I started seeing artifacts with a fairly new graphics card. What should I do? Zotac gtx 950

[Dylan_26]

I just got my first build in late November 2015. I have a zotac gtx 950 and an amd fx6000 cpu. I have never had any problems with it at all, but this morning while playing cs:go, I encountered artifacts. The sky started morphing in the middle of the game and I saw green streaks. Not many green streaks though, just like one at a time as I moved around, looking. I immediately stopped the game and downloaded the furmark test. My lowest gpu tem was 35c and highest was 80c. Ther furmark test ran fine with no artifacts. I read about lowering the clock and increasing the fan. Do I do this in my firestorm app? and if so, what do I exactly underclock? The gpu fan is also set on auto for 38. I have been recently moving my pc around because of a move and I removed the gpu. Could this be the problem? I just wrapped it in bubble wrap and put it in a bag during the move. I also just kind of pulled it out of the gpu slot on my motherboard and looking at it now it seems there is a release tab. Could this have hurt it? It came out pretty easy and the tab doesn't look broken. That was three days ago though and I hadn't had any problems til today. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[SkyNetRising]

I just wrapped it in bubble wrap and put it in a bag during the move.

Seriously? Graphics card is ESD sensitive device. You transport it in anti-static plastic bag only.
But ok, that's probably not, why artifacts are happening.

80c is rather high. First reduce OC (if any). Check if GPU fans are spinning when under load.
Try removing gpu cooler and reapplying thermal paste. See if that lowers temperatures under load.

 

[Dylan_26]

I just wrapped it in bubble wrap and put it in a bag during the move.

Seriously? Graphics card is ESD sensitive device. You transport it in anti-static plastic bag only.
But ok, that's probably not, why artifacts are happening.

80c is rather high. First reduce OC (if any). Check if GPU fans are spinning when under load.
Try removing gpu cooler and reapplying thermal paste. See if that lowers temperatures under load.

Okay well I never adjusted the OC on my card, it's been on default. I did notice that I haven't updated the drivers for like three weeks so I did that. I set the card for the temp to be at 75c and 81 power from 80c and 100 power. I never applied any thermal paste at all on either the cpu or gpu, as I said I really just jumped into building my first pc. is this a big problem? I have been using my pc a lot since November. I played a game of cs:go to see if I had any graphic errors and I didn't have any. Any thermal paste you recommend? How should I go about applying the paste? Just to make sure I don't damage any hardware. Where I moved to is all carpet, should I buy a static preventing mat and bracelet? Please get back to me asap, thanks.

 

[SkyNetRising]

How should I go about applying the paste?

You can use any thermal paste. Difference between their efficiency is minor: 1-2c.

First you need to remove electrostatic charge from yourself by touching some large metal object (computer case is fine).
Then remove graphics card from computer and place it on firm surface upside down.
Cooler is attached to card with 4 large screws, remove those and detach cooler.
Carefully clean contact surface of GPU and cooler with paper towel.
Apply thermal paste to surface of gpu. Watch some youtube videos, how to do that.
Put back the cooler and fasten it with screws.
Put back graphics card into the computer.
Done.

Check temperatures of gpu after that.