Random green pixels showing after I game

[CreepieDeCrapper]

Just built a new PC for work and gaming (specs below). I played around with Oblivion last night and this morning a bit. After I exited back to the desktop, I saw these random green pixels showing up all over my background (just solid black color, no image on my desktop). If I drag a window across the pixels, they go away.

Additionally, if I scroll quickly on a website with a white background, I can see some green coloring 'flashing.' For instance, on the ATI homepage (www.ati.com) when I mouseover a menu item and see the dropdown, it's almost like the navigation items are quickly highlighted in bright green first, before the light gray mouseover color appears.

Here's a screenshot of the green pixel issue (just a cross-section actually):
http://stage.creationsite.com/WeirdScreen.jpg

Specs:
E6400 on P5W DH Deluxe w/Arctic Freezer 7 Pro
Sapphire x1900xt
Team Xtreem 2gb DDR2-800
Dell 24" (rev. A02)

Anything else pertinent?

* Everything at stock and/or BIOS 'automatic' settings

 

[CreepieDeCrapper]

I should note that I just played Oblivion in a 'testing' fashion (change a setting, play for 2 minutes, exit to desktop, repeat) about 5-6 times in a row WITHOUT the green pixel issue. However, I DO still notice some flashing of bright green when I scroll through a white web page (or any other white item on the display).

 

[CreepieDeCrapper]

Well nevermind my last post, the green pixels just came back again. Apparently it's not consistent like I first thought. Any ideas?

 

[Ulfhednar]

Either the card is artifacting, even in 2D, or there's something wrong with your display.

Take a screenshot when it's showing, if they show in the screenshot then it's not your display.

 

[CreepieDeCrapper]

Thanks for replying. I have a screenshot in my first post. Do you need a screenie of something else? Just let me know!

 

[Ulfhednar]

Yup, the fact it's showing in screenshots means it's happening in the graphics card and not in the monitor.

Either the graphics card has been way overheating, or it's simply faulty, but I'm afraid to say this is usually the sign of a buggered core and it's time to RMA.

 

[maxxxxel]

The last time i had green flashing on my screen (not dots but flashing lines about 2cm long) was when i was playing BF2 and my water cooling stopped (became blocked after about 1 year) so yes could be a heat problem. You could remove the cooler and check that there is thermal compound between the chip and heatsink as it can happen at the production line that they forget to put on any compound. But if it is a new card then maybe you should send it back. Looking at you screenshot i got similar results from a laptop once, i blocked/stopped the fan on and after a while i got random dots all over the screen. My advice is to check all temps cpu, mainboard and GPU

 

[CreepieDeCrapper]

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated. I've been monitoring all temps with Everest 3.01. CPU and mobo temps seem pretty good. CPU is around 45 (core) and 31 (ambient). Mobo hovers around 42-45. These numbers don't change from pre to post gaming.

Regarding the GPU, when I exit out of Oblivion real quick the highest I saw my GPU temp reading was at 81 (idle GPU temps are 51-55). But it drops down so quickly it's hard to say how high it's really getting. Is there a better way to test this out? I also plan to move some case fans around today to see if that helps the temps. However, I plan on eventually installing a second card (CrossFire edition) so that will only bring more heat to the situation.

 

[Ulfhednar]

Originally posted by: CreepieDeCrapper
Regarding the GPU, when I exit out of Oblivion real quick the highest I saw my GPU temp reading was at 81 (idle GPU temps are 51-55). But it drops down so quickly it's hard to say how high it's really getting. Is there a better way to test this out? I also plan to move some case fans around today to see if that helps the temps. However, I plan on eventually installing a second card (CrossFire edition) so that will only bring more heat to the situation.

81ºC does sound a little high to me considering, like you said, it drops rapidly when you tab out of or exit a game. You can use programs like Rivatuner and ATI Tray Tools (now with X1K support) to monitor temps in the background for you during gaming.

The fact it's doing this in 2D with idle temps of 51-55ºC though, which are fine by the way, has me worried that any damage has already been done. It may have even shipped with this issue.

Either way, I think the only option is to RMA. A problem like this will only get worse once it appears.

 

[CreepieDeCrapper]

Ugh, not what I wanted to hear but sounds true nevertheless. Thanks for your follow-up. Not sure if you caught it from my first post or not, but the green pixels ONLY show up right after I exit the game. Once I maximize a window (or drag a small window all around the desktop) the pixels get 'covered up' and go away. IOW, it's not necessarily happening in 2D mode, but more or less looks like a 'residual' from exiting 3D mode. Does that make sense?

