GTX280 Flicker Problem

[andyb999]

Hi guys, hope you can help me out here.

I have a GTX280 that I've been using for just about a week now and all was fine until this morning where under some circumstances I get a lot of screen flicker.

I upgraded to the latest version of drivers I could find (Forceware 177.92 - Vista64) but to no avail.

Bizarrely, running the EVGA Precision tool makes the flicker behave it's worst when I drag the tool around the screen.

I'm running at 2560 x 1600 and the GTX is not overclocked (GPUZ says I'm running at default clock settings) and temperature is between 45 and 51.

I've reseated the card too.

Any clues to problem other than a duff card?

Thanks in advance guys.

 

[TheCenturion]

is everything connected properly (the card to the mobo, 6 pin, 8 pin)
did you reseat it properly, if you didn't it might overheat despite giving you cool temps

 

[andyb999]

Yeah everything is snug. I didn't actually pull the card out during "re-seating", just ensured it was actually plugged in ok.

I checked the cables too.

Is this a symptom of edge connection / cable issues?

The flickering only happens under certain circumstances - I can move a browser window around with no problem but, like I said, when I move the EVGA Precision tool window around the whole screen flickers REALLY badly!

 

[thegoonden]

try downloading knoppix or something simillar.
Boot from that.
If flickering persists, it's hardware.
If it goes away, it's PROBABLY something in your windows doing it (but of course knoppix will not stoke up the GPU, so hardware cannot, still, be 100% ruled out).

 

[andyb999]

Hmm - well I noticed that Precision was showing my Core clock was running at 300mhz (as opposed to the 615 default), which I think is kind of related to the 2d / 3d mode switching problem.

Using the NVidia Control Panel, I changed the setting in "Adjust Image Settings with Preview" panel from "Use the advanced 3d image settings" to "Let the 3D application decide". The core speed then jumped to 615 and the flickering stopped.

I still think there's an issue here as it's supposed to run at 300Mhz while "idling" to conserve power, but at least my system is usable again.

Posted for any that may find useful!

Thanks for your help guys.

Andy


EDIT: Ok, posted too soon!!

The flickering is there when the card drops down to 300Mhz. Opening the NVidia Control Panel actually forces it back up to 615 because it has a 3d rotating picture. Once it goes up to 615 the flickering goes away. Closing the control panel will drop it to 300 again and the flickering recommences.

I've convinced this is a driver issue now.