Graphics Card starting to go?
 

Im running a Nvidia 7600gt card w/ 256 MB of memory, AMD Athlon 64 3800+ processor, and 2 gigs of memory. When I run Silent Hunter 3 or 4, I start getting a phenomenom kind of like the matrix. The pixels on the screen start trickling down and flashing different colors, but its barely noticeable and only happens in various places on the monitor (the whole screen isnt doing it). Also, the game gets kind of jumpy once in a while, then smooths out. I put the graphics card in about 6 months ago and bought it used off ebay. I believe it was in that guys computer for over a year. Probably not a good buy for me. I havn't had any problems up until now though. Thanks in advance!

hi Pat42

very similar rig to mine by the way.

have you updated graphics driver, i do mine through gameshadow.

flag4

You have identical specs as me, i dont have the problem you mention, still im thinking of getting an 8800GT, it best value at the moment.

Look to see if card fan is running.

If it is, still pull card and check fan and heatsink for crud.

I updated to 169.21 to no avail, then I did what firewall suggested and pulled the card, sprayed it with a compressed air can and put it back in. Still nothing, and now I am stating to notice vertical divisions throughout the screen, evenly spaced. The "matrix" effect is still there, and it seems to slowly fade away as the card cools down. Keep in mind that this only happens in game, not on the desktop.

Sounds like a cooling issue if only happening in game and not under load on the desktop

Artifacting (the glitches you're experiencing) is a definite sign of an overheating or overstressed graphics card. If either you or, more likely, the previous owner have overclocked the card it could have drastically shortened its lifespan in the case of a substandard unit. Quality control isn't perfect, sadly, and some cards suffer more than otherwise identical examples of the same model. Whatever the cause, you're getting pretty certain symptoms of a physical problem with the card, as opposed to driver conflict or the like.

8XXX series are getting dirt cheap now that the 9-series cards are out. Might be for the best to snap one up.

Try openeing the case and put a fan on it to see if the problem goes away.

My card started out as you discribe, gradually got worse. When I replaced it, I noticed it had a burned smell to it. Yes, it was fried.

This happened to me with my old 6800GT. My graphic card started to show "green, red and yellow pixels" around the screen (and turn off my monitor). Maybe your Graphic card is toast...review and test it in other computer.

Yup the exact same thing happened to me. Matrix like fonts on the screen. Your vid card overheated and is dead I'm afraid. :dead:

When I baked my ATI 9500 into a nice loaf of bread I had the same graphic problems.

Yep you guys are right, its starting to go and getting worse, ill keep an eye out for a new 7800 or 8800, that should be a nice upgrade. Thanks for your help.

I'm going to ask a dumb question.

Is your card , AGP or PCI-E ?

I'm looking at TigerDirect and there isn't a 7800 in either genre.

But 8800 as low as $59.99 :D

Hope this helps. :yep: Stay away from used hardware if you can. Good Luck. :up:

I was lucky when my 9800 Pro bit the dust a while back. Was able to pick up a 7800. Can't find them anymore.