ODD black squares in some games

[aDigitalPhantom]

I recently sent my GTX 980 TI in to EVGA for repair because it was causing the computer to freeze and crash, and they sent me a new GTX 1080 SC back. After I installed the GPU and started playing games I noticed a few games have an issue with squares over textures, around most light sources, and in most of the shadows. The build was getting old, I had the money to upgrade so I did, and the squares are still there.

I've contacted EVGA, and they think it is a software problem. I've contacted support for the games, and they are clueless about everything. Currently the game affected the most is Grand Theft Auto 5.

Here is what GTA looks like. Sometimes the squares are larger or smaller, and have different patterns.

I have reinstalled Windows 10, upgraded the motherboard/CPU/RAM/PSU, and tried I think 6 different drivers version after using DDU to uninstall the drivers none of that changed anything. I have verified the game files many times, and they all verified correctly. In game I have tried all 3 DirectX versions, minimum settings, maximum settings, and I have no idea how many combinations in between with no change.

If I install my old GTX 660 I don't see them anymore, but if it's the GPU why would only a few games be affected and not all of them. Most of my games run fine. Forza Horizon 3, SpinTires, Saints Row 4, PlanetSide 2, Skyrim, and more have no problems. So far only GTA and RuneScape have issues, but with over 250 games I'm not going to try and test them all.

It's probably a software or hardware problem, but I'm out of ideas on what to try. Does anyone here have any suggestion on what I should try or look at next?

I filled out my specs in my profile, but in case something went wrong...
Processor: Intel i7-7820X
Motherboard: ASUS TUF X299 Mark 1
Cooling: CoolerMater X6 Elite
Memory: 4 x 8GB DDR4 3200MHz
Video Card(s): EVGA Geforce GTX 1080 Super Clocked
Hard Disk(s): 240GB SSD, 3TB HDD, 2x2TB HDD Raid 0, Upgrade Planned
LCD/CRT Model: ASuS VG236HE
Case: CoolerMaster HAF 912 Replacement Planned
Power Supply: SeaSonic 850W X-850
Mouse: Logitech G500s
Keyboard: Logitech G510s
Software: Windows 10 Pro X64

I hope this is the correct place for this. If it's not please move it to the correct location.

 

[natr0n]

Could be driver issue but that looks like the gpu memory is going bad or overclocked too much. Most of the time superclocked type cards fail cause they dont test them long enough.

underclock the memory a bit basically.

 

[aDigitalPhantom]

I'll talk to EVGA some more then.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

Its definitely as natr0n stated GPU memory is OC'd way too much.

 

[hapkiman]

EVGA is known for excellence customer service. I'd say RMA the card. Maybe they approve an advanced RMA if you complain or negotiate well with them. That way you won't be without a card.

They will take care of you though, if you call them.

 

[aDigitalPhantom]

So far EVGA is only wiling to RMA the card if I pay the full price, send this one in, and get a refurbished card back. Maybe I'm crazy, but if I have to pay full price and a 1080 to get one 1080 that might work I won't do it.

 

[P4-630]

So far EVGA is only wiling to RMA the card if I pay the full price, send this one in, and get a refurbished card back. Maybe I'm crazy, but if I have to pay full price and a 1080 to get one 1080 that might work I won't do it.

What???
That can't be right lol!!

There must be some misunderstanding...

 

[R00kie]

So far EVGA is only wiling to RMA the card if I pay the full price, send this one in, and get a refurbished card back. Maybe I'm crazy, but if I have to pay full price and a 1080 to get one 1080 that might work I won't do it.

I think they meant the full price of postage there and back, otherwise it makes no sense whatsoever.

 

[jboydgolfer]

For "advanced RMA" They make you give them a debit card or credit card and what they do is they verify that it's active by putting a placeholder charge(wont likely even show on Your account history) of 20- $30 and then they send out a replacement GPU once it's confirmed that your card is indeed active. Once they get your return card they refund the placeholder charge and it's done unless you don't send them returned card in which case they charge you for it. It's basically something along those lines.

They only take the credit card information because they're not going to send you a new card while you have your RMA card ,because you could technically keep both of them because you'll be in possession of them .it's pretty common place with every company. When I did my return of my Azio keyboard it was no different.

Keep in Mind this is ONLY for an Advanced RMA (because Your getting a replacement Card BEFORE EVGA/or whatever company is getting your original)....if your not able to provide a Credit/debit, there IS still the Standard RMA process (which sadly leaves you without a GPU for a bit), but there are options.

EVGA

"

1. Contact technical support to receive a ticket number
2. Fill out an RMA number request
3. Ensure your invoice/proof of purchase is uploaded
4. Your request for an RMA number will be reviewed within 2 business days once your invoice/proof of purchase is uploaded
5. Upon approval and receipt of RMA number, you must enter collateral in the form of a credit card number (please note: you will not be charged at the time of collateral, EVGA will keep this information on file until after the RMA is complete).
6. EVGA will now ship your replacement product following the terms of your EAR plan upon receipt of collateral
7. You will have 14 days to return your original product upon receipt of your replacement. EVGA does provide a paid return shipping label for all EAR plans.
8. When EVGA receives your original product, your RMA will be closed if your product is received under the standard terms of our warranty limitations.

 

[R0H1T]

So far EVGA is only wiling to RMA the card if I pay the full price, send this one in, and get a refurbished card back. Maybe I'm crazy, but if I have to pay full price and a 1080 to get one 1080 that might work I won't do it.

You sure it was the 1080 & not 1080Ti they are giving you, for the full price of 1080
Clear this up, it might just be worth your time.

