My Computer has problems running games. When running normally, like surfing the net it looks normal. However anything 3d (e.t.c Halo, S.T.A.L.K.E.R, Oblivion) it goes all pixilated and distorted with random colours . I think thats how you would describe it. Anyway I got a screenshot of what it looks like in a zip. I would like to know if this is A Video Card issue or some other issue. Anyway any help would be aprreciated.

Attached Files

Screenshot.zip (192.6 KB, 12 views)

do you have it overclocked at all cause thats somewhat mine did if i clock it to much also it could be overheating have you tried reseating the heatsink with some better thermal compound

I dont think the card has ever been overclocked, and i had recently had reseated my heatsink (using thermal compund). It was working fine (no funny pixels or distortion) in the morning (I live in NZ, thats 12+hrs) , however then I opened up the comp (about 2 hours later)(I grounded myself) and removed the power connectors to these two fans on the side of my comp ( I think theyre just for display, not for any real purpose). Then I plugged in all back in, and tired to play S.T.A.L.K.E.R and thats when the problem happened. Do you think I caused a broke my graphics card during then, or just some software problem?

Huh, it crashes everytime I try go to the Nvidia Tempurature Moniter.

Hmmm, it seems to garble (got that off dictionary.com) on Anything higher than 16 bit colour, any ideas?

Plug the two power connectors back in. Seems to me that your card is overheating without those two fans cooling it.

When your screen is "pixilated and distorted with random colours", this is known as 'artifacting'. Artifacting usually occurs when the video processor is overheating, or not getting enough power. In your case, since you haven't overclocked it, it looks like you've got heat issues.

Quote: Originally Posted by Dageta and removed the power connectors to these two fans on the side of my comp ( I think theyre just for display, not for any real purpose).

Fans are very rarely 'for show'. Modern PCs get very hot and require adequate cooling. Plug 'em back in, and see if that helps.

Quote: Originally Posted by Dageta Do you think I caused a broke my graphics card during then

It depends how long you've been running it without suitable cooling. You may have caused permanent damage to the core if you're unlucky.

Plugged in the two fans, with no change.

Hmmm. I got a warning from Nvidia Sentinel saying that the graphics card wasnt recieving enough power, and that I should reaatch an external power connector. However, I dont have one? The box also says that I shouldnt have one, so maybe this is a power problem.

Quote: Originally Posted by Dageta Plugged in the two fans, with no change. Hmmm. I got a warning from Nvidia Sentinel saying that the graphics card wasnt recieving enough power, and that I should reaatch an external power connector. However, I dont have one? The box also says that I shouldnt have one, so maybe this is a power problem.

Is your card an AGP or PCI-E 6600GT?

Msi Pci-e 6600gt

Quote: Originally Posted by Dageta Msi Pci-e 6600gt

It shouldn't need an external connector then as the PCI-E slot can provide the 75w needed. Have you got a big aftermarket cooler on it?

Download and run PC Wizard to check temps.

Direct link to download (stand-alone program): http://www.cpuid.org/download/pcw2007_v173.zip

If you click the small green icon at the top of the window labeled "Overclock Information" it should show you your GPU temp.

Its 44 Degrees Celcius

Huh. Just realised that the graphics card fan wasnt spinning. Im guessing this is where all the problems are. Just a question, does this mean I have to buy a new graphics card?

44 isnt bad for an idle... my 6600GT idles at 60.

You shouldnt need an entirely new graphics card, just a new GPU cooler. I dont know whats good but the Zalman coolers seem to get good reviews. Just make sure its compatible with your card.

This one should work: Newegg.com - ZALMAN FS-V7 2 Ball VGA Cooler - Retail

Cool thanks for all your help