Cycles of Graphic Slowdowns

Hi folks,

I'm here because over the past two months or so I've had some pretty frustrating graphics slowdowns in City of Heroes. I'm hoping to get some ideas on what could be causing this. I am using an ASUS G71G series Laptop running Windows Vista 64 bit, with a Nvidia GEForce GTX 260M graphics card. I have 6 GB of RAM.

Basically, the graphics run very smoothly for about 5 to 10 minutes at a time, but then there are 1 to 2 minutes where the graphics appear to slow way down, to the point where trying to turn the camera or move around is very difficult. The graphics (but not server connection) strain themselves for 1 - 2 minutes, then go back to normal. This happens in cycles; smooth for a while, then slideshow, then back again. When the slowdowns happen, according to Task Manager, the City of Heroes process does NOT appear to take up more available memory. It does not appear that the entire computer is slowing down either.

This is happening even on the lowest available graphics settings. It does not happen in other video games run on the same computer (most recently Starcraft 2 and Civilization V although I run Starcraft at low graphic settings). I have updated my nVidia drivers and still experience the slowdown. No other visible processes are running on the computer when these slowdowns occur. I run PC Tools Spyware Doctor as my antivirus tool.

Thinking this may be a virus, I ran HijackThis, but didn't see any entries I didn't recognize on a glance-through. Here's that log just in case it gives someone some ideas:

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 1:34:21 PM, on 11/23/2010
Platform: Windows Vista SP2 (WinNT 6.00.1906)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.6001.18975)
Boot mode: Normal


