Graphic card working temporarily after dust removal

[mikesale]

So this is kinda weird.

I got an asus GTX 560 TI, which suddenly started having major artifacts in games, followed by a driver crash. I tried reinstalling windows, rolling back drivers, etc etc. Nothing worked.


So I tried to take out my card and carefully cleaned it with a vacuum cleaner and a microfiber cloth. (there wasn't much dust on it, some under the fans but that's all) When I reinstalled it, it worked perfectly for about a week. Then I got the same problem, artifacts, and I tried to google the different types of artifacts and this looked like what they called memory artifacts.

Anyway, again I took the card out, and this time there was even less dust on it, only 7 days had passed but I cleaned it again, and now it works again, and has been working for 2 days.

So, my problem is that I want to fix this, I don't wanna have to take my card out and clean it every week. It has worked perfectly since september so I don't understand what's wrong with it. I can get a new card, but I have to prove to the supplier that it is actually broken.


What do you guys think? Could a failing graphic card be extra sensitive to dust? I am clueless lol.. Could it be connection problems with the card and the motherboard? Any suggestions appreciated!


Additional info:
I have been monitoring the temperature, and it runs stable at 40 - 45 degrees celcius
I have been stress testing the system RAM for 36 hours with no error
I bluescreened once after the card crashed, and it produced the dump posted below
After I bought the card in september, I have not changed any hardware in my computer, nor have I fiddled with any voltage or clock settings.
I run an up-to-date legit version of windows 7


edit:
The dxdiag will say that I have an outdated version of the graphic driver, this is only because I tried to roll back the driver and I haven't bothered to reinstall the newest update as I know it won't change anything.



::: Blue screen dump :::

Spoiler

FAULTING_MODULE: fffff80002e1d000 nt

DEBUG_FLR_IMAGE_TIMESTAMP: 4f347ad2

FAULTING_IP:
nvlddmkm+ca1aa4
fffff880`10b0caa4 4883ec28 sub rsp,28h

DEFAULT_BUCKET_ID: GRAPHICS_DRIVER_TDR_FAULT

CUSTOMER_CRASH_COUNT: 1

BUGCHECK_STR: 0x116

CURRENT_IRQL: 0

STACK_TEXT:
fffff880`049e8b88 fffff880`04093cbc : 00000000`00000116 fffffa80`0a028010 fffff880`10b0caa4 ffffffff`c000009a : nt+0x71f00
fffff880`049e8b90 00000000`00000116 : fffffa80`0a028010 fffff880`10b0caa4 ffffffff`c000009a 00000000`00000004 : dxgkrnl+0x5ccbc
fffff880`049e8b98 fffffa80`0a028010 : fffff880`10b0caa4 ffffffff`c000009a 00000000`00000004 00000000`00000001 : 0x116
fffff880`049e8ba0 fffff880`10b0caa4 : ffffffff`c000009a 00000000`00000004 00000000`00000001 fffffa80`0a028010 : 0xfffffa80`0a028010
fffff880`049e8ba8 ffffffff`c000009a : 00000000`00000004 00000000`00000001 fffffa80`0a028010 fffff880`04067867 : nvlddmkm+0xca1aa4
fffff880`049e8bb0 00000000`00000004 : 00000000`00000001 fffffa80`0a028010 fffff880`04067867 fffff880`10b0caa4 : 0xffffffff`c000009a
fffff880`049e8bb8 00000000`00000001 : fffffa80`0a028010 fffff880`04067867 fffff880`10b0caa4 fffffa80`086d6000 : 0x4
fffff880`049e8bc0 fffffa80`0a028010 : fffff880`04067867 fffff880`10b0caa4 fffffa80`086d6000 00000000`00000000 : 0x1
fffff880`049e8bc8 fffff880`04067867 : fffff880`10b0caa4 fffffa80`086d6000 00000000`00000000 ffffffff`c000009a : 0xfffffa80`0a028010
fffff880`049e8bd0 fffff880`10b0caa4 : fffffa80`086d6000 00000000`00000000 ffffffff`c000009a fffffa80`086ce010 : dxgkrnl+0x30867
fffff880`049e8bd8 fffffa80`086d6000 : 00000000`00000000 ffffffff`c000009a fffffa80`086ce010 fffffa80`09d5c560 : nvlddmkm+0xca1aa4
fffff880`049e8be0 00000000`00000000 : ffffffff`c000009a fffffa80`086ce010 fffffa80`09d5c560 fffffa80`086ce010 : 0xfffffa80`086d6000


STACK_COMMAND: kb

FOLLOWUP_IP:
nvlddmkm+ca1aa4
fffff880`10b0caa4 4883ec28 sub rsp,28h

SYMBOL_STACK_INDEX: 4

SYMBOL_NAME: nvlddmkm+ca1aa4

FOLLOWUP_NAME: MachineOwner

MODULE_NAME: nvlddmkm

IMAGE_NAME: nvlddmkm.sys

BUCKET_ID: WRONG_SYMBOLS

Followup: MachineOwner

::: Dxdiag :::

