Computer Issues

Jon/xpm

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jan 11, 2006
Messages
165
I need help with fixing my computer. When playing WoW I get artifacts and now the computer is freezing up.

Details on the computer:
I purchased the products on 1/31/06 and built in 02/2006

AMD 64 X2 3800 / 939
eVGA 7900 GTX
WD 250 HD
MSI K8N Diamond Plus Mobo
X-FI Xtreme Music Sound Card
19' Viewsonic VX922
Antec TRUEPOWERII TPII-550 550W

No overclocking at all.

I have noticed when I ALT-TAB out of the game and then come back, the artifacts in the game will be gone until it happens again.


Thanks
Jon
 
Last edited:
I forgot to mention, I have a huge amount of dead pixels on my desktop which seems to keep on increasing. I have the background set to black and see a ton now.
 
You're missing a few key details. Namely, you haven't told us how old this system is or which power supply you're using.

Try using some (if not all) of the steps listed in the troubleshooting sticky. If nothing else, those steps should narrow down which particular components are giving you trouble.

If your monitor is less than a year old, consider submitting an RMA to the manufacturer. I forgot which ones, but some manufacturers have a dead pixel replacement policy in place.
 
more than likely your GPU is dying, thus you get artifacting. Basically its getting too hot, good way to check just real fast is take off your side pannel of your PC, flip it on its side and then turn it on. That way you can see your GPU's fan spinning.

I've seen a lot of that series die after a few years so yours might be up as well. Make sure if its spinning, also put your hand on it as well if you get a 2nd degree burn its too hot. Yes, tap it first don't full on palm it.

Artifacting is usually always the GPU overheating.
 
tiraides - I have made updates for the information you have requested.

The monitor only had a few dead pixel when i purchased. In the last month the number of dead pixels has went way up.


What program would you recommend to view CPU and GPU temps?
Do they have a program I can run in the background to view performance from the CPU and GPU while playing WoW?

Thanks
Jon
 
If nothing else, replace the power supply immediately. Though it wasn't known at the time, Antec's TruePower 2.0 and SmartPower 2.0 lines have a history of dying randomly and often. One cheap, effective alternative is the Antec Earthwatts EA500. Antec fixed its earlier problems with its newer model lines, and they're also certified under the 80 Plus energy efficiency standard.

I don't have any program recommendations to monitor temperatures.
 
yup, sounds like overheating GPU to me, too. After you get a new PSU, RMA that 7900GTX -- who knows, maybe eVGA will upgrade you for free, lol.
 
GPU Temp 50
CPU 49
System 50

I was watching a youtube video when the freeze happen and forced me to manually restart the computer.
 
Those temperatures are on the low end, so you may have some bad or dying parts. (Could someone else help me out here? I may be missing something.)
 
[Testing the GPU]
Use Furmark or ATI Tool to stress test the GPU. If you see any artifacts, the GPU could be overheating, too overclocked, or faulty.

[Testing the PSU]
Buy and use a digital multi-meter to monitor the voltages coming from the PSU. Follow the instructions for "Using a multi-meter to check voltages":
http://www.bfgpower.com/troubleshooting.html#DMM
 
Try updating the driver for the gpu. At first glance it does seem like an overheating issue, also make sure all the cables are tightly connected.
 
Try switching in a different GPU and see if you get the same issues.
 
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