Can an insufficient PSU cause artifacts this bad?

[uNderdog_101]

My nephew recently bought a new GPU and wanted help with installing it, so I stepped up.
Everything went fine until we did another run at 3Dmark01 (his previous card couldn't handle the newer ones) where we hapened upon litchy goodness. I noticed he only had a 220W PSU so now I wonder: can an insufficient PSU cause artifacts this bad?

[mats.hogberg]

Probably not related to psu - seems like an incompatible video driver.
...and please change your sig (if that's what's under the image) - Dirty language is frowned upon. Even if you're quoting Quadboy.

/Mats

[Cobra]

That looks like a video card overclock gone bad to me.

You could always try the card in another machine to see how it behaves in there. That would either narrow it down to the card or the machine.

[jagabo]

I noticed he only had a 220W PSU so now I wonder: can an insufficient PSU cause artifacts this bad?

Yes.

[redwudz]

I'd go with jagabo on this one. The PS may not be directly causing the problem, but that is small for most of the newer computers. And it may rated higher than it's true output. If the air coming out of the PS exhaust fan is overly warm, I think I would upgrade it before a possible failure and meltdown of the system. Better safe than sorry.

You may be able to check the system voltages in BIOS and make sure they are within spec. If the PS runs cool and your voltages are OK, then maybe another problem like the others mentioned could be the fault.

The computer specs for that machine and the video card would help. Some higher end video cards use a lot of power.

[kush]

Yes it can, but some more details would be *very* helpful here. Like What brand/model number PSU #1. Brand/model of graphics card #2, motherboard, processor, memory etc etc - or at least model #/maker if PC is an OEM build (ie: dell). For some of the details you will have to open the case and look..Others you can check out Everst Home (diagnostic tool - free version stopped but available @ oldversion.com).

Also, as mentioned previously, it could be an over zealous overclock..What speeds overclocked, if any? Or as mentioned also, poor airflow - have you tried this with either the case side off, or side off & running a house fan into the PCs innards?

220w is too little for even 3+ year old systems, let alone P4 Northwood cores on up, or ANY A64 based CPU. The only PSUs in the under 300w range I would ever expect to see handle a decent those are those built in Shuttle SFF systems - but again with the higher power reqs of the current gen stuff, even they are sporting at least 300w units now. Not to mention (as redwudz alluded to), the over rating of alot of PSUs out there..Alot of the less reputable makers, especially ones included in BYO cases (like RAIDMAX & LC/Deer) overrate their stuff..Selling 500+ w PSUs that should really be labeled as 350w units.

Also, a good way of testing your current PSUs output, *NOT* in a Windows (or BIOS both terribly inaccurate 99% of the time) monitor, is to get a digital multi-meter from WallyMart, RatShack or similar big box or electronics store ($10-20 tops is fine), and report back the measurements under both idle and full load of the 3.3v/5v/12v rails (if you decide to do this procedure)..Google "psu rail test", should come up with a good link in the first result.

[jagabo]

You may be able to check the system voltages in BIOS and make sure they are within spec.

This probably won't work because the GPU won't be sucking up a lot of power until the 3D hardware is running.

A few other things to check:

Many graphics cards have an auxiliary power connector (they draw more power than the AGP/PCIe slot can supply). Be sure you're using it if your card has one.

Make sure there are enough case fans to pump all the hot air out of the box.

[smitbret]

I'd agree that it could be PSU, but it looks like a bad overclock to me, too. Who made the card and where do you buy it from?
-Brett