My 6800GT seems to be crapping out

I have an "older" P4 system running a first gen AGP Leadtek 6800GT. Fan is working fine, it doesn't over heat to my knowledge, but I started getting some artifacts recently.

I monitored temps last night while doing a hour of gaming. Machine stayed below 55C and the video never got over 60C. I also noted that RivaTuner showed a constant voltage, but not sure how accurate it is.

As you can see below even my screenshot picked up what happens in windows every so often. Normally when sitting on a page (such as this and typing my post) it happens.

When I recently tried to play CNC3 Demo I noticed a lot of artifacting and portions of the screen kind of flashing. From past video card OCing experience, it kinda seems similar as to when you OC too far. However, I haven't changed anything from stock. I have been running Forceware 100.XX and now 101.XX drivers from nVidia. Machine is still VERY stable. I can go several weeks of uptime easy.

System specs:
P4 2.4C @ 3.1
2gb PC3200 Corsair
Asus P4P800SE
LeadTek GF6800GT
EVGA PCI FX5200 128mb
350watt Antec trupower

Just looking for a few thoughts. I played the CNC3 Demo game fine for a hour or so, the artifacting didn't get worse or better. I rarely game and haven't been doing so very much. I played Test Drive Demo for a week, and I got a game freeze once (this was RIGHT before I moved to Vista from XP). I chalked it up to overheating and called it a day. Not quite sure what to pin-point this on yet. I ruled out system overclock as I put it back to default speed, same results, just slower.

My thoughts....
* Powersupply... it's about 4yrs old now, going strong, doesn't put out a lot of heat (meaning it doesn't appear overworked) and I don't have a better one to try, this is my best one by far. Using hardware sensor monitor my voltage never drops below .2 from the rating (like 11.8 on a 12v, and 4.9 on a 5v) when under load.

* Card failure. Perhaps trying to underclock and give it a shot. Need to find out how to do this in Vista. (my gut feeling)

In game video
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=256795157734034214

Desktop Pic (this isn't always like this, it just pops up occasionaly. I am guessing it got worse with Vista since it's now 3D driven with the aero interface running).

i had a similar leadtek that went bad like that too. normally with little dots on the desktop i think that it's a video memory problem.

maybe it's time for a new video card?

hfc said:

i had a similar leadtek that went bad like that too. normally with little dots on the desktop i think that it's a video memory problem.

maybe it's time for a new video card?

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thanks for the reply. I kinda feel like it is the memory as well. I was hoping to get some similar opinions to help pin point the problem.

I would like to RMA this card as it is still works great for me. I just hope I can convince LeadTek that the issue is the card and have it replaced. My purchase date is 10/2004 so I still have ~6 months left on the warranty (believe it's a 3yr warranty). If I am unsuccessful I will look at a 7XXX series I guess. I just don't want to put any more $ into this system and I am not ready to build a new machine as I don't like skimping and I am looking at $1500 for what I would want to build ATM. Have to many other "money suckers" going on right now to do a new build

good luck with the rma, sometimes Leadtek takes ages (several weeks).
I'm pretty sure they're out of stock of the original 6800 series with the big heatsinks. They might give you a 7600gt instead if you're lucky!

hfc said:

good luck with the rma, sometimes Leadtek takes ages (several weeks).
I'm pretty sure they're out of stock of the original 6800 series with the big heatsinks. They might give you a 7600gt instead if you're lucky!

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thanks for the heads up... I just went to their site to look up some info since I just got off work and have a few minutes
holy fucking shit this sucks

All returns will be tested. In the event a returned product is determined by Leadtek to be not defective or not covered by the expressed warranty, Leadtek will notify the sender and the product will be returned to the sender at the sender's expense. If the prodcut is not defective, customer needs to pay a flat diagnostic and handling fee of $30.00 because all products need to be shipped back to Taiwan for repair and test. Customers agree that they will abide by the findings of Leadtek's Technical Support Department.

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I'm surprised they don't have a US base.

Ezekial i have the same card, but pci-e. I just had a month + rma process with leadtek... good luck! ya it sucks major they got rid of all their US facilities. I would RMA it but buy a new card in the process and sell whatever you get back. I will never buy from leadtek again

7600GT FTW! My crapped out had a AGP one got a new PC with a 7600GT way better IQ, and better performace then my aged 6800GT, and you get the benefit of SLI!

My vote is either ram overheating (temp not viewable) combined with not quite enough power. Start by taking the cover of the 6800 and getting all the dust bunnies out, then follow up with larger power supply.

DJS2 said:

Ezekial i have the same card, but pci-e. I just had a month + rma process with leadtek... good luck! ya it sucks major they got rid of all their US facilities. I would RMA it but buy a new card in the process and sell whatever you get back. I will never buy from leadtek again

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thanks for the feedback
I really like this card, as it's very very unique from other cards with the pimp cooling. Especially when it came out!
that really really sucks about a month of time. With CNC3 coming out at the end of the month, I may look into doing that... gonna quickly ponder it. I plan to send it in this week if I do so. Course, that would mean no gaming til it came back or bought a replacement.
With this policy of no US testing, I will probably not purchase any more LeadTek cards in the future.

AlexStenka said:

7600GT FTW! My crapped out had a AGP one got a new PC with a 7600GT way better IQ, and better performace then my aged 6800GT, and you get the benefit of SLI!

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well since I am AGP, I won't get that
nice to hear it's a good improvement though. I am considering the upgrade. Also I could ditch my FX5200 (even though I just bought it) sinceI would get a single card with dual DVI.

yevaud said:

My vote is either ram overheating (temp not viewable) combined with not quite enough power. Start by taking the cover of the 6800 and getting all the dust bunnies out, then follow up with larger power supply.

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I already cleaned this out a couple times. I physically pulled it out just before I made the thread and made sure nothing was in there. I left off a screen that covers the fan even, just to "help" a little more. I hooked up a computer temporary 80mm fans even blowing from below and on top, again, no change.
Valid thought though on the PS. Bad thing is I don't have a better one, or even an equivalent one. Maybe I should pull the FX5200 and run a single card and see if that makes any difference (to save power).