I use a stock-speed (non o/c) ATI 9800xt on an sk8v mb and was experiencing the same artifacts that so many others have complained about, no matter which ATI drivers (including the 4.9 beta ones) or in-game video settings I used--until I downloaded the ATI tool and underclocked my core speed of 412 or so to 400.
Voila! The artifacts disappeared!
Implication as near as I can tell: the problem is heat-related.
Voila! The artifacts disappeared!
Implication as near as I can tell: the problem is heat-related.