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Strange Pixelated Screen - Goodbye GPU?

SystemSystem Member, NoReporting Posts: 178,019 Arc User
Hey,

I think my Graphics card may be about to go boom. After a while of playing, my screen gets all pixelated with random colours (kinda like TV white noise thingymajig)
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Do you Guys n Gals have any suggestions? Would a new PSU help? or is it time for a new Graphics Card?

Thanks

Rick :)

P.S. The card in question is an Nvidia GeForce GTS 250 with updated drivers, Driver sweeper used etc
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2011
    could be the memory on the video card, or the GPU.
    going out or it could just be too hot for what it is doing.
    it certannly could clear up when you boot, (you havent booted yet?)
    and if it doesn't clear up on restart, it could clear up after shut down, full power off. it also wouldnt hurt , BEFORE you do anything, to:

    0) make sure any PCI PCI-E overclocking is turned off, or that Buss is LOCKED to 100
    1) set any overclocking done back to normal , test
    2) set the overclocking on the video card BELOW normal, Test
    . 2b) when you get it stable at some low point
    . 2c) change the clocks for one or the other, and test with fur or gputool, and see WHICH item causes the problem the fastest, the GPU or the Memory.
    3) check the temps using any one of the tools
    4) skip 0-3 and just crank up the fan
    5) blow the freaking dust out and have it start working right all over again, if using a good compressor, try not to break things like fan blades and all.

    also what PSU are you using atm?
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2011
    The rainbow speckles are definitely a sign of your graphics card overheating,

    I would recommend doing what the above poster said and hope that no permanent damage has happened to your card !
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2011
    Hey,

    Thanks for the responses! I did forget to mention that it does clear on restarting the machine, in fact it clears the moment the desktop disappears to the 'Shutting Down' screen.

    I have been monitoring the the temps, and for the pic i showed above, the temp was at 58 degrees c. I have cleaned the system with compressed air, nice n dust free atm.

    the PSU is 500w - no clue what brand it is :o

    This only happens 2/3 times a month - random games, random temps. I don't know if its related but I have a daily Issue where the image freezes and can only be 'unlocked' when ctrl+alt+del out.

    And tbh, i wouldn't know how, yet alone dare, to overclock lol

    Thanks,

    Rick :)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2011
    Rick87 wrote:
    Hey,

    Thanks for the responses! I did forget to mention that it does clear on restarting the machine, in fact it clears the moment the desktop disappears to the 'Shutting Down' screen.

    I have been monitoring the the temps, and for the pic i showed above, the temp was at 58 degrees c. I have cleaned the system with compressed air, nice n dust free atm.

    the PSU is 500w - no clue what brand it is :o

    This only happens 2/3 times a month - random games, random temps. I don't know if its related but I have a daily Issue where the image freezes and can only be 'unlocked' when ctrl+alt+del out.

    And tbh, i wouldn't know how, yet alone dare, to overclock lol

    Thanks,

    Rick :)

    It could be a PSU issue (I don't know how old your PSU is, but as they get older, sometimes even though they're rated fior a certain output, that output drops - which is bad.) It also could be some of the RAM on you video card intself starting to go 'bad'; or an issue the the PCI-E slot on your motherboard. (I agree that at 58C, unless the temp monitor app is mis-reporting; it doesn't appear to be an overheat issue)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2011
    Depending on the GPU, it can be overheating. I had the same problem on one that was minimally compliant until season 1.2 or so and that would happen a lot. So I got a GTX 470 and a bigger PSU adn the problem went away.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2011
    Thanks for all your help so far :)

    I have been looking into the PSU situation and from the many sites i have looked at so far, i am been told i need on average 550 - 650w psu...

    so i have decided to try and see if a new one would help - I am tempted to upgrade the entire pc over the coming months. Anyhow, would this psu be any good?

