|
HELP!
Jan 31, 2011 10:55:37 GMT -5
Post by J_Bourne{QAW} on Jan 31, 2011 10:55:37 GMT -5
I recently started having problems playing games on my laptop. Rather, I recently noticed it, I've not played anything for about two months so it could have developed earlier.
Here is what happens: When load up a game it runs fine for a minute or two and then suddenly everything slows down to the point where the game is barely playable. after a minute of that it starts running normally again for another minute or so and then it slows down again. The graphics never get any worse than they are pre-slowdown and look just as good once things speed up again. My laptop has a CPU and Memory load indicator on it and whenever there is a slowdown the CPU is maxed out (100%). I have also noticed that the Memory is generally running a bit high even when idling out of game (around 40-50%).
I've noticed that it mainly happens when there are a lot of characters (NPC or player) near me. It happens on every game I've loaded up: ET, Bioshock 1 & 2, Left 4 Dead 1 & 2, and Monday Night Combat are the ones I have tested it on. I have played with all of the graphics settings for each game and the lower I put them the longer I have between slowdowns but they still are not eliminated entirely. Note: These are games that have always run perfectly before either maxed out or damn close.
I've updated my video drivers and it still happens. I rolled the drivers back to an older version and it still happens.
So the question is, what do you all think is causing it? I think its the GPU but I want to confirm that and see if any of you have a different (less fatal) theory. Also, if it is the GPU, what are your thoughts on how much life the laptop has in it before it can't run anything. Basically, I want to know if it is reasonable to expect it to live until I am done with school and have taken the Bar (in July).
Thoughts? Suggestions?
Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo T9400 (2.53GHz, 1060MHz, 6MB L2 cache) NVIDIA GeForce 9700M GT 512MB DDR3 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2-800 Windows 7 Home Premium
|
|
|
HELP!
Jan 31, 2011 16:35:58 GMT -5
Post by Bluey{QAW} on Jan 31, 2011 16:35:58 GMT -5
Those are some kick asss specs for a lappy, and should be able to handle the games like you say they used to. Have you loaded any weird software lately or is the hard drive anywhere near full capacity at the moment ? My first thought was graphics but then you said the cpu would get maxed out ? Maybe a program is phoning home ? Those are my thoughts.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
HELP!
Jan 31, 2011 17:15:00 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2011 17:15:00 GMT -5
I doubt very much that this is some sort of hardware failure, since in my experience when hardware fails the machine usually just locks up or reboots or something equally groovy. But you never know.
You need to open up task manager when this is happening and see what process is consuming 100% of your CPU when you are running a game and go from there. To do this, I would start task manager first (right-click taskbar and select), then start the game in a window so that you can still use the desktop. When it begins to flake out, take a look at the task list to see which program or library, etc. is eating up your cpu and ram.
When you exit the game (any game that makes this happen), does everything return to normal, or is does the cpu remain pegged until reboot?
Hope this helps
|
|
|
HELP!
Jan 31, 2011 18:02:35 GMT -5
Post by J_Bourne{QAW} on Jan 31, 2011 18:02:35 GMT -5
I just ran Left 4 Dead 2 in dual screen with Task Manager open on the second screen. Again, everything was running fine for a few minutes and then there was a slowdown. Task Manager showed Left 4 Dead 2 was using up to 98% of the CPU. I shut down the game and and the computer instantly went back to normal.
|
|
|
HELP!
Jan 31, 2011 20:37:01 GMT -5
Post by =F|A=raZi on Jan 31, 2011 20:37:01 GMT -5
google game booster 1.6 and try running that to see if there are any extra programs or services you can disable which maybe causing your slowdown... you can also get a notebook cooler for $20 and see if your laptop runs better with it
|
|
|
HELP!
Jan 31, 2011 21:19:48 GMT -5
Post by J_Bourne{QAW} on Jan 31, 2011 21:19:48 GMT -5
Already have a cooler.
|
|
|
HELP!
