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Computer Artifacting Problem
Macera
UGH GODDAMMITSTOP ENJOYING THINGSRegistered User regular
UGH GODDAMMITSTOP ENJOYING THINGSRegistered User regular
If this needs to be moved to Technology just let me know.
For about a week now I've been having a problem with my computer where the monitor will "artifact out" after an hour or so of playing a game. It doesn't matter what the game is, I've had it occur during classics like Dungeon Keeper II as well as more recent fare like TF2.
The artifacting happens only during gameplay, never when I'm just on the internet or doing other things. A few seconds after the artifacting happens the computer shuts down and has to be manually restarted.
My computer stats:
Intel (r) core (tm)2 CPU
6320@1.86 Ghz
1.87GHz, 1.GB of Ram
Graphics card:
NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GS
DirectX is 9.0c
For about a week now I've been having a problem with my computer where the monitor will "artifact out" after an hour or so of playing a game. It doesn't matter what the game is, I've had it occur during classics like Dungeon Keeper II as well as more recent fare like TF2.
The artifacting happens only during gameplay, never when I'm just on the internet or doing other things. A few seconds after the artifacting happens the computer shuts down and has to be manually restarted.
My computer stats:
Intel (r) core (tm)2 CPU
6320@1.86 Ghz
1.87GHz, 1.GB of Ram
Graphics card:
NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GS
DirectX is 9.0c
Macera on
0
Posts
Not yet, is there a way for me to find out? Like a diagnostic or something?
Okay, according to the nvidia monitoring, my temps when not running a program are:
CPU: 47 degrees celsius
System: 39 degrees celsius
GPU1: 54 degrees celsius
Should I try this out while running a program?
Bad?
No those are fine.
If your CPU is idling under 40C it's probably not turned on unless you have water cooling (or LN) and are running a ridiculously low voltage (like, lower than stock).
Anything under 60C at load is fine for newer processors, 60 is more stress on your CPU and may increase the overall risk of it dying within a few years but it's perfectly functional. 75C is where the Intel anti-meltdown feature kicks in and it shuts itself off. Or at least that's what it was in P4s. 85C+ is where silicon starts to die and unless your heatsink is not there you probably will never get close to this.
A 5C jump in temps is nothing to worry about, it's statistically insignificant. The same CPU/heatsink setup in the same case with the same fans can vary that much just on ambient room temperature. 63C on your video card might be high if it's an older card, but any nVidia in the 8xxx series will take temps up to 75C like a champ, as will ATI cards of similar vintage. There is a reason video cards these days are all so big with a huge fucking fan soldered right to them, and it isn't for looks.
Your temperature readings may be incorrect. If the probe is in the wrong place, or if the program is getting data from the wrong probe, it might be meaningless. My motherboard reads incorrectly no matter what I do. Temp readings (except on the CPU itself, those are usually spot on) are somewhat tough to nail down, as are fan speed readings. Especially on user-built rigs.
Artificating does tend to be a sign of video card death. That it takes a while to get going indicates a heat problem, heat is building up and not getting properly vented and it's causing the PCBs, the chips, the capcitors, or something in the card to not work right. It could also be a memory leak (unlikely, but possible) or a power supply problem (heat causing PSU to malfunction) also.
Easiest way to diagnose it: properly install a different video card, see if it happens again. If it doesn't it's the card and you'll have to replace it. If it still happens I'd be surprised.