What is Artifacting GPU? How to Fix it? 

What is Artifacting GPU? How to Fix it? 

The first thing you need to understand is what exactly a GPU is. How does it affect gaming? Well, a GPU stands for graphics processing unit, a specialized CPU originally created to accelerate graphics rendering. GPUs can handle large amounts of data at once, making them helpful for machine learning, video editing, and gaming applications. GPUs can be built inside the computer’s CPU or sold separately. Choose a budget, select whether you want new or used, and then choose the latest card that meets your budget to create an excellent GPU.

But sometimes, despite having fine-tuned graphics cards in your system, you may face some graphics-related issues. When playing a game, you may see some random distortion in the graphics or random lines moving on the screen. You may be wondering why this is happening. Well, you may be facing GPU artifacting. But what is Artifacting GPU? How to fix it? If these questions continuously hit your skull, don’t worry since this article is about this query. Read this post until the end to learn about GPU Artifacting and its possible solutions. 

What is Artifacting GPU?

The word Artifacting refers to the graphic defects caused by inaccuracies in the GPU’s calculation. Sometimes a graphics card is unable to properly do some computations, so you may see some unusual graphics affect on the monitor while playing games—this is known as GPU Artifacting. For better understanding, suppose your GPU was producing an automobile scenario that rendered the car a bright, flat pink instead of the actual shade of pink. In a video game, Artifacting is the display of pixels that are not part of the original item.

For your information, there may be several outcomes of Artifacting GPU. For example, some random lines, dots, color effects, or screen distortions may occur when Artificating is taking place. All types of such unusual graphics errors are considered under the umbrella of this phenomenon. Let’s explore each Artificating possibility with pictorial examples! 

Pictorial Representation of GPU Artifacting

1. Random lines

Random Lines Artifacting GPU
Random Lines

2. Lightning Effects

Lightning Effects - Artifacting GPU
Lightning Effects – Artifacting GPU

3. Lightning Effect + Symbols

Lightning Effects + Symbols
Lightning Effects + Symbols – Artifacting GPU

4. Random Dots

Dots Artifacting GPU
Dots – Artifacting GPU

Why does GPU Artifacting occur?

There may be several reasons why does GPU Artifacting occur. For the sake of simplicity, we will tell you about a few common ones that most users have often faced. But before that, remember that GPU Artifacting is a temporary issue that a few measures could resolve. Be with us since we’ll give some solutions as well. Before that, let’s explore the possible reasons!

High GPU Temperature

The first and most common Artifacting reason is too much increase in GPU temperature. Suppose you’re overclocking your GPU up to or beyond its limits. In such a case, it will produce an unbearable temperature that may cause the card to perform computations improperly. Therefore, you may face some lag or screen tears caused by such calculations. Other than the overclocking, high temperatures may occur when you turn on the ultra-setting while playing games. Such a load will ultimately heat up the card. 

GPU Damage

GPU Artifacting occurs when a GPU cannot correctly compute the graphics-related instructions or, you may say, lag in performance. Therefore, GPU Damage may be a reason why the card isn’t performing correctly and causing random graphics errors. You may check this by physically inspecting the graphics card’s body. Suppose you may find some wear and tear on the body or random burn marks due to GPU overheating. In such a case, it’s evident that the card is damaged and can’t meet the gaming requirements. 

Background Applications

Artifacting occurs when a device is out of power or has several processes running at the same time, causing it to slow down. There are also other variables, such as background applications running and using resources that your game may require. Moreover, if you’re doing multiple tasks on your PC at once while having several apps opened simultaneously, this may be a reason why your GPU isn’t coming up to your expectations. As a consequence, the GPU will not exhibit any BSOD problems, but the visual data will not be displayed in its original form. 

How can Artifacting GPU be fixed?

Charge up your smartphone if it needs more power. Disabling background apps can also be helpful, but only if you are very certain that no vital apps or services are at risk. Additionally, you may check RAM performance, switch to a lower graphics setting, or close apps as you go. For the time being, you might try the lower settings for the time being to see whether it solves the issue. There are several reasons for GPU artifacts to occur. But how can an Artifacting GPU be fixed? Don’t panic; we have several solutions for your ease.

Maintain a Suitable Temperature 

The temperature rise has been found to be the main reason for GPU artifacts. You might think about bringing your graphics card’s temperature down to resolve the problem. To prevent your GPU from becoming overworked can adjust in-game settings. It would help if you reduced the temperature by adding more fans. You may also increase aeration in your PC case, which reduces the temperature. Bulky components can produce heat within a PC chassis, raising the ambient temperature. Installing aftermarket CPU fans may help to release more heat.

Carefully Overclock your GPU

High clock rates on the graphics cards might cause artifacts to appear. So, running at the manufacturer’s recommended speed or under-clocking the clock can cure this problem. You may under-clock the GPU using the MSI Afterburner program. Once MSI Afterburner is launched, under-clocking the GPU is rather easy. It would help if you simply slid the slider past its initial position to effect the changes. The good news for our viewers is that we have a thorough guide that includes step-by-step instructions on how to under-clock the GPU using MSI Afterburner.

Replace the Thermal Paste

Your graphics card may have to be tweaked a small amount more if under-clocking doesn’t solve the artifact issue. If it doesn’t fix the matter, you must replace the thermal paste. In overconfident stock, the thermal paste hardens. In this case, you’ll lower the temperature of your graphics card by reapplying it with a good-quality thermal paste. Applying the great quality thermal paste allows for better heat transfer between the GPU and the heat sink and a longer-lasting product that won’t go hard. If the thermal paste is a reason, make sure to replace it. 

Conclusion 

In this post, we have discussed what is Artifacting GPU in detail and how it affects game performance, especially the graphics output. We hope that our readers will have some knowledge of the artifact and will be able to use it in the future. This also concludes the three most effective ways to fix GPU artifacts. If your GPU is under warranty, you will need to return it to the manufacturer for repair. If your GPU is not covered by the warranty, you will need to replace your graphics card. Consider the power connector used by the card.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes Artifacting in games?

The games are the most affected by GPU Artifacting. Artifacting can cause strange images and other anomalies, as well as black screens and locks, slowdowns, crashes, and long load times. There may be several reasons why GPU certificating is happening. You may haven’t upgraded software or GPU drivers on your device even when an update is available. Artifacting may happen if too many apps are running in the background.

It’s important to close apps and adjust the graphics settings if your gamers wish to prevent Artifacting issues. Upgrading your device can sometimes provide performance benefits. Please check to see if there is a problem with your PC and if the games are running slowly, crashing, or not downloading properly. Close applications and reduce the graphics setting if something seems off to restore power to vital functions.

Arslan Ashraf
Arslan Ashraf is a tech enthusiast and an experienced technical writer at GamingDairy. He has been writing all types of guides, tutorials, and tips for gamers, developers, and other people who use computers. His way of writing is quite unique: he starts with testing every single piece of Hardware and does a long list of experiments before writing the actual masterpiece. Well, if you have any queries, ensure to connect with him!