Video card possiblity?

So I'm running this computer with a 6600gt, I know its soon time to upgrade, but i'm trying to hold off until the summer and then I'll drop another 5-6k on a computer but right now I'm having a strange problem that only started happning last week.

I'll start running a game even as old as Rome total war, and after about 5 minutes black spots start appearing on the screen, then 5 minutes later things get ridiculous and there are tons of black spikes comming from the center of the screen and eventually lead to the game to freeze up and the screen to turn into an unrecognizable mush of color.

I have never had a video card for as long as I have had this one..i was one of those guys who updated everytime a better one came out, but I have had this one now for 3-4 years.

I'm concerend it could just be crapping out..now i have moreq uestions.,.if it is just crapping out

1. If i dont run any games for the next month or so (i'll play my wii) do i run the risk of my card dying?

2. If My card dies does it run the risk of frying my motherboard/hardrives etc..?

3. If I have to buy a card to keep me going till summer should I just get a 7300gt? and does it run on the same PSU as the 6600gt?

So please I ask you for any advice any of you would have or any suggestions I would love to hear!

Assuming it is the Card and not your CPU temps (Rome:TW uses a lot of CPU to check your Temps DL CoreTemp)

So I'm running this computer with a 6600gt, I know its soon time to upgrade, but i'm trying to hold off until the summer and then I'll drop another 5-6k on a computer but right now I'm having a strange problem that only started happning last week.

I'll start running a game even as old as Rome total war, and after about 5 minutes black spots start appearing on the screen, then 5 minutes later things get ridiculous and there are tons of black spikes comming from the center of the screen and eventually lead to the game to freeze up and the screen to turn into an unrecognizable mush of color.

I have never had a video card for as long as I have had this one..i was one of those guys who updated everytime a better one came out, but I have had this one now for 3-4 years.

I'm concerend it could just be crapping out..now i have moreq uestions.,.if it is just crapping out

1. If i dont run any games for the next month or so (i'll play my wii) do i run the risk of my card dying? Possibly

2. If My card dies does it run the risk of frying my motherboard/hardrives etc..? NO

3. If I have to buy a card to keep me going till summer should I just get a 7300gt? and does it run on the same PSU as the 6600gt? It would run on the same PSU NP. But you won't get great gaming out of that card.

So please I ask you for any advice any of you would have or any suggestions I would love to hear!

wolflegresley

Well i thought it was a overheating problem, any tips on how to get some more cool air into it? Why tho all of a sudden would it start to overheat, Its not a big thing for me not to play hardcore games for a while, i'm quite busy irl right now...but still i'm the kinda person that it really kills me to not be able to play my games lol, is it still possible to by fans for video cards..but all the same it would be probally cheaper to buy a new card.

What would you recommend for a card to get me to the summer?

and overall what card would you recommend bang for buck wise?

I just upgraded from a 6600GT to a 8600GT.... out of pocket cost was around 75 bucks (well once the rebate comes in, anyway)... from newegg.com

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130085

Have to say.... 8600GT is a huge improvement over the 6600GT. Can play Wither at *near* full graphics now, at a higher resolution than before... where as with the 6600GT, I could barely get it working with everything on min. CPU is a AMD 939 3000+ 1.8ghz OC'ed to 2.35ghz.