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Few days ago I was complaining about my GPU artifacting, but I have come to realize it may not be the GPU causing the problems...
So here is the full story.
Lately my computer has been acting up, and I honestly don't know what's wrong with it.
The first signs of any kind of possible malfunction started to occur maybe 2 weeks or so. There was this "high pitched" sound coming the computer and off. It usually only did it for a second or two during stress tests (in Orthos it would sqeal when the test# would change).
Shortly after Norton installed, Windows would sort of "hang-up" while loading initally. I'd click my username, and it'd sit there for about 5-10 seconds before continuing to load Windows. Once Windows was loaded, everything ran fine, so I didn't think much of it, and though Norton may have been the cause.
Then 3-4 of days ago, I started getting major artifacting on my screen, it made my computer pretty much un-useable. Screenshots below of the examples of what was happening (strangely though I could move the mouse over the messed up areas and have the mouse pointer display properly - not sure if this is common for normal artificating).
Shot 1 - http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/9...acting2me2.jpg
Shot 2 - http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/1...acting3ig1.jpg
I figured it was the GPU for sure. I even have an RMA set up for when I go home this weekend on the GPU. Well the next day, everything was working perfect again - as if there was never any problem to begin with. Now with broken GPU, is this normal - where it may still display properly? Like right now as I am able to type this message? I can even load up Oblivion right now and not have it run without problems.
Well, earlier today, things went bad again, the "artifacting" was back. Strangely enough, it started to occur while the computer was on. I left the computer on, went to a few classes, came back a few hours later, and saw some artifacts on the screen. Everything went to hell from there.
I pulled out my GPU - and nothing looked physically wrong with it. Brand new - no dust at all on it, or very minimal - this rig was built two weeks ago. Plugged it back in, still had problems. I finally managed to boot after loading "Fail Safe Defaults" in the BIOS.
Now Windows hangs up like crazy when loading. I'll get the background to come up, and then it must sit there for like 30 seconds before I hear the intro-sound and everything begins to load. I noticed the squeal has gotten slightly more frequent and louder, and it sounds like it's coming from the PSU. (This is from my being right behind it trying to pin-point the source of the sound - and if my senses are normal, than the high pitched noise is noticeably coming from the PSU).
So what the hell is going on with my computer?!? I took every anti-static measure possible when building it, I had the mat, the coat, the wristband, and a grounding device.
The computer ran fine for a week or so, even at overclocked speeds of 3Ghz+. Then these things just started happening.
I'm freakin running at 1.58Ghz right now... [Fail Safe Default from BIOS] so that got me thinking, well maybe since its the GPU or PSU, maybe it's also the CPU.
My Computer Specs
- Core2Duo E6600 @ 2.4Ghz (I had it running 3Ghz stable - max temps ever were 58C when I tried 3.4Ghz with a slightly higher VCore for a bit). It is cooled with a Scythe Mine HSF. Now running at 1.58Ghz because I'm loaded with fail safe defaults.
- Patriot 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2 @ 667Mhz SDRAM (Highest ever was 875Mhz in Single Channel at +.2V - a few days ago MemTest86+ was 100% pass no error in the RAM)
- Sapphire 256MB X1800XT - Max overclocked was 681/792 from default 621/747. Highest temp it ever reached was 68C about after an hour of Oblivion. When overclocking the computer, the PCI-e frequency was locked at 100Mhz.
- Gigabyte DS3 Motherboard - Uh, not much to say. I haven't really had problems. I did hit a FSB wall between 380-400, but my BIOS are only version F3, and I cannot flash them because of the lack of FDD. Seemed fine to me.
- WD 250GB 7200RPM SATA 3.0GB/s 16MB Cache - Brand new internal hard drive. System Fan reported the temps to be at 35C. I have a 120mm fan blowing air right over the hard-drive, and it sucks in 90CFM so there is a lot of air moving over it.
- Ultra X-2 Connect 550W PSU - Not sure, but it came with the Ultra Aluminus case I got. I've heard don't buy PSUs with a case, but this alone costed around $100, and got good reviews. It also has 35A max on the dual 12V rail - 5A more than the required 30A for high end GPUs like the x1800s/x1900s.
If anyone has any idea. Please let me know.
I am going home this weekend, and I will test out the GPU in my brother's computer for a day or two - and I should know for sure by then if it's the GPU or not atleast.
