Screen Distortion and Graphic Driver problems

[DanDaManGAMEZ]

Hey there guys, im not sure if im posting in the right area, but this is my problem:

I have a CyberPower PC with a Intel Core i5 processor 3.30GHz, 8 gig ram, and a AMD radeon HD 6800 series graphic card.

And when playing games (or movies), or sometimes just plain on my desktop, my computer sometimes splits into 2, very bad distortion, or just goes completely black. Over the last 5 or 6 weeks i have tried EVERYTHING i can think of that doesn't cost money. Things i have done:

Tried a new power cord
Tried different moniter
Tried just about every graphic driver version there is
Reinserting the graphic card securely
Re-installed O/S

Now the first thing that comes to mind, is the cooling. right? Wrong, i have tested that too, sometimes first thing in the morning, i wake up, turn on my computer, 30 seconds into boot up, screen goes awol. At that time the temperature is about 35c. I also tried wiggling the cords while it is turned on, nothing happens (no shortin the wires), and finally, i also adjusted the screen resolution to a lower setting, still...nothing.

The weirdest thing of this whole situation, is that its not steady... AT ALL! Sometimes ill go 3-4 days without a single distortion/graphic driver stopped responding and recovered. then sometimes, ill turn on my computer, and restart, and restart, and time after time, i cant even get on that day because it distorts in a few seconds over and over again.

I guess the next thing i need to do is buy a new graphic card, but im waiting till last possible resource to do that. If you have any suggestions, please leave a somewhat detailed instructions on how to do it. And one more thing, i did buy this computer refurbished from bestbuy about 1 month ago.

Thanks a bunches!
~Dandaman

 

[smarteyeball]

If you bought it a month ago, what's the warranty if it has one? I'd take it back if possible.

You've ruled out drivers , cords and monitor. Unfortunately it really does sound like the card is faulty.

Do you have a monitor port attached to the mobo? Some CPU's have a built in GPU (iGPU) and some boards will have a port. If you're lucky enough to have both, you can run on the iGPU in the meantime. If not...

 

[DanDaManGAMEZ]

If you bought it a month ago, what's the warranty if it has one? I'd take it back if possible.

You've ruled out drivers , cords and monitor. Unfortunately it really does sound like the card is faulty.

Do you have a monitor port attached to the mobo? Some CPU's have a built in GPU (iGPU) and some boards will have a port. If you're lucky enough to have both, you can run on the iGPU in the meantime. If not...

Hey! Thanks so much for reply, and ur suggestion for the iGPU was awesome, worked out great! Unfortunately... the graphics suck.... And for the life of me i cant find updated drivers, i was wondering, is it possible to update/upgrade intergrated graphics? I cant run the simplest of games, or even watch movies :/ my mother board is a Intel Z68 Express.

Thanks a bunches!
~Dandaman

 

[Faladu]

SO if you have sent back the 6800 series card? I'd go buy one locally if possible of it's elder statesmen, and just use the card they send back as a spare.

Since you are a gamer, Radeon HD 7850 or higher is the recommendation and keep the receipt!

You didn't give the particulars on your system's PSU (watts), so I would look inside and make sure it has 2 6pin black connectors and check the rated watts on it and then try this site:

eXtreme Power Supply Calculator

To see if yours is enough for the hardware upgrade.

PC bulk sellers generally cut corners so it won't stun me if the PSU you got is *cough* insufficient.