[hazeyindahead]

Hello,

Did a lot of searching, googling and testing before this post, if you find the solution that I missed then I freaking love you.

I just put together a new Intel build for my GF for one reason: Sims 3. She loads up Sims and in game there are what appears to be scan lines or possibly screen tears. They are prevalent in all kinds of environments in game and make the game unplayable for her.

I have been trying to fix this for a week now to no avail.

Here is what I have tried:

1. We have the same vid card, so I switched them out

2. Updated ALL drivers for MB, VGA, BIOS, Win7 mostly through the manufacturer websites.

3. Enabled Vsync and Triple Buffer in the VGA control panel

4. Forced the VGA to max graphics through the Nvidia Control Center for a theory that the PC is rendering faster than the monitor can refresh

5. I have ran another game and the lines are still present

6. Tried underclocking the VGA since it is shipped OC'd

7. We have ran the game on my PC with the same monitor, NO LINES. Again, NO LINES WHEN ON MY PC WITH SAME MONITOR AND VGA


Still lines on hers....

I have tried all these things before posting this. Thank you so much for helping me figure this out.


On to the specs:

The monitor is a Viewsonic vs13860

Specs on geeks.com:
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?i [...] -R&cat=MON


So its a 600 W corsair power supply, remember when I said we have the same card? I run a 500 or 550W PS on my PC

PC Specs from the Win7 Experience Index screen

Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-2100 CPU @ 3.10GHz

Memory (RAM) 8.00 GB
Graphics NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti
Gaming graphics 4095 MB Total available graphics memory
Primary hard disk 131GB Free (233GB Total)
Windows 7 Home Premium

System

Manufacturer MSI
Model MS-7673
Total amount of system memory 8.00 GB RAM
System type 64-bit operating system
Number of processor cores 2

Storage

Total size of hard disk(s) 233 GB
Disk partition (C

131 GB Free (233 GB Total)
Media drive (D

CD/DVD
Media drive (E

CD/DVD

Graphics

Display adapter type NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti

Total available graphics memory 4095 MB
Dedicated graphics memory 1024 MB
Dedicated system memory 0 MB
Shared system memory 3071 MB
Display adapter driver version 8.17.12.8562
Primary monitor resolution 1920x1080
DirectX version DirectX 10



Please help, this whole thing went smoothly until this issue, Im almost in the clear of her having her own PC just for her games and I just gotta figure this issue out!

Thanks guys!!

 

[Republic3D]

When you used the same monitor on both computers, did you also bring your DVI cable with it?

I had the same problem with a high end 2560x1440 pixels monitor, until I switched to a Dual-DVI cable. The Dual-DVI has more pins in it and allows for higher resolution and data transfer rate. I don't know if that's your problem, but it's worth a try.

 

[hazeyindahead]

I did NOT use the same DVI cable. Let me try that now

Apparently i can only edit before 15 minutes???

Sorry for double post. The cable switch didnt work

We even changed the VGA to dvi adapters that we are using too... no dice

 

[dai]

with a 550ti i would be using a corsair tx 650w or better

 

[hazeyindahead]

Really? Damn, I used Neweggs power supply tool to figure it out and I also have the 550 ti and Im running fine at lower wattage.. :-/

I guess Ill go buy a bigger PSU and try it to see if that works.


Sidenote: We underclocked her VC and still maxed the graphics settings and the lines are a little less noticeable but still unplayable.

 

[Narcissist]

A 550ti is a very low powered gpu and requires nothing close to a 650W PSU. It has a TDP of 116W which is less than 10A. Even if you doubled that (which is complete nonsense), added the rest of your system you could easily get away with a 500W PSU from a quality make.

To the OP, enable VSync and crank up the GPU fans.

 

[Tyree]

You would be wise to follow dai's suggestion for the PSU.

 

[hazeyindahead]

To the OP, enable VSync and crank up the GPU fans.

Dude.... The op has v sync on. Its in bold. I'll mess around the fans and see if that helps.

I'm gonna get a bigger psu and if it doesn't work I'll return it

 

[Narcissist]

I saw that, i just though you may have turned if off when it didn't resolve it.

 

[Tyree]

I'm gonna get a bigger psu and if it doesn't work I'll return it

Wise choice. You can connect it outside the case to avoid scratching it in case you have to return it.

 

[hazeyindahead]

I saw that, i just though you may have turned if off when it didn't resolve it.

Phew, sorry for the 'tude. Just frustrated is all. :ermm:

Very good tip on connecting it from the outside.

Im so close to just taking it to Geeksquad or some IT place and saying eff it... I know I know its like hiring a plumber...

 

[tyza]

Try your power supply on her pc . . .

Honestly starting to look like a motherboard problem IF it is not psu.

 

[hazeyindahead]

Hey everyone, this is the girlfriend.

I got some ideas from another source thats been messing with computers since the 70's. I just want your thoughts on these.

1. The PCI-E slot where the video card is plugged in...the pins broken/bent/etc. So try another PCI-E slot?

2. Said that the megahertz on the video card is set to high for my monitor?

3. The Video card cable that plugs into the MB could be interfering with the video card(by unshielded cable)?

4. He said its highly unlikely that its the power supply since the power supply only uses the power it needs and that my 600 watt power supply is there for if i ever want to add or for upgrades..??

YOUR THOUGHTS????

 

[greenbrucelee]

Hey everyone, this is the girlfriend.

I got some ideas from another source thats been messing with computers since the 70's. I just want your thoughts on these.

1. The PCI-E slot where the video card is plugged in...the pins broken/bent/etc. So try another PCI-E slot?

2. Said that the megahertz on the video card is set to high for my monitor?

3. The Video card cable that plugs into the MB could be interfering with the video card(by unshielded cable)?

4. He said its highly unlikely that its the power supply since the power supply only uses the power it needs and that my 600 watt power supply is there for if i ever want to add or for upgrades..??

YOUR THOUGHTS????

1. yes you could try another PCI-E slot remember the card needs to be in a PCI-E x16 slot and not in a lower one.

2. I highly doubt this would be the cause try adjusting the monitors resolution throuhg windows and see if it gelps

3. very unlikely

4. He is correct in the fact that the psu only uses what it needs but the fact remains you should be using a 650w psu for that card. When you see psu requirments for cards the general rule of thumb is to add atleast 30% onto it to cater for spikes and added hardware etc.

 

[Republic3D]

Did you connect the PCI-E power cables from the PSU to the GPU? I know it's a basic thing, but people sometimes forget. Just thought I'd mention it.