Curse

Fowler · Jan 23, 2010, 07:15 AM // 07:15

Hey there!

I have encountered really annoying flickers on my monitor(Samsung Sync Master 720N). I tried to use different drivers on my videocard(180.xx-190.xx). Nothing worked. I brought monitor to friend of mine and we checked there. Turned out that there is nothing wrong with my monitor. Then I have decided to focus on my videocard(6600 LE 128 mb w/o fan). I have downloaded SpeedFan and it displays 80 degrees ALL THE TIME. I didnt run any 3d max or worked on moduling or even ran GW. It's permanent. I bought this videocard like 2 years ago. Can overheating cause that flickers?

Another interesting fact. These flickers appear when I try to use macromedia stuff or click on windows' panel. When I click on panel I see "Not Responding" then damn flicker for a few sec. >< Sometimes Not Responding can flick for 30-40 sec till I dont click on panel again.Or have to click like 20 times. It's awful. However, these flickers dont appear when I play GW or watch film. There are also fps drops in GW. Usually in fow/uw I have like 30-40fps( Yes, I know..but...) DIS usa Kamadan at storage-20 fps. But now, I have like 10 all the time...

If videocard died, could you guys suggest cheap variant? Is 7200 series good ot there are other videocard that can substitute.

Tech Spec.

Windows 7 Ultimate
1gb ram
Amd Athlon 3200+
6600 LE.

O ya, forgot to add power block 400W
Thanks alot!

End · Jan 23, 2010, 09:38 AM // 09:38

I would say those temps are to way to high for my taste...have you given the inside of your case a good spray with a can of air and checked that all the fans were working? since the card doesn't have its own fan it will be counting on your cases cooling to keep it nice and relaxed...

However yes i would upgrade that system :P your running like the bare minimums for windows 7

my 2 cents for now...

//being stupid guild wars joke

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fowler

O ya, forgot to add powerblock 400W

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wiki

If target foe is casting a spell or chant, that skill and all skills of the same attribute are disabled for 3...13 seconds and that skill is interrupted

See whats happening is your computer thinks it's casting a spell and power blocking itself...it has a reasonable Domination Attribute so it's disabling your monitor since it considers it the same attribute...theres your issue...

//end stupid guild wars joke

Fowler · Jan 23, 2010, 11:22 AM // 11:22

Next time I will focus on skills like Shadow Form,Glyph of Concentration, Peace and Harmony + Ward Against Harm. I will also hire mo/n/r(on single char) with eoe and mop.

Let's put jokes aside

!

I have like 50-75 $max to spend on new video card. ( I am gonna buy new machine after GW 2 release.Aimless to spend too much money now).

What is the best choise here? Could you guys help?

512Mb PCI-X Power Color RX1650, DDR2, 128bit, DVI
256Mb (up 512) PCI-X Point Of View GeForce 7200GS, DDR2, DVI+TV-out (ret)
256Mb PCI-X Palit GeForce 7300GS, DDR2, DVI+TV-out
256Mb PCI-X Asus EAX550TD256MB DVI+TV out
256Mb PCI-X Leadtek WinFast PX8400 GeForce 8400GS, DDR2, DVI+TV-out

These 4 range from 50-60$ in my city. I hope 400W should handle them.

Thanks all!

Elder III · Jan 23, 2010, 11:55 AM // 11:55

If you have a credit card you can buy one online for cheaper - I'd suggest a ATI HD4650, it will be ok on a 400 watt PSU, is extremely powerful when compared to any of the other options you listed, and best of all it will mot likely be all you need for GW2 when it comes out as well (aka just swap it into your new computer when you get it). Oh yeah, they can be had a newegg.com for $50 or less. I have one in my test station and it is a good little card, which I would buy again in a flash.

Fowler · Jan 23, 2010, 12:57 PM // 12:57

O great Elder III! Thanks alot!

It's kind a hard for me to order from USA. I am currently in Russia and cant wait... The only videocard which is close to ATI HD4650 is 512Mb PCI-X PowerColor Radeon HD 4350, DDR2. BUT IT DOESNT HAVE COOLER AGAIN! I simply need stable videocard which could handle GW and work well with 400W.
Is 512Mb PCI-X Power Color RX1650, DDR2, 128bit, DVI real epic fail?

moriz · Jan 23, 2010, 03:57 PM // 15:57

if you can't get at least a 4650, i suggest you hold off buying anything. anything weaker is just a waste of money.

