crazy graphics problem

[kgol]

I installed and played C-IV this weekend and had no problems. Yesterday I downloaded the patch and began on a scenario. While zooming close or using the highest level-overhead angle, (looking straight down) I get horizontal black lines on the base terrain. The buildings, trees, rocks all look fine, even the high elevation points. The distortion begins as long faint white horizontal lines and then as I zoom closer or pull back further, they turn black and distort the whole screen. Any ideas? BTW, I did not notice this before I installed the patch. I also uninstalled the game and then reinstalled without the patch and they were still there.

My computer is a Dell 4700, 3.2 gig with Geforce 6800, 2megs ram, and my hard drive is only half full

[PCDania]

What version graphics driver are you using?

[kgol]

hmm.. Im at work now so I cant check. But, I just installed the new card this spring... runs much more graphically challanging cames like Oblivion without a hitch...

[RIP_Shad]

Sounds like your videocard GPU and/or Ram is overheating.

Try taking the side panel off and making sure the HSF on the videocard is not full of dust. If you installed it this spring it's right about the time it needs a good dusting with a can of air.

[kgol]

thanks for the good idea.... I will do so. I have a small fan I put near the side vent panel that seems to keep the temp down also. But I will definately give your suggestion a try.

[kgol]

I tried the dusting thing last night. First, there was zero dust in the case but i cleaned it anyway. Graphics glitch is still there. I have downloaded the newest version of the driver and will install tonight. Hopefullly that will help.

[cagnanopy]

Temperature problems usually are a progressive issue, where as it will look ok for a short time as the card heats up, then will degenerate the graphics on screen with strange artifacts and/or up to a sudden system reboot. There are programs that you can use to monitor video cards that have sensors on them, I don't have experience with nVidia so I don't know what program is there for them, but possibly finding such a program to monitor the temperature more closely.

[kgol]

Thanks for your ideas. I agree. This is not something progressive rather it seems that it is only this game. I tried Oblivion, CivIV, Morrowind... nothing but excellent quality graffics. Anyway, I will try with the new driver tonight. The irony is, I have not had a single other glitch with this game.. no crashing, not trade problems.. nothing.

[CraigT]

I was getting similar artifacts in C4 but no problems in other games, including those that really push the graphics. This was with a 6600GT. I broke down and bought a 7600 but still had problems. HOWEVER, the 7600 has a heat sensor readout and sure enough, the temp would go into the red. I have 8 fans(input & output) in my server case but due to having some other high heat producing cards for editing, the graphic card area was getting too hot. I opened the case side and pointed a floor fan at it- problem gone. It appears that C4 is somehow pushing things a little differently than most games and simulators so new problems can show up. Just a FWIW. :-)

Craig T

[cagnanopy]

Another solution besides taking a floor fan to your computer case is softmodding the fanspeed of your video card. I know my vidcard for example sticks to 48% fanspeed until it reached almost 90 C, which is a bit toasty for my liking. Be reminded such programs are available, they also have overclocking features that you don't have to use, but running the fan faster will make your PC a bit noiser.

I only suggest this as an option, I personally don't softmod my card. Another solution would be to make sure your airflow in your case is not hindered. Be sure to not have a spiderweb of cables blocking airflow... clean them up if they are, and always have the fans in the front and sides blowing in, and the fans on the back of the case blowing out.... all of this makes a huge difference on how well your system can cool.

[kgol]

The problem was fixed when i downloaded and installed the 9.47 (i think) version of my geforce driver. Game runs very smoothly.

[Manni]

The problem was fixed when i downloaded and installed the 9.47 (i think) version of my geforce driver. Game runs very smoothly.

You probably mean the 91.47

[kgol]

you are correct.. i do