Heavy Artifcating while playing BF2

MoPHo

Platinum Member
Dec 16, 2003
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First specs: XFX 6600GT AGP, p4 2.4, 1g ram, p4s800 mobo.

I'll start playing BF2 (and sometimes CS:S, but it only happens w/ CS:S about 10% of the time) and after about 45 minutes into it, heavy artifacting will kick in. They aren't 'oh, i can play w/ this' artifacts, they are 'holy sh!t why did my screen just turn into a bunch of fvcked up triangles'. Only way to fix it seems to be restarting the comp, but it just happens again...


The card isn't OC'd and it just started yesterday. I downloaded the 78.01 drivers to see if that would fix it, but that hasn't helped. Also downloaded most recent bios for mobo and that hasn't helped. Im really starting to get worried that it might be the card but was hoping someone might give me a helpful hint...

Edit: Idles at 45C and in game it hits around 70C

Here's a pic of it

thanks.

UPDATE 10/18/05:

Ok guys, so i put my 6600GT inside my roomates computer. Thing ran FINE. No artifacting/glitching/anything running at pretty high settings in BF2. Also, tested the Memory w/ memtest86. Test ran through 3 times and no errors. Also, i put my roomates 9550 in the same AGP Slot, and THAT even worked. Put the 6600GT back in and got RivaTuner. The card hits 75C in game and is around 42C idle. The 75C is high, but i don't think high enough to cause all that artifacting.

So i'm thinking it's the power supply, because the 9550 doesn't need an additional PSU connection and it ran fine...currently using a Turbolink 420W. says the 12V is pumping out 18A but i dunno about that...AT's review of the thing seems a little...depressing...If anyone has any reason to suggest otherwise that it isn't my powersupply, please speak up as im probably gonna go buy a new one tomorrow. I appreciate all the help you guys have been and whoever posts about this now gets a :cookie:/:beer:
 

Spacecomber

Senior member
Apr 21, 2000
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Any chance that the heatsink on the video card has been disturbed? The anandtech roundup of 6600GT cards made a point of noting how easy it was for a number of these heatsinks, since they are only held by two pins, to get tipped off the core.
 

MoPHo

Platinum Member
Dec 16, 2003
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Airflow in the case is great, no problems there. And the Heatsink is still on, checked it earlier.
 

MoPHo

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Dec 16, 2003
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Originally posted by: Andres3605
what kind of PSU do you have?

Its a generic PSU, but after reading this, i unplugged the additional...power...thing...that connects to the card from the PSU and ran BF2 on 800x600 w/ all low settings. When i did that, there were no artifacts. When it is plugged in, i do get artifacts...

would a PSU really cause artifacting though? :confused:
 

Killrose

Diamond Member
Oct 26, 1999
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Originally posted by: stelleg151
I didnt think that the 6600gt needed external power, I would just leave it unplugged.

PCI-e? And maybe there is so much "dirty" line noise from your cheapie PSU that it is trashing the video signal? And by lowering your in-game video settings you have taken the stess off your video card. Put it back to where you had it and try it unplugged.

 

MoPHo

Platinum Member
Dec 16, 2003
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Originally posted by: stelleg151
I didnt think that the 6600gt needed external power, I would just leave it unplugged.

If i do that, than it says it's not getting enough power and underclocks the memory to 500mhz...half what it usually is...and if i were to clock it back up, that would void the warranty which, right now, looks like a very possible option...

Again, anyone who's helping me out w/ this i cannot thank you enough for it all.

:beer: for you all...minus athlon guy, you just said 'hmm...' you only get a :p
 

MoPHo

Platinum Member
Dec 16, 2003
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Originally posted by: Killrose
Originally posted by: stelleg151
I didnt think that the 6600gt needed external power, I would just leave it unplugged.

PCI-e? And maybe there is so much "dirty" line noise from your cheapie PSU that it is trashing the video signal?

so what's a good PSU i could get cheap...a good 450w maybe?
 

Killrose

Diamond Member
Oct 26, 1999
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What are the rest of your specs? Maybe a good 350/400watt PSU is all you need. Fortron are good and cheap.
 

MoPHo

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Dec 16, 2003
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Originally posted by: Killrose
What are the rest of your specs? Maybe a good 350/400watt PSU is all you need. Fortron are good and cheap.

P4s800, p4 2.4C, Muse 5.1 sound card, Stereo speakers, NIC, 2 WD Hard Drives (80g, 40g), DVDRW, DVDRom, Printer, 1G Ram, Floppy Drive, and the 6600GT AGP
 

Killrose

Diamond Member
Oct 26, 1999
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Whatever you pick make sure it is made to fit your case form factor, ATX, Micro ATX, ect.
 

jiffylube1024

Diamond Member
Feb 17, 2002
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It looks like your RAM is overheating. Touch it when it's going and it will probably be very hot. Your best bet is an RMA, but you could always try an NV silencer (which covers the RAM chips) or other passive RAM cooling (eg RAMsinks).
 

TGS

Golden Member
May 3, 2005
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Try putting a case fan over the memory and 6600. If the case airflow is up to snuff it shouldn't make any difference. If it does, you might want to double check if you have any obstructions.
 

MoPHo

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Dec 16, 2003
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Originally posted by: TGS
Try putting a case fan over the memory and 6600. If the case airflow is up to snuff it shouldn't make any difference. If it does, you might want to double check if you have any obstructions.

Theres one on the side of the case case right where the video card is, and one on the back of the case directly above the video card.
 

TGS

Golden Member
May 3, 2005
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What were the temps in the friends computer? Even with a case fan on it, hitting 75c under load seems kinda high. Sounds like without that extra cooling it would be burning up. I would definately double check the temps in the other computer. You could also swap PSUs to rule that option out as well.