Slow computer during 3D games

[moninoff]

When I play 3D games (specifically "Black & White" and "Warcraft III") everything works fine for about 10 - 15 minutes, and then everything slows down to a complete crawl, making the game unplayable. The sound keeps going as normal, but the video, the mouse, etc. all slow down. When I exit the game, my wireless mouse continues to move slow, but my mousepad works fine. The only way I have found to correct this is to restart the computer.

Any ideas? Thanks!

[RockmasteR]

hello,
can you please post your full system specs :
CPU
Video Card
RAM
Motherboard
PSU

[connor-53]

And also the temperature.

[moninoff]

I'm not very good with computers (hence the reason I'm here... ha-ha) but I'll do my best to provide the info you asked for:

Intel Pentium M Processor 1.70 GHz
ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9000
1.25 GB RAM

I don't know how to figure out what type of motherboard or temperature I have, and I do not know what PSU is.

[Tiber Septim]

Hi moninoff.

Have you followed the steps listed here?

They cover the most common issues, there is also a link there called "System Specs".
That will tell you everything we need to know, as well as how to find out the information.

Also, download CoreTemp and GPU-Z (from my signature). Run both when the system is idle and make note of the temperatures (you will need to go into the Sensor tab in GPU-Z).
Then load up a game and play for a few minutes, quit out and quickly check the temperatures again.

Please post both sets of figures back here.

[GregW17]

mininoff, other question: do you know if your computer has dedicated graphics memory or if it has shared video memory? And could you also post the resolution you're trying to run these games at when they freeze? What you have is sounding like a video problem, seeing how the audio was working perfectly fine.

[moninoff]

"do you know if your computer has dedicated graphics memory or if it has shared video memory?"

I don't know, but if you tell me out to find out I will.

"And could you also post the resolution you're trying to run these games at when they freeze?"

My normal resolution is set to (under "Display Properties") 1024x768. Initially I had the game set at 1024x768x32. I tried changing it to 1024x768x16, but that didn't help anything.

[moninoff]

"Have you followed the steps listed here?"

No, but I will now.

1) My computer does meet all system requirements.
2) Tried restarting a number of times, doesn't help.
3) I don't know what a "mod" is, so I doubt I've installed one.
4) I do have Symantec Endpoint Protection running, and do have a broadband Internet connection that it always on, I'll trying playing the game with both of these off and let you know what happens.
5) Updated DirectX yesterday, no change.
6) Updated
7) I will install the latest patch at 12:00 midnight tonight. There are bandwidth rules at school here and the patch is too large to download right now.
8) Done, no change.

I will download the two programs you recommended tonight at 12:00 midnight like with the latest patch.

Thanks for all your help!

[Tiber Septim]

No problem. Let us know how you go.

[moninoff]

Got the most recent patch for the game.

When I tried to run Core Temp, I got the following message:

"This Intel processor is not supported. This program will not continue."


And when I run GPU-Z I have the following under the "sensors" tab:

GPU Core Clock: 220.5 MHz
GPU Memory Clock: 200.3 MHz

Both have red bars next to them that slowly move left.

Nothing changed after I played the game until it freezes. Perhaps I'm looking at he wrong thing?

[moninoff]

I found another program to monitor temperature that works on my computer called "HDD Temperature"

When idle, the temperature is 89-93 F. I played the game until it slowed down and the temperature was at 122 F. I would assume that this is the problem. What can I do to fix it?

[moninoff]

Ever since I've played the game, it has been at about 120-122 F even when idle. Maybe the initial reading was incorrect?

[Mcninjaguy]

test it again with another program - Speedfan
http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php

if those temps are correct (prefer to use Celsius as its what computers use to measure temps as default) then you computer is overheating

I would say buy this laptop cooler its beastly

Antec Cooling system for notebook computers Model Notebook Cooler 200
$60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834997410

[moninoff]

I checked it with SpeedFan, and the computer idles at around 50 C, and only goes up 51 or 52 when I play the game.

I don't want to second guess you, but I've been looking around on Google, and many people say that an Inspiron 600m normally idles at around 50 C, and it isn't anything to be concerned about. Are you sure that it is overheating?

[RockmasteR]

I 2nd Mcninja opinion
Laptops are known that they overheat too much when playing games
and 50 C on idle is a bit high!
MY CPU on idle is like 34 C
52 C when playing the game? after how much time?
play the game for 1 to 2 hours and then recheck the temps
I'll bet it'll be higher than that

The cooling pad will keep your Laptop cool and safe from overheating that could lead to a damaged parts

[Mcninjaguy]

@RockmasterR
laptops are always hotter than desktops for running on idle

really just 2 more degrees C when playing a game it should be going up around at least 5C more

can you check again with Coretemp?
http://www.alcpu.com/CoreTemp/

there's nothing the laptop can do except take some money away from your wallet.
you could always try replacing the thermal paste on the laptop's CPU but thats a little involved

I did that recently (no pics sorry)
My laptop adventure, Man I wish I took some pictures!

[moninoff]

Well I got a cooling pad for my computer. It now idles at about 42 or 43 C. When I play the game, it goes up to about 48 C, and hasn't broken 50 C. So far, I haven't had the slowing down problem I had before. Hopefully this is the solution to my problem. I'll keep playing my game as normal and will update within the next 2 days. If the problem doesn't occur again, I'd say you guys fixed it.

Thanks!

[Mcninjaguy]

those are very nice temps for a laptop

post back whenever you think your problem is fixed you can always make a new thread if this is closed

[5NIPER_WOLF]

Don't forget you can always apply new thermal paste if the problem persists.