mitzurugi

Hello, I have been currently getting completely frustrated trying to figure out an issue with my computer and after looking through google and searching other forums to figure out the problem I finally got to the point of posting something:

Current Computer Specs:

Intel Pentium Core 2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40 GHz
3 gigs of RAM
nVidia 8500 GT PCI Express x16 (Driver Version: 190.62)
Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit Service Pack 2
http://support.gateway.com/s/PC/R/10...html?rdr=v1368
Is what I have.

To get pretty much up to date on the situation, I have been currently using my computer now for a better half of 3 years with no issues what so ever but then about a week ago while playing World of Warcraft my frame rates randomly dropped from the usual 40 - 60 fps to a 1 fps this would last for until I logged out - then I tried it on Counter-Strike: Source same result would start about 900 fps to a 1 fps - after searching around and found that it could be my GPU overheating due to dust - so I opened my case and cleaned the dust out no more dropping to 1 fps any more - So at the time I thought the problem is fixed but I guess not.

Current Problem: When playing World of Warcraft my fps would go from a steady 40 fps down to a 20 fps this will last about a minute or two then instantly jump back up to 40 fps in a second and this will happen every 2 to 3 minutes or so. With Counter-Strike: Source I tested it for 30 minutes starting out I would be at 112c - 120c getting 60 fps then after 15 minutes of play my fps would drop down to 20 - 22 fps still at 120 - 122c. My suspicion is my GPU is overheating but after researching a bit I found that my card should have no problems with current temps but I have also got mixed reports saying anything above 90c I should worry.

So here is the numbers on my temperatures:

IDLE - 70 - 78c
World of Warcraft non-3D intensive - 80-85c
World of Warcraft 3D intensive - 110 - 120c
Counter-Strike: Source not playing - 80c
Counter-Strike: Source in server playing - 122c

My first thought is that the computer will drop in fps during the cool down of the card in the 110 - 120c range which when I checked I did have an fps drop to 20 fps in that range but other times when checked I would be in the 120c range and be a smooth 40 - 60 fps so I don't know if that is the cause.
I checked this with World of Warcraft and Counter-Strike: Source - whats odd is it drops to the same fps between the two games 20 - 22 fps when the heat is 120ish c.

Solutions used so far:

At first I thought it was software issue so I reformatted - Still a Problem

Then tried to clear out the dust using Air Cleaner on my fans, motherboard, power supply, and video card and connectors - Still a problem

Then I removed my video card used the Air Cleaner on the fan and motherboard socket also used a q-tip on each fan blade native on the card - lowered the heat a bit but still same result

Used software to remove current video card driver and reinstalled drivers - no result

I used RivaTuner and turned my fan on the card itself to 100% - slightly cooler but problem still exists

Sorry for the extremely long post but hopefully I have provided enough information to get an idea on whats going wrong here. What I mainly want to know is my GPU overheating causing this? or is it another issue so I can try and get it fixed.

Thank you in advance.

Tyree

OEM PC's are not noted for effecient case cooling.
The 400W (most used Delta=Bad) PSU would be my first concern.

mitzurugi

So the card is not getting enough power?

Edit: Thanks for the quick response

mitzurugi

I fixed the issue it was the GPU overheating so I temporarily put a fan in front of the computer and its cooling it off enough - no fps drops and now at 75c in games

emosun

That's like saying "I fixed the gas leak so now it's only dripping a little bit". Lol

That card should never exceed 70c during games , and be at least down in the 50's and 40's while idle.