    Thanks,

    Rick :)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2011
    that corsair will do perfect, i myself am on the 650W atx psu, i might upgrade to a1000-1500W psu in the near future as i plan to add a second 580 and my current 460 to my system aswell as a better cooling system, mobo and new cpu and overclock as much without goin overboard lol.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2011
    Rick87 wrote:
    Thanks for all your help so far :)

    I have been looking into the PSU situation and from the many sites i have looked at so far, i am been told i need on average 550 - 650w psu...

    so i have decided to try and see if a new one would help - I am tempted to upgrade the entire pc over the coming months. Anyhow, would this psu be any good?

    Thanks,

    Rick :)


    I have a multimeter for checking voltages from my PSU (my GPU has this option as well) this allows me to see if my PSU is with in 5% of its rails. A power socket monitor that shows total power draw of the item pluged in. With my set up when playing STO the PC draws 300W.

    That 700w corsair is a good PSU, I have the TX 650w. But before you buy a new PSU try a few other things first:

    1) Use GPU-Z, its software and will monitor: Temp, voltages, Fan speeds, Clock speeds. CPUID will check other system temps and voltages. Check your air flow in the case

    2) Make sure your GPU is seated correctly, the monitor lead (both-ends) and power connector in firmly connected. If you have access to one use a multimeter.

    3) Use Memtest86 / Prime 95 / 3D mark to check your system can handle power usage and see if its stable when doing so.

    4) Do a disk check / Defrag.


    5) Re install windows: you state its random crashes, it could be software and not hard ware related.


    Its a matter of fault finding and better to check the things that don't cost money first before possible wasting it :)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2011
    Rick87 wrote:
    Thanks for all your help so far :)

    I have been looking into the PSU situation and from the many sites i have looked at so far, i am been told i need on average 550 - 650w psu...

    so i have decided to try and see if a new one would help - I am tempted to upgrade the entire pc over the coming months. Anyhow, would this psu be any good?

    Thanks,

    Rick :)

    Corsair or a Thermaltake black widow. I would spend the extra few dollars and get one that will scale with newer GPUs. I bought my 850 with the expectation that I will eventually replace the GTX 470 I got with it later down the line.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2011
    Well, I fitted the PSU 3 days ago now, and have had zero issues. I flung my graphics settings to full (apart from shadows 'cos they look silly always flickering) and played for ages.

    I am sooooooo grateful for all your help, and I am now just trying to decide on a new graphics card hehe - I kinda want a GTX 580 but i dunno lol

    Thanks

    Rick :)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2011
    what size psu did up end up getting? im running a gtx580 on a 650w so if you got that you should be good to go lol
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2011
    I'm getting a similar error after today's update. Updated the graphics drivers, and got no improvement.

    Here's what it looked like after the driver update: http://steamcommunity.com/id/koshiir_ra/screenshot/560907770709331125
    Here's what it looked like after a file reverify: http://steamcommunity.com/id/koshiir_ra/screenshot/560907770709897902

    Black blocks go all over the screen and the game freezes after a few seconds. GPU is a 560ti, and its reporting in at about 60C when the game is up, so I doubt its overheating.

    EDIT: I did manage to get into game by turning down all the graphics settings after quickly exiting to the login screen. However, almost everyone now has blue faces. Like the Blue Man Group invaded STO or something. http://steamcommunity.com/id/koshiir_ra/screenshot/560907770710034280

    EDIT2: Deleted the piggs and re-downloaded the files, got the blue problem to go away. Game still goes pixelly and froze when I tried to turn the shadows up above low.

    EDIT3: Deleted the piggs again after I found a few lingering errors with character headshots. Also remembered to delete the Tribble piggs so I get a fresh install. No problems yet.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2011
    DoublePost Update: Diagnosed my problem through various means as bad RAM on my 560ti. RMA got approved by the manufacturer, shipping it out today. For the meantime, I've downgraded to my old SLIed 8600s that the 560 replaced.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2011
    what size psu did up end up getting? im running a gtx580 on a 650w so if you got that you should be good to go lol

    got 700w.....its sooo much quieter than the old 'thing' I had hehe

    My task is to talk my other half around so i can spend the money on the 580. I'll keep ya posted :)

    Rick
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