Help with extreme drops in framerate

[lefier]

Hello, I'm not sure this thread belongs in this section, but the system that I need help on has the specs as follows

-2.4 ghz Core2 Quad processor
-3.00 gb
-8500gt 512mb 128 bit
-Windows Vista Ultimate 32 bit


When I start a game on Steam, such as Empire: Total War, it sometimes starts off very smoothly and there is almost no lagg. But as the game goes on, maybe one or two minutes into the game, there is an AWFUL drop in frame rate and it changes to literally a slideshow. It does this on even the most graphically simple games like Counter Strike: Source, and it is extremely annoying.

If I use system processes to exit out of the game and go to desktop, I can see a decrease in framerate of Vista's Aero effects, like minimizing and expanding a window.

I've tried sweeping for viruses and adware, and tried updating the graphics card to the most recent driver, but none of these methods worked.

It has started to do this just recently, and before I didn't have any problems.

Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you.

[Aus_Karlos]

Get Everest from my sig and install it. once installed go to Computer> Sensors and you will find temperatures for different parts of your PC.
When playing Total War after 2mins minimize the game and copy the temps and post the results.

[lefier]

I downloaded everest and my GPU Diode (im guessing thats the graphics card) has a temperature of 112 Celsius idle and when you run a program it goes up to 128 Celsius. is there a possibility that my gpu heatsink stopped working? Thank you.

[RockmasteR]

112 C when Idle? and 128 when stressed??
I hope Everest is giving a faulty results cause at those temps the fan could not be working at all

let's try another software
Download SIW from my sig, open it, under hardware you you find "Sensors"
press it and check the GPU temps
you can also use GPUz (from my sig)

[lefier]

I checked the temperature with the SIW but it gave me similar results as with the previous software. By the way does anyone know if the nvidia 8500gt has a heatsink?

[Mcninjaguy]

A 8500GT should have a heatsink

Check the temps with GPU-Z its the most accurate tempature reader for a graphics card
http://www.filehippo.com/download_gpuz/

[Aus_Karlos]

First i would check to make sure the fan is spinning. In Everest under the same section a little further down is your fan speeds, it should be labeled GPU.
You can also do a visual check by removing the case cover and having a look inside your PC (while on) dont touch anything inside the case while the PC is on. But look at your card to see if you can hear/see the fan moving.

If you find that the cards fan is not spinning turn your PC off wait a minute (for the power to dissipate) then remove the card from the slot and blow out any dust that has collected. Its a good idea to remove as much dust from your PC as possible. Place your card back in a bootup, watch to see if the fan starts to spin.

[lefier]

The fan speed under Everest is on 100%, and the temperature is still over 100 Celcius, so maybe it's broken. Is it possible for me to get a new fan specifically for the GPU?

[Mcninjaguy]

Its probably not worth getting a fan and more likely it would be better just to buy a new GPU.

[Aus_Karlos]

Did you physically check that the fan is spinning, Programs called be given false info from the sensors so its always good to visually check.
Is there any dust build up, this is the number one cause of PC's overheating.

[lefier]

Guys, thanks for all the help.

I have checked the fan physically, and, yes, the fan was spinning. When I put my hand near the card, I felt a lot of heat. I really can't remove the dust right now because I ran out of compressed air, but I will get some more soon.

[RockmasteR]

keep the side case of your PC removed for a while (2 to 3 hours) and then recheck to see if the card's temp has decreased

[lefier]

I fixed it I believe. I opened up the case and undusted it and it began to spin again (the fan). I guess that was the only problem because the temperature of it is back down to 83 Celsius average. Anyway i guess my problem is solved thank you very much. By the way do i have to do anything to the thread since my problem is solved?

[RockmasteR]

Gald that you solved it, just try to keep the temps under 80 C it's better that way,
Mark this thread as Solved under Thread Tools

[jrockpunk1]

I hope you mean it was at 83 under load. On idle, you should never go above 55, and I always try to keep mine down to I think 47 or 48.

[lefier]

No, mine is about 83 idle... The fan on it is working though. Do you think it could be the dust or just the GPU itself?

[Mcninjaguy]

83 on idle is not fixed it should be in the 50C - 60C range on idle.

I would say to get a GPU with a fan on it, ince your current one is already pretty worn out from the temperatures it sustains.

HIS Hightech H467QSS1GP Radeon HD 4670 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
Free S.T.A.L.K.E.R: Clear Sky game w/ purchase, ends 5/30
$83
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161273

[jrockpunk1]

If it's possible you could always send it back as faulty (if you have warranty).

[Aus_Karlos]

Overheating voids the warranty on any hardware, So does a faulty Power Supply or even a Power Surge.

I would take the card out of the case and give it a once over with some compressed air.