 

[jboydgolfer]

You sure it was the 1080 & not 1080Ti they are giving you

considering its a 980ti that was RMA'd even that 1080 is a decent swap ....but a ti would be even better no doubt

 

[aDigitalPhantom]

For "advanced RMA" They make you give them a debit card or credit card and what they do is they verify that it's active by putting a placeholder charge(wont likely even show on Your account history) of 20- $30 and then they send out a replacement GPU once it's confirmed that your card is indeed active. Once they get your return card they refund the placeholder charge and it's done unless you don't send them returned card in which case they charge you for it. It's basically something along those lines.

They only take the credit card information because they're not going to send you a new card while you have your RMA card ,because you could technically keep both of them because you'll be in possession of them .it's pretty common place with every company. When I did my return of my Azio keyboard it was no different.

Keep in Mind this is ONLY for an Advanced RMA (because Your getting a replacement Card BEFORE EVGA/or whatever company is getting your original)....if your not able to provide a Credit/debit, there IS still the Standard RMA process (which sadly leaves you without a GPU for a bit), but there are options.

EVGA

"

1. Contact technical support to receive a ticket number
2. Fill out an RMA number request
3. Ensure your invoice/proof of purchase is uploaded
4. Your request for an RMA number will be reviewed within 2 business days once your invoice/proof of purchase is uploaded
5. Upon approval and receipt of RMA number, you must enter collateral in the form of a credit card number (please note: you will not be charged at the time of collateral, EVGA will keep this information on file until after the RMA is complete).
6. EVGA will now ship your replacement product following the terms of your EAR plan upon receipt of collateral
7. You will have 14 days to return your original product upon receipt of your replacement. EVGA does provide a paid return shipping label for all EAR plans.
8. When EVGA receives your original product, your RMA will be closed if your product is received under the standard terms of our warranty limitations.

Advanced RMA isn't being given as an option. Standard also isn't there as an option, but I don't have the luxury of going that long without a graphics card right now.

You will be required to pay the full replacement cost of the product we are shipping to you. Once you receive the product, you will be responsible for shipping your defective product to EVGA. Upon receiving your product, without damage, you will receive your collateral in full after 7-10 business days.

PS
After being accused of lying about the problems the 980 TI had because what ever test they did didn't show it I don't trust them to not break the 1080 just to keep the money. Which I don't have in the first place right now.

 

[Vayra86]

Note that the EVGA 1080 SC does not come with factory OCd memory, it just runs 10 Ghz. So if you get these artifacts with stock settings, EVGA have simply sent you a faulty card.

Note also that the shroud used on this GPU has been receiving bad press (high VRAM temps) - specifically with the 1080 FTW, but regardless, its no surprise EVGA wants to lose this stock of cards ASAP and sending this as refurbs is of course the best way to lose them. This may aid you in your negotiation over a good solution with them. Because they definitely need to provide a solution. And not the one you got right now.

 

[AsRock]

For "advanced RMA" They make you give them a debit card or credit card and what they do is they verify that it's active by putting a placeholder charge(wont likely even show on Your account history) of 20- $30 and then they send out a replacement GPU once it's confirmed that your card is indeed active. Once they get your return card they refund the placeholder charge and it's done unless you don't send them returned card in which case they charge you for it. It's basically something along those lines.

They only take the credit card information because they're not going to send you a new card while you have your RMA card ,because you could technically keep both of them because you'll be in possession of them .it's pretty common place with every company. When I did my return of my Azio keyboard it was no different.

Keep in Mind this is ONLY for an Advanced RMA (because Your getting a replacement Card BEFORE EVGA/or whatever company is getting your original)....if your not able to provide a Credit/debit, there IS still the Standard RMA process (which sadly leaves you without a GPU for a bit), but there are options.

EVGA

"

1. Contact technical support to receive a ticket number
2. Fill out an RMA number request
3. Ensure your invoice/proof of purchase is uploaded
4. Your request for an RMA number will be reviewed within 2 business days once your invoice/proof of purchase is uploaded
5. Upon approval and receipt of RMA number, you must enter collateral in the form of a credit card number (please note: you will not be charged at the time of collateral, EVGA will keep this information on file until after the RMA is complete).
6. EVGA will now ship your replacement product following the terms of your EAR plan upon receipt of collateral
7. You will have 14 days to return your original product upon receipt of your replacement. EVGA does provide a paid return shipping label for all EAR plans.
8. When EVGA receives your original product, your RMA will be closed if your product is received under the standard terms of our warranty limitations.

This, all so ASUS do this too.

I would underclock the memory and see if it still happens, if it still does try different driver versions and if all that fails time for a standard RMA if you don't have the ready cash for a advanced RMA.

O yeah if you like your boxes, be aware they might send a card in a plain cardboard box. s So you may want to check if you have to send it in the original box or not.

 

[aDigitalPhantom]

I would underclock the memory and see if it still happens, if it still does try different driver versions and if all that fails time for a standard RMA if you don't have the ready cash for a advanced RMA.
O yeah if you like your boxes, be aware they might send a card in a plain cardboard box. s So you may want to check if you have to send it in the original box or not.

I have tried.
using EVGA PrecisionX to lower the GPU/MEM offset to GPU -200, and MEM -502.
drivers 385.41, 385.28, 384.94, 384.76, 382.53, 382.33,, and 382.05 using DDU to remove the drivers before installing the next one.
using a different power supply.
using the GPU with two different motherboards. The X79 I had before I upgraded, and the X299 I'm using now.
reinstalling Windows.
None of that changed anything.

 

[AsRock]

Good luck with the RMA.

 

[aDigitalPhantom]

After some some effort I got the graphics card RMAed, and sent another 1080. This one works correctly with out the squares.

 

[P4-630]

After some some effort I got the graphics card RMAed, and sent another 1080. This one works correctly with out the squares.

Game on!