[SOLVED] Good Framerate to Bad framerate

[fOODa]

Hello Everyone, i like many people am a gamer. I have recently been having a problem where ill be in game(whether it Cod4 or age of empires 3) every few moments my great fps will shoot down to single digit frame rate and it happens every couple minutes. I have no idea what to do. please help

[Mcninjaguy]

hello fooda and welcome to TSF,

Could you please follow these steps here first.

Please post your computer specs
CPU
RAM
Motherboard
Graphics Card
PSU (power supply unit)

I think this is a heat issue but until I get your specs I won't ask more

[fOODa]

Hello and thank you for your welcoming support. I look forward to expanding my knowledge of computers on this website.

CPU- Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6700 @ 2.66GHz (4 CPUs)

RAM- 4 GB (computer says 3GB) I bought 4.

Motherboard- MSI MS-7350

Graphics Card- Nvidia GeForce 8800 GT (x2)

PSU-

Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2

Im not a computer Wiz, so please bear with me.. If you need anything else just ask! (and tell me how to get it lol)

[koala]

The reason your computer is saying you only have 3gb RAM is that the 32bit version of Windows can only recognise about 3-3.5gb. You'd need a 64bit operating system to use any more than this. It shouldn't cause any problems though.

If you've got two 8800GT graphics cards, you'll need a good quality PSU (power supply unit). Remove the case and post back with the details from the PSU label (make/model, total watts, +12V amps). The label will look similar to the one below.

If the +12V amps are too low, the PSU will be struggling to provide enough power to the graphics cards. This can lead to poor framerates and crashes. It can also lead to heat problems, as Mcninjaguy has said.

Do you have the same framerate problem if you only use one of the graphics cards?

[Jason09]

Have you dusted the inside of your computer with a can of compressed air recently? In addition, download and install Everest, and check your system temperatures.

[RockmasteR]

it is very crucial that you have a High quality PSU especially for the 2x GF 8800GT, one 8800 GT is a power hungry card
you need at least a Corsair 650W, 750 W is better for the 2x 8800 GT

[fOODa]

Yes, sorry i havent gotten to it yet. But i purchased my desktop from Vigor Gaming, a cheap PSU is unlikely found there.

[fOODa]

and this just started recently, has never happened before in the almost 2 years i had the pc.

[fOODa]

Ok, so i opened up the case and my PSU is 800 watt or 850 one of them, so i dont think thats the problem. I have not dusted the inside the whole time i had the computer so there was alot of build up. Is is safe to use compressed air on the graphics cards, in the fans, on everything? Thanks again fellas.

[Lord Sirian]

Yes it is safe to use a can of compressed air, but make sure when you're spraying any of the fans, hold them still while you spray them. Also, what is the make and model of your PSU? Wattage is only one factor.

[Mcninjaguy]

I looked at Vigor gaming and the PSU I see are pretty good ones. Not at the top of my list but Thermaltake, Enermax, (some) Corsair. I'm not sure about Vigor PSU's but they don't seem to be selling low quality stuff.

If you can with the case is to wipe off each fan blade individually with your fingers as the dust can get pretty stuck on to the fans.

[fOODa]

Ok i found the time to clean the inside of my computer with some dust away, alot of dust was removed. I have been playing COD for an hour without problems, i think it might be fixed. thanks for your support fellas!

[RockmasteR]

glad you fixed the problem,
remember that you need to clean the inside of your PC every month or so.
I'll mark this thread as solved, if you need anything else don't hesitate and ask

[Jason09]

Glad we could be of help!