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SystemSystem Member, NoReporting Posts: 178,019 Arc User
I recently got a brand new computer so I could play STO (some of the components in the old one would not have been able to handle it).

Basic Specs:

MB: ASUS P7P55D-E Premium P55 Crossfire
Processor: Intel I3-540
RAM: 4 GB
Video card: Nvida GTX 260 Core 216
Physics Card: GeForce GT220
OS: Win 7 ultimate x64 bit
Direct X version: 11

Now, I installed another MMO (Lord of the Rings Online) and had some issues with artificating (which reminded me of the aliens in the old Space Invaders game). I had installed the HiRes version of the graphics of that game and when I uninstalled and reinstalled the game with the standard graphics instead the problem went away. Another contributing factor I believe is not having the 'Use DirectX 10 graphics' option checked.

The real test came when I installed STO. I already knew about the frame rate bug, so insured to set the command line approprately so my cards didn't get fried. Installed fine, patched fine, created a character fine. Then I started the tutorial and started notcing some artificating, esspecially on the moving portraits in the mission windows. They also showed up on some objects as the screenshot below shows:

Visual Aid 1

But the game was playable. At this point, I should mention I made only a couple of changes to my graphics settings: the first two Troubleshooting opinions flipped to 'on' and the anti-ailising brought down to 2x. Everything else is default.

Made it to the space part of the tutorial: no issues with the graphics there save for the mission window portraits like before. When it came time to beam down to the Vega Colony...Things...Well...exploded.

Visual Aid 2 (ahhh!)

Visual Aid 3 (ahhh!)

By this point, I should point out I had to remove the physics card due to discovering that one of it's components got broken off while removing the packaging foam that was put in the case. I don't have a screeny of how it looked 'before' that card was removed, though it's removal ultimately didn't make any difference. I should also note, that what graphis were affected seemed to be slightly random each time you start up the game. For instance, in the two above screenshots, my character wasn't affected, but when I came into the game again....

Tell me you can fix me doc!

Oh and adjusting the graphics settings lower did nothing to help.

So am I at a loss. My other game (Lord of the Rings) works/looks fine (now that I am using standard graphics), though I did have problems at first with a different graphics package. My card never went above 134F when I played (what I could play of STO anyway), so overheating isn't an issue.

Help?
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Did you enable vysnc in your game options and driver options?
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Vsync is on in both game and driver.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Do you know how hot your card/cpu is? Download a program such as HWmonitor from cpuid to check.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    I have a temp monitor built into my case. My GPU got no hotter than 134F running STO, my CPU runs in the 90s. Like I said, I knew about the overheating bug before hand and I made sure to get some means of monitoring the temperture of my GPU and CPU. So I know my problem isn't overheating.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Ok, on the advice of a family member that also plays STO, I tried running the game in safe mode.

    No artifacting at all.

    Looks like I may have a defective card....(and the standard LotRO graphics is not intense enough to cause the artifacting I see in STO).

    Edit: typos...
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Slaskia wrote: »
    Ok, on the advice of a family member that also plays STO, I tried running the game in safe mode.

    No artifacting at all.

    Looks like I may have a defective card....(and the standard LotRO graphics is not intense enough to cause the artifacting I see in STO).

    Edit: typos...

    If you have the box, and its under warranty, contact the manufacturer or the retail place where you bought the card, and see if they can RMA it.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    I had the machine built by a company (CyperPower PC) and I am going to contact them with the picture evidence. Hopefully, they only ask for the card(s) (as I need to RMA the physics card as well due to physical damage from shipping material) and not the whole machine....
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Slaskia wrote: »
    I had the machine built by a company (CyperPower PC) and I am going to contact them with the picture evidence. Hopefully, they only ask for the card(s) (as I need to RMA the physics card as well due to physical damage from shipping material) and not the whole machine....

    They should only RMA the cards, and you should have sent the card back upon arrival, as they can use the excuse that you damaged it.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Speak to Cyberpower over the phone on Monday. I've dealt with them in the past and they were really helpful. I expect they'll do a switch for you :)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    under your nvidia control panel make sure the physX gpu acceleration is turned off, since your card isnt there now. i had a lot of artifacting and tho I dont have a second gpu it was checked on. i turned it off and things have settled down to nice play. I had some extremely long load times between areas and turned world detail to 75% and now load quite quicky. all other settings at 100
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    tedgp123 wrote: »
    They should only RMA the cards, and you should have sent the card back upon arrival, as they can use the excuse that you damaged it.

