Red / Green blocks all over screen followed by a graphics driver failure

[LostConjugate]

The problem is red / green blocks all over screen or tiny red dots all over screen before immediate driver crash. Often causes complete OS crash and sometimes a blue screen. Happens almost as soon as you start playing. Sometimes the colors show up in the BIOS screen, etc.

A few months ago this started to happen in both video games and sometimes even on desktop but video games were unplayable. I did a lot of research and was informed that it should be only a bad video memory issue on the graphics card.

Current card was a 2 year old GTX570. I purchased a replacement graphics card (GTX 660 Ti) by a different manufacture and the problem went away for a few weeks.

Then the same problem came back. I checked my PSU power output on all the rails and on the VDDC connections and everything is perfect. I also checked my temperatures to make sure the video card is not going above 80c during long gaming sessions. I also ran a system memory test built into Win7. And of course I tried different driver version and re-install of Windows but this is not a driver issue in my case.

I sent the card back for RMA deciding I had the worse luck in the world to receive two video cards from two manufactures which ended up with bad memory. One of the rarest computer failures I have encountered.

I received a new card and all was fixed for a few days. For the first day I monitored the voltage on the VDDC and, Fan Speed, and Temp and everything looks great. Few days later and same problem.

I am at a loss, there is nothing else I can determine in order to take a next action that is logical. Are my computer gaming days over?

 

[dingo07]

get another drive and install windows fresh (with only that drive connected) - with the latest drivers for the motherboard and video card including all windows updates

if after all that doesn't help, then get a new motherboard

 

[LostConjugate]

I would like to stop dumping money into parts without any test that shows it is faulty. I have already tried a fresh install of Windows, followed by a fresh install of the Driver. If I spend anymore money on parts I will have purchased an equivalent machine and possibly end up in the same position at this point.

I have multiple hard drives, I could just move the game to another drive but red/green blocks on the screen that temporarily go away when the graphics card is replaced are a clear indication of graphics memory faults.

My original card is so bad now that when I put it back in the red dots take up 75% of the screen from post through to Windows. The POST area is not even reading off the hard drive yet or from any drivers.

 

[dingo07]

if it's not your motherboard, it's your power supply...

 

[LostConjugate]

You changes your mind quickly... I am confused.

 

[dingo07]

Look, with what you responded, you ruled out a driver/windows glitch - so it can only be either of the two.

What model PSU do you have?

 

[LostConjugate]

This one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139010

I have already tested the power supply during production even.

 

[dingo07]

List your entire setup including resolution - you never indicated whether the manufacturer found any issues with your RMA'd card...

 

[LostConjugate]

The manufacture gave no details on the RMA, they sent me a replacement as soon as they received my bad one. I run 1920x1080 and here are my specs.

SEED ----------------------------------------------------------------------

[Current Computer]
[Operating System]
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (x64) Build 7601
Service Pack: Service Pack 1

Central Processor(s) ------------------------------------------------------

[CPU Unit Count]
Number Of Processor Packages (Physical): 1
Number Of Processors Cores: 4
Number Of Logical Processors: 4

Intel Core i5-2500K -------------------------------------------------------

[General Information]
Processor Name: Intel Core i5-2500K
Original Processor Frequency: 3300.0 MHz
Original Processor Frequency [MHz]: 3300
CPU ID: 000206A7
CPU Brand Name: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-2500K CPU @ 3.30GHz
CPU Vendor: GenuineIntel
CPU Stepping: D2
CPU Code Name: Sandy Bridge-DT XE
CPU S-Spec: SR008
CPU Thermal Design Power (TDP): 95.0 W
CPU IA Cores Thermal Design Current (TDC): 97.5 A
CPU GT Cores Thermal Design Current (TDC): 32.5 A
CPU Power Limits (Max): Power = Unlimited, Time = Unlimited
CPU Power Limit 1 (Long Duration): Power = 95.00 W, Time = 1.00 sec [Locked]
CPU Power Limit 2 (Short Duration): Power = 118.75 W, Time = Unlimited [Locked]
Number of Overclocking Bins: Unlimited
CPU Type: Production Unit
CPU Platform: Socket H2 (LGA1155)
Microcode Update Revision: 26
Number of CPU Cores: 4
Number of Logical CPUs: 4
[Operating Points]
CPU LFM (Minimum): 1600.0 MHz = 16.00 x 100.0 MHz
CPU HFM (Maximum): 3300.0 MHz = 33.00 x 100.0 MHz
CPU Turbo: 3700.0 MHz = 37.00 x 100.0 MHz [Unlocked]
CPU Current: 1605.4 MHz = 16.00 x 100.3 MHz @ 1.0057 V
CPU Bus Type: Intel Direct Media Interface (DMI) v2.0
Maximum DMI Link Speed: 5.0 GT/s
Current DMI Link Speed: 5.0 GT/s
[Cache and TLB]
L1 Cache: Instruction: 4 x 32 KBytes, Data: 4 x 32 KBytes
L2 Cache: Integrated: 4 x 256 KBytes
L3 Cache: 6 MBytes
Instruction TLB: 2MB/4MB Pages, Fully associative, 8 entries
Data TLB: 4 KB Pages, 4-way set associative, 64 entries
Motherboard ---------------------------------------------------------------

