Framerate & GPU usage tank randomly
By
Demon Forge,
Posted on: 2012-01-07 17:43 in ALL ACCESS Gameplay Technical Issues Bugs
---System information gathered by CoH Helper version 0.2.0.2---
DxDiag gathered at January 7, 2012 19:44 (-05:00)
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.110622-1506)
System Manufacturer: Shuttle Inc
System Model: SN68PT
BIOS: Phoenix - Award BIOS v6.00PG
Central Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 5200+ (2 CPUs), ~2.7GHz
Memory: 3072MB
.Net Memory Report: 1824MB out of 3070MB available
Page File: 2173MB (1919MB currently in use)
C Drive: (ST380815AS ATA Device) 45193MB out of 76316MB (59%) free
I Drive: (WD Ext HDD 1021 USB Device) 773769MB out of 953865MB (81%) free
D Drive: (ATAPI DVD A DH20A4P ATA Device) zero-size drive
Windows directory location: C:\Windows
DirectX: DirectX 11
DirectX Diag version: 6.01.7601.17514 (64-bit version)
Display Notes: No problems found.
Sound Notes: No problems found.
No problems found.
No problems found.
No problems found.
Input Notes: No problems found.
Monitor:
Monitor's Max Resolution: (blank)
Video Device Name: NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT
Manufacturer / Chip: NVIDIA / GeForce 8600 GT
Video Memory: 1776 MB
Driver Version: 8.17.12.7533
Driver Date: 5/25/2011 1:09:12 AM
Driver Language: English
Sound Device Description: Speakers (2- High Definition Audio Device)
Driver File: HdAudio.sys
Driver Version: 6.01.7601.17514
Driver Date: 11/20/2010 5:44:23 AM
Sound Device Description: Digital Audio (S/PDIF) (2- High Definition Audio Device)
Driver File: HdAudio.sys
Driver Version: 6.01.7601.17514
Driver Date: 11/20/2010 5:44:23 AM
Sound Device Description: Speakers (2- Logitech Wireless Headset)
Driver File: USBAUDIO.sys
Driver Version: 6.01.7601.17514
Driver Date: 11/20/2010 5:43:52 AM
Sound Device Description: Digital Audio (HDMI) (High Definition Audio Device)
Driver File: HdAudio.sys
Driver Version: 6.01.7601.17514
Driver Date: 11/20/2010 5:44:23 AM
WMI Information
Motherboard Manufacturer: nVIDIA
Motherboard Model: (empty)
Motherboard Product: FN68PT
Motherboard Version: V10
BIOS Manufacturer: Phoenix Technologies, LTD
BIOS Name: Phoenix - Award BIOS v6.00PG
BIOS Version: Shuttl - 42302e31
BIOS Release: 20080121000000.000000+000
Registry Information for Current User
Resolution: 1281x821
3D Resolution: 1281x821 (Not using renderscale)
Full Screen: No
Maximized: No
Screen Position: 144, 0
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Vertical Sync Enabled: Yes
Physics Quality: High
Maximum Particles: 50000
Max Particle Fill? 10.000
Physics Card Enabled: No
Anti-aliasing: Off
Anisotropic Filtering: 4x
Texture LOD Bias: Smooth
Water Effects: Medium quality
Bloom: 1.000 (turned on)
Depth of Field Enabled: No
Desaturation Effects (Sepia) Enabled: Yes
Shader Detail: High
World Texture Level: High
Character Texture Level: High
World Detail Level (Vis_Scale): 1.000
Entity Detail Level: 1.000
Shadows Enabled: No
Shadow Mode: Shadow maps
Shadow Map Shader: Low quality
Environmental Reflections: Disabled
Advanced Occlusion Settings: No
Ambient Occlusion: Off
Occlusion Strength: Off
Blur: Bilateral
Ambient Resolution: Performance
Gamma Correction: 1.000
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: 0.000
Music Sound Volume: 0.000
Show Advanced Graphics Options: Yes
Overall Graphics Quality: 0.750
Reverse Mouse Buttons: No
Save Login Username: Yes
Transfer Rate: Unknown bytes/second
Current Game Version: ?
