Artifacts caused by MB/GPU/PSU ?

[MaXKilleR]

Hi, I put together this sweet rig a little while ago and had problems with the graphics for a while. I have 3 different video cards (EVGA 8600gt, Asus/HP 7600gt, ATI x1600pro). All 3 gave me problems, but only after my pc has been on for at least 12h...the Nvidia ones artifact on the desktop and window title bar, and the ATI one blacks out for a few seconds from time to time.

I didn’t over clock any of them, and they operate within the 40-50C range.

I thought it might be because of the resolution of my new screen (1600x1200), since they ALL work fine on my other pc (1280x1024).

I don’t think its overheating so I've searched online and ppl relate this to bad VRAM or insufficient power.

My MB (ASUS P5N32-e SLI 680i) has 2 video card slots (Actually 3 but 2 are working in x16), so I plugged 2 card in there. I have a 500W power supply (Not EPS12), 3 hdd, 2-dvd-RW, 1-HD DVD,PCI TV Tuner, Intel C2D E6400 OC2.4Mhz (25-30C), and all in an Antec nine hundred case (so its super cooled).

I tried working with only 1 video card plugged but still it artifacts.

I tried lowering the clock freqs but still...

I would think it’s the driver but I doubt that both ATI and Nvidia drivers screw up at the same place.

I hope it’s something I can fix cheaply or RMA (I can only RMA the MB). Then again, THEY ALL WORK on my other rig.

My best guess is the resolution (the only thing that’s really different from my other rig). Those extra 609280 pixels are too much to handle or something.

The funny thing is that I barely get to play games (not enough time) so artifacts in XP would be in 2d only. I tried the stability test during an artifact attack and the walls in the benchmark window artifacts as well.

I can always restart once a day to get rid of it, but it shouldn’t result to that.

If anyone knows anything that might help me solve this mystery, I would really appreciate it if you reply to my post.

Thank You

[Redleg]

Hope you find an answer to this problem, and if/when you do, post it cause I also have artifacts problems from time to time on my Vista computer, which is not oc'd either. I was thinking it was a heat problem myself, but it did it no matter how cold it was in the room.

[MaXKilleR]

Vista has its own problems...

If you have an ATI video card then most likely it’s overheating due to the drivers. It’s a bug I noticed a long time ago, so it might be fixed now...it turns off the fan on the card, so the heatsink isn’t cooled properly.

Besides, vista operates in 3D so you should check any related bugs ppl have while playing games with your video card.

[fstroupe]

Use ATITool to heat up in 3D for testing. It works on nVidia cards too.

Never had any artifact problems except when overclocking, so I don't really have any suggestions.

MaxKiller's definitely isn't a GPU overheating prob, maybe your video RAM is overheating?

[gvblake22]

Are you sure you've uninstalled the old drivers completely before trying the new ones? Also, can you give more specific information on your PSU (brand, model, amperage on the different rails)? I've found RTHDRIBL to be the best 3D app to heat up a video card...

It shouldn't be the resolution, that is a very standard resolution and even onboard video can handle that. You say the cards didn't artifact in your old machine, what were the specs of that system? Did you re-use any parts from the old system into the new?

[MaXKilleR]

The PSU is a cheap one I got from work (dx-ps500w)...but its atx12v 2.0 compliant with overvoltage, overload, and short-circuit protection.

If I started a SLI setup then I would obviously upgrade, but with what I have right now it should be more than enough.

I don’t think it can be ANY overheating...I got 5 fans controlling the air flow. Besides, overheating doesn’t take 12h to take effect and then goes away after a quick restart.

Because I checked this with 3 different video cards, I don’t think it’s the video cards. It could be the PSU but i don’t want to buy a 90$ one if it isn’t.

My other pc is an HP Pavilion a1740n. If something would overheat, it would definitely be there...mini case with no fan or window.

Regarding the drivers, I tried different drivers old and new and removed each one with a special tool (forgot the name but it was from a graphics driver database website).

I’m going to test the video card in 3D, but I think a real game would give me more accurately visible results. I’ll try Gears of War this afternoon and post any effects.

[fstroupe]

The PSU is a cheap one I got from work (dx-ps500w).

It could be the PSU but i don’t want to buy a 90$ one if it isn’t.

Your answer is most likely in your own post. Regardless of what many say, IMO, and in my own personal experience, most 500w PSUs aren't enough for a decent rig with a 7600GT or better. There are a few out there that will, but the amperage rating on those would be sold as a 550-600 watt by other companies. I had a "cheap" 500 watt PSU that struggled powering my Socket A and 6600GT.

To make a little more sense of it, wattage rating isn't the key, amperage rating is. A pair of rails at 18A, or a single rail in the mid-30s, is minimum for your rig to be comfortable at all loads, though the PSU would probably be pretty warm playing a decent game. Less than 30 total would probably give your GPU trouble at much over idle.

[screwballl]

I would say Power supply or memory based on your own mentions... start with the power supply.


I would suggest something along the lines of this:
Newegg.com - RAIDMAX RX-600F ATX12V / EPS12V 600W Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, CUL, FCC, TUV, CE, C-tick, CCC, CB - Retail

Otherwise stick with name brands like antec, thermatake, Corsair, etc....

[MaXKilleR]

I tested my 8600gt with 3 different games all at full settings and max resolution (Gears of War, Call of Duty 4, and Stranglehold). All worked flawlessly and I even overclocked it (540/700 to 600/800), so there was no lag. Once I was done playing, a few hours later, it started to artifact. It’s very weird though, it only artifacts on the desktop and not inside the windows. The window title also artifacts but only when the window is selected.

I guess power supply it is. I'm thinking about getting: Cooler Master iGreen 500W Power Supply ATX V2.2 EPS12V SLI Ready Active PFC 20/24PIN 120MM Fan
Or maybe the: Cooler Master Real Power Pro 550W Power Supply

The eXtreme Power Supply Calculator v2.5 gave me an estimate of 430w with 8600gt sli setup, so I'm guessing the iGreen would have enough amps for my system.

Anyone has any thoughts about this?

[Yellowhello]

I wouldn't get a Coolermaster PSU... I would get either an Antec, Silverstone or OCZ PSU, off the top of my head.