot. I've been playing with weather etc. turned off on my 2X 660sli set up. It would be nice if I could turn them back on