Installation Directory: C:\Program Files (x86)\NCsoft\City of Heroes
Mod files in the Data directory
. has 2 files
.\fonts has 3 files
.\sound\ogg\Powers has 1 file
.\texture_library\GUI\CREATION\common\Backgrounds has 2 files
.\texture_library\GUI\CREATION\Login has 2 files
.\texture_library\GUI\Icons\Powers has 96 files
.\texture_library\MAPS\city has 1 file
.\texture_library\MAPS\Midnight_Squad has 1 file
.\texture_library\MAPS\Safeguard has 9 files
.\texture_library\MAPS\sewers has 44 files
.\texture_library\MAPS\static has 40 files
.\texture_library\V_MAPS\City has 1 file
.\texture_library\V_MAPS\Outdoor_Missions has 9 files
.\texture_library\V_MAPS\Static has 16 files
Quote:
From the description, that would be my first guess. Are you running a utility to let you monitor the GPU temp? If not, get one. The one from the manufacturer should be good enough (that's what I use).|
Originally Posted by Dinah
My only and last guess is that it's overheating? But then why doesn't it ever go back up to the 99% that it showed when it first started?
|
While you're at it, might want to get one to check the CPU temperatures (I use Real Temp for this). If one component is too hot, maybe everything in the case is getting too hot.
Paragon City Search And Rescue
The Mentor Project
- Don't kill the pagefile. Windows won't ever really let you turn it COMPLETELY off, but some programs respond strangely when the page file is set to "off" and Windows is managing a stealth pagefile.
- From your description it DOES sound like you're overheating. Maybe pull the bad-boy out, clean it out and manually reseat everything. Make sure your CPU cooler hasn't popped off. Grab a copy of CoreTemp too and see what your thermal profile looks like.
Clicking on the linked image above will take you off the City of Heroes site. However, the guides will be linked back here.
Quote:
Oh, I know |
Originally Posted by Hyperstrike
|
I just turned it 'off' to see if it was swapping a lot and causing a bottleneck. It wasn't, so I turned it back on again.Guess I'll pull it out and take the cover off. Wouldn't really surprise me, there's not much air circulation down where it is right now. Of course, not sure how I can fix that with 2 gremlins running around the house looking at blinkenlights!
Ok, the fan is busted, so def overheating.
So can anyone recommend the absolute cheapest comparable (or better) card out there? Tax return is mostly "spent" already (medical), but we can probably find a little money to fix this.
If you don't mind going AMD/ATI I would suggest 6570 Runs about $60 and if you send in the rebate you can shave off another $10 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102934
If you want to stick with nvidia....GT 430 is about right for $60 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130579
Just my .02 INF
H: Blaster 50, Defender 50, Tank 50, Scrapper 50, Controller 50, PB 50, WS 50
V: Brute 50, Corruptor 50, MM 50, Dominator 50, Stalker 50, AW 50, AS 50
Top 4: Controller, Brute, Scrapper, Corruptor
Bottom 4: (Peacebringer) way below everything else, Mastermind, Dominator, Blaster
CoH in WQHD
You can do it the ghetto way, just unplug the fan on your card, and buy a 80mm fan that has the same plug, and wire tie it to the card. This would get you out without spending more than 15 bucks or so, but again, is really ghetto.
Quote:
Great, thank you! I think I'm going to be stuck with nvidia, but because I'm also restrained by a 300w power supply, and all of the AMD/ATI require 400w minimum.|
Originally Posted by newchemicals
If you don't mind going AMD/ATI I would suggest 6570 Runs about $60 and if you send in the rebate you can shave off another $10 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102934
If you want to stick with nvidia....GT 430 is about right for $60 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130579 Just my .02 INF |
Is there any reason to go with the brand name and not a different one (MSI, elitegroup, ASUS etc?) Others seem to have rebates on them, where the EVGA doesn't.
Quote:
Wish I could, but the fan is integrated into the heatsink, so it wouldn't work :/
|
Originally Posted by Demon Forge
You can do it the ghetto way, just unplug the fan on your card, and buy a 80mm fan that has the same plug, and wire tie it to the card. This would get you out without spending more than 15 bucks or so, but again, is really ghetto.
|
Quote:
Both of those cards should be fairly low end powerwise, certainly less than a 8600 GT.|
Originally Posted by Dinah
Great, thank you! I think I'm going to be stuck with nvidia, but because I'm also restrained by a 300w power supply, and all of the AMD/ATI require 400w minimum.
