Is my new graphics card actually borked?

[Allen]

Well, since getting my new 4670 the other day I managed to play EVE successfully for about an hour. Since then I've had nothing but problems.

The old EVE client didn't need a powerful PC so I'm thinking I just didn't notice anything wrong then as it wasn't working very hard, but now the new client is better it has to work harder and I'm seeing terrible artifacting in game.

Also getting very bad artifacting in GTA IV and CoD4, however, I think my installation disks for GTA IV are buggered anyway as just get CRC errors on installation all the time! Have tried different DVD drives, different HDD's and am going to run Memtest86 whilst at work all day today to confirm it's not my RAM either.

I tried installing ATI Tool to see if it would get any errors even without overclocking and it refuses to load, it'll sit in the system tray but won't open up from clicking, double clicking or right clicking on it. If I hover my mouse over it it says:

"ATITool 0.26
Core: -1.#J MHz
Mem: -1.#J MHz"

and in Task Manager it sits there using 50% CPU until I force it down.

All in all I think I have big problems, but I can't figure out where. I've re-installed Windows XP onto a freshly formatted HDD, installed SP3, all latest drivers, all latest windows updates and I still have all of the above problems, exactly the same. Wondering if it could be a hardware fault somewhere.

Anyone have any ideas at all please?

[shaithis]

Artifacting in multiple games normally means something is borked.

You might want to try underclocking the card and see if it goes before RMAing it.

Does the case have a decent airflow?

[Allen]

I don't think it's an overheating issue as GPU-Z shows the temps rarely go above 50°C whilst running games. I can't underclock the card as ATI Tool won't run properly and I'm not sure what other programs I can use to change the speeds.

I think I'm going to RMA it, I've tested my RAM, used another HDD, re-installed XP and made sure I have all the latest drivers and game updates but it's still artifacting very badly.

[Blitzen]

If you are sure its not overheating then try different drivers.

If the problem persists, its a memory issue on the card and a definite lemon.

[Allen]

I believe I tried 8.12's and 9.2's. The 8.12's someone suggested somewhere they were the best drivers for GTA IV and the 9.2's are the latest, both had the same problem.

I also tried looking for Omega drivers, but it appears that he has stopped making them?

Anyway, I've created an RMA with Scan, I just hope it is the new card and nothing else!

[Allen]

Well, got the RMA confirmed by Scan, now I just need to box it up and mail it back... Shame, I could really do with the better graphics now.

Just to add, as I believe Lee @ Scan linked this post to my RMA, I also updated my motherboard BIOS to the latest version and it made no difference. Failing trying the card in another PC I can't do any more. I just hope the RMA process finds a fault with the card so I know it's definitely not my system.

[Allen]

Awesome job by Scan getting the RMA turned around so fast, am sitting here with my new 4670 now... just need to get home test it!

Thanks Scan!

:edit: Oh yeah, it didn't take them 2 weeks to deal with the RMA, the first week I was trying to get the card sent back until I re-read my e-mails where they advised they were going to collect it by courier. It was collected last Friday, tested and a new one sent out and received today. That's just 1 week!

[Tetley]

And???