[Computer]
Computer Brand Name: Unknown on Noname
[Motherboard]
Motherboard Model: ASUS P8Z68-V PRO
Motherboard Chipset: Intel Z68 (Cougar Point) [B3]
Motherboard Slots: 2xPCI, 5xPCI Express x1, 1xPCI Express x16
PCI Express Version Supported: v2.0
USB Version Supported: v3.0
[PCH Features]
USB Port Count: 14 ports
RAID Capability: RAID0/1/5/10 + Smart Response Technology
SATA Ports 2 and 3: Supported
SATA Port 1 6 Gb/s: Supported
SATA Port 0 6 Gb/s: Supported
PCI Interface: Not Supported
PCI Express Ports 5 and 6: Supported
USB Redirect (USBr): Not Supported
Intel Anti-Theft Technology: Supported
PCI Express Ports 7 and 8: Supported
PCH Integrated Graphics Support: Supported
Data Center Manageability Interface (DCMI): Supported
Node Manager: Supported
[BIOS]
BIOS Manufacturer: American Megatrends
BIOS Date: 05/07/2012
BIOS Version: 3402
EFI BIOS: Capable
Super-IO/LPC Chip: Winbond/Nuvoton NCT6776

BIOS ----------------------------------------------------------------------

BIOS Vendor: American Megatrends Inc.
BIOS Version: 3402
BIOS Release Date: 05/07/2012
BIOS Start Segment: F000
BIOS Size: 8192 KBytes
System BIOS Version: 4.6



Video Adapter -------------------------------------------------------------


nVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 Ti -------------------------------------------------

[Video chipset]
Video Chipset: nVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 Ti
Video Chipset Codename: GK104-300
Video Memory: 2048 MBytes of GDDR5 SDRAM
[Video Card]
Video Card: nVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 Ti (GK104) [eVGA.com]
Video Bus: PCIe v2.0 x16 (5.0 Gb/s) @ x16 (2.5 Gb/s)
Video RAMDAC: Integrated RAMDAC
Video BIOS Version: 80.04.4B.00.60
Video Chipset Revision: A1
[Performance]
Processor Clock: 324.0 MHz
Memory Clock: 162.0 MHz (Effective 648.0 MHz)
Memory Bus Width: 192-bit
Number Of ROPs: 24
Number Of Unified Shaders: 1344
nVidia SLI Status: Enabled
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_1183&SUBSYS_40693842&REV_A1
[Driver Information]
Driver Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Driver Description: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 Ti
Driver Provider: NVIDIA
Driver Version: 9.18.13.1106
Driver Date: 17-Jan-2013
DeviceInstanceId PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_1183&SUBSYS_40693842&REV_A1\4&80E7924&0&0008
Memory --------------------------------------------------------------------

[General information]
Total Memory Size: 8 GBytes
Total Memory Size [MB]: 8192
[Current Performance Settings]
Maximum Supported Memory Clock: 666.7 MHz
Current Memory Clock: 802.7 MHz (8 : 1 ratio)
Current Timing (tCAS-tRCD-tRP-tRAS): 9.0-9-9-28
Memory Runs At: Dual-Channel
Command Rate: 1T
Read to Read Delay (tRD_RD) Different Rank: 1T
Read to Read Delay (tRD_RD) Different DIMM: 3T
Write to Write Delay (tWR_WR) Different Rank: 3T
Write to Write Delay (tWR_WR) Different DIMM: 3T
Read to Write Delay (tRD_WR) Same Rank: 3T
Read to Write Delay (tRD_WR) Different Rank: 3T
Read to Write Delay (tRD_WR) Different DIMM: 3T
Write to Read Delay (tWR_RD) Same Rank (tWTR): 6T
Write to Read Delay (tWR_RD) Different Rank: 1T
Write to Read Delay (tWR_RD) Different DIMM: 1T
Read to Precharge Delay (tRTP): 6T
Write to Precharge Delay (tWTP/tWR): 12T
RAS# to RAS# Delay (tRRD): 5T
Refresh Cycle Time (tRFC): 128T
Four Activate Window (tFAW): 24T

