Computer Hope

Software => Computer games => Topic started by: Scyrge on July 29, 2009, 09:35:06 PM

Title: Random FPS drops.
Post by: Scyrge on July 29, 2009, 09:35:06 PM: Hello.

This is a problem I've been having for a while now. What happens is this: I'll be playing a game at a decent FPS, then my FPS will randomly drop to horrendous levels. This happens in quite a few games - such as Prototype, WoW, Battleforge, Trine demo, among others. I can't for the life of me figure out why. As far as I know, all of my drivers are updated. Any help would be appreciated. -Also, sorry if this is in the wrong board.-

I'll put DxDiag info below.
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System Information
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Time of this report: 7/29/2009, 23:27:42
Machine name: SCYRGE
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6002) Service Pack 2 (6002.lh_sp2rtm.090410-1830)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: HP-Pavilion
System Model: KT334AA-ABA m8530f
BIOS: BIOS Date: 05/05/08 17:18:43 Ver: 5.18
Processor: AMD Phenom(tm) 9550 Quad-Core Processor (4 CPUs), ~2.2GHz
Memory: 4862MB RAM
Page File: 2651MB used, 7297MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 10
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 6.00.6001.18000 64bit Unicode

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DxDiag Notes
------------
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
Sound Tab 3: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.

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Display Devices
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Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 9300 GE
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 9300 GE
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_06E0&SUBSYS_90041B0A&REV_A1
Display Memory: 2416 MB
Dedicated Memory: 240 MB
Shared Memory: 2175 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (85Hz)
Monitor: Generic PnP Monitor
Driver Name: nvd3dumx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvd3dum,nvwgf2um,nvwgf2um
Driver Version: 8.15.0011.9038 (English)
DDI Version: 10
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 7/14/2009 14:54:00, 9375232 bytes
Title: Re: Random FPS drops.
Post by: Quantos on July 31, 2009, 01:40:32 AM: What processes do you have running when this happens?
Title: Re: Random FPS drops.
Post by: Scyrge on July 31, 2009, 03:36:54 PM: I usually have a lot of processes running (xfire, aim, avg, msn, steam, vent, standard windows ones) however I have turned them all off (except for ventrilo) and it doesn't help much.
Title: Re: Random FPS drops.
Post by: Mulreay on July 31, 2009, 08:15:37 PM: Have you got your wireless adapter turned on when your playing? If yes then turn it off. The wireless adapter will run a test every 2Min's or so which causes a CPU spike that can affect other processes. It's worth a try.
Title: Re: Random FPS drops.
Post by: BC_Programmer on July 31, 2009, 08:21:55 PM: could be video card overheating. use Speedfan; get an idle temp, play the game until the fps drops, and then check the GPU temp again.
Title: Re: Random FPS drops.
Post by: Mulreay on July 31, 2009, 08:26:46 PM: Quote from: BC_Programmer on July 31, 2009, 08:21:55 PM
could be video card overheating.

Would that not shut the computer down? Honest query.
Title: Re: Random FPS drops.
Post by: BC_Programmer on July 31, 2009, 08:32:11 PM: Quote from: Mulreay on July 31, 2009, 08:26:46 PM
Would that not shut the computer down? Honest query.

no. Notice I used GPU, not CPU.
Title: Re: Random FPS drops.
Post by: Mulreay on July 31, 2009, 08:38:28 PM: Quote from: BC_Programmer on July 31, 2009, 08:32:11 PM
no. Notice I used GPU, not CPU.

My GPU shuts the laptop down. If it overheats then the computer turns off. Sorry did you notice I said GPU?
Title: Re: Random FPS drops.
Post by: BC_Programmer on July 31, 2009, 08:42:42 PM: Quote from: Mulreay on July 31, 2009, 08:38:28 PM

My GPU shuts the laptop down. If it overheats then the computer turns off. Sorry did you notice I said GPU?

How do you know it's the GPU? and if it does that's because laptops are so highly integrated.

the GPU cannot "shut down" the PC (in the traditional sense)... most common thing to occur is the driver crashes, windows recovers.... crash, recover, etc until finally it blue screens. (crash/recover can be seen as low fps)
Title: Re: Random FPS drops.
Post by: Mulreay on July 31, 2009, 08:52:51 PM: It's only because I get a rainbow screen every so often that locks my computer up.
Title: Re: Random FPS drops.
Post by: BC_Programmer on July 31, 2009, 09:01:01 PM: Quote from: Mulreay on July 31, 2009, 08:52:51 PM
It's only because I get a rainbow screen every so often that locks my computer up.

locking up is a bit different then shutting down...

windows can't always recover from GPU problems; my radeon 7000 for example always crashes to a yellow screen; when I reboot, then windows informs me there was a problem.

my 5500FX, on the other hand, was overheating for 3 months before I noticed it's fan was broken; the temps were in the 90-100 celsius range; the driver would eventually crash; but I had no idea it was crashing; I just experienced a good fps as the temperature rose and then POOF! down to 5-10 fps for the rest of the time.