7600gs is artifcating

Just got a 7600GS of a friend which he said was faulty. Put it in my system and powers up fine (although DVI port doesn't work) and after about 5 minutes into Windows just idling red dots start appearing all over the screen, any theories as to why ?

Im hoping that it's because the card is overclocked too much (reference is apparantly 400 on core and this is currently at 490 with passive cooling) or maybe that there aren't enough/too many volts going to the core/RAM.

Any other suggestions ?

Thanks in advance :)

Is it an XFX by any chance? Try lowering the core & memory to the "stock" GS settings, whatever they are using RivaTuner.

Nope it's a leadtek, but I'll try that, thanks

One way I used to deal with my old 7300GT artifacting was to take the video card out, and clean the pins with a pencil eraser lightly and also blow compressed air into the PCI-E slot to clear out any dust, then upon reboot I would load the latest drivers, reset and no more artifacts.

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Originally Posted by scrandman

Is it an XFX by any chance? Try lowering the core & memory to the "stock" GS settings, whatever they are using RivaTuner.

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You just beat me to it! :D

Well I set the clocks to stock (400, 350) using ATITool and everything seemed alright for a while but after a couple of minutes artifacts appeared :(

I think the card is shagged :(

Any other suggestions ? Volt mods ftw ? Just FYI the card temps are 50 at idle (which is normal for a passive 7600GS looking at several reveiews) so temps don't seem to be an issue

Yeah sounds knackered - a bit like my old XFX 7900GT. See if you still have any warranty left and RMA it, but if you bought it from scan and they don't have a direct replacement they'll likely only offer you a pitance as a "substitute". Certainly that was the case with me.

I don;t have the original receipt but I'll check the leadtek website later today