Install a driver which produces the effect seen on those pictures and check
1. Idle GPU/memory clocks
2. Idle GPU voltage
3. Idle temperature
4. Load GPU/memory clocks
5. Load GPU voltage
6. Load temperature
7. PCIe speed
8. LEDs on the card
9. Event viewer in windows for suspicious errors.
Do you see anything strange (except for the image quality of course).
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CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 810 @ 3250MHz | RAM: Kingmax 2x2GB DDR2 800 @ 833MHz| MoBo: MSI K9A2 CF v1.0 (BIOS: 1.D)| GPU: Asus HD 6850 1024MB (DirectCu) @ 850/1100MHz | Display: L24FHD | PSU: PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad | OS: MS Windows 95 x64 Edition, Lubuntu 13.04
CPU: Pentium 4 Northwood S478 @ 3200MHz | RAM: 1,5GB DDR 400| MoBo: Gigabyte GA-8S661FXMP-RZ | GPU: Abit Geforce Ti 4200 | Display: Dimarson 19" CRT | PSU: Noname 400W | OS: MS Windows XP Pro, Lubuntu 12.04