Is there any reason to go with the brand name and not a different one (MSI, elitegroup, ASUS etc?) Others seem to have rebates on them, where the EVGA doesn't. |
I generally prefer EVGA ("gamer" focused) and XFX (because of lifetime warranty) for cards because their customer service is good (should the card break) and I rarely have issues with their cards. I find MSI cards to be on the cheap side but ok, they use cheaper capacitors on their products. Elitegroup (ECS) has a bad repuation with many DIY folks because their stuff is often given away at Frys Electronics and the quality is well....
Asus makes good stuff but consider yourself hosed if you have to make an RMA call. If you are lucky, you might be able to get them to take it back, but I wouldn't hold your breath.
There are two camps on video cards, the camp that cares who the 3rd party reseller is and the camp who says buy the GPU chip for the cheapest price. I'm in the 3rd party reseller matters camp.
H: Blaster 50, Defender 50, Tank 50, Scrapper 50, Controller 50, PB 50, WS 50
V: Brute 50, Corruptor 50, MM 50, Dominator 50, Stalker 50, AW 50, AS 50
Top 4: Controller, Brute, Scrapper, Corruptor
Bottom 4: (Peacebringer) way below everything else, Mastermind, Dominator, Blaster
CoH in WQHD
Fair enough. How about PNY? IIRC they are a good brand. This one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814133356
One of the great things about EVGA is their step-up program. If you buy a 5 series card(which would be recommended), and the 6 series version comes out within 90 days, you can get a huge discount on the 6 series card, and the 6 series cards should be released any day now.
This card http://www.buy.com/prod/evga-02g-p3-...222943639.html would be better than the 8600 you're using now, and is only about 65 dollars. And being a 5 series,would be eligible for the step up program( you might have to buy an extended warranty for this, which would be about 10 bucks for a card under 200).
I haven't heard anything bad about PNY. They have been known to make good quality products, but I can't comment on how their customer service is.
I honestly would go with PNY or EVGA, as both tend to use more standard setups with the NVidia chipset (BFG used to have a unique setup and driver).
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Twitter: @DJ_Shecky, @siliconshecky, @thecaperadio
When you air your dirty laundry out on a clothesline above the street, everyone is allowed to snicker at the skid marks in your underoos. - Lemur_Lad
Quote:
PNY is a 3rd party reseller that sells reference boards. They don't spend any extra engineering time trying to coax better performance/efficiency/etc out of a card. Asus and EVGA will spend some extra time trying to make the a better board rather than use a reference design by AMD/Nvidia. (Although many of the early cards they sell are reference boards until they can come out with an in house model)|
Originally Posted by Dinah
Fair enough. How about PNY? IIRC they are a good brand. This one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814133356
|
I can't speak for the quality of PNY capacitors or their customer service. I have never dealt with them. Since they use reference boards, it will depend on the quality of parts they use. That would require someone with that card actually checking the capacitors they use.
H: Blaster 50, Defender 50, Tank 50, Scrapper 50, Controller 50, PB 50, WS 50
V: Brute 50, Corruptor 50, MM 50, Dominator 50, Stalker 50, AW 50, AS 50
Top 4: Controller, Brute, Scrapper, Corruptor
Bottom 4: (Peacebringer) way below everything else, Mastermind, Dominator, Blaster
CoH in WQHD
All right, I'm confused and wondering if anyone can help me figure out why my fps tanks and GPU stops processing at random points while playing the game.
NVidia GeForce 8600GT, tried both the most recent and 2 releases back drivers. Running Windows 7 64bit. This is a brand new install, maybe 2 weeks ago? Computer itself is 5ish years old, but we don't have the funds to replace it, so it's what I have.
I play windowed mode all the time, and I have the little GPU desktop widget (along with the CPU/Memory widget, too), and so I can see real time what's going on.
When I first start up the game, GPU is maxed at 99%-100% Usage, CPU is probably running 70% (dual core). A few minutes in (doesn't matter if I'm in mission, fighting, traveling, or standing still), it drops to 49% usage, and my FPS drops probably from 45fps to 28fps. A few minutes past this, fps drops to 4-5fps, and the GPU is showing 0% usage. After 2-3 minutes it recovers back to 48% usage, and the fps recovers back to roughly 28fps.
I tried turning off PhysX, I've turned off real time scanning on MSE, I have nothing else running but the game, and it still does this. Oh, and I killed the pagefile, too.
My only and last guess is that it's overheating? But then why doesn't it ever go back up to the 99% that it showed when it first started?