Fixing Artifacting Issues with EVGA GeForce GTX660 Graphics Card

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

   • About the Graphics Card
   • Purpose of the Test
   • Test System Specifications

2. Diagnosing the Graphics Card

   • Overview
   • Artifacts and Visual Problems
   • Test Setup
   • Installing drivers and running tests

3. testing with Different Drivers

   • Uninstalling Previous Drivers
   • Installing Generic Drivers
   • Updating to the Latest Driver

4. Flashing the Graphics Card BIOS

   • What is BIOS?
   • Reasons for BIOS Corruptions
   • Downloading MB Flash and VGA BIOS
   • Updating the Graphics Card BIOS

5. Final Results and Conclusion

   • Analyzing the Effects of Driver Updates and BIOS Flash
   • Assessing the Artifacting Problem
   • Further Steps and Suggestions
   • Conclusion

Diagnosing and Fixing Issues with a Graphics Card

Graphics cards play a crucial role in delivering high-quality visuals and ensuring smooth performance while gaming or performing graphic-intensive tasks. However, like any other hardware component, graphics cards can sometimes encounter issues and exhibit abnormalities. In this article, we will delve into the process of diagnosing and solving problems with a graphics card. We will explore artifacts, visual problems, and various troubleshooting methods to help you determine the root cause and find a suitable solution.

Introduction

About the Graphics Card

The graphics card under examination is an EVGA GeForce GTX 660 with a blower-style cooler. This model, equipped with 2GB of memory, has been sent by a friend who encountered numerous artifacts while using it. Our goal is to understand the problem, test the card, and attempt to fix any issues.

Purpose of the Test

To effectively diagnose the graphics card and address the artifacting problem, we will be using a test system comprising an Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 processor, adequate RAM, and a 600-watt power supply. While this setup may not be top-of-the-line, it will suffice for our testing and diagnostic purposes.

Test System Specifications

Our test system consists of the following components:

• Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
• RAM: 8GB DDR2
• Power Supply: 600 watts

Now that we have outlined our test system specifications, let's proceed with diagnosing and troubleshooting the graphics card.

Diagnosing the Graphics Card

Overview

Upon receiving the EVGA GeForce GTX 660, our primary objective is to determine the cause of the artifacting issue. Artifacts are graphical anomalies that appear as distortions, flickering, or unusual Patterns during the operation of the graphics card. They can be indicative of hardware or software problems and may vary in severity.

Artifacts and Visual Problems

According to the previous owner, the graphics card exhibited significant artifacts during use. It is essential to observe the card's behavior and stability while testing it in our test system. By installing the card and connecting it to a monitor via DVI, we can analyze its performance and identify any visual abnormalities during operation.

Test Setup

Before proceeding with any tests, it is crucial to remove any previously installed graphics drivers. In this case, we uninstalled all Intel, AMD, and NVIDIA drivers using a display driver uninstaller and performed a clean installation of the EVGA GeForce GTX 660 graphics card.

With the card installed and the system booted into Windows 7, we checked for any immediate artifacts or visual problems. So far, the system appeared to be working without any noticeable issues. However, it is necessary to install the appropriate graphics drivers to conduct further tests and properly evaluate the card's performance.

Testing with Different Drivers

Uninstalling Previous Drivers

To ensure a clean testing environment, we uninstalled any existing drivers for the onboard Intel graphics and the previous graphics card using a display driver uninstaller. By removing these drivers, we eliminate any potential conflicts or remnants that could interfere with accurate testing.

Installing Generic Drivers

After removing the previous drivers, we proceeded with installing generic drivers provided by Windows. This ensures that the graphics card is recognized by the system and allows us to conduct initial tests to assess stability and performance. The generic drivers provide basic functionality but lack the optimized performance and features offered by specific graphics drivers.

Updating to the Latest Driver

To maximize the graphics card's potential and address any compatibility or performance issues, we downloaded the latest driver for the EVGA GeForce GTX 660 from the official NVIDIA website. This driver release provides improved stability, bug fixes, and optimized performance for various games and applications. We performed a custom clean installation of the driver to ensure a smooth upgrade process without any conflicts.