Spoiler

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 5/26/2012, 01:56:47
Machine name:
Operating System: Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (6.1, Build 7600) (7600.win7_rtm.090713-1255)
Language: Norwegian (Bokmål) (Regional Setting: Norwegian (Bokmål))
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
System Model: System Product Name
BIOS: BIOS Date: 04/06/10 09:10:06 Ver: 08.00.15
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 CPU 750 @ 2.67GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.7GHz
Memory: 8192MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 8184MB RAM
Page File: 2259MB used, 14104MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7600.16385 64bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
Sound Tab 3: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (retail)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (retail)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (retail)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 Ti
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce GTX 560 Ti
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_1200&SUBSYS_838B1043&REV_A1
Display Memory: 4065 MB
Dedicated Memory: 993 MB
Shared Memory: 3071 MB
Current Mode: 1440 x 900 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Model: ASUS VW192Sÿÿ
Monitor Id: ACI19A6
Native Mode: 1440 x 900(p) (59.606Hz)
Output Type: HD15
Driver Name: nvd3dumx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvd3dum,nvwgf2um,nvwgf2um
Driver File Version: 8.17.0012.9573 (English)
Driver Version: 8.17.12.9573
DDI Version: 10.1
Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 2/10/2012 06:13:00, 17642816 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp:
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-5140-11CF-9656-87A31FC2C535}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x1200
SubSys ID: 0x838B1043
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Driver Strong Name: oem1.inf:NVIDIA_SetA_Devices.NTamd64.6.1:Section015:8.17.12.9573ci\ven_10de&dev_1200
Rank Of Driver: 00E62001
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C ModeVC1_C ModeWMV9_C
Deinterlace Caps: {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
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{6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
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{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(S340,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
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D3D9 Overlay: Supported
DXVA-HD: Supported
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled

 

[mikesale]

smorizio:

i would check your power supply make sure that it can handel the load of your new card and that the 12v leg has the current rating for the card. i would then run memtest just to rule out your ram. you can also run prime95 to check your cpu..there also gpu burn in programs that you can see if the gpu artafatcs in burn in. i would also download msi afterburner to see what the default fan speed is set and is the fan ramping to keep the card cool.

Hi thanks I will double check my power supply, just a question though 12v leg? could you please explain what this is and how I check it? Also please elaborate on the GPU burn in


xtreme5:

which motherboard are you using?

I'm using intel p7p55lx

 

[mikesale]

Bumping thread once, anyone?

 

[randomkid]

What about your processor temperatures? Have you cleaned the dusts from the processor cooler/heatsink?

And what is your power supply brand & model?

 

[mikesale]

Processor temperatures are at about 37 when idle, and 45 - 50 when playing. I must admit I haven't cleaned dust from my processor cooler for a while, I will try to do that now. I'll check the power supply brand and model while I'm at it

 

[mikesale]

Info on the powersupply: ALTIS A450CX so 450w, this may sound low but it has been working stable since september.

I delivered my gfx card today waiting for a replacement, I really hope it was the card, but I'll find that out now

 

[Sunius]

Oh god you're lucky your computer did not blow up. It's definitely power starvation issue. I'd suggest you get a proper power supply, like this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027

It should work perfectly with your GTX 560 Ti. And do it asap. It could even have damaged your card.

 

[mikesale]

Oh god you're lucky your computer did not blow up. It's definitely power starvation issue. I'd suggest you get a proper power supply, like this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027

It should work perfectly with your GTX 560 Ti. And do it asap. It could even have damaged your card.

Really? What's wrong with my current one?

The one you're suggesting is just 50w stronger, just curious

 

[Sunius]

First of all, your power supply is a generic non brand one. Which means it probably doesn't deliver its rated wattage. Secondly, graphics card only takes 12V power. Your power supply has only 24 amperes of power for it. That's around 288 watts. Rest is spread over useless 3.3V and 5V rails, which are used for hard drives (typical hard drive takes 20-30 watts of power) and case fans. Your CPU needs 95 watts, and your GPU needs 200 watts. So even if it does deliver what it promises, it's way too little.

Read this:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/low-cost-psu-pc-power-supply,2862.html

My suggested power supply is from quality brand (Corsair), and has 80 plus efficiency certification, which confirms that it really delivers its promised wattage and has at least 80% efficiency doing so. Futhermore, it has 34 amperes on its 12V rail, which is converts to 34x12 = 408 watts. It would guarantee clean power, and most importantly, enough power.

Lastly, your current power supply doesn't have two 6-pin PCIe power connectors which your graphics card require. Did you use adapters to make those connectors?

 

[mikesale]

First of all, your power supply is a generic non brand one. Which means it probably doesn't deliver its rated wattage. Secondly, graphics card only takes 12V power. Your power supply has only 24 amperes of power for it. That's around 288 watts. Rest is spread over useless 3.3V and 5V rails, which are used for hard drives (typical hard drive takes 20-30 watts of power) and case fans. Your CPU needs 95 watts, and your GPU needs 200 watts. So even if it does deliver what it promises, it's way too little.

Thanks a lot for the info, I never even considered the difference between a quality brand power supply and a cheap one.

My suggested power supply is from quality brand (Corsair), and has 80 plus efficiency certification, which confirms that it really delivers its promised wattage and has at least 80% efficiency doing so. Futhermore, it has 34 amperes on its 12V rail, which is converts to 34x12 = 408 watts. It would guarantee clean power, and most importantly, enough power.

Lastly, your current power supply doesn't have two 6-pin PCIe power connectors which your graphics card require. Did you use adapters to make those connectors?

Yeah, I did use adapters!

edit: btw, my local pc "dealer" doesn't have the PSU you recommended, what do you think about this one: http://www.coolermaster.com/product.php?product_id=6642?
edit2: Yeah I just realised this one doesn't have 6-pin PCIe connectors, I'm assuming adapters are bad, gonna look for one with those

edit3: Oh right it does have the 6 pins, I think I'm gonna go for this one unless anyone stops me, it seems to meet the criterias you mentioned


Anyway, unless anyone has more to add then I'd like to thank everyone who helped. Not only did I most likely find the issue, but I also learned something new that I will take into consideration in future pc rigs too. Thanks a lot!