Anyone know what could be causing this in my games?

[Soulmancer]

Noticing a strange flicker on model textures, in the lighting at games. New computer. I have a Geforce 8800 Ultra. Windows Vista 64 bit, direct x 10, Q6600 overclocked to 3.4ghz, memory ballistics 1066mhz 5/5/5/12, running at 900 4/4/4/12.

I've seen this on Crysis and Unreal Tournament 3. like a subtle flickering lights in some textures, especially character models. I am running 163.75 of the nvidia drivers, winvista 64 bit.

[blackersabbath]

Did you OC the card? The only thing I can think of is that it is artifacting. I'm no pro though.

Also what resolution settings are you running? I know this game is a pain to run so high res/settings could be the culprit.

[Soulmancer]

Higher end settings. But as I said it wasn't just Crysis, UT 3 as well, also high end settings. both 1280x1024... I did overclock the video card at one using RivaTuner, but I noticed instability, after trying a couple times I just restored default settings and removed the entire program.

[blackersabbath]

Did you try running 3dmark06 or ATI tool to look for artifacts? Maybe the card is damaged.

[Soulmancer]

ATI tool doesn't work on Vista 64bit anyway, I'll try this other proggy.

[blackersabbath]

Oh, I didn't know ATI tool didn't work on Vista64. I have yet to run that OS. Hopefully you won't have a damaged card. *crosses fingers*

[Soulmancer]

Is that what an artifact is? the sign of a damaged card?

[blackersabbath]

Artifacts can be a sign of a damaged card yes.

[Soulmancer]

So do i just run the 3d mark test then? Because i ran that and it didn't report any "errors" just fps rates. for the 6 tests it did.

[blackersabbath]

Yeah, you should run it and look for artifacts.

[usp8riot]

I notice the same thing here, even when not overclocking in some games. Happens with this card and my old 6800GT. I've always just contributed it to bad shading implementation. I

[yzzuf]

same with me in ut3, i wouldnt worry about it as I think its just the engine as it only happens in this game for me.

[RedDragonXXX]

It's one of two things:

1. Your card is OC'd beyond stable limit

2. It's overheating

[thisisapen]

As everyone said, you're getting artifacts due to either heat and/or your card can't quite handle what you're telling it to do.

since you're only noticing it rarely try knocking down the core, or whichever is maxed by about 20Mhz and see if it still happens, if it stops increase by 5mhz and you'll eventually find your exact limit for speed without issues.

From what I've witnessed with Voodoo>9500PRO>6600GT>8800GT it won't damage the card as long as you nip it on the bud while you're starting to see artifacts, if you leave it it may damage the card as it's stressing it too much.

[Soulmancer]

Again, I'll say. I am NOT overclocking the card.

[Oni]

Hang on here a sec, guys. I think we should cut right back to basics here.

First, drop everything in your box back to stock and see if the problem goes away. If it does, you're half-way to figuring out your problem.

After that, slowly start overclocking everything again, bit by bit. First, bring your processor back up to what you had it at. Then the RAM, then the video card, and see if your problem starts re-occurring at some point along the way.

We've come a ways from 'set it and forget it', and I think this is an instance of doing too much too fast.

[Burninate]

Again, I'll say. I am NOT overclocking the card.

There's still the possibility of overheating. How's your case cooling? Try underclocking it by about ~20 Mhz and see if that helps.

[Soulmancer]

My card is running under 70oC at all times according to RivaTuner.

And this is obviously not normal, I have high flicker in a lot of textures in both Crysis and UT 3 flicker in some lighting and some shading on It mostly seems to be Shadow Flicker. It occurs only very slightly with the 3DMark test, barely noticible. but in Crysis and Unreal Tournament 3 specicly, lots of shadow flicker on the weapon wielders arm in UT 3... In crysis specifcly I've noticed it most in the scene right before the tanks at the end of thr 2nd level. That woman has mass shadow flicker throughout her skin. is this normal for the game? or is something wrong for me?

[Burninate]

My card is running under 70oC at all times according to RivaTuner.

