Is my video card dying?

[+DoctorQuest]

I decided to post here since the problem seems more pronounced in Thirdwire sims but I am seeing it in other heavy graphics apps.

 

The card is a XFX Geforce 6800GT with 256MB memory.

 

I have uninstall and resinstalled several versions of video drivers and well as reinstalling directx. The only thing I have not resorted to is a complete reinstall of Win XP.

 

My case and GPU temps all seem to stay well within boundries. The problem is very unpredictable which leads me to think it is hardware related.

 

This is probably the best screenshot I've captured so far. This is WOE. I see it in most other TW sims.

 

 

The artifacts come and go and seem to affect the terrain and aircraft more that the sky and clouds. It does seem to be related to more advanced graphics applications since I can run older sims without seeing any such artifacts.

 

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. I do realize I could get as good or better a card these days for not a lot of money.

 

Thanks.

Edited January 18, 2010 by DoctorQuest

[+suhsjake]

Usually the signs of a video card dying are artifacts, overheating, and complete computer crashes. Before thinking about getting a new card (although you are pretty well due for a new one), try cleaning the fan (if it has one). Clean the PSU fan as well as your CPU Fan. It could also be that your card does not support certain features of DirectX components. You could easily pick up a Geforce 7 series for pretty cheap now of days.