Ok, I am at a total loss (artifacts)

[guardianangel42]

I have had a problem with artifacts when using my Nvidia GTS 250. I bought an HD 5770 and had no problems with artifacts (there were a whole host of new problems though so I ended up sending it back).

I RMA'd my old GTS 250 several weeks ago and the new card had the same problem. I hadn't thought to check the serial number on the new card but it had the same problem. I RMA'd that card just last week for the same reason and the new card arrived. I checked the serial number on this one and it is different. That was on a sticker stuck to the bottom of the card though so if it is somewhere else on the card I would like to know where.

However, in the absence of a second place to check for the serial number I would like to know what else could possibly cause artifacts. From bad CPU to bad mobo to bad RAM, anything other than the graphics card that could cause it I want to know.

Thanks in advance,

GA

 

[hunter315]

If your power supply is outputting unstable voltages it can cause interesting results in many components.

 

[guardianangel42]

I just upgraded my power supply, I now have a TX650W corsair psu.

I did have a really crappy psu, which is why I thought my card was damaged in the first place. It made it get over 100 degrees celcius.

 

[guardianangel42]

Also, I ran the windows memory diagnostic on my ram and it came back with no errors.

 

[guardianangel42]

And I reset my overclock, now at stock settings. It didn't help.

 

[hunter315]

How hot is your GPU getting now? You can run furmark to get it to full load and up to load temps quickly.

Have you run memtest, i didnt even know windows had a memory diagnostic so im going to assume its not too reliable or i would have heard of it before. You can get memtest below
http://www.memtest.org/

 

[guardianangel42]

I am going to upload a video. It was amazing and completely infuriating. I ran furmark, just give me a few minutes to upload the video to youtube.

 

[guardianangel42]

Scratch that, fraps wouldn't record. I'll try uploading screenshots instead.

http://s477.photobucket.com/albums/rr138/guardianangel117/?action=view&current=WTF.png

http://s477.photobucket.com/albums/rr138/guardianangel117/?action=view&current=WTF2.png

I have NEVER gotten this bad of results from furmark. I have used it extensively and even my original faulty card had HUGELY better results.

 

[hunter315]

Wow, thats impressive to say the least. Your artifacting issues are the same on the Corsair and the Diablotek PSUs? If so we can rule out the PSU and it comes back to likely being the GPU.

 

[guardianangel42]

Ok. You have never heard of any other component being the problem?

 

[guardianangel42]

You know, I just realized, the card I just got back came in a static bag that was too short for it. It wasn't completely covered. Those f-ing amateurs! I swear, they better send me a card in a retail box next time, unopened.

This is total BS. Thanks for your help.

 

[guardianangel42]

Also, in the interest of thorough troubleshooting, if anyone else knows of a component other than the graphics card that can cause artifacts, please post them here, I would like to check every avenue that I can.

 

[lothdk]

You state you have been running both Nvidia and ATI cards on your system, did you completely remove all previous drivers before installing a new card, if not, download Driver Sweeper and the newest drivers for your current card. Uninstall drivers for your current card, boot to safemode and run Driver Sweeper and clean out any leftover drivers from previous installations.
Boot to normal Windows and install the newest drivers for your card.

 

[guardianangel42]

I will give that one final try in the interest of being thorough. I don't think it will help though.

 

[jrhii]

This might sound like a dumb suggestion, but do the artifiacts appear on any monitor you hook it too. I was using a GT220 lying around waiting for my GTX470 to come and it gave me artifacts on an old dell 1024x1240 LCD, but not on my families 1650x1050 screen. The dell worked fine when I put the 470 in, and I am not sure how the 220 might act if I hooked if up to my new 1920x1080 monitor, but I can tell you the results if they are significant tonight.

I'm not really sure what this all means, but I would guess it means something is up with the video card, but I don't really know.

 

[guardianangel42]

Ok, while it is always a good suggestion to rule out the stupid obvious possibilities before moving on the the hard to fix possibilities, it doesn't matter. I have replaced my nvidia card with an old, OLD ATI x600 and while it gets about 0-1 fps in furmark, there are no artifacts.

So I know it isn't the display since 1) it only happens during strenuous operations and 2) it only happens with the Nvidia card.

I have just called tech support for the gts 250 and showed them the screen shots of the artifacts (viewable through the links above) and they have promised to upgrade my card to a newer and/or better card. I might sell that card and get an EVGA card or something. It depends on what card they give me.

Thank you guys for the help. Hunter, have a gold medal shaped cookie.

 

[guardianangel42]

Best answer selected by guardianangel42.

 

[guardianangel42]

Also, I love your moto hunter.

 

[hunter315]

Glad they are willing to let you RMA it. Thanks for the best answer cookie!