Are you using integrated graphics while mining? I get artifacts when I enable the display output on the 7970 while mining, that's pretty normal since you're using 99% of the GPU then asking it to also render the desktop.
Thank you for the help.
I'm using the 7970 to mine and display my desktop, so that makes sense. I have a feeling I get better Mhash/s when the monitor is off, because the fans on the GPU sound different as soon as I turn the monitor on.
The tasks I do on the computer usually don't require the help of the 7970 --- motherboard has onboard 256mb graphics --- is it possible to use the onboard graphics for my display while the 7970 is dedicated to mining?