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Attempting to track down a GFX problem...

SanfamSanfam I like clocks.
in Zocalo v2.0
Yes, I know this is a bit of a tangent, but I know for a fact we've got a number of knowledgeable minds when it comes to the technology field. So far, I've had one hell of a time getting even as much as a response on other forums, so what the hell, I'm trying it here.

Howdy, folks. I come here with ears open for thoughts on the following issue. The card in question is an a passively cooled Gigabyte 8600GTS running at stock clock speeds and was previously chugging along fairly happily until recently. The owner of the system largely plays Battlefield 2 at 1280x1024x32 at 72hz, which is where these symptoms are also most apparent.

At some point in play after the system has booted, a grid-like pattern of green artifacts appears on the screen, usually in areas where textures are being blended together in some manner (and primarily either above or below 50% opacity, it seems). My description sucks. See the screenshots below.

System Configuration
Motherboard: GA-NF650SLI-DS4
Proc: Intel C2D E6600
RAM: 2gb DDR2 800, OCZ Platinum
Video: Gigabyte 8600GTS (SilentPipe II equipped) running Forceware 163.75. This is a change from the factory stock drivers of unknown revision where the same problem occurred.
OS: Windows XP Service Pack 2, most recent patches/hotfixes

Samples of artifacting: Left: The glitch on the NV test screen with quality on high; Right: Quality on low. Mind the quality, the roommate saved these using (gasp!) paint.
[IMG]http://www.omgod.com/temp/maximus/glitch-q.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.omgod.com/temp/maximus/glitch-p.png[/IMG]

[URL="http://www.omgod.com/temp/maximus/ingame-p.JPG"]In-game screenshot[/URL] with quality on low
[URL="http://www.omgod.com/temp/maximus/ingame-new.JPG"]Recent shot[/URL] in which the entire screen was glitching out.

It seems to be related in some way to filtering/blending, but this has been troublesome confirming.

The problem appears to be cured by a reboot, but it promptly returns. I have tried running hardware acceleration down to the centermost level. Any lower results in Directdraw being impaired to the point of unplayability. I feel I should also mention that the card itself is running comfortably, hovering just under 50C at load.

It seems like the tv-out connector may have been causing something, but it isn't quite certain. Unplugging the tv-out module has resulted in the problems not returning as of yet. However, plugging it back in hasn't resulted in anything else, either. I'm fairly confused at this point and really don't see any distinct pattern going on.

Any thoughts?

Comments

  • Vertigo_1Vertigo_1 Ranger
    Put a huge fan on it and stress it in a way that makes it usually glitch.

    Edit: Also, run a few instances of [url=http://hcidesign.com/memtest/]memtest[/url].

    Edit of the edit: I <3 Wake Island '07 :)
  • NembotNembot Trainee
    That's faulty graphics card memory, symmetrical patterns of artifacts.

    I'd be tempted to seek a replacement, it probably will just get worse in time.
  • PSI-KILLERPSI-KILLER Needs help
    This might seem stupid but what monitor is being used. LCDs have a default resolution and if it is not set at the default resolution strange things happen.
  • SanfamSanfam I like clocks.
    I'm going to run memtest and see what happens. I'll also try the fan idea. somehow, that didn't come to mind when I first thought of testing.Also, I'll do further diagnostics on the card itself, but I'll have the roommate check into an RMA if the problem continues.

    Re: Wake...

    I like it a lot, but I wish servers would play something other than effin' Wake/Karkand/Jalalabad. I also wish they'd add a damned China vs. MEC ranked map already.

    Oh, and if anybody here plays BF2, stop by the server FunkyTown sometime. It's where I can most often be found, alongside my roommate |MC|Wolfman.
  • Vertigo_1Vertigo_1 Ranger
    I don't have time to try and get BF2 working on Gentoo.
  • TridentTrident Ranger
    When I run my 2 7600GS's in SLI, it does that in game just starting like a month ago, but usually locks the system up. But in single mode, no problem, but crummier gfx. I'll have to run that proggy on my system to see which card, if not both, is doing that.
  • C_MonC_Mon A Genuine Sucker
    [QUOTE=Nembot;166203]That's faulty graphics card memory, symmetrical patterns of artifacts.