Also, I have the x1900 CF Edition card sitting in the box on my counter, can I run that card by itself without the XT so if I RMA I won't be without a computer?

 

[Ulfhednar]

Originally posted by: CreepieDeCrapper
Also, I have the x1900 CF Edition card sitting in the box on my counter, can I run that card by itself without the XT so if I RMA I won't be without a computer?

The X1900CF will run perfectly fine on its own, in fact you should put it in and see if you can duplicate the problem on that card to make sure.

 

[CreepieDeCrapper]

Great! That's what I'll do next. I'll report back here with my results.

BTW, any particular way I should install the CF Edition card? I was just going to shutdown, swap cards, then reboot. I'm assuming I shouldn't have to remove and reinstall the drivers, right? (Running Catalyst 6.9)

 

[Jules]

RMA it.

 

[CreepieDeCrapper]

Originally posted by: MyStupidMouth
RMA it.

Were you able to view the screenshot? Are you sure it's not just a 'glitch' when going from 3D to 2D mode but an actual hardware problem? What about the fact that it doesn't happen every time?

 

[Jules]

Originally posted by: CreepieDeCrapper

Originally posted by: MyStupidMouth
RMA it.

Were you able to view the screenshot? Are you sure it's not just a 'glitch' when going from 3D to 2D mode but an actual hardware problem? What about the fact that it doesn't happen every time?

id rma it. it shouldnt be doing that.

 

[Ulfhednar]

Yeah, the fact it's doing it at all is an indicator of a hardware problem.

Did you check to see if the Crossfire Edition works properly?

 

[CreepieDeCrapper]

Not yet, I'm finding out my RMA options through Newegg first, then I'll test the other one.

 

[Zebo]

Card is bad

 

[Zenoth]

Indeed, I think you've got a faulty card, RMA it.

Or else it's a Core over-heating issue, and if the Core has problems in 2D, it ain't a good sign. Your card is what I'd call a lemon.

 

[nitromullet]

That is what my HIS XTX did before it started artifacting all the time. The card is bad.

 

[CreepieDeCrapper]

Thanks for all the confirmations, everyone. All fingers are obviously pointing to bad hardware. I'm about to install my CF Edition card now and will report back shortly.

 

[CreepieDeCrapper]

Well I just installed and tested with the x1900 CF Edition (ASUS brand) and so far have not been able to reproduce the green pixels after exiting an Oblivion session. I tried a few different resolutions with AA on and off, and HDR on and off. So that's good for this card, and bad for the other. At least I know I need to RMA now.

A couple things I noticed, however:

1. This card is running HOTTER than the other one. When I alt-tab into Windows to view Everest's GPU temp reading, this card is anywhere between 85-95 C! I have to say, I really don't hear the fan kicking in too much while I play, and I can't find a setting in the Catalyst Control Panel to change it. (The other, faulty, card was in the low 80's while alt-tabbing to view GPU temps. FYI.)

2. The HDR looked a little funny when walking around outdoors during the day. There was a 'glowing halo' of sorts surrounding my character (when in third person) and around various objects (rocks, etc). There was also a lot of flashing. Meaning, I could kind of see the lighting 'shift' from a brighter color range to a darker one, and back again. But it was happening VERY often (like a flicker effect). Again, this was with the second card and while using HDR.

Thanks again, everyone. Your help is greatly appreciate.

 

[CreepieDeCrapper]

I should also note that the 2nd (and presumably working) x1900 is idling around 60 C. The other one was idling much lower, at 51-55 C. Not sure why this one is running hotter but I would definitely like it to cool down a bit!

 

[CreepieDeCrapper]

Whoa hang on now, I just looked at the Catalyst Control Panel and it shows my GPU idling @ 20 C! Everest is still showing 59-60, however.

 

[TheRyuu]

Originally posted by: CreepieDeCrapper
Whoa hang on now, I just looked at the Catalyst Control Panel and it shows my GPU idling @ 20 C! Everest is still showing 59-60, however.

I'd go by Everest.
Download and install Rivatuner. With that you can create graphs of GPU temperature to see how high it gets even while gaming.

If you bought the card through newegg, I'd RMA it through them. It's quick and painless (they don't crosship, but thats no bigge), just make sure to send it USPS Priority mail. If you send it standard, at least for me, it took a week and a half to get there. With Priority mail, it took 2 days.

The only GPU manufaterer thats as fast as newegg is Evga, and they don't make ATI cards.

Everything points to a bad card. 80C under load is not that hot for a X1900, in fact thats probably the norm. You can try forcing 100% fan speed through ATI Tool if you want, that should bring the load down to 70ish. I've seen X1900XT's get into the 90C under load, so 80C is nothing really.