Do I have a dodgy graphics card??

[Happylad]

Hi folks.
Having some problems with a OcUK GeForce 7900 GS that I put in my mates son's PC. The card has been fine since Nov last year, but it has recently started showing glitches when playing 3d games.
Some examples of the faults can be found here:
http://s131.photobucket.com/albums/p312/braddersofthefieldrangers/bf2/

Some of the faults are fairly subtle, whilst others are blatant with whole chunks of the screen corrupt or strange objects sticking out all over.
I've checked the temp of the card using ATI Tool and it reports a temp of 55C – so I don't think it temp related. The card hasn't been overclocked either.
Any help in explaining what this is or how to resolve would be much appreciated.
TIA

 

[Happylad]

Thanks for the replies – confirms my initial suspicion that the card memory is dodgy.
I'll take a look at the case temps, though the machine is kept clean and there have been no changes to the machine before these problems started.

What's annoying about this problem is that when it started I contacted Overclockers through their webnotes asking what it could be and how to resolve. They didn't offer any explanation but their response was to send me an RMA no. for the cards return.

Great I thought, they'll replace the card.
I received automated email telling me they had received the returned card. Then another that they had dispatched a replacement.

Unfortunately when the package arrived back with me they had sent the original card back to me as no fault found and charged me £31 for the privilege of sending me back an obviously duff graphics card.

I guess you can work out that I'm somewhat disappointed by this – I called Overclockers to ask them to explain the charges and why they'd sent the card back to me. The guy I spoke to would only tell me that the card had passed 3dmark test so was no fault found. He couldn't explain why they then charged my £31 and wouldn't help in any other way in finding a solution.

 

[Happylad]

The card is toast. It will just continue to get worse from this point on. It seems to be the same problem that the 7900GT line had (speculations range from bad voltage regulators, bad caps, bad memory, etc.). Good luck with the RMA -- I hope you can still call yourself Happylad after trying.

I have the same card with the same problem. Bought it in Sept. and it started to die at the end of Feb. My card barely functions in 2d mode now let alone 3d.

Here's some info. for you:

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/kbyiers/7900gs_106686.html

OC's attitude seems to have really gone downhill. I've been buying stuff from OC for a good few years - I've returned items before without problem so this situation is even more disappointing.
I've started a complain with my CC company – hopefully this will end in a chargeback fro the card and ridiculous testing fee.
OC are not doing themselves in favours in being so stupid about RMA's. Looking through receipts I've bought about £2.5k of kit from them over the last 3 years. I guess this is revenue that won't be repeated in future!