Graphics Card starting to go?

Pat42 · 04-13-08, 03:44 PM

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!

flag4 · 04-13-08, 05:13 PM

hi Pat42

very similar rig to mine by the way.

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

flag4

JU_88 · 04-13-08, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pat42

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!

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.

FIREWALL · 04-13-08, 05:34 PM

Look to see if card fan is running.

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

Pat42 · 04-13-08, 08:21 PM

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.

bigboywooly · 04-13-08, 08:29 PM

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

Cohaagen · 04-14-08, 01:05 AM

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.

SmokinTep · 04-14-08, 06:32 AM

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

wetgoat · 04-14-08, 06:37 AM

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.

Sirkam · 04-14-08, 06:43 AM

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.

CptGrayWolf · 04-14-08, 06:57 AM

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

irish1958 · 04-14-08, 07:15 AM

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

Pat42 · 04-14-08, 09:49 AM

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.

FIREWALL · 04-14-08, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pat42

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

Hope this helps.

Stay away from used hardware if you can. Good Luck.

SmokinTep · 04-14-08, 11:18 AM

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.

04-13-08, 03:44 PM	#1
Pat42 Watch Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 30 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 0	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!

04-13-08, 05:13 PM	#2
flag4 Watch Officer Join Date: May 2007 Location: as far away as possible Posts: 1,625 Downloads: 147 Uploads: 0	hi Pat42 very similar rig to mine by the way. have you updated graphics driver, i do mine through gameshadow. flag4 __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] ' We are here on Earth to fart around. Don't let anybody tell you any different.' Kurt Vonnegut

04-13-08, 05:34 PM	#4
FIREWALL Eternal Patrol Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: CATALINA IS. SO . CAL USA Posts: 10,108 Downloads: 511 Uploads: 0	Look to see if card fan is running. If it is, still pull card and check fan and heatsink for crud. __________________ RIP FIREWALL I Play GWX. Silent Hunter Who ???

04-13-08, 08:29 PM	#6
bigboywooly Rear Admiral Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Swindon, England Posts: 10,151 Downloads: 35 Uploads: 0	Sounds like a cooling issue if only happening in game and not under load on the desktop __________________ My mediafire page http://www.mediafire.com/?11eoq19bq9r41

04-14-08, 06:43 AM	#10
Sirkam Frogman Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Spain Posts: 289 Downloads: 9 Uploads: 0	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. __________________

04-13-08, 08:21 PM	#5
Pat42 Watch Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 30 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 0	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.

04-14-08, 01:05 AM	#7
Cohaagen Frogman Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: UK Posts: 296 Downloads: 43 Uploads: 0	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.

04-14-08, 06:32 AM	#8
SmokinTep Ace of the Deep Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Suffolk, Virginia Posts: 1,027 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Try openeing the case and put a fan on it to see if the problem goes away.

04-14-08, 06:37 AM	#9
wetgoat Loader Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 87 Downloads: 101 Uploads: 0	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.

04-14-08, 06:57 AM	#11
CptGrayWolf Commander Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Saint Lawrence Seaway Posts: 459 Downloads: 11 Uploads: 0	Yup the exact same thing happened to me. Matrix like fonts on the screen. Your vid card overheated and is dead I'm afraid. __________________ Thomas Voltz, U-93 VIIc, Aug 1940, at sea patrol 1 GWX3 Gold, 100%

04-14-08, 07:15 AM	#12
irish1958 Ocean Warrior Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Carmel, Indiana Posts: 3,250 Downloads: 320 Uploads: 11	When I baked my ATI 9500 into a nice loaf of bread I had the same graphic problems. __________________ Irish1958

04-14-08, 09:49 AM	#13
Pat42 Watch Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 30 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 0	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.

04-14-08, 11:18 AM	#15
SmokinTep Ace of the Deep Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Suffolk, Virginia Posts: 1,027 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	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.