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Sparkles while playing WOW

Yep, looks like video card is overheating or failing. Check to make sure fan is still spinning (I have seen them get clogged with dust before). Do the "finger test" for how hot the card gets after gaming for a while (run with case side off and touch card when spots begin to show up). Otherwise download card monitoring software and check temps that way.
 
The fan is still spinning and I just cleaned my PC out the other day. I stuck a fan to it and it got better. But it still gives sparkles. 🙁
 
Originally posted by: HeSaveDave
The fan is still spinning and I just cleaned my PC out the other day. I stuck a fan to it and it got better. But it still gives sparkles. 🙁
Click to expand...

try under-clocking it

it is probably going to need a RMA pretty soon 🙁
 
Download RivaTuner and use that to monitor your temperatures. Post it here; it's likely that it's running very, very hot due to either a failed fan or a poor connection between the GPU and the heat sink.
 
118 Celsius at peak. Its scalding hot. The strange thing is, it seems like the same thing happened to my last video card that was installed on this PC.
 
Originally posted by: HeSaveDave
118 Celsius at peak. Its scalding hot. The strange thing is, it seems like the same thing happened to my last video card that was installed on this PC.
Click to expand...

reseat the card ... check your case air flow
-*under-clocking* it might give it a little more life ... it is burning up
:Q

and prepare for a RMA ... or buying a new card ... what is your Video card and the rest of your system

 
I have cooling. I even opened my case and pointed a stanley blower at the card. same temps!

It is a Geforce 6800 I bought about 2 or 3 years ago. Am I doomed?
 
Originally posted by: HeSaveDave
I have cooling. I even opened my case and pointed a stanley blower at the card. same temps!

It is a Geforce 6800 I bought about 2 or 3 years ago. Am I doomed?
Click to expand...

doomed - you? ... no ... not unless it is not under warranty or you have no money for a replacement

UNDERclock it [!]
[after checking that it is seated properly in its slot]

You might also want to check hot deals [now]
 
Originally posted by: HeSaveDave
I don't have my receipt. 🙁 XFX Brand.
Click to expand...

You might not have a warranty on that card anymore 🙁

http://www.xfxforce.com/web/su...productGenerationId=40

1. The XFX Double Lifetime Protection goes into effect once the initial Owner (Owner #1) registers the product with us on www.xfxforce.com. At that time, XFX promises that the graphics card purchased (Product) will remain free from any defects in material or workmanship for the lifetime of the Product.
2. A unique Registration ID will be issued for the Product upon confirmation of the registration.
3. Products received by XFX must be in original condition and must be complete with all original components to be covered by the protection.
4. To qualify, any 6 Series or greater Graphics Card purchased on or after April 17, 2007 must be registered within the first 30 days of purchase or the protection for the card will be limited to 1 year.
5. To transfer protection to a second owner, the second owner will have to register the card with the same Registration ID originally issued to the card. The existing term of the Protection will also transfer to the second owner.**
Click to expand...

Edit... Just found this thread: http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2135396&enterthread=y

...and this might just mean that since your card was purchased before April 17, 2007 that it's sitll covered even though you didn't register it within 30 days. 🙂
 
Option 1
Where did you get the card? If from an online vendor (newegg, zzf, etc) they may have a record of your purchase still available to print. If from a b&m store, check for a credit card charge maybe. Otherwise, just estimate the purchase date and see if you can file for RMA on XFX website without proof of purchase.

Option 2
May just be poor contact between hsf and graphics core. Sometimes the thermal paste they use dries out/hardens and no longer functions correctly. If you have some AS5, Ceramique, or other good cpu paste remove the hsf and reseat using fresh paste. (Only do this once you have confirmed you cannot RMA.)

Option 3
If 1 & 2 don't work out, take it as a sign that it's time for an upgrade.

EDIT: Similar issue going on in this thread.
 
The card is only overheating because of a bad fan and/or improper contact between the heatsink and the core. The latter seems very improbable considering the fact that the heatsink is too hot to touch.

That means that there is more than adequate thermal transfer from the core to the heatsink itself. The only thing it can be is that the fan, though still spinning, is not spinning fast enough to move enough air to dissipate the heat being transferred.

The most likely solution is to replace the heatsink/fan combo unless the fan can actually be removed from the sink and replaced...

There is no need to buy a new card like some are so brazenly suggesting.
 
Thank you guys so much for your help. I found my old tigerdirect account I used to buy the card and I now have record of it. Thanks to your suggestions, I put in a ticket with XFX and hope to hear from them soon. I'll let everyone know how things go along the way. Thanks again so much!
 
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