Help identifying video issue on M17XR2

I need some help identifying the point of failure for video on my M17XR2. I have recently started noting that random clusters of pixels will change color (most noticeably black pixels will become red). At first i thought the issue was related to my recent upgrade to AMD 14.4 but i have since tried all WHQL drivers until as far back as 12.10 and the problem persists. The issue does not occur on my television when it is hooked up via HDMI and it also does not occur when i have no video card drivers installed. I have also tried removing my second 5870 to see if it was a crossfire issue but the problem persisted with one card. The pixels can be "reset" by moving a window in front of the problem clusters, but just moving the mouse pointer in front does not correct the issue. I am leaning towards a hard issue but i do not know if it is a video card or LCD issue. I would think a video card issue would also affect HDMI video and i would think an LCD issue would be noticeable when no video drivers are installed. Since my system is long out of warranty i do not want to purchase the wrong replacement part.

 

Quick update with screenshot. I also noticed today that if i disable hardware acceleration in VLC i do not have any issues.

 

Did you try to remove the other GPU to test them both one by one?

 

Was not aware that system could operate just on secondary GPU, i will try it when i get home tonight.

 

youll have to move the secondary one into the primary spot and switch the heatsinks.

 

This is true, for you to try this way you will need to do that. I hope that isolates the issue.

 

Good to know i tried just removing primary and had no video. I will need to pick up some thermal paste before i can try this i don't have any available.

 

Well i got the heat sink moved and have my system up and running on my secondary GPU, so far no graphical issues. It looks like it is safe to say i need a new GPU, so my questions are can i leave my secondary GPU as is and order another secondary or do i need to revert it back to original setup and replace the primary? Second question is where can i purchase a replacement GPU? Also where can i get the thermal pads that were used on the GPU heatsink i am currently still using the original ones which i know is not good.

 

Order C8245 from dell parts for $729.99 will return second video card to original setup once it arrives, also found thermal pads on newegg Newegg.com - New 16PCS 15x15x1mm/pcs PC Chip Thermal Conductive Pads Heatsink GPU Shims

thanks for the help.

 

Your secondary GPU can be your primary in primary slot, no problem.

Did you pay 729.99 for a 5870? Hopefully you ordered other parts to?

A 7970M alone would outperform that crossfire, AND be cheaper.

 

From what i was able to gather HDMI Audio out does not work on the 7970M and i use HDMI video/audio very often and need this feature.

 

And where did you get that info?
HDMI on 7970M dell cards with dell VBIOS had no audio problem on my computer. Not even with crossfire.
Now that i use clevo VBIOS i dont get sound, but i get better performance. (on single card it doesnt matter performance vice)

If i wanted sound now there are devices that add sound to your soundless HDMI (DVI with HDMI plug and either digital or analog sound), still cheaper than the 5870.
If i didnt want that and still wanted sound I could go back to Dell VBIOS.

Peeps buying Clevo 7970M's in the R2 dont get sound without a converter.

Disadvantage with Dell 7970M cards = HWinfo for fans but its autostartable.

But now this doesnt matter anyways.

 

Well got the replacement video card, the one i did paste on maxs out at 71, the new one from dell hit 92. I guess i better repast that one too

 

Have you done all the enable ulps grips in regedit described in Sangemarus guide? You probably need it on those cards to if not repaste is the issue.
Your secondary card probably runs 100%?