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
Never finish cables and close sides before testing... that'll only attract problems. 
Have you run 3DMark or something which would stress all parts and put load on PSU? Are those artefacts visible in there?
(alltough I doubt you can load it to above 250W)
Have you run 3DMark or something which would stress all parts and put load on PSU? Are those artefacts visible in there?
(alltough I doubt you can load it to above 250W)
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
That would hint graphic card having some fault.
Whole "multiple rails" is one marketing scam for covering now practically abandoned requirement.
But that card probably needs about 100W so this artifical limitation couldn't cause these problems.
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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
It could be a GPU fault that has just chosen this time to rear it's head. I have the same PSU with a heavily clocked 8800GT (heavily clocked rig even) and have had no problems at all. In fact it's the best PSU i have ever had. I am using the fixed pci-e lead as well. Your 3DMark score is about right for your rig. The only other explanation is that you have recieved a faulty PSU, which is possible i suppose.
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?