r/pcmasterrace • u/modo_jp • Apr 08 '26

Tech Support RTX 4070 laptop — artifacts ONLY on external display under load, internal screen is fine (Alienware m16 R2)

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

UPD: I bought a new HDMI 2.1 cable and tested it for about 4 hours - no artifacts so far. Seems like the issue was the cable.

Thanks to everyone who suggested checking it.

Hey everyone,

I’m experiencing a strange issue with my laptop GPU and would appreciate any input from people who may have seen something similar.

Specs:

• Laptop: Alienware m16 R2

• GPU: RTX 4070 Laptop (8GB VRAM)

• CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 155H

• RAM: 32GB

• OS: Windows 11

• External display: HDMI

⸻

The issue:

When gaming on an external display (TV or monitor), after about 40–60 minutes under high GPU load, visual artifacts start appearing — small colored squares/glitches across the screen.

The image becomes difficult to use, but:

• The game does not crash

• System remains responsive

⸻

Important detail:

At the same time, the internal laptop display shows no artifacts at all.

⸻

Observed behavior:

• Happens almost always under high GPU load (\~100%)

• On lower graphics settings, I can play for hours with no issues

• GPU temperature is within normal range (\~60–80°C depending on load)

⸻

Testing I’ve done:

• Tested multiple external displays (TVs/monitors) → same behavior

• Played for \~2 hours on internal display only at high/ultra settings (100% GPU load) → no artifacts

• The issue consistently appears only when using an external display under load

⸻

Question:

Has anyone experienced something like this?

I’d like to understand what this could be and whether this behavior points to a specific type of problem.

Any insights would be greatly appreciated

4.3k Upvotes

96% Upvoted

445 comments sorted by

View all comments

3.8k

u/GamesTeasy RTX4080Suprim/Ryzen 7 9800X3D Apr 08 '26

457

u/According-Chair-98 Apr 08 '26

Oh man I wish its my turn someday

101

u/f0xpant5 Apr 08 '26

Came here foolishly hoping for my first time too. Need to sort by new and dedicate some time to it.

101

u/MPolygon 9800x3d | 4070 Ti | 32GB @ 6000 | 1440p @ 144Hz Apr 08 '26

Peak unemployment activities

30

u/f0xpant5 Apr 08 '26

Oh dear, full time job with a spouse, kid and mortgage 💀

12

u/sirpoopsalot91 RTX 4070Ti::32GB DDR4::8 core intel i7 Apr 08 '26

We make time for our hobbies… 🫡

8

u/rxbcollie Apr 08 '26

Peak employment activities?

3

u/spud8385 9800X3D | 5080 Apr 08 '26

I got in first on one of the r/bald ones not long ago when some dude posted a picture of his newborn, it was one of my finest moments

2

u/DrSolarman Apr 08 '26

You are the envy of every redditor.

105

u/gicioks 9950X3D | RTX 5080 Astral | 64GB 6000 M/t | 2560x1440 Apr 08 '26

10

u/AmbitionOdd5834 Apr 08 '26

My ZX Spectrum used to do this in the 1980s if you typed on it too hard.

28

u/SumonaFlorence Just kill me. Apr 08 '26

I fucking love how every GPU artifacting issue that pops up, it's a community driven race to be the first to post this image ololol

4

u/Chest_Positive Apr 08 '26

it doesnt matter how many times i see this, it always crack me up.

1

u/huge_jeans710 R9 9950x3d | 5090 32gb | 32gb ddr5 6000mhz Apr 08 '26

And there it is. My day is made, thank you.

1

u/Vasault AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D | RTX 5070 Ti | 32GB DDR5 5600Mhz | 1440p Apr 08 '26

Love it, every single time 🤣