Jerky graphics =[ please help!

Ssaturos · 10-12-2009, 04:17 PM

Hey everyone, I'll post my specs first real quick.

AMD AthlonII X2 Dual Core 250 2 x 3.0Ghz
Asus EN 9800 GT 512MB
4GB ram
Asrock N68-S
windows xp pro 32 bit

now for my problem. i recently bought this new pc and right from the start i've been having this problem. i have jerky graphics, and it doesn't seem to discriminate between games. What i mean is the game seems to lag every half a second or so, as if it's skipping a couple of frames, but it isn't a framerate issue because my fps is high as it happens. Also, it doesn't matter if i run a game on the lowest resolution, or the highest with 4x AA, it's always there, and it's driving me insane. so far it has shown up on: TES4: Oblivion, Trackmania, Operation Flashpoint 2, even Guild Wars...

What's also really weird is that in the first 5 minutes or so that my pc is on, i don't have the issue. it only starts after my pc has been on for at least 5-10 minutes...

anyone got any ideas? i'd love to find an answer for this problem so i can start enjoying my new pc :(

need any more info just tell me =]

ebackhus · 10-12-2009, 04:28 PM

Very important detail: Power supply. Make and model?

**Tyree** · 10-12-2009, 04:53 PM

The PSU is my fist thought also. The 9800GT itself requires a minimum 400W quality PSU.
What Brand & Model of monitor are you using?

Ssaturos · 10-13-2009, 08:25 AM

My PSU is brandless, as far as i can see. it's only labeled as "460 Watt silent power supply"

My monitor is a Dell monitor that i used for my old pc as well. It's labeled as Dell Monitor Rev A02, production date 2005. i can only find documentation for the newer REV A02 models on google, so my guess is that it's taken out of production.

It might be worth mentioning that on my older pc i never had the issue i'm experiencing now..

Ssaturos · 10-13-2009, 11:08 AM

It might also be worth mensioning that i'm using a AVG to DVI cable(my monitor is AVG and my GPU only has 2 DVI's) could that have anything to do with it?

Phædrus2401 · 10-13-2009, 01:59 PM

I would start with the PSU, we like to see a quality 550W+ in systems with a 9800GT. Something like this would be a good choice:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...=Corsair%20550

Ssaturos · 10-13-2009, 03:49 PM

I did some reading on PSU overheating and some issues seem a lot like mine. it would also explain why the issues don't start untill a couple of minutes after startup.
I'll definately look into buying a new (quality) PSU. Unfortunately i'm very low on cash at the moment (just bought this new computer you see) so it'll have to wait :( Is it a smart idea to buy a PSU second hand?

Phædrus2401 · 10-13-2009, 03:57 PM

A quality PSU can be bought second-hand as long as it isn't more than two or three years old. Mid-range PSUs should only be bought new. Low-end PSUs shouldn't be bought at all.

Ssaturos · 10-13-2009, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phædrus2401

Low-end PSUs shouldn't be bought at all.

hahaha

hey thanks a lot for all your help, i'll try to get me a good PSU somewhere and then i'll report back in.

is this one any good? http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/451 i heard it's almost identical to a 600W from Zalman, just a different heat sink.

Phædrus2401 · 10-13-2009, 04:09 PM

It's a decent unit, it isn't one we really recommend but it will work fine. OCZ and Zalman both have a track record of making power supplies all across the quality spectrum. For instance the Thermaltake Toughpower 750W is an excellent unit in the same league as the Corsair TX750W. However, the Thermaltake PurePower 420W is a piece of garbage that can only deliver 350W in actual use. OCZ is the same way, and the one you've picked out is a mid-range one, that doesn't have the high efficiency and stability and single rail design we look for in high-end units but will at least deliver its rated wattage and is stable enough to run the average system.

Ssaturos · 10-13-2009, 04:20 PM

ah, i'll try to look into a more high end PSU then, i guess i can't get out of this one cheap lol.

Phædrus2401 · 10-13-2009, 04:27 PM

Don't get me wrong; the OCZ 600W will work. It's far from garbage. We just recommend something better.

Ssaturos · 10-13-2009, 05:09 PM

I ordered the corsair vx 550W. let's hope this works =] and i know what you meant ;) but i just want my stuff to really be reliable. Checked some reviews on this part and it seemed like a good deal.

Phædrus2401 · 10-13-2009, 05:34 PM

Good choice.

Ssaturos · 10-14-2009, 07:33 AM

You were right, it was the PSU after all.

after i got my pc i used an old hard disk of mine to put my important documents from one pc to the other, but i forgot to take it out again once i was done. I took it out yesterday to see if that would solve the problem, but the problem still persisted. what i ofcourse didn't thinkn about was to let the computer rest for a bit to let it cool down.

So this morning i start up my pc and to my astonishment had no jerky graphics in any game, having already ordered the new PSU i quickly cancelled my order (still waiting for money back, but i trust that will all be ok.)

Thanks for your help! i can finally start using my pc stutter-free =D

Phædrus2401 · 10-14-2009, 09:47 AM

Hang on, what happened? You disconnected a hard drive, let it sit for a few hours, then used it and it worked?

I would still get the new PSU. With the one you have you're asking for trouble down the road.

