Question What causes this type of artifacting ?

May 24, 2025
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Hey, i've been getting this sort of artifacting for a while, but for some reason it mostly happens in Electron based apps and in Brave browser. Is it a hardware issue? What could be causing these? I also get these where the screen sort of half freezes on apps like Spotify, meaning one section of the app is frozen but the others work fine, and the frozen parts unfreeze whenever I alt+tab out and back in. This one also fixed itself when i alt+tabbed as you can see for a couple of frames.

 
For extra info;

PC Specs
GPU: 4070 VENTUS 3X OC 12GB
CPU: i5-12600KF
MOBO: B760M GAMING X AX DDR4
RAM: Kingston FURY Beast DDR4 3200 MHz 16GB 2x8GB CL16
SSD: WD Black SN850X
PSU: ATX 750W THERMALTAKE SMART BM2
HDD: Seagate barracuda st1000dm010 1tb 3.5" sata3
MOUSE: Corsair Harpoon
KEYBOARD: Tactical Ozone Mini.

I've tested every component through intensive tests & various benchmarks, (OCCT, Furmark, memtest) and none have given me any errors, specially on OCCT and Furmark, no artifacts / errors were detected during any of the tests.
 
What could be causing these?
Few possible options;
1. Malware
2. RAM issue
3. GPU/monitor issue

#1
Malware would be my 1st guess.
Run some AV scans, e.g with MalwareBytes free version.
Link: https://www.malwarebytes.com/

#2
RAM issue could be due to file corruption, thus the image breaks apart.
For RAM, download and run memtest86,
link: https://www.memtest86.com/

Guide to install and use it: https://www.memtest86.com/tech_creating-window.html

1 full pass (all 15 tests) is bare minimum. 2 full passes are better while 4 full passes is considered acceptable.

Since it takes a while, best to let it run overnight.
1x 8GB ~1h per 1 full pass. ~4h for 4 full passes.
2x 8GB ~2.5h per 1 full pass. ~10h for 4 full passes.
2x 16GB ~5h per 1 full pass. ~20h for 4 full passes.

If there are no errors - RAM is sound.
If there are errors - replace the RAM.

For absolute testing of RAM, 32 full passes are needed (due to test #7).
Further reading: https://www.memtest86.com/tech_individual-test-descr.html
But no-one in their right mind is going to do 32 full passes, since it takes forever + then some. Especially when you have a lot of RAM in the system. Consensus in the tech support is that 4 full passes are enough.

#3
GPU/monitor issue would be because screen doesn't refresh itself, instead, when you hover mouse cursor over it, it "erases" the image (app) below it.

To further test it, boot to Safe Mode with Networking and look if the same issue appears again. If it doesn't, issue is with 3rd party apps that are launched at normal boot to OS. If issues remain even in Safe Mode, issue is either with Win kernel or hardware.

PSU: ATX 750W THERMALTAKE SMART BM2
Any reason why you cheaped out on the PSU? 🤔
That's low quality PSU and should not be used at all.

For 2nd opinion about your PSU, look it up from PSU Tier list,
link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...JWkc/edit?pli=1&gid=1973454078#gid=1973454078

You'll find it to be Tier C.
While for new PSU, i suggest anything from Tier A, like: Seasonic Focus/Vertex/PRIME, Corsair RMx/RMi/HXi/AXi, Super Flower Leadex Gold/Platinum/Titanium.
750W unit does fine.
(My 3x PCs are also powered by Seasonic. I have PRIME 650 Titanium (Tier A+), PRIME Ultra 650 Titanium (Tier A+) and Focus PX-550 (Tier A) units. Full specs with pics in my sig.)
 
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Few possible options;
1. Malware
2. RAM issue
3. GPU/monitor issue

#1
Malware would be my 1st guess.
Run some AV scans, e.g with MalwareBytes free version.
Link: https://www.malwarebytes.com/

#2
RAM issue could be due to file corruption, thus the image breaks apart.
For RAM, download and run memtest86,
link: https://www.memtest86.com/

Guide to install and use it: https://www.memtest86.com/tech_creating-window.html

1 full pass (all 15 tests) is bare minimum. 2 full passes are better while 4 full passes is considered acceptable.

Since it takes a while, best to let it run overnight.
1x 8GB ~1h per 1 full pass. ~4h for 4 full passes.
2x 8GB ~2.5h per 1 full pass. ~10h for 4 full passes.
2x 16GB ~5h per 1 full pass. ~20h for 4 full passes.

If there are no errors - RAM is sound.
If there are errors - replace the RAM.

For absolute testing of RAM, 32 full passes are needed (due to test #7).
Further reading: https://www.memtest86.com/tech_individual-test-descr.html
But no-one in their right mind is going to do 32 full passes, since it takes forever + then some. Especially when you have a lot of RAM in the system. Consensus in the tech support is that 4 full passes are enough.

#3
GPU/monitor issue would be because screen doesn't refresh itself, instead, when you hover mouse cursor over it, it "erases" the image (app) below it.