BenQ RL2450H --------------------------------------------------------------

[General information]
Monitor Name: BenQ RL2450H
Monitor Name (Manuf): BenQ RL2450H
Serial Number: 72D01262SL0
Date Of Manufacture: Week: 7, Year: 2013
Monitor Hardware ID: Monitor\BNQ7F0E
Max. Vertical Size: 30 cm
Max. Horizontal Size: 53 cm
Horizontal Frequency: 30 - 83 kHz
Vertical Frequency: 50 - 76 Hz
Maximum Pixel Clock: 170 MHz
[Advanced parameters]
Input Signal: Digital
Display Type: RGB color
Gamma Factor: 2.20
[DPMS Modes]
Standby: Not Supported
Suspend: Not Supported
Active Off: Supported
Standard Colour Space: Supported
Preferred Timing Mode: Supported
Default GTF Supported: Not Supported
DFP 1.x Compatible: No
[Supported Video Modes]
1280 x 720 60 Hz
1280 x 800 60 Hz
1280 x 1024 60 Hz
1600 x 900 60 Hz
1680 x 1050 60 Hz
1920 x 1080 60 Hz
1920 x 1080 531 x 298 mm, Pixel Clock 148.50 MHz

SAMSUNG [Unknown Model: SAM06AC] ------------------------------------------

[General information]
Monitor Name: SAMSUNG [Unknown Model: SAM06AC]
Monitor Name (Manuf): SAMSUNG
Serial Number: 1
Date Of Manufacture: Week: 52, Year: 2009
Monitor Hardware ID: Monitor\SAM06AC
Max. Vertical Size: 68 cm
Max. Horizontal Size: 121 cm
Horizontal Frequency: 26 - 81 kHz
Vertical Frequency: 24 - 75 Hz
Maximum Pixel Clock: 230 MHz
[Advanced parameters]
Input Signal: Digital
Display Type: RGB color
Gamma Factor: 2.20
[DPMS Modes]
Standby: Not Supported
Suspend: Not Supported
Active Off: Not Supported
Standard Colour Space: Not Supported
Preferred Timing Mode: Supported
Default GTF Supported: Not Supported
DFP 1.x Compatible: No
[Supported Video Modes]
1152 x 864 75 Hz
1280 x 800 60 Hz
1280 x 960 60 Hz
1280 x 1024 60 Hz
1440 x 900 60 Hz
1440 x 900 75 Hz
1680 x 1050 60 Hz
1600 x 1200 60 Hz
1920 x 1080 160 x 90 mm, Pixel Clock 148.50 MHz
1360 x 768 160 x 90 mm, Pixel Clock 85.50 MHz


INTEL SSDSA2CW080G3 -------------------------------------------------------

[General Information]
Drive Controller: Serial ATA 3Gb/s
Drive Model: INTEL SSDSA2CW080G3
Drive Revision: 4PC10302
Drive Serial Number: CVPR124402HV080BGN
Drive Capacity: 76,319 MBytes (80 GB)
Drive Capacity [MB]: 76319
Media Rotation Rate: SSD Drive (Non-rotating)

SAMSUNG HD103SJ -----------------------------------------------------------

[General Information]
Drive Controller: Serial ATA 3Gb/s
Drive Model: SAMSUNG HD103SJ
Drive Revision: 1AJ10001
Drive Serial Number: S246J9KB612843
Drive Capacity: 953,869 MBytes (1000 GB)
Drive Capacity [MB]: 953869
Media Rotation Rate: 7200 RPM

Audio ---------------------------------------------------------------------


Intel Cougar Point PCH - High Definition Audio Controller [B3] ------------

Audio Adapter: Intel Cougar Point PCH - High Definition Audio Controller [B3]
Audio Controller Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1C20&SUBSYS_84101043&REV_05
High Definition Audio Codec: RealTek ALC892
Audio Codec Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0892&SUBSYS_00000000
[Driver Information]
Driver Manufacturer: Realtek
Driver Description: Realtek High Definition Audio
Driver Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Version: 6.0.1.6251
Driver Date: 22-Nov-2010
DeviceInstanceId HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0892&SUBSYS_10438410&REV_1003\4&2CB35CC7&0&0001

nVIDIA GK104 - High Definition Audio Controller ---------------------------

Audio Adapter: nVIDIA GK104 - High Definition Audio Controller
Audio Controller Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0E0A&SUBSYS_40693842&REV_A1
High Definition Audio Codec: Unknown 108
Audio Codec Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_0000&DEV_0108&SUBSYS_10DE0040

Network -------------------------------------------------------------------


Intel 82579V (Lewisville) Gigabit Network Connection ----------------------

 

[dingo07]

you do not have the latest WHQL driver installed based on that report
http://www.nvidia.com/object/win8-win7-winvista-64bit-320.18-whql-driver.html

I think your MB is doing something funny, after all that you said... unless you're doing something taxing with the cards that you haven't mentioned, and are burning them out

 

[LostConjugate]

I had tried that driver for awhile. I ended up purchasing a new power supply since it was the cheaper option and it appears to have resolved the problem. 10+ hours of Metro Last Light on Ultra. Maybe GPU-Z and HW Info wasn't showing me all the details I needed to see there was a power problem. Is there a program that provides amperage readings along with voltage?