Graphic Artifacts and a long line of anger

[Goldburg]

So I've been going back and forth on several forums trying to get my issue resolved and decided it was time to ask here for potential help.First my system specs:<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="color: RoyalBlue;">Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3 Ghz with Sunbeam Core-Contact Freezer Heatpipe CPU Cooler Abit IP35p motherboard 4 gigs of Corsair The Dominator Series Twin2X4096-8500C5DF with Tri-Fan cooling PNY Nvidia Gefore 8800 GT (512 mb PCI-E) w/Antec VCool SEAGATE 500gb ST3500320NS SATA ES 7200rpm 32MB LG GGW-H20L 6X internal super multi BLU-RAY disc Rewiter & HD DVD-ROM drive Antec Case with 6 Fans ( 5 - 120mm Antec fans and 1- 220MM Antec fan) Corsair HX 620 power supply</span></span>The Issue:Intermittent graphic artifacts during windowed and non windowed EQ 2 game play.So I built the wife and myself the identical machine, with identical software instalations. Hers runs great, mine goes haywire from time to time.I've searched numberous hardware and software forums and asked a ton of questions reguarding everything from my PSU to reinstalation etc etc. So far this is what I have done.Windows Instalation x 3EQ 2 instalation x 3New PSUExtra Cooling for Video CardSwapped Video cards from 2 other working machinesChanged DDR timmings and voltages numerous timesRan several memory testing utilitiesRan several "burn in" system utilitiesBanged my head on the desk x 300...and the list goes on....Here are the screen shots:Artifact<img src="http://img79.imageshack.us/my.php?image=eq2000005pg6.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><img src="http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/7613/eq2000005pg6.jpg" alt="" border="0" />vs Normal<img src="http://img60.imageshack.us/my.php?image=eq2000010hn0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><img src="http://img60.imageshack.us/img60/4563/eq2000010hn0.jpg" alt="" border="0" />Any advice?

[Llach]

I suppose the first and most obvious question is; does this only happen in EQ2 or in other games/burn in apps?

[Miladi]

First thing, check the GPU temperature when running the game with the Nvidia Nmonitor software. Make sure the graphics card isn't overheating. Second thing you could do, seeing as how the wife's computer is built identical to your's is to take her video card out and put it into your's and vice versa. See if the problem travels, if the problem you're experiencing starts showing up in her machine, and your's no longer has the problem, then you've found out that the video card, and not software is the problem.This would be the first things to check.

[Goldburg]

Tried running HL2 and yes still having the artifact issues, also had it in LOTRO. I've swapped video cards several times and it's the same issue no matter which card I use.Other things I have tried were changing my DDR settings, updated my bios, also reinstalled Windows XP and display drivers on several occasions.After a side by side comparison of my machine and the wife's only one thing is different according to the bios. My Northbridge chip is pulling more voltage than hers. Which leads me to believe it's a faulty motherboard. It's pulling the voltage that a OCed machine would have however I've not over clocked a single thing.I've had an ongoing discussion about this issue on Abit's forums with no real solution. I was told it was a power issue at first so I replaced my PSU with a higher watt and better quality one, still didn't fix the issue. Tired changing DDR settings same deal no resolution at all.As far as the GPU temp it's running at 52 - 54c while under a load. ( Running windowed in Neriak on high quality)

[Llach]

<p>Have you tried setting the voltage for Northbridge manually?</p><p>You could try putting a decent 80mm fan next to the NB (the Antec Spot Cool) which could help.  Any readings on the temp of your NB during games?  Anything above 60-70c and you start running into risks of a dieing board (start that is, not definate).</p>