Graphics glitch after alt-tabbing

[zhengz]

My screen sometimes doesn’t display the game’s graphics correctly whenever I alt-tab. This happens in most games I play and only occurs when I return to the game after alt-tabbing to my browser. It will return back to normal, stay the same, or become worse if I alt-tab several times again. Could anyone speculate what is causing this issue?

 

[FabioXN7]

Could you please provide your full specs (CPU, GPU, RAM, PSU) ? So we can help you better, the reason for this could be any.. you could try the DDU utility first for a complete uninstall of your graphics card driver and reinstall through either Geforce Experience Application if you've got a NVIDIA card or AMD website in case you have AMD card.

 

[zhengz]

I'll try reinstalling my graphics card driver and see if that works. Here is my PC specs:

CPU - Intel Core i3-4150
GPU - MSI Radeon R9 280X 3GB TWIN FROZR
RAM - Avexir Core Series (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
PSU - SeaSonic S12II 620W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply

 

[FabioXN7]

Try that and tell me if it works (Use DDU utility)

 

[zhengz]

The same issue appeared after reinstalling the driver.

 

[FabioXN7]

Try removing your GPU and RAM, then clean them both and put them back, if you can also try testing the same game if possible with Dedicated Graphics Card to check if it's an issue with your Video Card.

 

[zhengz]

What is the best safest way to clean the GPY and RAM? Also did you meant for me to switch to using integrated graphics for the same game?

 

[FabioXN7]

The safest and simple way to clean are -

1 - First, make sure your computer is completely turned off, unplug the power cables so you won't have any surprises.
2 - Remove your GPU card, it should have two or one screw(s) holding your video card to the slot, unscrew them and gently remove it from the PCI socket.
3 - With a clean brush the same one used for paintings, you gently clean all the dust from your video cards plate, circuits and GPU fans. I don't think you need to disassembly the card for the time being because it's risky if you don't know how to do it.
4 - After cleaning it, put the GPU back in the same way it was before you removed.

As for RAM, it's pretty much the same steps but you don't have the screwing part..

1 - Just pull down those memory stick locks / toggles you have on your motherboard which are only two per memory slot located on both left and right side of the stick, they hold your RAM sticks, as soon as you pull them down your memory stick will automatically release itself from the slot.

2 - Then you grab those sticks without touching the contact parts, I'm pretty sure your memory has a plate covering it's circuits, grab by the plate then clean it with either an eraser or only the clean painting brush.

(Heres a video on how to with an eraser ) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0imuy9TZSkM&t (I tried that myself and it worked for me once).

3 - Remove all the dust from both RAM sticks and the memory slots from your motherboard.

4 - Put them back and pull those memory locks / toggles back to where they were seated at first.

Here are some good tutorials on how to do it -

For RAM - http://www.pcworld.com/article/2957195/components/how-to-install-new-memory-in-your-pc.html

For Cleaning - https://www.howtogeek.com/72716/how-to-thoroughly-clean-your-dirty-desktop-computer/

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Regarding your question yes, if you could switch to your Integrated Graphics Card instead of your Radeon to do some testing it would be great, if there are no crazy pink glitches happening then you would know it could be your video card. You previously said that happens in "every" game right? So try using the Integrated Graphics Card for some less demanding games if you have any that were also having these crazy glitches then check if anything wrong happens with it, assuming that you followed all the DDU utility steps correctly. Hope that helps.

 

[zhengz]

How do I switch between using dedicated and integrated graphics?

 

[FabioXN7]

How do I switch between using dedicated and integrated graphics?

There are some easy ways to do that you could -

1 - The most simple way is to remove the GPU from your Motherboard and connect the Video Cable to your motherboards video output instead of the video card, the system should automatically recognize your Dedicated Graphics Card.

2 - The Second easiest way is - You could go to NVIDIA Control Panel and under "Manage 3D Settings" click on the box under "Global Profile" and switch to Integrated Graphics Card.

3 - Or... You could go to Windows Device manager look for the NVIDIA Graphics Card under "Display Adapters" settings and Disable the NVIDIA Card adapter.

Try that and test the game and do the alt tab thing.

 

[zhengz]

I just installed a new CPU/Mobo and the same thing is happening again, so the culprit may involve the GPU.

 

[FabioXN7]

Did you manage to switch to Integrated Graphics to test? Its one of the ways to find it out if it's a GPU problem. The instructions are above your post. Also if the same happens with Integrated Graphics... try restoring Windows since you already installed new CPU / Mobo.

 

[zhengz]

I'm sorry I'm late in responding back to you. I was so caught in school, work, and family that I had forgotten. Anyways, I have managed to switch to Integrated Graphics and there has been no sign of the problem while alt tabbing in games. It may be faulty in the GPU. What steps will you like me to take now?

 

[FabioXN7]

No problem, well you could try borrowing a gpu from someone you know and trust, if no glitch happens during the testing with the borrowed GPU then I would say yes its a faulty GPU and the only way out is buying another one unfortunately. :/

 

[zhengz]

Alright, I will test with another GPU. If it turns out to be the GPU, what are my options of getting rid of the GPU? It is definitely out of warranty since I bought it 2 years ago. Do I recycle it or could I sell it since it is still functioning normally only if it is not used to play games?

 

[FabioXN7]

You could try selling it if you want too as long as you mention this problem to the person you'll be selling the video card to, if the possible buyer doesn't really care about it at all then sell it, otherwise recycle it but I doubt someone will buy a defective card but you could give a shot... just make sure you mention the problem before it unless you wanna troll someone hehe.