Graphic Glitches

[Bokhard]

Hello everyone,

I have a problem that I hope I can get help with.

I have a system that I have been using for a couple years now, it was top of the line when I made it, and now I am experiencing some problems. Lately when I play computer games (WoW, Age of Empires III, and Civ IV, to be specific), sometimes my games run smoothly but sometimes I get flickering graphics after a period of time. This problem persists for a couple minutes, sometimes more. It looks like a problem with the specific game, like if the programmers just didn't create the worlds and graphics well enough, but it is a problem that spans over all three games for me. I don't have a problem when I am just working normally on my computer; it is only when I play graphic intensive games.

This has been mainly a nuisence, but lately my computer has been freezing after a half an hour of playing games. No freezing if I am just working on my computer.

Here are my computer specs:

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System Information
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Time of this report: 12/3/2005, 18:35:10
Machine name: xxxxxxxx
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: INTEL_
System Model: D865PERL
BIOS: BIOS Date: 05/20/03 12:21:56 Ver: 08.00.09
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 1022MB RAM
Page File: 281MB used, 2179MB available
Windows Dir: D:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode

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DxDiag Notes
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DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: The file smwdm.sys is not digitally signed, which means that it has not been tested by Microsoft's Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL). You may be able to get a WHQL logo'd driver from the hardware manufacturer.
Music Tab: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.
Network Tab: No problems found.

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DirectX Debug Levels
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Direct3D: 0/4 (n/a)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

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Display Devices
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Card name: NVIDIA GeForce FX 5950 Ultra
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce FX 5950 Ultra
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0333&SUBSYS_01C610DE&REV_A1
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (85Hz)
Monitor: Korea Data Systems Visual Sensations VS-195e



Thank you for your help,

Bokhard

[Corbinator]

Re: Graphic Glitches

One thing I didn't see listed is your temps, for your system in general as well as you video cards temps. It could be something as simple as fans going out. General computer tasks don't usually require alot of system cycles, nor video card GPU cycles; your games, especially the newer ones are alot more demanding.

Your video card could be overheating. Try blowing out everything inside the case with a can of air. Dusty bunnies can cause alot of trouble if not taken care of.

[casecutter]

Re: Graphic Glitches

HEAT!!! I agree, the video card is overheating. If cleaning out the case doesn't work, get some better cooling.

[ANZAC_ELITE]

Re: Graphic Glitches

Yep I have to agree, the symptoms scream heat at me too ........... check your gpu fan for dust bunnies, check the fan rpm to see if it is running slow, maybe even reseat your gpu heatsink with a fresh application of Arctic Silver 5 or any other 99.9% silver based thermal compound. WoW puzzles me, my son plays WoW all day non - stop almost, on a GF Ti 4200 so obviously thats not so graphics intense, AoE III is the hottest (as in gpu temp) game I have run on my pc so if heat is am issue that game doesn't surprise me that it is in the list, Civ IV I've never played so can not comment.

[Bokhard]

Re: Graphic Glitches

Thanks for everyone that responded... I will definitely check into cleaning my computer.

Where do I go to check the temperature on my graphics card?

Thanks,

Bokhard