Dots on screen + bad slowdown.

[Skatedudeguy]

Quick specs: Nvidia 7900 GT vid card, AMD dual core, Vista, and all updated drivers.

Anyways, for a few months now, my screen is having little dots all around when I am using it, and in rare cases will completely freeze up. Now, I do know it's not my monitor, as I use it for watching TV through it's component hookups and is perfect. Also, the strange thing is that on the "Welcome" screen, it ALWAYS doesn't have any dots, but on the boot up screens beforehand it does.

Is it my card overheating? I've cleaned it all up, and also don't run it very hard.

Any help would be appreciated

 

[SYL\X/3K]

Use ATI tools and see if it has any artifacts or high temps, i think ATI tools supports Nvidia Cards

 

[Really Useful Matt]

I'd say that your card is definitely overheating. If that's the case, check that there aren't any PCI card obstructing airflow from the card's heatsink/fan, and remove as much dust as possible.