also the 360 has alot more chance of failing than a PC. I recormend if your PC or graphics card is still under warrenty contacting the manufacturer as they may replace it free if it is faulty. but just keep a watch as if it does start to spread it is a sign of a graphics card dying.

quote:

Originally posted by Hodge2008:
Unfortunately, I can't afford to buy a new videocard (well, at least a new 8800GT) right now. Given that every other game I've played on the card has been 100% fine, I'm also hesitant to even consider it.

Hey you said it is ONLY this game, Try another resolution to see if it still happens.

quote:

Current Mode: 1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (59Hz)
Monitor: Dell 2005FPW (Digital)
Monitor Max Res: 1680,1050

Also, try the secondary (non-digital) output of your card, if that's possible (with the adapter)? also try to connect another monitor (a CRT) to this card, and see if it still happens. If not you can be sure it's not the card. Just a suggestion...

quote:

Originally posted by Hodge2008:
Unfortunately, I can't afford to buy a new videocard (well, at least a new 8800GT) right now. Given that every other game I've played on the card has been 100% fine, I'm also hesitant to even consider it.

If you follow the advice I laid out prior, you'll see that this will cost you nothing but a bit of your time. Do not order the new card online. Instead, buy it from a retail store that has a good return policy (ie; accepts open boxed hardware within a certain period of time for a 100% refund on the purchase price). Get the new card home and test on your system. You shouldn't even have to uninstall/reinstall the drivers if you purchase the same exact card (assuming that you're using the official nVidia released drivers anyway).

Within minutes after installation, you'll be able to determine if your issue is graphics card related or not. If it is, return the card to the place of purchase and see what your warranty options are with your current 8800GT. Considering the card is not even a year old yet, I'm sure it's under some type of warranty. If the new card artifacts too, you know something else is at play here. Either way, you are not required to keep the card you got at the store. Using a credit card to make the purchase will make the whole experience that much easier as no physical money will ever change hands.

As BlindNero suggested, there are certainly enough other possibilities mentioned in this thread that I'm not sure you've fully explored yet. I would recommend trying another card only when those suggestions have been exhausted.

Thanks for the replies - I did some more testing with the card, and while altering the fan speed didn't alter the problem, lowering the memory & GPU clocks severly (ie going from 625Mhz on the GPU to 350Mhz) made a big difference. I've talked to the company that made my 8800GT and am have arranged an RMA with them.

Sorry to seem to frustrated about it, but this is one game I *really* wanted to play (and I have really limited gaming time right now) I've spent many hours troubleshooting this.

I have to admit, I found it hard to believe that it was the video card, but based on feedback from several of you and my own tests I can draw no other conclusion. Thanks for sticking with the thread.

Glad you got it sorted. I'm sorry it ended up being the video card, but at least you can RMA it. Hope you get back to playing soon.

Thanks. I'll report back (with hopefully good news!) when the new card arrives.

hope it works for you.

Quick note - the new card just arrived - popped it in, launched AC and NO MORE WHITE DOTS!!!

YEAH!!!!!!!!

Thanks again guys.

And I should mention, the video card company (BFG) even threw in a free T-shirt with the new card! Very cool!

glad it fixed it for you every time hardware has died on me it has been out of warranty

Great to hear... perhaps you should send one of us the T-shirt for helping? heh heh heh, just kidding. Enjoy!

Hey, congratz Hodge!!! Enjoy the brandnew card. and the game heh