To further test it, boot to Safe Mode with Networking and look if the same issue appears again. If it doesn't, issue is with 3rd party apps that are launched at normal boot to OS. If issues remain even in Safe Mode, issue is either with Win kernel or hardware.


Any reason why you cheaped out on the PSU? 🤔
That's low quality PSU and should not be used at all.

For 2nd opinion about your PSU, look it up from PSU Tier list,
link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...JWkc/edit?pli=1&gid=1973454078#gid=1973454078

You'll find it to be Tier C.
While for new PSU, i suggest anything from Tier A, like: Seasonic Focus/Vertex/PRIME, Corsair RMx/RMi/HXi/AXi, Super Flower Leadex Gold/Platinum/Titanium.
750W unit does fine.
(My 3x PCs are also powered by Seasonic. I have PRIME 650 Titanium (Tier A+), PRIME Ultra 650 Titanium (Tier A+) and Focus PX-550 (Tier A) units. Full specs with pics in my sig.)

Hey, first off, thanks for the reply. I'll give some additional information as it might help. When running PC Help Hub's file repair script, I get 3 errors, one of which never ends up actually getting fixed. I tested my GPU with OCCT, and every test came back just fine, both VRAM and the 3D tests came back just fine.

I wanna believe my GPU isn't the problem here, as if it was, I assume I'd also see this happening in games, but it doesn't happen in any type of games, at all, just on these Electron / Chromium based apps as I said. My first thought is also system corruption, probably coming from the RAM. I would check if the error is replicable through safe mode, but it is extremely random and happens whenever it feels like happening.

When I built this PC I wasn't as knowledgeable as I am today and I had a limited budget so I reduced the expenses through my PSU, which is a really dumb move, but I do plan on replacing it. I'll run the memtests today, and get back to you. As for scanning with malwarebytes, I only got warnings for process hacker and Monero wallet, which are fake positives, so I'm not sure how that helps my case.
 
When running PC Help Hub's file repair script, I get 3 errors, one of which never ends up actually getting fixed.
Why not use Win own built-in commands for kernel repair? 🤔

1. Open Start.

2. Search for Command Prompt (or cmd.exe), right-click the top/correct result, and select the Run as administrator option.

3. Type the following command to perform system repair and press Enter:
SFC /scannow

4. If the scan found corrupt files and repaired them, run the same command again, just in case:
(if no errors were found, skip to step #5)
SFC /scannow

5. Once no errors are found with SFC /scannow, type the following command to perform a quick check and press Enter:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth

6. Once this is done and when corruption is detected, type in another command for in-depth scan and press Enter:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

7. Once this is done and there are issues with system image, type in another command for fixing it and press Enter:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

8. Once the system image repair is complete, type in another command and press Enter:
SFC /scannow

9. After last once completes, final command with Enter press would be:
exit

This closes the terminal window.

Note: SFC /scannow, DISM /ScanHealth and DISM /RestoreHealth may take a long time to complete. Do not close the terminal window or do not reboot the system, when each of theses scans/fixes are taking place, even when they seemingly get stuck.

I'll run the memtests today, and get back to you.
👍

As for scanning with malwarebytes, I only got warnings for process hacker and Monero wallet, which are fake positives, so I'm not sure how that helps my case.
PC troubleshooting is often the process of elimination. Meaning that you test and check things off one-by-one, until the culprit has been found.

Symptoms that you have, point towards several different things being the issue. So, need to eliminate them all.
Safe Mode testing would tell a lot. So, even when it doesn't appear in Safe Mode, no matter what you do. Then issue is with 3rd party software/drivers that run on normal boot. If so, there are ways, albeit tedious ones, to find the culprit. But 1st do the memtest and try to reproduce it in Safe Mode. If no dice, i can guide you further.
 
Why not use Win own built-in commands for kernel repair? 🤔

1. Open Start.

2. Search for Command Prompt (or cmd.exe), right-click the top/correct result, and select the Run as administrator option.

3. Type the following command to perform system repair and press Enter:
SFC /scannow

4. If the scan found corrupt files and repaired them, run the same command again, just in case:
(if no errors were found, skip to step #5)
SFC /scannow

5. Once no errors are found with SFC /scannow, type the following command to perform a quick check and press Enter:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth

6. Once this is done and when corruption is detected, type in another command for in-depth scan and press Enter:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

7. Once this is done and there are issues with system image, type in another command for fixing it and press Enter:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

8. Once the system image repair is complete, type in another command and press Enter:
SFC /scannow

9. After last once completes, final command with Enter press would be:
exit

This closes the terminal window.

Note: SFC /scannow, DISM /ScanHealth and DISM /RestoreHealth may take a long time to complete. Do not close the terminal window or do not reboot the system, when each of theses scans/fixes are taking place, even when they seemingly get stuck.


👍


PC troubleshooting is often the process of elimination. Meaning that you test and check things off one-by-one, until the culprit has been found.