R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = about:blank
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = C:\Windows\SysWOW64\blank.htm
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
R3 - URLSearchHook: PC Tools Browser Guard - {472734EA-242A-422b-ADF8-83D1E48CC825} - C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Tools Security\BDT\PCTBrowserDefender.dll
F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=C:\WINDOWS\SYSWOW64\userinit.exe,
O1 - Hosts: ::1 localhost
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - c:\Program Files x86\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat 7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Browser Defender BHO - {2A0F3D1B-0909-4FF4-B272-609CCE6054E7} - C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Tools Security\BDT\PCTBrowserDefender.dll
O2 - BHO: Search Helper - {6EBF7485-159F-4bff-A14F-B9E3AAC4465B} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Search Enhancement Pack\Search Helper\SEPsearchhelperie.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live ID Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O2 - BHO: AcroIEToolbarHelper Class - {AE7CD045-E861-484f-8273-0445EE161910} - c:\Program Files x86\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat 7.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll
O2 - BHO: Bing Bar BHO - {d2ce3e00-f94a-4740-988e-03dc2f38c34f} - c:\Program Files (x86)\MSN Toolbar\Platform\6.3.2348.0\npwinext.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Adobe PDF - {47833539-D0C5-4125-9FA8-0819E2EAAC93} - c:\Program Files x86\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat 7.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll
O3 - Toolbar: PC Tools Browser Guard - {472734EA-242A-422B-ADF8-83D1E48CC825} - C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Tools Security\BDT\PCTBrowserDefender.dll
O3 - Toolbar: @c:\Program Files (x86)\MSN Toolbar\Platform\6.3.2348.0\npwinext.dll,-100 - {8dcb7100-df86-4384-8842-8fa844297b3f} - c:\Program Files (x86)\MSN Toolbar\Platform\6.3.2348.0\npwinext.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ISTray] "C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Tools Security\pctsGui.exe" /hideGUI
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PCTools FGuard] "C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Tools Security\BDT\FGuard.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Microsoft Default Manager] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Search Enhancement Pack\Default Manager\DefMgr.exe" -resume
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert link target to Adobe PDF - res://c:\Program Files x86\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat 7.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIECapture.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert link target to existing PDF - res://c:\Program Files x86\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat 7.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIEAppend.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert selected links to Adobe PDF - res://c:\Program Files x86\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat 7.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIECaptureSelLinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert selected links to existing PDF - res://c:\Program Files x86\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat 7.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIEAppendSelLinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert selection to Adobe PDF - res://c:\Program Files x86\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat 7.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIECapture.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert selection to existing PDF - res://c:\Program Files x86\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat 7.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIEAppend.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert to Adobe PDF - res://c:\Program Files x86\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat 7.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIECapture.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert to existing PDF - res://c:\Program Files x86\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat 7.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIEAppend.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~1\Office12\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O8 - Extra context menu item: Google Sidewiki... - res://C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Google Toolbar\Component\GoogleToolbarDynamic_mui_en_60D6 097707281E79.dll/cmsidewiki.html
O9 - Extra button: Send to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~1\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: S&end to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~1\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~1\Office12\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: Fiddler2 - {CF819DA3-9882-4944-ADF5-6EF17ECF3C6E} - "C:\Program Files (x86)\Fiddler2\Fiddler.exe" (file missing)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Fiddler2 - {CF819DA3-9882-4944-ADF5-6EF17ECF3C6E} - "C:\Program Files (x86)\Fiddler2\Fiddler.exe" (file missing)
O13 - Gopher Prefix:
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.play.net (HKLM)
O16 - DPF: {1E54D648-B804-468d-BC78-4AFFED8E262F} (System Requirements Lab) - http://www.nvidia.com/content/Driver...reqlab_nvd.cab
O16 - DPF: {5721FA68-5ABD-40A8-81F1-4136691194BF} (Launcher Class) - https://www.play.net/components/activex/AXSAL.ocx
O16 - DPF: {E2883E8F-472F-4FB0-9522-AC9BF37916A7} - http://platformdl.adobe.com/NOS/getPlusPlus/1.6/gp.cab
O20 - AppInit_DLLs: C:\PROGRA~2\Google\GOOGLE~1\GOEC62~1.DLL
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\Alg.exe,-112 (ALG) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\alg.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Browser Defender Update Service - Threat Expert Ltd. - C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Tools Security\BDT\BDTUpdateService.exe
O23 - Service: @dfsrres.dll,-101 (DFSR) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\DFSR.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @keyiso.dll,-100 (KeyIso) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @comres.dll,-2797 (MSDTC) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\msdtc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\System32\netlogon.dll,-102 (Netlogon) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\psbase.dll,-300 (ProtectedStorage) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\Locator.exe,-2 (RpcLocator) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\locator.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\samsrv.dll,-1 (SamSs) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: PC Tools Auxiliary Service (sdAuxService) - PC Tools - C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Tools Security\pctsAuxs.exe
O23 - Service: PC Tools Security Service (sdCoreService) - PC Tools - C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Tools Security\pctsSvc.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\SLsvc.exe,-101 (slsvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\SLsvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\snmptrap.exe,-3 (SNMPTRAP) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\snmptrap.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\spoolsv.exe,-1 (Spooler) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\spoolsv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Steam Client Service - Valve Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Steam\SteamService.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Stereoscopic 3D Driver Service (Stereo Service) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\NVIDIA Corporation\3D Vision\nvSCPAPISvr.exe
O23 - Service: ThreatFire - PC Tools - C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Tools Security\TFEngine\TFService.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\ui0detect.exe,-101 (UI0Detect) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\UI0Detect.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vds.exe,-100 (vds) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\vds.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\vssvc.exe,-102 (VSS) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\vssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%Systemroot%\system32\wbem\wmiapsrv.exe,-110 (wmiApSrv) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\wbem\WmiApSrv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%ProgramFiles%\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe,-101 (WMPNetworkSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe (file missing)

Also, here is the info from CoH Helper. Any help at all is appreciated!


---System information gathered by CoH Helper version 0.2.0.2---

DxDiag gathered at November 23, 2010 13:52 (-05:00)
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6002) Service Pack 2 (6002.vistasp2_gdr.100608-0458)
System Manufacturer: ASUSTeK Computer INC.
System Model: G71GX
BIOS: BIOS Date: 07/27/09 18:24:52 Ver: 08.00.14
Central Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU P8700 @ 2.53GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.5GHz
Memory: 6142MB
.Net Memory Report: 4022MB out of 6142MB available
Page File: 10137MB (2259MB currently in use)
C Drive: (ST9500325AS) 264926MB out of 463941MB (57%) free
E Drive: (TSSTcorp CDDVDW TS-L633C) zero-size drive
Windows directory location: C:\Windows
DirectX: DirectX 11
DirectX Diag version: 7.00.6002.18107 (64-bit version)

Display Notes: No problems found.

No problems found.
Sound Notes: No problems found.

No problems found.

No problems found.
Input Notes: No problems found.

