Whats my most probabe cause of artifacts for CS:Source??

supastar1568

Senior member
Apr 6, 2005
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ok, well this is what is happening when I play CS:source. I will be running around or whatever and black little "pieces" will appear in the textures. The will appear quickly and whatnot and kinda flash around. Im not sure if this is artifacting or not, but thats whats happening.

I DO NOT get this in any other games including BF:2, F.E.A.R, AOE 3, etc.

Its only this game.

My CPU is overclocked to 2.2Ghz but has passed all types and forms of stress tests. My video card is at "stock" settings, which are at default 475/1110 for my Evga 7800gt CO SE. Not sure why it is running a bit faster than then it should at stock, but it is.

Can someone help me identify the problem? Could it simply be a driver issue? Or is it something with my hardware and how its configured?
 

StrangerGuy

Diamond Member
May 9, 2004
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My bet will be an overheated video card. Try removing the side panel and run CS: S again and see whether the artifacts still appears.
 

Pulsar

Diamond Member
Mar 3, 2003
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I see a couple of these a week and answer the same way.

You answered your own question when you stated that you are overclocked. Go back to standard settings and if the problem persists, come back.
 
Apr 15, 2004
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Sounds like drivers to me, considering you don't get artifacting in any other game you own. An overclocked CPU will not cause artifacting guys, his GPU is at stock, read the post. Have you been using Driver Cleaner to wipe the old drivers before updating to new ones?
 

Topweasel

Diamond Member
Oct 19, 2000
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Originally posted by: Inappropriate4AT
Sounds like drivers to me, considering you don't get artifacting in any other game you own. An overclocked CPU will not cause artifacting guys, his GPU is at stock, read the post. Have you been using Driver Cleaner to wipe the old drivers before updating to new ones?

I have had on three different cards go bad that have done these exact same things, They will artifact in one game and not any others, then months down the line it will get horrible in that one game while only starting to just then artifact on other games, then eventually the card pretty much gives upp the ghost.
 

supastar1568

Senior member
Apr 6, 2005
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ok, im gonna try flashing my video card BIOS to see if that can change my stock settings.

I say this because my card is running at DEFAULT 475/1120 when it is suppose to run at 460/1100. Not sure why it does this, but it has been like this since i got the card. Its an Evga 7800gt CO SE.

So I will try to flash to the BIOS they have on their site and see if that brings the default settings to normal.


Maybe that will help?
 

mcmikemc

Senior member
Jan 20, 2005
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Just use Coolbits to under clock your card. No need to flash the BIOS.

If you don't know what Coolbits is google it.
 

supastar1568

Senior member
Apr 6, 2005
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yea, i will try that first.

i remember doing that and clocking it down to 460/1100. But then I would get artifacts again. But when I checked it was back up to 475/1120.

So in other words, even though I have the "Load settings with windows" box checked, it would automatically bring it back up to 475/1120.

Not sure what the deal is, but i will try it again with lower settings.
 

supastar1568

Senior member
Apr 6, 2005
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ok, since this tread I have reinstalled the video card driver

It seemed to reduce it a bit.

I then just installed an NV silencer Rev 3. and the artifacts are still there a bit.

They only occur on a couple of maps in CS:source, and do not occur in any other game.
 

nib95

Senior member
Jan 31, 2006
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It's not an overheated GPU.
Trust me.

COD2 and FEAR rapes GPU temps much worse then CS:S does.
After long bouts of CS:S my X1900 XTX never goes beyond 60 degrees, COD2 on the other hand, and were talking nearer 70!

My best guess like others have mentioned is that it's a driver issue, perhaps download some beta drivers with enhanced INF's at laptopvideo2go.com?
 

supastar1568

Senior member
Apr 6, 2005
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wizboy, thanks for the drivers. That seemed to reduce it but i think I found out what my real problem is.

I couldnt figure out why my default settings were at 475/1120 for my 7800gt. But I realized that when I overclock my CPU this stuff gets overclocked as well and I never set the PCI Bus Lock.

I put my CPU to stock settings and just like that the video card was at what it is suppose to be, 470/1100.

My problem is now I cant overclock untill I enable the Bus Lock and I dont think my mobo has that option. Really frustrating since my overclocked CPU passed prime95 and other tests! So my CPU can handle it, I just cant lock the PCI bus.

Which sucks

Any solutions to this?