ATI Radeon 4830 Screen Flickering

[napes22]

I've had the 4830 for around a month or so, and have had weird issues with random screen flickerings (i notice it every so often on white backgrounds) and very slow in windows graphics (ie: I use a dock launcher which emulates mac's launcher and it has been sluggish since I got this card).

It's annoying, and I am not sure if it is the graphics card or the drivers. I have tried multiple driver versions and still no help on the random flickering or the sluggish in windows graphics. Would you suggest I RMA the card? Or do you think it is a driver issue, since I know ATI recent driver releases have been kinda bad.

 

[thilanliyan]

Have you tried 8.11 drivers? There is an issue with 2D/3D clocks which causes flickering. AFAIK the 8.11 driver don't have the issue. Also, you can try ATI Tray Tools to set your 2D and 3D clocks...give it a shot and see if the flickering goes away...if it does then it's the drivers. You can use Tray Tools with just the driver (no CCC) and that works fine.

 

[napes22]

I haven't tried the 8.11 drivers. Furthest I went back was 8.12. Have the drivers gotten progressively worse since the 8.11? I never had any issues with my old card, and I was using a much earlier driver build. What's the advantage of using Tray tools? I've seen it but never used it.

If the flickering/slowness continues do you then think it's the card?

Thanks in advance.

 

[thilanliyan]

The 8.11 drivers for sure didn't have the issue (it's actually not the driver itself with the issue but CCC since you can use whichever driver with Tray Tools and the problem isn't there). I don't know if the 9.2 drivers have the issue.

I prefer tray tools since I can undervolt the card for 2D...which saves power. Try it just to see if the issue goes away.

Does the flickering happen in games too? If it does then it could be the card.

 

[napes22]

I haven't actually noticed it in games at all. It's only in 2D applications where I see the issues. I have dual monitors and have also had problems where if I use ATI overdrive, the card craps out within 10 seconds of loading. On top of that, using overdrive at all in games (before I got the 2nd monitor 2 weeks back) caused ridiculous image fragmenting, whereas when I used it for my 1800XT I had no issues with that.

I'm going to try the 8.11 + the Tray Tools and see if that makes a difference.

 

[thilanliyan]

In 3D you wouldn't see this happening so definitely try tray tools to see if there really is a problem. Just set the 2D clocks and see if it still happens.

 

[napes22]

I've downloaded the 8.11 drivers from two different sources and it won't even give me the option to install the drivers; only the catalyst registration program. I have no idea what's going on.

When I run the individual driver install program it says "Setup did not find a driver compatible with your current hardware or operating system."'

I've reinstalled 8.12, but can't for the life of me figure out how to use the ATI tray tools program. I guess I'll just RMA the card rather than go through all this frustration.

 

[thilanliyan]

In Tray tools, right click the tray icon, go to hardware, then overclocking, then set your 2D clocks.

 

[napes22]

Thanks for all your help thilan, unfortunately, it seems it's the card. The flickering and slow 2D graphics are still happening after adjusting my 2D clocks.

 

[thilanliyan]

Alright well I guess it's RMA time...hopefully that goes smoothly and you can get it done from the place you bought it at so it's quicker.

 

[napes22]

Got it at Newegg, so I'll be on my netbook for a good 10 days or so...I'm currently reformatting too, so it will be fun to set the computer up and then stop using it...

:roll:

 

[Dean]

I just got a Sapphire 4830 yesterday. 2D and 3D seem perfect. Then again if you knew what I upgraded from, you would agree anything would seem perfect

 

[way2fast91]

I have the Sapphire 512 mb version as well. I just posted a thread about the issues I am having. I was wondering what driver version people are using/recommending currently? Dean?

 

[napes22]

I had to RMA mine, not sure if it is the card or driver. The 9.2's seemed to work best for me - the 8.12's gave me an issue when playing videos in Dual screen mode.