Monitor: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor's Max Resolution: (blank)
Video Device Name: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M
Manufacturer / Chip: NVIDIA / GeForce GTX 260M
Video Memory: 3817 MB
Driver Version: 8.17.0012.6099
Driver Date: 10/16/2010 1:55:00 PM
Driver Language: English

Monitor: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor's Max Resolution: (blank)
Video Device Name: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M
Manufacturer / Chip: NVIDIA / GeForce GTX 260M
Video Memory: 3817 MB
Driver Version: 8.17.0012.6099
Driver Date: 10/16/2010 1:55:00 PM
Driver Language: English

Sound Device Description: Speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Driver File: RTKVHD64.sys
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.5836
Driver Date: 4/20/2009 10:21:57 AM

Sound Device Description: Realtek Digital Output (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Driver File: RTKVHD64.sys
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.5836
Driver Date: 4/20/2009 10:21:57 AM

Sound Device Description: Realtek HDMI Output (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Driver File: RTKVHD64.sys
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.5836
Driver Date: 4/20/2009 10:21:57 AM


WMI Information
Motherboard Manufacturer: ASUSTeK Computer INC.
Motherboard Model: (empty)
Motherboard Product: G71GX
Motherboard Version: 1.00
BIOS Manufacturer: American Megatrends Inc.
BIOS Name: BIOS Date: 07/27/09 18:24:52 Ver: 08.00.14
BIOS Version: _ASUS_ - 7000927
BIOS Release: 20090727000000.000000+000


Registry Information for Current User
Resolution: 1600x1000
3D Resolution: 1600x1000 (Not using renderscale)
Full Screen: Yes
Maximized: No
Screen Position: -655, 77
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Vertical Sync Enabled: No


Physics Quality: None
Maximum Particles: 4162
Max Particle Fill? 10.000
Physics Card Enabled: No


Anti-aliasing: 2x
Anisotropic Filtering: None
Texture LOD Bias: Crisp
Water Effects: None
Bloom: 1.000 (turned off)
Depth of Field Enabled: No
Desaturation Effects (Sepia) Enabled: No
Shader Detail: Unknown (4)


World Texture Level: Unknown (3)
Character Texture Level: Low
World Detail Level (Vis_Scale): 0.500
Entity Detail Level: 0.300
Shadows Enabled: Yes
Shadow Mode: Disabled
Shadow Map Shader: Unknown (0)
Environmental Reflections: Disabled
Advanced Occlusion Settings: No
Ambient Occlusion: Off
Occlusion Strength: Off
Blur: Bilateral
Ambient Resolution: Performance


Gamma Correction: 0.732
Geometry Buffers (VBOs) Enabled: Yes
Suppression of FX When Camera Close Enabled: Yes
Close Suppression Range: 3.000
Show Advertisements: Yes

Audio Mode: Performance
3D Audio: No
FX Sound Volume: 0.157
Music Sound Volume: 0.600

Show Advanced Graphics Options: Yes
Overall Graphics Quality: 0.000
Reverse Mouse Buttons: No
Save Login Username: Yes
Transfer Rate: 1021879 bytes/second
Current Game Version: 1850.201009101722.18T2r
Installation Directory: C:\Program Files (x86)\City of Heroes

Mod files in the Data directory
No modifications found

Are your fans set to change speeds based on temps?

Okay, to be blunt: Nvidia has thermal issues.

What this sounds like is

• that the game is driving the GPU to the point of overheating.
• The GPU then downclocks to lowest state and sheds the excess heat.
• The GPU then upclocks back to a higher performance state

Or, just maybe... They (=PS) could go directly to Nvidia themselves, and bug/nag/ask for help with the problem. Whether its just Open GL 3.x or if its larger than that, I think it's mostly NVIDIA gfx cards that the game is having problems on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arcanaville City of Heroes didn't fail, City of Heroes was killed. If a 747 dropped on your house, you'd say you were killed, not you failed to find a safer dwelling.

Had this exact issue with a desktop a while back. It was my cpu overheating and throttling down to cool off. To compound the issue, which might of just been with my motherboard, I was unable to tell what that temperature was with the free software I had at the time. CoH was the only game that really did it, unless i put everything to max and ran Crysis for a while.

If you have reliable monitoring software, check your CPU temps, make sure your vents are nice and clean and that your laptop can breath!

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the tips guys. I'm almost positive the problem is the graphics card overheating. The laptop is over a year old so I don't know why it took so long for this to show up. Not sure what to do except maybe try to fix the original rig I bought the laptop to replace. I don't know the first thing about overclocking, etc.

I think we are all in agreement that it sounds very much like a thermal issue.

Please update and let us know how very right we were.