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Strange problem with my new MSI R7 260x

Tags:
  • Drivers
  • Graphics Cards
  • MSI
  • Graphics
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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May 17, 2014 8:46:07 PM

So I just got a brand new MSI R7 260x OC Edition Thursday. I've been having some really weird problems with it and I don't know if it's the drivers, the card being defective, or my PC, itself.

The best way I can describe the problem is, there's artifacting, and the artifact pixels are always in the same exact spot. They do flicker and move about when there's things moving on screen; typically they stay in the same location, though. Once in a while if I do something, sometimes just loading up the control center for the video card, it'll become completely unstable. The artifacting will get way worse, and it will freeze every 5-10 seconds.

What makes it REALLY weird is that I figured out that I can get the video card to run correctly without any problems. All I have to do is run the benchmarking program that came with the card, let it glitch out, then force-close the program with task manager, and then the card runs absolutely fine. But it will wig out again if I use firefox and other programs.

Does anyone know what this problem could be? Here are my computer specs if needed.

Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 @ 2.33GHz
6GB DDR2 RAM
dual fan 500W PSU
64-bit Windows Vista Premium (yes, i know; i have a reason for this)

More about : strange problem msi 260x

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a c 234 U Graphics card
May 17, 2014 9:26:30 PM

What make/model is the PSU? Also, is Windows and your video drivers fully up to date?

Last, how hot is your CPU and GPU at idle and under load?

Current video drivers can be found here:

http://support.amd.com/en-us/download/desktop?os=Window...
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May 19, 2014 6:15:00 PM

My drivers and windows updates are all up todate. My PSU is a Rosewill Stallion Series 500W Power Supply RD500-2DB, which is brand new, I got it at the same exact time as the video card. at 100% load the GPU temp is 30c-32c, the cpu core temps run at
1# 72c-85c 2# 68c-79c 3# 70c-82c 4# 68c-80c, minimum to maximum load.
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a b \ Driver
a c 234 U Graphics card
May 19, 2014 6:31:50 PM

Your CPU is getting too hot and could very well be the problem. Are you using a stock (OEM) Intel heatsink? Regardless, is your fan clean and when was the last time the thermal compound, between the CPU and heatsink, changed?
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May 20, 2014 10:16:30 PM

I use the stock intel heatsink, I try to clean my cpu fan once every few months, and thermal paste has never been changed. I just some today so I'll change it as soon as possible.

UPDATE: I just finished changing the thermal paste, and good god! The old paste that was on there was so old that the overflow around the edges had turned solid, luckily I was in the right state of mind to buy a full cleaning kit. I had to reply the remover at least 7 times before the heatsink was completely clean, the processor only took 2 or 3 times. When I got everything up and running again I was a bit scared I messed up something, because usually the cpu fan will run full speed on start up. But apparently the CPU is running so cool now, it doesn't need to run full speed. Here are the new temps compared to the old:

1# 40c-60c 2# 42c-58c 3# 40c-61c 4# 42c-58c minimum to maximum load.

Although I fixed the overheating problem, unfortunately it did not solve the issue with the video card. I managed to have it run stable for the majority of the week, but the instability problem is still there. I think I'm close to ruling out that the card is just defective, but I still want to see if there's anything else I can try before I send it back.
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