After the drivers were installed, we restarted the system to activate the changes and allow the updated drivers to take effect. During this process, we monitored the graphics card for artifacts or any visual abnormalities. So far, the system appeared to be functioning without any issues, but further testing was required to ensure its stability.

Flashing the Graphics Card BIOS

What is BIOS?

The Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) is a firmware embedded in the graphics card that provides the essential instructions for proper operation. Occasionally, the BIOS can become corrupted, leading to various issues, including artifacting. To address BIOS corruptions, we can perform a BIOS flash, effectively resetting the graphics card's firmware to its original state.

Reasons for BIOS Corruptions

Several factors can cause BIOS corruptions, such as power surges, improper firmware updates, or underlying hardware issues. Flashing the BIOS can help resolve these corruptions and ensure the smooth operation of the graphics card.

Downloading MB Flash and VGA BIOS

To proceed with the BIOS flash, we need to download the necessary tools. We obtained MB Flash from the techpowerup website, a command-line tool for flashing graphics card BIOS. Additionally, we acquired the VGA BIOS for the EVGA GTX 660 from the same website, ensuring that the BIOS version matched the one currently installed on the card.

Updating the Graphics Card BIOS

With the required tools and BIOS file in HAND, we restarted the system in safe mode with networking to prevent any interference during the flash process. Using the command Prompt in administrator mode, we navigated to the MB Flash folder and executed the MB Flash 64 command followed by the name of the BIOS ROM file. After confirming the update, the flash utility proceeded to write and verify the new firmware.

Following the successful BIOS update, we restarted the system and re-enabled the graphics card. We then proceeded to install the latest NVIDIA driver released earlier, aiming to achieve optimum performance and stability.

Final Results and Conclusion

Analyzing the Effects of Driver Updates and BIOS Flash

After implementing various diagnostic and troubleshooting steps, we observed the behavior of the EVGA GeForce GTX 660 graphics card. Despite installing the latest drivers and performing a BIOS flash, the card continued to exhibit artifacts and visual anomalies. Unfortunately, our efforts did not result in a resolution for the artifacting problem.

Assessing the Artifacting Problem

At this stage, it is essential to consider alternative causes for the artifacting issue. Other factors, such as hardware faults or deeper software conflicts, may be contributing to the problem. Further investigation, including conducting thorough hardware tests and consulting with technical experts, is recommended to pinpoint the exact cause of the issue.

Further Steps and Suggestions

If you encounter similar artifacting issues with your graphics card, it is advisable to perform comprehensive hardware and software tests. Ensure that all Relevant drivers are up to date and compatible with your system. It may also be beneficial to Seek assistance from customer support or professional technicians who specialize in graphics card troubleshooting.

Conclusion

Diagnosing and fixing graphics card issues can be a complex task, requiring a thorough understanding of hardware and software interactions. In this article, we explored the process of diagnosing and troubleshooting a graphics card exhibiting artifacting problems. Despite our best efforts, the specific cause of the artifacting issue remained unresolved. It is recommended to explore further options and seek expert advice to effectively address such issues.

Highlights

• Diagnosing and troubleshooting artifacting issues with a graphics card
• Testing various drivers and performing a clean installation
• Flashing the graphics card BIOS to resolve potential corruptions
• Assessing the effects of driver and BIOS updates on artifacting problems
• The importance of comprehensive hardware and software testing
• Future steps and suggestions for further troubleshooting

FAQ

Q: Can outdated drivers cause artifacting on a graphics card? A: Yes, outdated or incompatible drivers can lead to various issues with a graphics card, including artifacting. It is crucial to keep drivers up to date to ensure optimal performance.

Q: What are the potential causes of artifacting in graphics cards? A: Artifacting can be caused by factors such as faulty hardware, overheating, inadequate power supply, driver conflicts, or BIOS corruptions.

Q: How can I prevent artifacting in my graphics card? A: To prevent artifacting, ensure proper airflow and cooling for your graphics card, use a reliable power supply, keep drivers up to date, and perform regular maintenance, such as cleaning dust from the card's fans and heat sinks.

Q: Should I attempt a BIOS flash on my graphics card if it exhibits artifacting? A: A BIOS flash should only be considered as a last resort after extensive troubleshooting and consultation with experts. Flashing the BIOS incorrectly can lead to permanent damage to the graphics card.