Desktop strangeness

Snapples24 · 20 Oct 2010 at 18:02

Im starting to get what looks like graphical errors across the screen. Horizontal lines. Just recently O/C to 3.4ghz. Im running a i7 920 and 4870 in win 7 64bit.
Any ideas?

Cheers

RJC · 20 Oct 2010 at 18:04

Sorry to sound dumb, what part are we looking at.

Snapples24 · 20 Oct 2010 at 18:07

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cmndr_andi · 20 Oct 2010 at 18:08

Sounds like it may be a problem with your graphics card, however I would suggest eliminating the monitor as a suspect. Do this by either plugging in a new monitor into this PC and see if you get the same issues and/or plug in a different PC into the current monitor.

To fully stress your GPU - I use Furmark, however keep an eye on the temp and don't run it for too long.

Snapples24 · 20 Oct 2010 at 18:10

I hope its not the card. Though Ive had problems with it before. Kind of Ironic, I thought Id pop on an O/C and before I even did anything, Ive had this problem.

RJC · 20 Oct 2010 at 18:10

Ah ok, run some benchmark software like cmdr andi mentions.

Try reverting back to stock.

Snapples24 · 20 Oct 2010 at 18:12

Im running 64bit. There doesnt seem to be a DL for that?

RJC · 20 Oct 2010 at 18:13

That should install fine, I think that's the link I used and I am running 64bit.

Going to check!

cmndr_andi · 20 Oct 2010 at 18:13

No worries - Just use the 32 bit version - win 64 bit runs it fine.

Snapples24 · 20 Oct 2010 at 18:14

Ok thanks all. Ill run it now and report.

cmndr_andi · 20 Oct 2010 at 18:16

Do you get the same/similar graphical errors when in games or applications - or it it just on the desktop?

Snapples24 · 20 Oct 2010 at 18:20

Just on the Desktop, though L4d2 kept just suddenly shutting down the other night. No graphical errors when that happened. Just gone.

What exactly am i doing on this Furmark? I ran a stress test until it got to 75c. Then I chickened out. It was only going for 1 Minute

cmndr_andi · 20 Oct 2010 at 18:25

That is interesting with L4D. Again the graphics card is the main suspect - as the CPU will not be heavily tested. However, to completely eliminate the CPU - have you run Prime95 and Intel Burn Test to the point that you are satisfied that it is stable?

With furmark I suggest let it run and see at what temp it tops out at. 75c is pretty safe for that GPU, I suggest stopping the test only if it goes much over 90c.

Snapples24 · 20 Oct 2010 at 19:10

I found the source of the problem. And I should have known all along as Ive had a similar problem before. After taking the GPU heatsink off, most of the thermal paste had worn out. It wasnt that long ago that I replaced it (I know how to do it properly). Ive been using Akasa Thermal paste and I think its time I buy a decent brand. Same problem, twice. Not good.

Thanks for all your help and support. Much appreciated.