Video card artifacting

[jtk]

Last night I installed a new video card, an AGP Sapphire X800GTO 256mb. Initially it worked fine, then I went to watch a movie, and when I came back there were green lines/patterns on my screen. I thought it might be overheating, but the case side was open, card fan was running, and it's only about 67 degrees in here. I was tired, so I just shut everything down.

When I powered up this morning, I noticed some scrambling on the BIOS/POST screen. When Windows came up the artifacting was even worse, and it seemed to get worse the longer I used the computer. I changed drivers and such but nothing helped, so I switched back to my Radeon 9550, and all is fine.

My first thought is the card went bad, but the fact that it worked for awhile bothers me. So then I was thinking maybe it could be the power supply. It is kinda old. What do you think? Here is the rest of my system:

CPU: Athlon64 X2 4800+
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-K8NSC-939
PSU: TTGI/Superflower TT-550ss (with the 140mm fan, from Directron)
HD: WD2500KS (250gb SATA) and Maxtor 500gb SATA
Memory: 4x512 DDR
Optical: 3x DVD burners, 1x CD burner
Extras: PCI firewire card, PCI SATA controller (installed but no drives connected currently)

With all this installed I have 2 molex connectors left (both on the same wire), which I was using to power the X800GTO.

Also, I don't really have another computer to try the card in, nor do I have another power supply...

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[jonnyGURU]

My first thought is the card went bad, but the fact that it worked for awhile bothers me.

Why? Because it's "solid state?" Not every bad part is a DOA.

My 6800GT died in a similar fashion. One day I powered up and everything was greenish blue (no red.) Bent pin? No. Tried the other output, same thing. Bad monitor? Tried another monitor; No dice. Switched out the card and problem was solved. Card worked fine for 6 months prior to that. :(

[MrWicked1968]

just to test one more thing before RMA'ing your video card try this:

turn off system
unplug power cable from video card
boot system...you will then get yelled at for not having your video card plugged in...
turn off system again
plug power back into card
reboot...

now, the above worked when my soft modded 9500np would boot up with artifacts and color bands.

[CAD4466HK]

Why don't you try unplugging those 3x DVD burners, your card might be needing more juice:)

[jtk]

It was the card (I'm pretty sure, anyway). I got a 6800 GS OC as a replacement, and it's working fine. I'll RMA the other one.

[clsA]

Good move the 6800GS is better than the X800GTO anyway

glad you solved it

[CAD4466HK]

Good move the 6800GS is better than the X800GTO anyway

glad you solved it

You can say that again, I have a X800XT AIW in my home theater system,
and is by far the hardest card I have ever dealt with{except my 7900GT KO}
with thermal issues and driver and software problems,even the remote is
worthless.
I had a 7200 32mb AIW and a 9600XT 256mb AIW,no problems with either.
Everytime I try to upgrade, I seem to get the shaft without grease:o