nvlddmkm Error when playing Cataclysm with gtx280

[Sprockster]

Hello I am trying to narrow this down before I pull the trigger on replacing my gtx 280 FTW.

Every component in my system is at stock speeds.
Core i7 940
12GB Corsair DDR3
EVGA Geforce gtx 280
ASUS P6t Deluxe Motherboard
1000Watt Silverstone PSU

Ever since installing World of Warcraft Catalcysm the screen will now and then turn a solid pink or green color (http://i25.tinypic.com/wqrq5c.jpg) I am unable to reproduce the error consistently. Also now and then the game will freeze for a minute or so and then continue but the video card downclocks to 400mhz core clock speed. The only way to fix this I found is to reboot. Sometimes after seeing these errors I am able to play without issue for hours on end, but they usually occur once a day now.

In the event viewer under system I sometimes see nothing and I sometimes see the following message
"The description for Event ID 14 from source nvlddmkm cannot be found. Either the component that raises this event is not installed on your local computer or the installation is corrupted. You can install or repair the component on the local computer.
If the event originated on another computer, the display information had to be saved with the event.
The following information was included with the event:
\Device\Video5CMDre 00000000 00000088 ff1fe121 00000007 00000000"

I have tried a clean install of the 260.99 video drivers to no avail.

I ran OCCT video test for about an hour and the temps were around 84 Celsius. When playing WoW they are usually around 65-70 Celsius.

This issue started the day after I installed Cataclysm could this just be a driver/game issue that needs ironed out? Blizzard tech support suggested overheating but the temps to me look fine. They then suggested swapping in another video card which I don't have available.

If this is indeed an issue with the video card I have no problem purchasing a new card (I have been eying up the gtx570) but I would like to know for sure as I have thus far been happy with the performance.

Anything else I should try? I tested the RAM via memtest and tested the video RAM via OCCT GPU memtest (not sure how reliable that is) both came back with 0 errors.

Thanks for any suggestions?

 

[Ruger22C]

My guess is your GPU is either failing or over-heating, based on the photo.

However, nvlddmkm can be caused by MANY things - and no one has ever been able to nail it down, to my knowledge.

In my case, it was the video card (GTX 260). With some people, it may be the RAM they used, the drivers, etc. there are MANY combinations of possibilties. When I say RAM, it may not even be that the RAM is bad - but that it doesn't like the combination you're using...

I would start with putting in a different video card.

When you get tired of it all, use DX9. DX9 won't give that error.

http://www.nvlddmkm.com/