Artifact tester: reliable test for video card?

[BlvdKing]

I got my Visiontek 6564 (Ti 200) back in the mail yesterday after two weeks. Visiontek sent me a brand new week 51 of 2001 GF3 Ti 200. I heard that anything over week 44 is usually a good overclocker. Unfortunately, this seems to be untrue for my week 51. The core on it is good, but according to artifact tester 5 the RAM maxes out at 445 MHz as opposed the 433 of my previous card. According to artifact tester 5, I get 43 artifacts in 2D at 450 MHz memory and 0 dxartifacts on the normal setting. But when I use the 'hardcore' setting for dxartifacts I get 70,000+ dxartifacts at 450 MHz memory.

I was able to play Quake 3 at 460 MHz memory with no artifacts. While playing Serious Sam, I noticed no artifacts until a certain point outside where the was a blue and green patch on the ground. I think those were artifacts. Other than those two patches, there were no artifacts.

I am wondering how reliable artifact tester is for video card overclocks? If I don't notice any artifacts during a game, but get artifact marks with the tester should I really care? How many of you get artifact marks but get no artifacts during a game? Also, can running background apps in the system tray cause the artifact tester to report artificially high numbers?

Here is a link to download artifact tester 5 if you haven't ever used it.

 

[FlamingPanther]

Downloading now

 

[vss1980]

Artifact tester is good for testing reliability up to a certain point. There are a couple of times I have noticed that its artifact mark is/can not be correct.

Example1: Non-Overclocked card using latest available drivers at the time, even tested on any strength setting would generate 70,000+ artifact marks.

Example2: Overclocked card generate 0 artifact marks at any test strength while overclocked, yet have disappearing/flashing textures in 3DMark2001 due to overclocking.

Usually, it is correct, but I would have to say it has a margin of error in its predictions and is probably right around 95% of the time.

 

[Killrose]

I think the best way is just to back-off core/mem MHz once you start to notice snow/flashing textures/green dots,ect. in your gamming, or other apps. Usually won't need but a 3-5MHz backing off to correct them.

 

[BlvdKing]

Thanks all. I was expecting better from this card since it was above week 44. I guess I can't complain with 45 MHz over on the RAM. Anyone else with artifact tester 5 experience?