Random crashes then artifacts after long periods of play

[AlexGT]

Hello, recently I upgraded my computer with an ASUS M5a97 Motherboard from an M3a76-CM motherboard;

I have a Sapphire Radeon HD 6870 with no history of overclocking. Recently when I installed my motherboard and 700w PSU unit I started to get random crashes with spouts of artifacting during the freeze-up.

This occurs on GTA EFLC. I have not tested any other games. When GTA EFLC crashes, so does skype, and I get random artifacts on my desktop.

I managed to capture my steam window when it occured.

It's a very odd occurence.

 

[teh_gerbil]

may I please what are your temps?

 

[boju]

hmm. Perhaps overheating might be the cause, have you tried to diagnose temps of the cpu and gpu?

Have you cleaned and applied cpu thermal paste correctly?

Be sure the motherboard is properly secured on spaces and nothing is shorting out underneath. Also be sure when securing the motherboard, the screws aren’t too tight as it may cause bowing in the motherboard.

 

[AlexGT]

may I please what are your temps?

45c idle, 70-78c no hotter under extreme load


CPU reaches 66c, no higher

 

[blazorthon]

What is the model of your new PSU and what driver version are you using for that 6870?

 

[AlexGT]

What is the model of your new PSU and what driver version are you using for that 6870?

APEVIA ATX-AQ700W-BK 700w PSU, and 12.5 Catalyst Beta.

 

[blazorthon]

APEVIA ATX-AQ700W-BK 700w PSU, and 12.5 Catalyst Beta.

While I look up that PSU, I recommend upgrading to Catalyst 12.6. 12.5 beta was known to have some problems.

 

[AlexGT]

While I look up that PSU, I recommend upgrading to Catalyst 12.6. 12.5 beta was known to have some problems.

My mistake; I do have Catalyst 12.6.

 

[blazorthon]

My mistake; I do have Catalyst 12.6.

Well, then the drivers probably aren't the issue. Have you tried a roll-back? It would be the first time that I've heard of 12.6 causing problems, but it's possible.

Also, that PSU seems to be fairly inconsistently performing. it might be the problem.

 

[AlexGT]

Well, then the drivers probably aren't the issue. Have you tried a roll-back? It would be the first time that I've heard of 12.6 causing problems, but it's possible.

Also, that PSU seems to be fairly inconsistently performing. it might be the problem.

How so? And no, I have not tried a roll back

 

[blazorthon]

How so? And no, I have not tried a roll back

Reading the newegg reviews shows many people with either DOA or quickly dying and/or poorly performing units.

 

[AlexGT]

Reading the newegg reviews shows many people with either DOA or quickly dying and/or poorly performing units.

I strongly doubt this'd be the issue; this PSU works efficiently just like it should in-game; until later something goes down.

 

[blazorthon]

I strongly doubt this'd be the issue; this PSU works efficiently just like it should in-game; until later something goes down.

A PSU can cause seemingly confusing problems of many, many different types. Maybe it's not the problem, but maybe it is.

 

[AlexGT]

A PSU can cause seemingly confusing problems of many, many different types. Maybe it's not the problem, but maybe it is.

and if it isn't?

 

[blazorthon]

and if it isn't?

Then we will need to do some more trouble-shooting in order to solve this problem. Again, a driver roll-back might help. You could try Catalyst 12.4 or some other version.

 

[AlexGT]

Then we will need to do some more trouble-shooting in order to solve this problem. Again, a driver roll-back might help. You could try Catalyst 12.4 or some other version.

Understood; Do you have a steam? This can go quicker.

 

[blazorthon]

Understood; Do you have a steam? This can go quicker.

A steam? What do you mean by that? A Steam account?

 

[AlexGT]

A steam? What do you mean by that? A Steam account?

Yes sir, the screenshot in the main post shows the interface...or atleast it was an interface

 

[blazorthon]

Yes sir, the screenshot in the main post shows the interface...or atleast it was an interface

No, I don't have a Steam account. To be honest, I'm probably going to sleep soon.

 

[AlexGT]

No, I don't have a Steam account. To be honest, I'm probably going to sleep soon.

I understand, will you still be on? This'll be rather hasty for the troubleshoot and I can come back to you with details in 10 minutes flat.

 

[blazorthon]

I understand, will you still be on? This'll be rather hasty for the troubleshoot and I can come back to you with details in 10 minutes flat.

I can stay on for a while longer, but i'll need to go to sleep within 20-40 minutes.

 

[AlexGT]

I can stay on for a while longer, but i'll need to go to sleep within 20-40 minutes.

I did a BiOS Update and uninstalled AMD Vision Engine Control Center but it still says it's in 12.6. I'm thinking about testing again with AMD Vision Control Center completely off.

I've got yet another screencap with this happening.

I really hope I won't have to RMA this card.

 

[blazorthon]

Boot into safe mode and completely uninstall all of AMD's drivers, profiles, and such for your graphics card. There are utilities such as (if I remember its name correctly) Driver Sweeper that can help you do this thoroughly. After that, restart and then boot into safe mode again, install the driver version that you want to try, and repeat testing. If this doesn't work, then there is probably a hardware problem that an RMA should solve... Granted, I can understand why you wouldn't want to deal with that potential frustration.

 

[AlexGT]

I did as requested. I booted into Safe Mode, uninstalled all AMD - Display Drivers via Driver Sweeper, and downgraded to AMD Catalyst Version 12.3.


I will be back with the benchmark results. It should take a while to induce but I beg of your attention for a few moments more.

 

[AlexGT]

Boot into safe mode and completely uninstall all of AMD's drivers, profiles, and such for your graphics card. There are utilities such as (if I remember its name correctly) Driver Sweeper that can help you do this thoroughly. After that, restart and then boot into safe mode again, install the driver version that you want to try, and repeat testing. If this doesn't work, then there is probably a hardware problem that an RMA should solve... Granted, I can understand why you wouldn't want to deal with that potential frustration.

Negative; test failure. Same thing occured.

- Random artifacting on freeze up, sound cut out, then immediate crash.

This isn't good. I just got my computer back from being R.I.P'd and now it turns out something is screwed up, but I have no idea what is.