Symptoms that you have, point towards several different things being the issue. So, need to eliminate them all.
Safe Mode testing would tell a lot. So, even when it doesn't appear in Safe Mode, no matter what you do. Then issue is with 3rd party software/drivers that run on normal boot. If so, there are ways, albeit tedious ones, to find the culprit. But 1st do the memtest and try to reproduce it in Safe Mode. If no dice, i can guide you further.
I have used Windows manual commands as well but neither found any issues. Just got back home and the memtest was really fast; I did 4 and it was done in about 4~ hours. Not sure if that's good news, but at least I got no errors..

I'll rerun the Windows disk checking commands, and after that I'll go on and see if I can somehow make the issue appear more often. Then I'll just get on safe mode and see if I can replicate it. I've retested my GPU with OCCT and Furmark and again 0 errors found. Also used HDSentinel to check on my disks and both fine. Genuinely not entirely sure whats going on lol.
 
I have used Windows manual commands as well but neither found any issues. Just got back home and the memtest was really fast; I did 4 and it was done in about 4~ hours. Not sure if that's good news, but at least I got no errors..

I'll rerun the Windows disk checking commands, and after that I'll go on and see if I can somehow make the issue appear more often. Then I'll just get on safe mode and see if I can replicate it. I've retested my GPU with OCCT and Furmark and again 0 errors found. Also used HDSentinel to check on my disks and both fine. Genuinely not entirely sure whats going on lol.
DISM & SFC found nothing at all. All seems well on the OS files. OCCT GPU scans came back fine (again), so I would love to think the issue isn't my GPU.
 
Last edited:
Why not use Win own built-in commands for kernel repair? 🤔

1. Open Start.

2. Search for Command Prompt (or cmd.exe), right-click the top/correct result, and select the Run as administrator option.

3. Type the following command to perform system repair and press Enter:
SFC /scannow

4. If the scan found corrupt files and repaired them, run the same command again, just in case:
(if no errors were found, skip to step #5)
SFC /scannow

5. Once no errors are found with SFC /scannow, type the following command to perform a quick check and press Enter:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth

6. Once this is done and when corruption is detected, type in another command for in-depth scan and press Enter:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

7. Once this is done and there are issues with system image, type in another command for fixing it and press Enter:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

8. Once the system image repair is complete, type in another command and press Enter:
SFC /scannow

9. After last once completes, final command with Enter press would be:
exit

This closes the terminal window.

Note: SFC /scannow, DISM /ScanHealth and DISM /RestoreHealth may take a long time to complete. Do not close the terminal window or do not reboot the system, when each of theses scans/fixes are taking place, even when they seemingly get stuck.


👍


PC troubleshooting is often the process of elimination. Meaning that you test and check things off one-by-one, until the culprit has been found.

Symptoms that you have, point towards several different things being the issue. So, need to eliminate them all.
Safe Mode testing would tell a lot. So, even when it doesn't appear in Safe Mode, no matter what you do. Then issue is with 3rd party software/drivers that run on normal boot. If so, there are ways, albeit tedious ones, to find the culprit. But 1st do the memtest and try to reproduce it in Safe Mode. If no dice, i can guide you further.
Just tested my GPU with 3DMark's stress test, port royale, and time spy -- All came back, <1% score deviation which I assume is normal. Ran DDU yesterday and problem hasn't happened today (yet).
 
Just got back home and the memtest was really fast; I did 4 and it was done in about 4~ hours. Not sure if that's good news, but at least I got no errors..
You sure that you selected all 15 tests before starting the scan? Since by default, not all tests are selected when you initially launch memtest86 program.

Ran DDU yesterday and problem hasn't happened today (yet).
It is possible that GPU drivers had some issue and using DDU + driver reinstall fixed it.

Just keep an eye out when the issue comes back.
If it does come back, try to reliably reproduce it within normal boot. Once you have that set, try to reproduce the same steps in Safe Mode and look if it happens there as well or not.

Also, do look into new PSU.
 
You sure that you selected all 15 tests before starting the scan? Since by default, not all tests are selected when you initially launch memtest86 program.


It is possible that GPU drivers had some issue and using DDU + driver reinstall fixed it.

Just keep an eye out when the issue comes back.
If it does come back, try to reliably reproduce it within normal boot. Once you have that set, try to reproduce the same steps in Safe Mode and look if it happens there as well or not.

Also, do look into new PSU.
Yes, I selected all of them, im 100% sure. Will do on the PSU. If the issue happens again, I'll come back to the thread. Only issue I'm seeing now is my GPU apparently underperforming on benchmarks so... yeah.
 
Just ran through my event viewer and I have multiple dxgkrnl and nvlddmkm errors even after reinstalling the drivers using DDU and after updating my BIOS version. Is my GPU dead?
There are at least a few bugs right now related to the latest version of Nvidia's drivers. You could try an earlier version after uninstalling the current version with DDU. Try the game ready version 566.36 driver. It was one of the last versions out before the 5000 series released and before all of the buggy drivers related to the launch.
 
There are at least a few bugs right now related to the latest version of Nvidia's drivers. You could try an earlier version after uninstalling the current version with DDU. Try the game ready version 566.36 driver. It was one of the last versions out before the 5000 series released and before all of the buggy drivers related to the launch.
This seems to have made my gpu get back on its feet a bit. Thank you.
 
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