R9 280x Toxic weird artifacting issue. Even weirder "fix"?

[Julius Canter]

Hello all. So I've been having issues with my new R9 280x Toxic. First I was having performance issues (underperforming in 3dMark), and then artifacting issues in games and in windows. So what I did was completely reinstall windows, all drivers, and even updated my mobo bios. Since doing that, my 3dmark scores were where they should be, much improved, and I haven't noticed any artifiacting.. until tonight. I was playing FFXIV and noticed the same artifacting issues as I was previously. However, this is the weird part. When switching to Windows 8.1 Start Screen, and going back to the game, the artifacting is magically gone. I noticed this issue before I reinstalled Windows one day. I have no clue what's going on, but it's pretty annoying. I've checked my gpu and cpu temps, and all are normal. I've played Bioshock Infinite (and FarCry 3) plenty, no issues.. run 3dmark (extreme) and no issues w/ artifacting. If my new GPU is failing for some reason, shouldn't the more graphically intensive games be causing issues, and not FFXIV? Also, what could exlain switching to Windows Start Screen and back magically fixing the issue? I'd really love to not have to send this back to Superbizz, as I HAAATE that company and they are a mess.

 

[bishopi5]

It seems to be the game that is the issue, probably dosen't like the newer windows, i wouldn't worry

 

[Julius Canter]

Well I did notice very slight artifacting in Metro Last Light before I made these changes. Maybe I'll try this game again. Would there be any explanation why switching to the Windows Start Screen would fix the issue?

 

[smeezekitty]

I would be concerned about artifacts personally
Might want to replace it in case itgets worse

 

[Julius Canter]

I would be concerned about artifacts personally
Might want to replace it in case itgets worse

What would be your best advice? I'm worried that if I send it back to Superbiiz, they will run a few tests and not find any issues and refuse to replace the card. I'll be out a lot of time just to get my card sent back to me. This issue is not something you'll notice if you run 3dmark or any other program to "test" it. Does anyone have any experience with RMA'ing a card?

 

[bishopi5]

They will test it fully, but as i said, unless you're seeing artifacts in other games, Don't worry about it

 

[mattbu]

For what it's worth, I'm using a R9 280X Toxic in my new build that is also on Windows 8.1 and I'm having a lot of problems with artifacting and crashing. I've had problems while playing WoW, CoD: Ghosts, BF4, and ARMA 3. In WoW and BF4 I'll see artifacting and sometimes I'll get an error message saying the driver has failed. In CoD and ARMA I'll just see artifacting and the game will completely freeze. I've tried the two most recent drivers and neither seem to help the problem.

The funny thing is, I had less problems with the card on my old PC than my new build. I'm not sure if that's a hint that there's a problem with part of the new PC or just that the card had less problems on my old one because I couldn't run games at high and ultra settings.

I'm probably going to end up sending the card back.

 

[timbo2525]

Ok I may have a bit of information about this problem. I am just speculating but I think that this issue is due to the r9 280x toxic having a heatsink that does not cover all of the vram chips. I have the newest v bios as well as hynix ram on this card. What I have noticed is that only after using 1.3gb or more of the vram and only after having the card under load for a while and the temps go high enough that I have the polygon and square artifacts. I ordered a Sapphire r9 290 tri-x and its heatsink clearly has been changed to cover every one of the cards vram chips. I will get pics of the two cards up soon so that you can see the difference. Judging by the reviews on Newegg and everywhere else this card has a horrible failure rate and im guessing this is why. I am going to rma my r9 280 toxic card and im wondering if they will change the heatsink to the R9 290 tri-x style or not.

 

[timbo2525]

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1971937/280x-toxic-black-squares-artifacts.html#12735209

 

[Julius Canter]

Ok I may have a bit of information about this problem. I am just speculating but I think that this issue is due to the r9 280x toxic having a heatsink that does not cover all of the vram chips. I have the newest v bios as well as hynix ram on this card. What I have noticed is that only after using 1.3gb or more of the vram and only after having the card under load for a while and the temps go high enough that I have the polygon and square artifacts. I ordered a Sapphire r9 290 tri-x and its heatsink clearly has been changed to cover every one of the cards vram chips. I will get pics of the two cards up soon so that you can see the difference. Judging by the reviews on Newegg and everywhere else this card has a horrible failure rate and im guessing this is why. I am going to rma my r9 280 toxic card and im wondering if they will change the heatsink to the R9 290 tri-x style or not.

Thanks for the info Timbo. Just to update everyone, I had to RMA the R9 280x Toxic due to the replacement card also having artifacting issues, much more serious even. I paid a little more and upgraded to a GTX 780 and can't state enough how happy I am with the card.. no artifacting whatsoever. It's a shame the Toxic card didn't work out.. cause damnit, that thing was sexy!