SyntaxBomb - Indie Coders

I'm wondering if my graphics card is on the way out...dying....

I've seen purple and bright green textures where there was no purple or bright green lighting in the code.

I've seen 'half screens' instead of full screens - or just the bottom inch of the display showing through.

I've seen random flicker of objects on screen that is not normal z-fighting.

The card is a Nvidia 660 GTX from 2013/2014. It hasn't seen all that much use in terms of 3d work until recently.

So yeah - potentially my gpu is on the way out.

Does it only happen in your game?
If yes, then ... gpu might be still alive and kicking and it is just your game code which does things in a way the nvidia gl implementation does not like it.

If no, and it also happens on your desktop or in some test programmes (some gpu performance test software, or some games) then yes, 660gtx might be on their last legs.


hmm... it might also have a RAM defect (so broken if certain areas of the VRAM are utilized - and you increased VRAM usage in your game recently I guess)


bye
Ron

I don't really know whether it occurs in other programs, it only happens infrequently, and my game is one of the only 3d software I run these days. It's intermittent.

You can try the trial version of  PassMark BurnInTest software - PC Reliability and Load Testing

As it's a trial version it doesn't constantly run each test for hours on end but should give enough time to see if there are any serious errors on your GPU / CPU / RAM.

Have you checked the leads and connections to your monitor etc... and if you have one? try a different monitor. That would be my start.

There are onboard drivers inside your monitor could be that on the way! Intermitent problems normally caused my dodgey connections. Or HEAT! Normally arising from internal break down or dirt!.

clogged GPU fan. Clogged CPU fan etc... I always one a month use an 1 inch" brush and hoover out my PC's. It's a simple maintainance job just Hoovering it out.

Currys and PC will however charge a fantastic sum of money!? for the cleaning though

Go for reseating CPU and GPU with new thermal paste. Before spending hundreds off pounds out.

Quote from: Matty on January 28, 2024, 08:34:31it only happens infrequently,

If it only happens infrequently, then it's possible that the card is over heating. If the card came with monitoring software, or you can download it; then use that to check what the card is doing.
Other things to check:
Check that it free of dust build up.
Remove, check the cards interface connections and contacts are still good and re seat.

With the card being old, then depending on your knowledge. Replace the thermal paste with a good quality paste for graphics cards.

One more thing: Don't just assume it's the graphics card. Check that it's not a fault with the monitor.

It's hard to diagnose what the problem is without the proper test equipment or spare parts.

I'd just buy a Mac instead. Just my opinion