I have just changed my PSU from a seasonic 420 to a Zalman 750. All appears to be working ok except for my graphics card which is now showing artifacts when I test with ATI tool. This ran fine previously to the PSU swap but I am confused why the replacement PSU will cause this problem. My graphics card is now connected to the dedicated PCI-E connector where as previously it was through a PCI-E to molex connector. GFX card is a BFG 8800GT OC2 so is overclocked, but I have not altered any clock speeds from the default they are supplied as. Is it likely that my PSU is faulty? (Hope not as it took me 2 1/2 hours to swap out with re-routing all my cables last night)
artifacts in ATI tool after change in PSU
- Thread starter chrislip
- Start date
Ok, it gets even more confusing 
The PSU has a PCI-E connector on the non removable cables. Apparently this means it is on *** same 12V line as the power going to the MB and this is what I originally connected. There is also a second PCI-E connector which is on its own 12V line and when connecting that I get even worse results! Out of desparation I have gone back to the molex - PCI-E adaptor and plugged htis in. I get the best results when using theis method but still get some artifacts. If I use ATI tool to drop the core speed to 650MHz from 675 then bump it back up to 675 it all works ok.
I don't really want to use this adaptor as it seems to ruin the point of having the PCI-E cables. I thought having these separate 12V rails would mean more stability, but it looks to me like they can't handle the power that my graphics card pulls. I am quite loath to put my old PSU back in as it was making some nasty hissing noises which is why i replaced it in the first place. DO you think it is the PSU that has problems, or the GFX card. I have also tested using 3D Mark 06, I get a full system score of 9011 unsure if this is good or not? I don't own any games that really push the GPU, I am playing oblivion at present, but I want to ensure that this PSU will be ok for when I upgrade
The PSU has a PCI-E connector on the non removable cables. Apparently this means it is on *** same 12V line as the power going to the MB and this is what I originally connected. There is also a second PCI-E connector which is on its own 12V line and when connecting that I get even worse results! Out of desparation I have gone back to the molex - PCI-E adaptor and plugged htis in. I get the best results when using theis method but still get some artifacts. If I use ATI tool to drop the core speed to 650MHz from 675 then bump it back up to 675 it all works ok.
I don't really want to use this adaptor as it seems to ruin the point of having the PCI-E cables. I thought having these separate 12V rails would mean more stability, but it looks to me like they can't handle the power that my graphics card pulls. I am quite loath to put my old PSU back in as it was making some nasty hissing noises which is why i replaced it in the first place. DO you think it is the PSU that has problems, or the GFX card. I have also tested using 3D Mark 06, I get a full system score of 9011 unsure if this is good or not? I don't own any games that really push the GPU, I am playing oblivion at present, but I want to ensure that this PSU will be ok for when I upgrade
Ok. I have this morning swapped back to my old PSU and am getting artifacts again in ATI tool which to me suggests that it is the GFX card that is faulty. I have not overclocked it beyond the factory supplied overclock so believe that I can return to BFG. The only question I have is whether they will accept artifacts in ATI tool as sufficient proof that it is failing? Does anyone have any experience with RMA to BFG?
I am still confused as to why I am getting artifacts now even when using my old PSU which I didn't get them on before. DOes this mean that my GFX card is faulty or not? Are there any other programs I can use to test it?
The card is running at stock (well stock overclocked. I haven't overclocked it beyond the speeds that it comes delivered as).
Forgive me for asking probably a stupid question, but how do I use 3dMark to scan for artifacts. Do I have to sit and watch as it goes through the tests, or will it close itself with an error if it finds artifacts?
Forgive me for asking probably a stupid question, but how do I use 3dMark to scan for artifacts. Do I have to sit and watch as it goes through the tests, or will it close itself with an error if it finds artifacts?