So here is the full story.
Lately my computer has been acting up, and I honestly don't know what's wrong with it.
The first signs of any kind of possible malfunction started to occur maybe 2 weeks or so. There was this "high pitched" sound coming the computer and off. It usually only did it for a second or two during stress tests (in Orthos it would sqeal when the test# would change).
Shortly after Norton installed, Windows would sort of "hang-up" while loading initally. I'd click my username, and it'd sit there for about 5-10 seconds before continuing to load Windows. Once Windows was loaded, everything ran fine, so I didn't think much of it, and though Norton may have been the cause.
Then 3-4 of days ago, I started getting major artifacting on my screen, it made my computer pretty much un-useable. Screenshots below of the examples of what was happening (strangely though I could move the mouse over the messed up areas and have the mouse pointer display properly - not sure if this is common for normal artificating).
Shot 1 - http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/9...acting2me2.jpg
Shot 2 - http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/1...acting3ig1.jpg
I figured it was the GPU for sure. I even have an RMA set up for when I go home this weekend on the GPU. Well the next day, everything was working perfect again - as if there was never any problem to begin with. Now with broken GPU, is this normal - where it may still display properly? Like right now as I am able to type this message? I can even load up Oblivion right now and not have it run without problems.
Well, earlier today, things went bad again, the "artifacting" was back. Strangely enough, it started to occur while the computer was on. I left the computer on, went to a few classes, came back a few hours later, and saw some artifacts on the screen. Everything went to hell from there.
I pulled out my GPU - and nothing looked physically wrong with it. Brand new - no dust at all on it, or very minimal - this rig was built two weeks ago. Plugged it back in, still had problems. I finally managed to boot after loading "Fail Safe Defaults" in the BIOS.
Now Windows hangs up like crazy when loading. I'll get the background to come up, and then it must sit there for like 30 seconds before I hear the intro-sound and everything begins to load. I noticed the squeal has gotten slightly more frequent and louder, and it sounds like it's coming from the PSU. (This is from my being right behind it trying to pin-point the source of the sound - and if my senses are normal, than the high pitched noise is noticeably coming from the PSU).
So what the hell is going on with my computer?!? I took every anti-static measure possible when building it, I had the mat, the coat, the wristband, and a grounding device.
The computer ran fine for a week or so, even at overclocked speeds of 3Ghz+. Then these things just started happening.
I'm freakin running at 1.58Ghz right now... [Fail Safe Default from BIOS] so that got me thinking, well maybe since its the GPU or PSU, maybe it's also the CPU.
My Computer Specs
- Core2Duo E6600 @ 2.4Ghz (I had it running 3Ghz stable - max temps ever were 58C when I tried 3.4Ghz with a slightly higher VCore for a bit). It is cooled with a Scythe Mine HSF. Now running at 1.58Ghz because I'm loaded with fail safe defaults.
- Patriot 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2 @ 667Mhz SDRAM (Highest ever was 875Mhz in Single Channel at +.2V - a few days ago MemTest86+ was 100% pass no error in the RAM)
- Sapphire 256MB X1800XT - Max overclocked was 681/792 from default 621/747. Highest temp it ever reached was 68C about after an hour of Oblivion. When overclocking the computer, the PCI-e frequency was locked at 100Mhz.
- Gigabyte DS3 Motherboard - Uh, not much to say. I haven't really had problems. I did hit a FSB wall between 380-400, but my BIOS are only version F3, and I cannot flash them because of the lack of FDD. Seemed fine to me.
- WD 250GB 7200RPM SATA 3.0GB/s 16MB Cache - Brand new internal hard drive. System Fan reported the temps to be at 35C. I have a 120mm fan blowing air right over the hard-drive, and it sucks in 90CFM so there is a lot of air moving over it.
- Ultra X-2 Connect 550W PSU - Not sure, but it came with the Ultra Aluminus case I got. I've heard don't buy PSUs with a case, but this alone costed around $100, and got good reviews. It also has 35A max on the dual 12V rail - 5A more than the required 30A for high end GPUs like the x1800s/x1900s.
If anyone has any idea. Please let me know.
I am going home this weekend, and I will test out the GPU in my brother's computer for a day or two - and I should know for sure by then if it's the GPU or not atleast.