    I'd be tempted to seek a replacement, it probably will just get worse in time.[/QUOTE]

    I agree with that, because the patterns looks alot like when I accidentally damaged a video memory bus. So I'd say it's a video card memory problem.
  • SanfamSanfam I like clocks.
    Good to know. The system is still possibly in a retailer RMA window, so it may be something to pursue. I'm also going to investigate installing a front 120mm fan for additional cooling over the card. this may allow for better airflow through the silent cooling jig. I'll also set one up later over the card itself to check if any differences can be recorded.

    So far...nothing has appeared. No artifacting in days.
  • Entil'ZhaEntil'Zha I see famous people
    i was going to ask what kind of connector the monitor was using, as i've had problems like that appear in the past with bent pins.
  • Vorlons in my HeadVorlons in my Head The Vorlons told me to.
    That is faulty memory on the card. You need to RMA the card. Cooling the RAM could work but it's unlikely. I've seen that a bunch of times before, both with my cards at home and at work systems.
  • AnlaShokAnlaShok Democrat From Hell
    Agreed with the faulty RAM on the card.
  • Vertigo_1Vertigo_1 Ranger
    That's the first thing I thought of too when I saw the screenshots, but there's no reasons not to cover all the bases before we cause Sanfam's roommate to be without his card for a week or more.
  • SanfamSanfam I like clocks.
    Oh, I bet he'll be mighty annoyed when he finds out about the RMA in his future... :p

    Thanks, folks. I knew you would be able to point me in the right direction! Pie for all!
  • SanfamSanfam I like clocks.
    Not to bump my own post, but we made one additional change to the system today. Added a 120mm high-flow, low-noise fan directly in front of the card (per the stock Sonata II mounting location) and taped off the metal grating next to the PCI slots, thus forcing most of the incoming air either out through the main rear fan or the video card itself. Following this, we ran some 3DMark stress tests. Peak temperature was 53C, though we intend to run them again with the fan disabled and the grating uncovered, there does seem to be a notable decrease in the temperature of the passive heatsink itself.

    My suspicion is that the ram, located on the outer edges of the passive cooler, wasn't getting sufficient airflow over its location in the system's previous configuration and was overheating on the days where we had an abnormally high ambient temperature (80F+). So far so good.
  • Vertigo_1Vertigo_1 Ranger
    Those Sonatas can be like ovens or like air conditioners depending on how they're configured.
  • SanfamSanfam I like clocks.
    I've never had a problem with a sonata building up heat in any measurable way. However, the problem did re-appear tonight with one new observation: The TV was either on or connected at any time the problem appeared. We've disconnected it and are testing again for confirmation. It's still an RMA-able problem, but we're holding off as long as possible.
  • JackNJackN <font color=#99FF99>Lightwave Alien</font>
    Floating Ground...

    How cheap is the TV? Try a different TV or video display.
  • SanfamSanfam I like clocks.
    Our other TVs are either non-existent or too heavy. It's a fix for the moment to not bother with this thing.
  • SanfamSanfam I like clocks.
    So I'm back with a followup! We believe it has been confirmed to be the TV-out. His set is acting up and appears to have been producing feedback of some sort along the s-video cable, which the card displayed as...artifacts! Removing the cable or unplugging the power to the TV immediately remedies the problem. So that's the story.
  • JackNJackN <font color=#99FF99>Lightwave Alien</font>
    yep. Floating Ground.

    :)
  • Vertigo_1Vertigo_1 Ranger
    And this is why I never jump to conclusions in hardware support threads. I always simply offer suggestions.
  • SanfamSanfam I like clocks.
    Indeed. And many thanks for the thoughts. On the upside, we *did* end up putting a huge fan on it anyway, just for the heck of it. The glitch still occurred, but the card is now significantly cooler and the case will flow much better at practically no noise gain.
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