Screen splits, tearing glitch

[MT Dagar]

So, here's what's been happening to my PC recently(which was perfectly functional for the past couple of years). I use my PC for programming, web surfing etc and all of a sudden this glitch hits my PC where the screen would split vertically, horizontal lines would appear, it would glitch crazy as hell to the point where my PC would give up and reboot back to normal. Here's a picture:



Here are the specs of my PC:
AMD FX 4300 CPU
Gigabyte ga-78lmt-s2pv motherboard
Sapphire HD 6670 1GB DDR5 GPU (the culprit of this issue according to me)
8 GB of DDR3 Memory
Antec 450 Watt PSU
1 TB WD Blue HDD
Windows 10 PRO 64 bit

The PC would work like normal, and I have noticed this issue mostly while watching some video, playing some game or video editing and sometimes even on the desktop...

Now, here's the thing, I've read a lot of forum's, where people are facing this issue, and most of them have the AMD HD series of Graphics Cards. I've tried uninstalling the drivers 3rd party utilities like DDU(from windows safe mode) and then reinstalled the latest available drivers back again. I've checked the VGA cable and my monitor, they're completely okay. I've taken out, cleaned the GPU and reseated it back again....I've tried underclocking the core clock from 800 MHz to 750 MHz(I couldn't underclock the memory clock), the temperatures are completely normal.
However, I haven't tried doing a clean install of Windows(It would be real headache to reinstall all my programs), if you guys think that could help, please let me know...
I had an Nvidia GT 610 before, there was no problem with it, and even this one worked well for like an year or so...until this happened
And the thing is that I really can't afford a GPU replacement right now, so I really need your guys' help!

 

[Solandri]

That's a sync glitch. An analog VGA signal denotes where a horizontal scan line (row of pixels) starts and stops with a sync signal. Back in the CRT days, the monitor would use that signal to synchronize its scan rates, thus insuring the image didn't crawl across the screen. Back then the monitor had knobs you could turn to modify the sync to help the picture line up with the edges of your screen. LCD monitors do it electronically and automatically, to insure the correct signal is applied to the correct pixels. For some reason your monitor is not able to detect the sync signal, or it's syncing to the wrong place. That's why you've got horizontal stripes - every few lines synchronize to a different start/end position on the screen (can clearly see this where the black stripes end on the left - the end of the black is where the scan line is starting for that row of pixels).

The easy fix would be to switch to a digital video cable (HDMI, DVI, displayport). However, I assume you're using a VGA cable because your monitor only supports VGA input?

Try seeing what resolutions and refresh rates are available for your monitor. Since your problem is intermittent, the monitor is probably just fine with most refresh rates but has problems with one or a few. When you go into a game or watch a video in full screen, it switches to that different refresh rate which for some reason the monitor has a problem syncing with. Try to find the problem refresh rate(s) and eliminate them. (This is why monitors sometimes ship with "drivers" - these tell Windows which resolutions and refresh rates the monitor supports, instead of Windows having to autodetect it and sometimes detecting it wrong.)

http://imgur.com/gallery/SRie8
http://www.nvidia.com/object/custom_resolutions.html
https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-change-monitor-refresh-rate-setting-in-windows-2626207

 

[GearUp]

From my experience with the HD 6670 I think it will only do 1920x1080 for a few years for video then start downgrading to a lower resolution on old systems. Your system is as old as some of mine and they simply don't last forever. Whatever you can continue to do with onboard graphics is your best bet.

 

[MT Dagar]

That's a sync glitch. An analog VGA signal denotes where a horizontal scan line (row of pixels) starts and stops with a sync signal. Back in the CRT days, the monitor would use that signal to synchronize its scan rates, thus insuring the image didn't crawl across the screen. Back then the monitor had knobs you could turn to modify the sync to help the picture line up with the edges of your screen. LCD monitors do it electronically and automatically, to insure the correct signal is applied to the correct pixels. For some reason your monitor is not able to detect the sync signal, or it's syncing to the wrong place. That's why you've got horizontal stripes - every few lines synchronize to a different start/end position on the screen (can clearly see this where the black stripes end on the left - the end of the black is where the scan line is starting for that row of pixels).

The easy fix would be to switch to a digital video cable (HDMI, DVI, displayport). However, I assume you're using a VGA cable because your monitor only supports VGA input?

