[SOLVED] Matrix like shimmering when playing games

[Pat on the Back]

Hey all,
I have a problem when gaming on my computer. What happens is this: Desktop is perfectly normal, I load up a game (doesn't matter what the game is) and when I start playing I start noticing a shimmering of pixels starting at the top of the screen. As I keep playing it starts expanding to the lower parts of the screen, vertically and horizontally in a grid. It is especially noticeable in light environments in the game. After I get pissed and close it, the shimmering remains on the desktop and then gradually goes away. I was told my GPU was going out so I bought a new one and the problem is still there.

My system specs are:
CPU: AMD 3800+ Socket 939 2.41 GHz
Power Supply: Enermax Noisetaker 485 Watt w/ 2 12 volt rails at 22amps each
MoBo: Asus A8N-LA (HP calls it Nagami2-GL8E) Socket 939
RAM: 1 GB Buffalo Select PC3200 184 pin DDR1 DIMM and 2 512 MB PC3200 184 pin DDR1 DIMMs
GPU: Nvidia Evga 7950 GT KO 512 MB RAM PCI- Express
Hard drive: 200 GB SATA
OS: Windows XP SP2

Nothing overclocked.
Thanks in advance!

[Pat on the Back]

Is there any way to fix this?

[Pat on the Back]

Ive narrowed the issue down a little, it seems like the shimmering is only occurring in lighter area sections of the screen, when transitioning to the darker areas it fades away.

[Indoril Nerevar]

Hi, welcome to TSF.

Firstly, your power supply is too small for your system, and might be causing the issue. Over time, a power supply will damage system components if it's not up to the job of running them. Click on "Power Supply Info" in my signature for more info, and links to power supplies in the right range for your system.

Also, click on "Common Game Issues" (also in my sig) and follow all the steps listed there. Let us know how you go.

[Pat on the Back]

I don't think my power supply could be the problem, the power supply calculator is saying I only need a 350 Watt power supply. It also exceeds the recommendation for my video card and meets the requirements in your sig. Its and Enermax too, so it should be good quality. Ill try those things you mentioned in your sig and let you know. Thanks for your help.

[Pat on the Back]

I did all of the things in your sig, including updating to the latest version of direct x 9.0c, nothing doing. Do you think I might need a new monitor cable or monitor, or is it the power supply for sure?

[Indoril Nerevar]

It's unlikely to be your monitor or cable - that would tend to play up all the time. The video card is more likely. As for the power supply, in the end the choice is, of course, yours; however, I would not risk running a system like yours on that power supply. Yes, Enermax are quite good, but that doesn't make up the difference. I would be using at least a 650W. It's up to you, but do one calculation for me: work out how much it would cost to replace every component in your system if your power supply fried them...

What driver version are you using with your video card? Click on "NVIDIA Drivers" in my signature, and locate the following three versions: 84.21, 93.71, 169.21. Which ever of those versions you aren't currently using, switch to (follow the installation steps in the thread). Try each of those versions in turn until the problem goes away, or you run out of versions to try. Report back with results.

[Pat on the Back]

Well, I was playing Sins of A Solar Empire today and the usual shimmering was going on, nothing too bad when all of a sudden the screen starts artifacting like crazy. Close out of the game, let the comp cool down, boot game up again and look for artifacting, but there is just the shimmering. So ive gotta say, Indroril is probably right and I need a new power supply. I cant see what else would be causing these issues, and im wondering if ive just fried my new graphics card, mobo, and processor. Would this be a good power supply: http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=23650
thanks

[Indoril Nerevar]

Artefacting almost always indicates a faulty video card, which can certainly be caused by using the wrong power supply. The issue you're likely to face, however, is that replacing the power supply may not be enough to solve the issue - if the video card has been damaged, you'll have to replace that too.

What video card were you using the first time you had the issue (the one you got rid of and replaced with your current one)? The Antec you've picked out is a good choice - go for it. In the meantime, though, try the different drivers as I mentioned above. Replacing the power supply is a good idea regardless, but it's best to cover all angles. Let us know how that goes.

By the way, artefacting indicates a bad video card, but not anything else. Your CPU, motherboard, RAM, etc, should all be fine - for the moment.

[Pat on the Back]

I had a 7600 GT before, worked fine then started shimmering after a few months. Replaced it with the 7950 GT and the shimmering continued.

[Pat on the Back]

The Antec PSU, it says that the 12 volt rails can only supply 19 amps. My graphics card needs 22. Would this powers supply be better? http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...1&Sku=B52-3004
thanks

[koala]

PCIE graphics cards need a minimum of 26 amps on the +12V line.

Enter your full system specs into this power calculator and set Capacitor Aging to 25%. Click the Calculate button, then add 30% to the total to allow for PSU inefficiency. Post back with this figure so we can recommend a suitable PSU.

[Pat on the Back]

I get a total of 416 watts.

[Pat on the Back]

Its fixed! Checked the power strip powering my computer, it was a piece, don't know why it was hooked up, replaced it with a different strip and put some of the plugs in another outlet so it wouldn't be deprived of power. Now there is no shimmering at all! So if your having problems similar to mine, just check all sources of power. Thanks for all your help guys.

[Indoril Nerevar]

Glad to hear you got it fixed - interesting solution.

I would still go ahead with replacing the power supply, as that will prevent some future problems. The Antec 650W you picked out was actually perfectly fine, as it has a combined +12V rail of a little under 57A.