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Can new RAM cause graphical problems in games? [SOLVED!]
Drem
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
First some background, because I'm not sure whether this could be caused by my RAM or something I did myself.
Last weekend I upgraded the ram in my Inspiron E1705 from the default 1GB (two 512 cards) to 4GB (two 2GB cards, Kingston brand). This was mainly so I could start playing games like TF2 more smoothly. Soon after, I got S.T.A.L.K.E.R. but was having some slight lag problems when looking in certain directions. Google suggested I installed ATI Tray Tools and changed my Flip-Queue Size from the default "Undefined" to "2". S.T.A.L.K.E.R. started running great, so that's cool.
However, later I tried to play Demigod, which has been running fine for the past few weeks, and when I loaded a map the entire graphics were messed up. It was all garbled up; just stretched colors that seemed to move every now and then. It happened in every map. I didn't know what was the problem, and wasn't sure if it was just coincidence it happened after changing my RAM. I tried changed the Flip-Queue Size back to "Undefined," but ATI Tray tools wouldn't let me, so I instead moved it to "3", because the internet said it was the other possible default setting. It didn't help. Eventually I just un-installed Demigod and moved on, because nothing else was having problems.
Today I installed the Crysis demo to see whether I could take advantage of the Steam deal, and it too is having graphical problems. Objects and people were blinking in and out, sometimes everything seemed to go black. Looking in some directions makes everything go black as well. The HUD is still there, just everything behind it will be gone until I make the character look a little bit up. I uninstalled ATI Tray Tools, but the problem persists. I remember playing the demo a few years ago on this same computer and it didn't have this problem (it didn't run great, but it didn't have graphical artifacts).
So I'm not sure what's wrong. These are the only two games I've noticed problems in so far. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. is fine, as are Team Fortress 2, Battlefield 2, Freedom Force, Sins of a Solar Empire, Unreal Tournament 3, or any other 3D game I play. Is this a coincidence that I'm noticing these problems now, or could they actually be affected by my new RAM?
Last weekend I upgraded the ram in my Inspiron E1705 from the default 1GB (two 512 cards) to 4GB (two 2GB cards, Kingston brand). This was mainly so I could start playing games like TF2 more smoothly. Soon after, I got S.T.A.L.K.E.R. but was having some slight lag problems when looking in certain directions. Google suggested I installed ATI Tray Tools and changed my Flip-Queue Size from the default "Undefined" to "2". S.T.A.L.K.E.R. started running great, so that's cool.
However, later I tried to play Demigod, which has been running fine for the past few weeks, and when I loaded a map the entire graphics were messed up. It was all garbled up; just stretched colors that seemed to move every now and then. It happened in every map. I didn't know what was the problem, and wasn't sure if it was just coincidence it happened after changing my RAM. I tried changed the Flip-Queue Size back to "Undefined," but ATI Tray tools wouldn't let me, so I instead moved it to "3", because the internet said it was the other possible default setting. It didn't help. Eventually I just un-installed Demigod and moved on, because nothing else was having problems.
Today I installed the Crysis demo to see whether I could take advantage of the Steam deal, and it too is having graphical problems. Objects and people were blinking in and out, sometimes everything seemed to go black. Looking in some directions makes everything go black as well. The HUD is still there, just everything behind it will be gone until I make the character look a little bit up. I uninstalled ATI Tray Tools, but the problem persists. I remember playing the demo a few years ago on this same computer and it didn't have this problem (it didn't run great, but it didn't have graphical artifacts).
So I'm not sure what's wrong. These are the only two games I've noticed problems in so far. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. is fine, as are Team Fortress 2, Battlefield 2, Freedom Force, Sins of a Solar Empire, Unreal Tournament 3, or any other 3D game I play. Is this a coincidence that I'm noticing these problems now, or could they actually be affected by my new RAM?
Drem on
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With graphical glitches I usually consider heat issues on the video card. Another problem could be power supply.
The Raid
Morvidus, do you know where I might be able to find that information? Google helped me find my motherboard chipset (E1705 seems to use "Intel Calistoga i945GM/PM"), but I can't find any information on it concerning RAM. As for what I bought, I all I know about it is that it's Kingston 2GB DDR2 PC2-5300 667Mhz. I'm pretty sure my default RAM was also DDR2 667Mhz.
Just for clarification, here's what 's going on in Crysis, courtesy of Fraps. I can look at the ground just fine, but when I look up everything goes black. There are black streaks on the gun too that move as the character heaves. Sometimes colors appear as I look around. It's kind of like the shaders are messed up, I guess?
It's more likely that your RAM is either not an issue, or it is having compatibility problems with your Motherboard. You can check your pc and/or motherboard manufacturer to see what RAM is recommended/tested as working. You could also look up the timing and voltage specifications for your RAM, and go into your bios to see if they are within the correct limits. I know on my old board the PC was undervolting my RAM by default and causing some problems.
Also the good old "make sure all your drivers are up to date" is a good place to start. You may also have a BIOS update available on your motherboard that might fix things... I'd look at the release notes for any revisions of the BIOS between what you have and current (if any) to see what problems they resolve.
Pop the new ram sticks out, and see if the problem goes away.
Run a ram testing program.
I didn't want to change my RAM sticks all willy nilly, but since you suggested it I changed back to my old sticks and ran Crysis. I was having the same problems, and the game RAM a hell of a lot worse. I'm amazed at how much RAM alone can help performance.
So then I re-installed ATI Tray Tools and started messing with the settings. I followed the TweakGuides, uh, guide for suggestions on what settings should be enabled and disabled. And Voila! Crysis is working okay! I haven't tried Demigod, since it isn't installed anymore. I guess ATI Tray Tools messed with me settings when I installed it, and doesn't change everything back when you uninstall it. I wish it had a "return to defaults" button.
Thanks for all your help, everyone! Happy new years!