Hello.
New to this forum...

I have a problem with the graphics in my pc.
When it's bin on for a while it gets kind of
twitchy...
It is not because of the drivers, I know this because
it has always bin like this.

My question is;
is it twitchy because of the graphicscard or the motherboard?

someone else might know... but, im having difficulty understanding what the problem youre having is exactly... and it might just be because im tired, i dunno.

i guess clarification might help:

what do you mean by twitchy?
whats the list of all your hardware in use (cpu model, psu model, gpu model, hdd model, motherboard model, memory model and amount, etc)?
do you overclock at all? or change other settings in your motherboard bios?
have you run memtest on your memory to check for errors?
what programs are you running that are experiencing problems?
is all your software up to date?
have you scanned for viruses and other malware at all lately?
is something in your system overheating due to poor airflow?
have you cleaned out your system lately from dust accumulation and such?
have you defragged your hdd lately?
have you run check disk on your hdd to see if windows has any problems itself?
have you disabled any and all unnecessary software from running?
is everything assembled and properly in place in your pc?, such as a loose pci card or something else?, it wouldnt hurt to double check
is this an installation of windows from another computer?
are there any other abnormal problems even?

i guess just stuff like that and similar that you should check, and other things people might ask about, that would be helpful to people in diagnosing whats wrong.

Twichy

hardware config:

motherboard: Asrock 939 dual-sata2
processor: AMD64 x2 4200+ oc@2.4
memory: 2xtwinmos 1GB + 2x selectra 512MB = 3GB
GPU: Leadtek WinFast GeForce 7800GTX tdh
PSU: Apevia (aspire) 520W 3fan
Soundcard: SB live 5.1
HDD1: 2xRaptor 36GB raid0
HDD2: seagate ide 250GB
HDD3: seagate sataII 500GB
HDD4: seagate ide 120GB
HDD5: seagate sata 80GB on a belkin sata controllercard pci

System power consumption @~240watts

I have not run any tests like memtest or similar.
North- and southbridges were hot so I stuck fans on both heatsinks.
Barely any dust inside the case, and no loose cards.
I installed windows on this computer. I always install new windows when I switch computers. It is better that way. :-)

All software up to date, and no viruses, malwares or spywares...
I only have problems when running 3d-games or screensavers using 3d.
When I reboot my pc the problem dissapears for a while, then comes back...

It is like the graphics is having a seasure...

You don't mention your case... when I had a 7800 GTX it got really warm in the first case I had... warm enough that I'd game with the A/C on in the room just to be safe. A better case with better put an end to that. Perhaps you have heat issues.

lol thats the first time iv seen someone use that description

can you possibly take screenshots of this seizure? Does the screen just go distorted for a few seconds?
It may even be power supply issue. Maybe the psu is dying...or something.

Well, it is an old case... I've got another case with my old computer in it... more fans and more noise though...
Thought it would look cool with a really old case with good parts in it..
I'll switch cases and check again.. :-)
Thanks..

I would need to capture a short clip for you to see...
but I don't think it's the psu, cause it was like this when it was new as well...

might still be psu

its not the best brand and you do have a fair few stuff in your system.

What are the amp readings on the psu?

then again it could also be a gfx card issue.

too much to write... here's a screen...

with all your stuff on im not sure 26 is ideal on the +12V rail. Even though it does go to max of 35.

If i had your set up, id make sure i had at least 500-550 watt psu with about 40 amps on the +12V rail(s). got any friends with a good psu who might be willing to lend it to you to test it out?

ok. What kind of psu do you recommend?
Don't think anyone I know has one to spare... :-\

a general rule of thumb is to only buy well known name brand psus (same with memory too), and to also spend a minimum of $60 USD on the psu (being how it would be brand name psu, spending over $60 USD probably wouldnt be that difficult anyhow)... the reason being, because the psu is what powers your whole system, and if its at all faulty, you can have a whole range of unexplained problems.

if noone has one spare, what you might be able to do, is purchase one from a store, even if it is just to test out, and if things dont improve at all, just return it (assuming the store you go to will allow that).

and going by the above responses, a new psu might not be such a bad idea anyhow... because if you place a heavy enough demand on a weaker psu for long enough, it will eventually go out on you... so its always good to have more than enough power (to keep demand on the psu reduced), as your system will only consume whats necessary for the parts to run

ok. sounds like a good idea. So like coolermaster or similar?
When I bought my current psu it cost about $90usd in todays
currency exchange.. We've got high taxes in Sweden...
But I get what you mean.

If I return it within 14 days it's no problem.

yeah, brands like that, coolermaster, thermaltake, and similar... usually if youve heard a lot of good stuff about a particular brand, and