And this is obviously not normal, I have high flicker in a lot of textures in both Crysis and UT 3 flicker in some lighting and some shading on It mostly seems to be Shadow Flicker. It occurs only very slightly with the 3DMark test, barely noticible. but in Crysis and Unreal Tournament 3 specicly, lots of shadow flicker on the weapon wielders arm in UT 3... In crysis specifcly I've noticed it most in the scene right before the tanks at the end of thr 2nd level. That woman has mass shadow flicker throughout her skin. is this normal for the game? or is something wrong for me?

It doesn't sound normal to me. I would try what Oni suggested about taking everything back to stock settings and try running everything again. If you still have an issue, there may be something up with your videocard and I would try calling tech support at that point.

[Soulmancer]

I already did set my cpu and memory back to normal, un-installed and re-installed nvidia drivers. Re-installed RivaTuner for temper check and to ensure everything is running at stock.

Using 3dMark as I said, it's very hard to notice, it's quite minimal, but yah in games like Crysis and UT 3 shading flicker is very noticible... Anyway I can be sure if there is something wrong with my card or not?

Should I call Nvidia tech support?

[oakstave]

Hmmm. I've noticed some subtle, transient flickering and very minor artifacting with nearly every video card I've ever owned. Overclocked or not.

Major artifacting, tearing, usually is a the sign of a bad OC, overheating, or a dying card.

Any chance this is just normal? Is it so bad it's distracting? I mean, it's distracting you NOW because you're thinking it might be a card problem... but is it really, I'm wondering if you just aren't noticing some sloppy rendering....

[Burninate]

Hmmm. I've noticed some subtle, transient flickering and very minor artifacting with nearly every video card I've ever owned. Overclocked or not.

Major artifacting, tearing, usually is a the sign of a bad OC, overheating, or a dying card.

Any chance this is just normal? Is it so bad it's distracting? I mean, it's distracting you NOW because you're thinking it might be a card problem... but is it really, I'm wondering if you just aren't noticing some sloppy rendering....

Well.... I think the issue is more that it's a $650 card that is not performing perfectly. That would make me a bit upset as well. If, for nothing else, I would call tech support just to make sure that there are no known issues on their end with that card and the games/programs/drivers you are running.

[SteveLord]

I had flickering textures in Crysis when I had my 2900Pro. Thought it was just an ATI thing as they went away with the 8800GT SC.

[ghost_recon88]

ATI tool doesn't work on Vista 64bit anyway, I'll try this other proggy.

Apparently you've never used the .27b version of ATItool.

[Oni]

Have you tried running with the side of the case off? Perhaps the others are right, and it's just an overheating issue.

[Soulmancer]

It's Thermaltake Armor Case, it has 4 fan's and as I said my card is not running over 70oC ...

[Oni]

Try taking the side off anyways, brother. Also, you could point a house fan at it as well, just for testing.

Humour us :)

[Hardin]

Show us some screenshots so we can have a better idea of what is going on.

[Soulmancer]

Ok, I'll try and put some screen shots in order. it's a bit hard to show with still frames though... For example that girl in mission 2 before the tank scene. While not moving I am looking at her skin and where there should be shadows, there are, but they are flickering tremendously and changing in both size and shape, even though I'm not even moving and she's not moving.

Can ATI-Tool be used to scan the card for damages?

I know for a fact the card is not overheating, unless my brand new $200 case sucks and my temperature monitoring is blatantly lying to me, again, my card is under 70oC at ALL TIMES, i've been watching it closely. I turn up the fan speed, temperature goes down.

Update: In Crysis atleast its the "shaders" if I turn this to low, it turns off all shading and fixes the problem, on medium its the problem is VERY notcible. On Very High it's not "as" noticible" But it is still present.

And your rate the card is hitting above 85oC playing crysis not overclocked with the fan running at 100%

[xilix]

If I were you I'd be RMA'ing the card. That's a lot of money to deal with any inconvenience at all.

[Soulmancer]

I've heard other people experiencing this same issue so maybe a driver issue? Anyone with a geforce 8800 should try running crysis with shaders set to medium and pay close attention to especially the character models.

[usp8riot]

I stay below 60c with the fan at 29%. 85c seems pretty high. Could be a heat problem. You actually hear the fan running on it?

[Soulmancer]

At 60% the fan is not noticible, once you cross 80 it starts getting noticible, 100% is loud if I am not playing a game