Try seeing what resolutions and refresh rates are available for your monitor. Since your problem is intermittent, the monitor is probably just fine with most refresh rates but has problems with one or a few. When you go into a game or watch a video in full screen, it switches to that different refresh rate which for some reason the monitor has a problem syncing with. Try to find the problem refresh rate(s) and eliminate them. (This is why monitors sometimes ship with "drivers" - these tell Windows which resolutions and refresh rates the monitor supports, instead of Windows having to autodetect it and sometimes detecting it wrong.)

http://imgur.com/gallery/SRie8
http://www.nvidia.com/object/custom_resolutions.html
https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-change-monitor-refresh-rate-setting-in-windows-2626207

But why am I facing all these issues now, I mean the system has worked flawlessly for the past few years. I haven't changed any refresh rate settings, it is at the default(and the only option available) ie. 60 Hz, I can't change that.
And, you said that switching to a digital video output would fix it but yeah my monitor only supports VGA. But what if I buy a an HDMI to VGA converter, would that help because buying that would be a whole lot cheaper than replacing either my GPU or Monitor...
Btw, I'm really glad that you replied...thanks a lot!

 

[GearUp]

That's a sync glitch. An analog VGA signal denotes where a horizontal scan line (row of pixels) starts and stops with a sync signal. Back in the CRT days, the monitor would use that signal to synchronize its scan rates, thus insuring the image didn't crawl across the screen. Back then the monitor had knobs you could turn to modify the sync to help the picture line up with the edges of your screen. LCD monitors do it electronically and automatically, to insure the correct signal is applied to the correct pixels. For some reason your monitor is not able to detect the sync signal, or it's syncing to the wrong place. That's why you've got horizontal stripes - every few lines synchronize to a different start/end position on the screen (can clearly see this where the black stripes end on the left - the end of the black is where the scan line is starting for that row of pixels).

The easy fix would be to switch to a digital video cable (HDMI, DVI, displayport). However, I assume you're using a VGA cable because your monitor only supports VGA input?

Try seeing what resolutions and refresh rates are available for your monitor. Since your problem is intermittent, the monitor is probably just fine with most refresh rates but has problems with one or a few. When you go into a game or watch a video in full screen, it switches to that different refresh rate which for some reason the monitor has a problem syncing with. Try to find the problem refresh rate(s) and eliminate them. (This is why monitors sometimes ship with "drivers" - these tell Windows which resolutions and refresh rates the monitor supports, instead of Windows having to autodetect it and sometimes detecting it wrong.)

http://imgur.com/gallery/SRie8
http://www.nvidia.com/object/custom_resolutions.html
https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-change-monitor-refresh-rate-setting-in-windows-2626207

But why am I facing all these issues now, I mean the system has worked flawlessly for the past few years. I haven't changed any refresh rate settings, it is at the default(and the only option available) ie. 60 Hz, I can't change that.
And, you said that switching to a digital video output would fix it but yeah my monitor only supports VGA. But what if I buy a an HDMI to VGA converter, would that help because buying that would be a whole lot cheaper than replacing either my GPU or Monitor...
Btw, I'm really glad that you replied...thanks a lot!

Revise my answer to the motherboard may last forever if it has lasted this long.
Although I saw the sync line on the Sapphire Radeon HD6670 Ultimate passive (which has a DVI-I (dual link) adapter)the issues were hanging at a gray desktop or a smaller display with black border at 1080p using HDMI. Reinstallation of the OS did not help. That system is running now with an EVGA 750Ti. I've tried the driver removal http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-2284749/completely-uninstall-amd-nvidia-gpu-drivers.html
but not in safe mode and it didn't work. Power supply swaps did not help.
Depending on the monitor, the boards may be cheap to replace but this doesn't sound like a simple capacitor replacement option for the display board (if not the power board).
My Zotac 240GT on another system seemed to be an issue until I found that the Windows performance in advanced tools did not change with a 750Ti or onboard graphics. A lot of software was on the system but after reinstallation of the OS the scores are back to normal. The software has mostly been moved to a newer system but it is usable without any hardware changes.
The Radeon provides DisplayPort, was the last decent passive offering and looked fine but I still prefer the Zotac fanless with VGA, HDMI 1.3 (no 3D or Ethernet communication) and DisplayPort. Similar cards now have some ridiculous prices but there should be something suitable for VGA. Don't assume that the Radeon adapter will work with other cards however.

 

[MT Dagar]

That's a sync glitch. An analog VGA signal denotes where a horizontal scan line (row of pixels) starts and stops with a sync signal. Back in the CRT days, the monitor would use that signal to synchronize its scan rates, thus insuring the image didn't crawl across the screen. Back then the monitor had knobs you could turn to modify the sync to help the picture line up with the edges of your screen. LCD monitors do it electronically and automatically, to insure the correct signal is applied to the correct pixels. For some reason your monitor is not able to detect the sync signal, or it's syncing to the wrong place. That's why you've got horizontal stripes - every few lines synchronize to a different start/end position on the screen (can clearly see this where the black stripes end on the left - the end of the black is where the scan line is starting for that row of pixels).