10-12-2009, 04:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
Ssaturos Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 8 OS: winxp	Jerky graphics =[ please help! Hey everyone, I'll post my specs first real quick. AMD AthlonII X2 Dual Core 250 2 x 3.0Ghz Asus EN 9800 GT 512MB 4GB ram Asrock N68-S windows xp pro 32 bit now for my problem. i recently bought this new pc and right from the start i've been having this problem. i have jerky graphics, and it doesn't seem to discriminate between games. What i mean is the game seems to lag every half a second or so, as if it's skipping a couple of frames, but it isn't a framerate issue because my fps is high as it happens. Also, it doesn't matter if i run a game on the lowest resolution, or the highest with 4x AA, it's always there, and it's driving me insane. so far it has shown up on: TES4: Oblivion, Trackmania, Operation Flashpoint 2, even Guild Wars... What's also really weird is that in the first 5 minutes or so that my pc is on, i don't have the issue. it only starts after my pc has been on for at least 5-10 minutes... anyone got any ideas? i'd love to find an answer for this problem so i can start enjoying my new pc :( need any more info just tell me =]

10-12-2009, 04:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,265 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	Re: Jerky graphics =[ please help! Very important detail: Power supply. Make and model? __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

10-12-2009, 04:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,587 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Jerky graphics =[ please help! The PSU is my fist thought also. The 9800GT itself requires a minimum 400W quality PSU. What Brand & Model of monitor are you using? __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

10-13-2009, 08:25 AM	#4 (permalink)
Ssaturos Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 8 OS: winxp	Re: Jerky graphics =[ please help! My PSU is brandless, as far as i can see. it's only labeled as "460 Watt silent power supply" My monitor is a Dell monitor that i used for my old pc as well. It's labeled as Dell Monitor Rev A02, production date 2005. i can only find documentation for the newer REV A02 models on google, so my guess is that it's taken out of production. It might be worth mentioning that on my older pc i never had the issue i'm experiencing now..

10-13-2009, 11:08 AM	#5 (permalink)
Ssaturos Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 8 OS: winxp	Re: Jerky graphics =[ please help! It might also be worth mensioning that i'm using a AVG to DVI cable(my monitor is AVG and my GPU only has 2 DVI's) could that have anything to do with it?

10-13-2009, 01:59 PM	#6 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,802 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Jerky graphics =[ please help! I would start with the PSU, we like to see a quality 550W+ in systems with a 9800GT. Something like this would be a good choice: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...=Corsair%20550 __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

10-13-2009, 03:49 PM	#7 (permalink)
Ssaturos Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 8 OS: winxp	Re: Jerky graphics =[ please help! I did some reading on PSU overheating and some issues seem a lot like mine. it would also explain why the issues don't start untill a couple of minutes after startup. I'll definately look into buying a new (quality) PSU. Unfortunately i'm very low on cash at the moment (just bought this new computer you see) so it'll have to wait :( Is it a smart idea to buy a PSU second hand?

10-13-2009, 03:57 PM	#8 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,802 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Jerky graphics =[ please help! A quality PSU can be bought second-hand as long as it isn't more than two or three years old. Mid-range PSUs should only be bought new. Low-end PSUs shouldn't be bought at all. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

10-13-2009, 04:09 PM	#10 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,802 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Jerky graphics =[ please help! It's a decent unit, it isn't one we really recommend but it will work fine. OCZ and Zalman both have a track record of making power supplies all across the quality spectrum. For instance the Thermaltake Toughpower 750W is an excellent unit in the same league as the Corsair TX750W. However, the Thermaltake PurePower 420W is a piece of garbage that can only deliver 350W in actual use. OCZ is the same way, and the one you've picked out is a mid-range one, that doesn't have the high efficiency and stability and single rail design we look for in high-end units but will at least deliver its rated wattage and is stable enough to run the average system. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

10-13-2009, 04:20 PM	#11 (permalink)
Ssaturos Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 8 OS: winxp	Re: Jerky graphics =[ please help! ah, i'll try to look into a more high end PSU then, i guess i can't get out of this one cheap lol.

10-13-2009, 04:27 PM	#12 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,802 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Jerky graphics =[ please help! Don't get me wrong; the OCZ 600W will work. It's far from garbage. We just recommend something better. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

10-13-2009, 05:09 PM	#13 (permalink)
Ssaturos Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 8 OS: winxp	Re: Jerky graphics =[ please help! I ordered the corsair vx 550W. let's hope this works =] and i know what you meant ;) but i just want my stuff to really be reliable. Checked some reviews on this part and it seemed like a good deal.

10-13-2009, 05:34 PM	#14 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,802 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Jerky graphics =[ please help! Good choice. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

10-14-2009, 07:33 AM	#15 (permalink)
Ssaturos Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 8 OS: winxp	Re: Jerky graphics =[ please help! You were right, it was the PSU after all. after i got my pc i used an old hard disk of mine to put my important documents from one pc to the other, but i forgot to take it out again once i was done. I took it out yesterday to see if that would solve the problem, but the problem still persisted. what i ofcourse didn't thinkn about was to let the computer rest for a bit to let it cool down. So this morning i start up my pc and to my astonishment had no jerky graphics in any game, having already ordered the new PSU i quickly cancelled my order (still waiting for money back, but i trust that will all be ok.) Thanks for your help! i can finally start using my pc stutter-free =D

10-14-2009, 09:47 AM	#16 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,802 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Jerky graphics =[ please help! Hang on, what happened? You disconnected a hard drive, let it sit for a few hours, then used it and it worked? I would still get the new PSU. With the one you have you're asking for trouble down the road. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.