Feb 1, 2011 2:27:40 GMT -5
Post by I3lessed on Feb 1, 2011 2:27:40 GMT -5
+1 for game booster, closes some useless programs and usually frees up some ram and cpu space, out of curiosity when your dual screening how much CPU does it say left 4 dead 2 is using in the few minutes while your still running smooth? Does it jump to 98% after a few minutes or is it always there then something else causes the lag?
|
|
|
HELP!
Feb 1, 2011 3:48:38 GMT -5
Post by mungos*{QAW} on Feb 1, 2011 3:48:38 GMT -5
I look like a classic problem that occurs due to overheating GPU and video card. I had a similar problem with my PC, and the symptoms were the same. I suggest you check your GPU Temperature...
|
|
|
HELP!
Feb 2, 2011 13:36:46 GMT -5
Post by J_Bourne{QAW} on Feb 2, 2011 13:36:46 GMT -5
Sitting idle my GPU is at 89 degrees C (192 F).
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
HELP!
Feb 2, 2011 14:09:03 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2011 14:09:03 GMT -5
That is definitely on the hot side, esp for idle. It could be the case that the CPU/GPU are throttling back on speed hence performance due to the temperature rising too high when you start a game. This is probably a hardware issue after all, but likely on the mechanical side of things as opposed to the electronic.
Laptop cooling pads are a good idea, but in my experience they have no filtering so tend to pump airborne crud into your machine. I would take a look at your vents to make sure they are free of lint, hair, dust etc. Also take a look at the internal fans to make sure they are spinning up properly and make sure that the heatsinks are still seated properly and that any thermal compound hasn't dried up and flaked away. This probably means taking it into somewhere but is well worth it since heat is a killer for laptops.
|
|
|
HELP!
Feb 2, 2011 19:50:13 GMT -5
Post by =F|A=raZi on Feb 2, 2011 19:50:13 GMT -5
i agree with what disco said. that temp seems very high for a laptop gpu...have u tested the effectiveness of your cooler? i have an antec one and it lowers the hdd temp at least 5-7C so i know it is effective.
|
|
|
HELP!
Feb 2, 2011 21:09:45 GMT -5
Post by J_Bourne{QAW} on Feb 2, 2011 21:09:45 GMT -5
I opened up the laptop and there was barely any dust in it. I am either going to get another cooling pad or build one myself.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
HELP!
Feb 2, 2011 22:36:57 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2011 22:36:57 GMT -5
format
laptop cooler :x (the usb ones look cool!)
|
|
|
HELP!
Feb 3, 2011 13:18:52 GMT -5
Post by J_Bourne{QAW} on Feb 3, 2011 13:18:52 GMT -5
Everything seems to be running fine now. I opened up the laptop and shot it with compressed air. There was not much dust but it may have been enough to slow the fan a little. I also repositioned the laptop on the cooling pad so that the GPU is more centered on the fan. Right now it is idling at 65C (149F) and in game it gets up to about 95C. Those temps sound alright?
|
|
|
HELP!
Feb 3, 2011 15:09:56 GMT -5
Post by Baron{QAW} on Feb 3, 2011 15:09:56 GMT -5
Sup JB, seems you've already fixed it but for peace of mind I can almost guarantee overheating is your problem. I had this exact same problem with my comp a couple years ago because my external fans weren't getting enough free air - too much dust meant my gfx card started to melt and the fan flew off! Fraid I'm not sure what is a reasonable temp for a lappy though.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
HELP!
Feb 3, 2011 18:14:11 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2011 18:14:11 GMT -5
I am glad that you were able to bring the temps down. Have you issues with CPU load etc also been resolved? How is the gameplay?
65 C is about what I would expect for the GPU at idle, though 95 C under load is still on the high side IMHO....you might try a better cooling pad that has more airflow or is more well suited to you laptop or both.
|
|