Fowler · Jan 23, 2010, 04:06 PM // 16:06

If I hold off, there will be not-that-pleasant smell from PC. Temperature reached 80 degress again. I EVEN DIDNT RUN GW OR FILM...damn. here is screen(http://img5.imageshack.us/i/guruwq.jpg/) Eh. I do understand rx1650 isnt that ulta-l33t but still. Guys, is it ok with 400W power supply?

Reformed · Jan 23, 2010, 04:47 PM // 16:47

80C is probably within manufacturers spec for your card but you could check technical documentation to be sure. There is a threshold on modern video cards where the core will slow down if it approaches very high temperatures. Flicker sounds like a problem with refresh rate. Are you using a VGA or a DVI output on the card and are you using a native resolution on your monitor?

Fowler · Jan 23, 2010, 05:28 PM // 17:28

I have been using 1280*1024+75hz like for 2 years and no lags.I also tried to change 60-75 hz. Nothing worked. Sorry, but VGA is blue one right? I am kind a newb here. If yes, I connect usually via blue one. In pack I found another connector. I tried that one but nothing changed... I checked all possibe wires from monitor and videocard. They seem to be connected well.

I tried to log in GW. After 4 min in kamadan T rose to 96. I am afraid to continue...

Reformed · Jan 23, 2010, 09:31 PM // 21:31

Blue is VGA (DB15) and white is DVI. Make sure you have the correct monitor drivers, you can find those here.

The user manual is showing 1280x1024 60Hz as the optimal resolution settings but 75Hz is also fine, higher refresh means less eye strain. Follow this link here, and try the self-test to see if it's the monitor first before you shell out money for a graphics card. It's under...Image/Picture/Display Problems -> The Image Is Distorted, Ghosting Or Flickering -> Run A Monitor Self Test.

Elder III · Jan 23, 2010, 10:51 PM // 22:51

the 1650 will work just fine for GW at that resolution, I know that prices in Eastern Europe are far higher than in the USA, so if that's what you can fit into your budget, go for it. I don't know that it will do all that well with GW2 when it comes out, but it should last you until your new pc at least.

Fowler · Jan 24, 2010, 04:47 AM // 04:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reformed

Blue is VGA (DB15) and white is DVI. Make sure you have the correct monitor drivers, you can find those here.

The user manual is showing 1280x1024 60Hz as the optimal resolution settings but 75Hz is also fine, higher refresh means less eye strain. Follow this link here, and try the self-test to see if it's the monitor first before you shell out money for a graphics card. It's under...Image/Picture/Display Problems -> The Image Is Distorted, Ghosting Or Flickering -> Run A Monitor Self Test.

Heya! Thanks alot for help! This guide is awesome.
1) I did installed drivers... Nothing changed.

2) I Ran A Monitor Self Test as it stated.
1. Power off both your computer and the monitor.
2. Disconnect the signal cable from the back of the computer.
3. Power on the monitor.

I received I received 2nd figure with ALL 3 squares.
Others steps of guide didn't help at all.
3)I didnt have a single flicker in safe mode.

4) When I disable Aero, flickers get reduced, but just a bit.

Looks like videocard or system. I installed this Windows 7 few months ago. It seems pretty stable to me. I also can't get why "Not Responding" appear before flickers...

Reformed · Jan 24, 2010, 05:07 AM // 05:07

Alright, so it doesn't seem to be monitor hardware related which is good. Was it doing this before you changed to Windows 7? Just trying to help you rule out all the other possibilities before spending money.

When you update drivers you should completely uninstall, reboot and then do a fresh install of the new drivers. I'd probably try this next on both the monitor and the vid card. If that doesn't fix it then it's probably a bad card...when you shop around this time make sure to get one with a good heatsink/fan

Fowler · Jan 24, 2010, 09:03 AM // 09:03

I have run Artifact Scan(from Atitool). Iit's funny, but I didnt get any atrifacts. Another matter of concern is ... in 20 minutes T rose to 100 and keep going by 1-2 C every 3 minutes.

Elder III · Jan 24, 2010, 11:31 AM // 11:31

if your GPU is reaching those temperatures, then you need to get a new one .... quickly, before it either fails completely or damages something else in your system.

Fowler · Jan 24, 2010, 11:58 AM // 11:58

Ok. Tomorrow I am getting new VideoCard. In any case, I need new one. If damn flickers persist, I will install my old xp.

I'd also like to thank everyone who helped me in this investigation.Guys, Without your professional help I would never figure out reall cause of this ****.

Thanks and me <3 you all