The easy fix would be to switch to a digital video cable (HDMI, DVI, displayport). However, I assume you're using a VGA cable because your monitor only supports VGA input?

Try seeing what resolutions and refresh rates are available for your monitor. Since your problem is intermittent, the monitor is probably just fine with most refresh rates but has problems with one or a few. When you go into a game or watch a video in full screen, it switches to that different refresh rate which for some reason the monitor has a problem syncing with. Try to find the problem refresh rate(s) and eliminate them. (This is why monitors sometimes ship with "drivers" - these tell Windows which resolutions and refresh rates the monitor supports, instead of Windows having to autodetect it and sometimes detecting it wrong.)

http://imgur.com/gallery/SRie8
http://www.nvidia.com/object/custom_resolutions.html
https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-change-monitor-refresh-rate-setting-in-windows-2626207

But why am I facing all these issues now, I mean the system has worked flawlessly for the past few years. I haven't changed any refresh rate settings, it is at the default(and the only option available) ie. 60 Hz, I can't change that.
And, you said that switching to a digital video output would fix it but yeah my monitor only supports VGA. But what if I buy a an HDMI to VGA converter, would that help because buying that would be a whole lot cheaper than replacing either my GPU or Monitor...
Btw, I'm really glad that you replied...thanks a lot!

Revise my answer to the motherboard may last forever if it has lasted this long.
Although I saw the sync line on the Sapphire Radeon HD6670 Ultimate passive (which has a DVI-I (dual link) adapter)the issues were hanging at a gray desktop or a smaller display with black border at 1080p using HDMI. Reinstallation of the OS did not help. That system is running now with an EVGA 750Ti. I've tried the driver removal http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-2284749/completely-uninstall-amd-nvidia-gpu-drivers.html
but not in safe mode and it didn't work. Power supply swaps did not help.
Depending on the monitor, the boards may be cheap to replace but this doesn't sound like a simple capacitor replacement option for the display board (if not the power board).
My Zotac 240GT on another system seemed to be an issue until I found that the Windows performance in advanced tools did not change with a 750Ti or onboard graphics. A lot of software was on the system but after reinstallation of the OS the scores are back to normal. The software has mostly been moved to a newer system but it is usable without any hardware changes.
The Radeon provides DisplayPort, was the last decent passive offering and looked fine but I still prefer the Zotac fanless with VGA, HDMI 1.3 (no 3D or Ethernet communication) and DisplayPort. Similar cards now have some ridiculous prices but there should be something suitable for VGA. Don't assume that the Radeon adapter will work with other cards however.

So what exactly is the cause of the problem in my case? Is it the GPU, the motherboard, or the monitor?

 

[MT Dagar]

So here's an update to my problem...
I clean installed Windows 10, installed all the latest drivers and programs. The system worked fine for like 2 days and then the same issue occurred again while playing a game. But this time, I took some screenshots with Windows+PrintScreen before restarting my PC, and the screenshots came out perfect, there was no problem with them, no black lines, no tearing no splitting! So, this according to me is a display or VGA cable problem... But here are some questions I have if that is the problem:
1) If it's a Display/VGA cable problem, why would it happen so intermittently?
2) When the problem occurs, I have tried turning off just the display and turning it back on, it doesn't help...same goes for removing the VGA cable and putting it back in...nothing good happens
3)And why does it get fixed if I restart my PC?
4) And, one last thing, what will be the cheapest fix for this problem!!? I really don't want to throw my GPU and work on integrated graphics, replacing the GPU or the monitor, I really can't afford any one of these...

I am re-uploading some pictures:

 

[Solandri]

But why am I facing all these issues now, I mean the system has worked flawlessly for the past few years. I haven't changed any refresh rate settings, it is at the default(and the only option available) ie. 60 Hz, I can't change that.

Apologies for the late response. I was on vacation.

You may be facing the issue now when it worked fine before because the monitor is getting old, and the electronics which detect the sync signal don't work as well as they used to. Or maybe Windows did an update and decided a new monitor sync rate was "better" for your monitor and changed it (unfortunately there's no way to uninstall specific updates in Win 10).

From your later posts, it sounds like the monitor is fine when you first turn the computer on, but you lose sync after a few minutes? That would suggest a monitor problem. As for why turning the monitor off/on and unplugging the video cable doesn't help, it may be that the monitor is able to maintain sync for a few minutes after switching from Windows' startup screen (which I think is 640x480) to your final desktop resolution.

Anyhow, IMHO it sounds like your monitor is flaking out. Try borrowing someone else's monitor and see if it suffers the same issue. If it is in fact a bad monitor, the cheapest "fix" would be to use the links I provided earlier to generate a custom 1920x1080 resolution with a different refresh rate. Hopefully you can find one which the monitor can still sync to. Otherwise you're going to have to replace the monitor.