Does this sound like a power supply problem?

[AquaShrimp]

My new computer has started messing up (eeek!).  When I am watching a video, I will start getting screen artifacts.  Then my mouse cursor will turn into some strange looking artifact.  Then the computer will lock up.  My power supply is of a very unreliable brand/model. What do you all think this might be?

Heres my comp:

* Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.0GHz, 1333FSB (Dual Core) 6000K
 * Cooler Master HyperTX Intel EXTRA QUIET Vertical HeatPipe Copper fan
 * ASUS P5N-D SLI nForce 750i, 1333FSB, SLI PCI Ex, Sound,1GB LAN, iEEE
 * 4GB (2x2GB) PC6400 DDR2 800 Dual Channel
 * GeForce 8800GT 512Mb PCI EXpress 16X dual head, tv out
 * 750.0GB Maxtor/ Seagate 7200rpm SATA2 UDMA 300 32m Cache
 * OptoRite 52x24x52 CDRW Drive
 * Sound Blaster Audigy SE 7.1
 * Realtek 10/100/1000 Ethernet Network card
 * USB 2.0 Adapter Card 4 port PCI
 * APEVIA X-Plorer Silver, Side Window, front USB,iEEE,Temp control
 * Case Fan 120 mm Extra Quiet DC fan
 * Okia Extra Quiet 650W ATX Power Supply, SLI Ready
 * Microsoft Windows XP Home CD

[Getback]

Check your sound drivers and video drivers for updates. Now this was built by someone right. Take it back and have them check it.

[BaldEagl]

There is a video artifact problem that affects some of the the NVidia 700 series boards.  It affects the 750i, 780i and 790i but does not affect everyone.  I have an EVGA 780i and had the same problem.

There have been three BIOS updates for the EVGA 780i.  The first of these (BIOS P05) resolved the problem for me.  Since then they have released P05p and P06.  Since my problem was resolved, I haven't updated beyond P05 (with NVidia, if it works don't fix it).

I suggest you visit your motherboard manufacturers web-site to see if they have released a BIOS update for your board.

Prior to the updates there was a (IIRC) 48 page thread on this on the EVGA 780i forum and another 10 pages on the NVidia forum.

I can say with confidence that this is your problem.

[AquaShrimp]

There is a video artifact problem that affects some of the the NVidia 700 series boards.  It affects the 750i, 780i and 790i but does not affect everyone.  I have an EVGA 780i and had the same problem.

There have been three BIOS updates for the EVGA 780i.  The first of these (BIOS P05) resolved the problem for me.  Since then they have released P05p and P06.  Since my problem was resolved, I haven't updated beyond P05 (with NVidia, if it works don't fix it).

I suggest you visit your motherboard manufacturers web-site to see if they have released a BIOS update for your board.

Prior to the updates there was a (IIRC) 48 page thread on this on the EVGA 780i forum and another 10 pages on the NVidia forum.

I can say with confidence that this is your problem.

Hey thanks BaldEagl.  I downloaded a new and installed bios, and my computer hasn't messed up since.  I'm going to put it through its paces, but it looks like I owe you a case of beer!

[BaldEagl]

Hey thanks BaldEagl.  I downloaded a new and installed bios, and my computer hasn't messed up since.  I'm going to put it through its paces, but it looks like I owe you a case of beer!

No problem.  Glad to help.

[Getback]

Good going Baldegle!

[AquaShrimp]

Yep, problem is definitely fixed.  Awesome.

[AquaShrimp]

Uh oh, spoke too soon.  Problem has reappeared, but at a much reduced frequency.  I don't recommend anyone buying this type of motherboard!

[Ghastly]

Aqua, check to make sure that the fan on your vidcard GPU is turning properly (not binding up).  Most frequently, what you've described is a result of an overheating GPU (although there are a plethora of other reasons, that's the most common)

<S>

[Masherbrum]

Uh oh, spoke too soon.  Problem has reappeared, but at a much reduced frequency.  I don't recommend anyone buying this type of motherboard!

Seems like it is more video card related Shrimp. 

I have heard from too many people that using RivaTuner instead of nTune is the way to go.   Not saying your overclocking, but you will be able to adjust your fan.   Also, you might have defective RAM on your card.   

[BaldEagl]

It's definitly the NVidia 700 series video corruption bug from what you described.  Users on the EVGA forum, including me, tried everything imaginable and kept posting test results.  This was over a period of a couple of months.  I'm afraid that there's going to be nothing you can do until a BIOS is released that resolves the problem for you.

Have you tried the BIOS releases just prior to the one you're running now?

[Masherbrum]

It's definitly the NVidia 700 series video corruption bug from what you described.  Users on the EVGA forum, including me, tried everything imaginable and kept posting test results.  This was over a period of a couple of months.  I'm afraid that there's going to be nothing you can do until a BIOS is released that resolves the problem for you.

Have you tried the BIOS releases just prior to the one you're running now?

That truly sucks.   

[AquaShrimp]

It's definitly the NVidia 700 series video corruption bug from what you described.  Users on the EVGA forum, including me, tried everything imaginable and kept posting test results.  This was over a period of a couple of months.  I'm afraid that there's going to be nothing you can do until a BIOS is released that resolves the problem for you.

Have you tried the BIOS releases just prior to the one you're running now?

No.  But I did upgrade my realtek sound codecs.  That, along with the 0601 bios for my ASUS motherboard had gotten the artifact problem down to a manageable level.  Also, I'm using RivaTuner too.

[drdeathx]

USE KLITE CODECS

[BaldEagl]

USE KLITE CODECS

Codecs aren't the problem.  Trust me.  On the EVGA site every set of Codecs were tried.

Here's a link to the thread I keep mentioning http://www.evga.com/forums/tm.asp?m=253891

It's now 53 pages and 1588 posts.  If you want to try testing and experimenting yourself I suggest you read this first to eliminate all the possibilities that have already been tried.