Video Card Issues

Blackclaw · 11-03-2009, 07:05 PM

Hey guys, I've had a few video card issues lately.

To start with, my computer had been having issues running games - it began to occasionally freeze, and artefacts began to appear on the screen. This got to the point where graphical errors were clearly visible even during BIOS/Windows startup.

After this, I replaced the old card (an Nvidia 8800GTS 320MB - a fairly old card) with a 9600GT.

This card used the exact same driver as the old card (191.07) so there was no need to replace drivers. However, there are still issues running games in regards to freezing and artefacts. There are issues also even while browsing the web (freezing) and while watching videos/DVDs (several-pixel-wide coloured 'dots' appearing until the video was re-played). However, these issues are less common.

I have had my CPU overclocked for several months in a rather 'warm' room, although I have clocked it back down to factory speed and the problem still persists. Can this problem in any way be attributed to the CPU or the motherboard (or even the power supply), or would this be a faulty video card? I will test it later on today in another system to be sure.

Any help appreciated.

Phædrus2401 · 11-03-2009, 07:12 PM

It's quite possibly a power supply issue. What is the system's full specs?

Motherboard
CPU
RAM
Power supply (brand, model, wattage)

Blackclaw · 11-03-2009, 07:55 PM

Motherboard: nVidia nForce 680i SLI
CPU: Intel C2D E6850
RAM: 4GB
PSU: Thermaltake Toughpower 850W

11-03-2009, 07:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
Blackclaw Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 8 OS: XP (SP2)	Video Card Issues Hey guys, I've had a few video card issues lately. To start with, my computer had been having issues running games - it began to occasionally freeze, and artefacts began to appear on the screen. This got to the point where graphical errors were clearly visible even during BIOS/Windows startup. After this, I replaced the old card (an Nvidia 8800GTS 320MB - a fairly old card) with a 9600GT. This card used the exact same driver as the old card (191.07) so there was no need to replace drivers. However, there are still issues running games in regards to freezing and artefacts. There are issues also even while browsing the web (freezing) and while watching videos/DVDs (several-pixel-wide coloured 'dots' appearing until the video was re-played). However, these issues are less common. I have had my CPU overclocked for several months in a rather 'warm' room, although I have clocked it back down to factory speed and the problem still persists. Can this problem in any way be attributed to the CPU or the motherboard (or even the power supply), or would this be a faulty video card? I will test it later on today in another system to be sure. Any help appreciated.

11-03-2009, 07:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,828 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Video Card Issues It's quite possibly a power supply issue. What is the system's full specs? Motherboard CPU RAM Power supply (brand, model, wattage) __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

11-03-2009, 07:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
Blackclaw Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 8 OS: XP (SP2)	Re: Video Card Issues Motherboard: nVidia nForce 680i SLI CPU: Intel C2D E6850 RAM: 4GB PSU: Thermaltake Toughpower 850W