    We didn't know the card was damaged until two days later, when Slaskia installed LotRO and started playing it. Even then, we weren't 'entirely' certain until she installed STO and the artifacting was there to. That's when I got the idea to crack open the case and check it out.

    I didn't notice anything at first, and nearly closed it up - until I saw the damaged physics card and the missing component on it. We removed it, turned off the physics GPU on the card and then ran STO again - still artifacting. I then suggested to her to use Safe Mode (which I had found suggested on another tech-site) and well it ran without artifacting.

    I've already e-mailed them, with the photo-evidence in question. We'll see what they do, and hopefully replace both without question.

    Otherwise, I'm worried that my own comp (which I ordered a new one from them as well, as I've done business with CP before and never had problems) might arrive with damaged components to, since I also selected the same kind of shipping option as her.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Kalshion wrote: »
    We didn't know the card was damaged until two days later, when Slaskia installed LotRO and started playing it. Even then, we weren't 'entirely' certain until she installed STO and the artifacting was there to. That's when I got the idea to crack open the case and check it out.

    I didn't notice anything at first, and nearly closed it up - until I saw the damaged physics card and the missing component on it. We removed it, turned off the physics GPU on the card and then ran STO again - still artifacting. I then suggested to her to use Safe Mode (which I had found suggested on another tech-site) and well it ran without artifacting.

    I've already e-mailed them, with the photo-evidence in question. We'll see what they do, and hopefully replace both without question.

    Otherwise, I'm worried that my own comp (which I ordered a new one from them as well, as I've done business with CP before and never had problems) might arrive with damaged components to, since I also selected the same kind of shipping option as her.

    When you take reciept of a delivery of computer hardware, you need to check it there and then, for any missing/broken components. SOme places will not accept returns for faulty goods if they havent been notified the same day or within 2 days. It's a pathetic policy, but thats just the way some businesses work.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Well CyberPower PC does not have that kind of policy. They called today in reference to the mail we sent and they said they had no problems replacing the cards and we agreed on cross-shipping (getting the replacement cards first, then we send back the broken/defective cards).

    Only bad thing is, is they do not have any available 260s in their warehouse: so they can't send out the replacements today. They said they will be getting in a new shipment in this week, so hopefully by the end of the week I'll have word from them that the replacements have been shipped.

    In the meantime, I'll avoid playing any really graphic intense games (maybe LotRO, but not much). My character will just have to stay on Vega colony for now....
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Good news :)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Anouther thing to check is your Powr supply it could be fualty had something simaler afew years back my 8800gtx card wasant overheating i was getting mass artifacts looked very simaler to your screen shots you linked turned out in the end it was a fualty power supply
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    REDEN wrote:
    Anouther thing to check is your Powr supply it could be fualty had something simaler afew years back my 8800gtx card wasant overheating i was getting mass artifacts looked very simaler to your screen shots you linked turned out in the end it was a fualty power supply

    I'd be surprised if it was a faulty power supply. Cyber power stress test their PC's before shipping and this is a brand new PC that the OP has had delivered.

    And I hope English isn't your first language ;)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Splyce wrote: »
    I'd be surprised if it was a faulty power supply. Cyber power stress test their PC's before shipping and this is a brand new PC that the OP has had delivered.

    And I hope English isn't your first language ;)

    Every major PC manufactuer checks there sytems before they send them out but they tend to test the compinents sepratly with things like Prime 95 to make sure the CPU is stable and Mem Test for the ram which dont put that much stain on your PSU and dosent compleatly stress your entier sytem at the same time if you have a different computer or a differnt PSU you can check your card on its worth trying that first

    And yes me spelling sucks my use of grammer is none exsistant but TBH i dont give a flying f*** there are much more imoportant things to worry about than spelling and corect use of grammer
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    "Every Cyberpower computers are build to order, so the PC can be customized to your needs. To ensure quality and performance of each computer, all of the Cyberpower computers will go to a standard 24 hours up to 72 hours Burn-in (depends on the complication of your rig) "

    I'd hope that 24 hour burn-in would stress test the GPU (s) and therefore the PSU - but lets wait and see if the GPU being replaced solves the problem.
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