[LtCarman]

For months now, I've been getting these little stutters no matter what game I play. However, there is no drop in FPS at all. For the most part, my FPS stays above 50, maybe even dropping to the 40s, but not much lower.

I have tried numerous things. I have updated my drivers, reformatted (on Thursday), defragged (before reformat), and even this. Obviously, none of them helped.

My system specs are:

OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit
Motherboard: ASUS Crosshair III Formula
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 955 processor (3.2 GHz)
Video Card: ATI Radeon HD 5770
RAM: 8.0 GB
Free Disk Space: 786.0 GB
PSU: Cooler Master 650W.

I'm thinking it is either my PSU that's failing or my CPU has been degrading over time (or both). My CPU was apparently overclocked to 3.8GHz. I've been looking for answers for months now posting on various forums to no avail. I am on my wits end.

If anyone could offer me some help, it would be great.

 

[koala]

Have you installed all the latest drivers, DirectX, critical MS updates and the AMD dual core optimizer?

If you've got any other programs running in the background while playing, close them down.

What antivirus are you using, and have you tried temporarily disabling it?

Are your games fully patched?

Set all clock speeds back to default.

Check the temperatures and voltages in BIOS and while running a fullscreen game.

If you've using VSync, try disabling it.

Try running with just 2 or 4 of your 8gb RAM. If that helps, test each stick individually (with the others removed from the motherboard) using memtest.

 

[LtCarman]

Have you installed all the latest drivers, DirectX, critical MS updates and the AMD dual core optimizer?

Yes.

If you've got any other programs running in the background while playing, close them down.

No.

What antivirus are you using, and have you tried temporarily disabling it?

I am using Kaspersky and I have tried disabling it.

Are your games fully patched?

Yes.

Set all clock speeds back to default.

I have tried this, no improvement.

Check the temperatures and voltages in BIOS and while running a fullscreen game.

All are normal in the BIOS.

If you've using VSync, try disabling it.

I have tried disabling it, no difference.

Try running with just 2 or 4 of your 8gb RAM. If that helps, test each stick individually (with the others removed from the motherboard) using memtest.

I have tried that before to no avail.

After looking more into my PSU, I'm starting to suspect that it's at fault. The max load ratings for the 12v rail is 19A...which I've learned is fairly low.

 

[Markgg88]

Yes, 19 A is too low for modern GPUs. You need to upgrade to a quality unit.

Newegg.com - CORSAIR Enthusiast Series CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply

Newegg.com - XFX Core Edition PRO650W (P1-650S-CAB9) 650W ATX12V v2.2 & ESP12V v2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

Newegg.com - SeaSonic X Series X650 Gold ((SS-650KM Active PFC F3)) 650W ATX12V V2.3/EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

You can't go wrong with either of these.

 

[koala]

The Cooler Master eXtreme Power Plus 650W has two +12V lines, each providing 18A. It has a low efficiency rating of only 70%. If this is your PSU, upgrade it.

If your Cooler Master is the GX-650W model, this is much better with a single 52A +12V line and 85% efficiency, which is enough for your graphics card.

 

[LtCarman]

My PSU is the Cooler Master Real Power Pro.

Here's the sticker:

 

[koala]

It has three 19A +12V lines and an 80% efficiency rating. Not the best, but shouldn't be a problem. Check the voltages in BIOS and while running a fullscreen game or FurMark for about 10 minutes.

 

[LtCarman]

It has three 19A +12V lines and an 80% efficiency rating. Not the best, but shouldn't be a problem. Check the voltages in BIOS and while running a fullscreen game or FurMark for about 10 minutes.

How would I check the BIOS while in-game?

 

[koala]

Use a system monitor like Everest or SIW and go to the Computer>Sensors section. It will show you the temperatures and voltages. Leave it running on the desktop, then alt-tab out of the fullscreen game and quickly take a screenshot before the values start reverting back to normal.

You can't check the BIOS in Windows. You need to turn the computer off and boot into BIOS before Windows starts to load. It will tell you at the top or bottom of the screen which key to press for CMOS/BIOS.

 

[LtCarman]

Use a system monitor like Everest or SIW and go to the Computer>Sensors section. It will show you the temperatures and voltages. Leave it running on the desktop, then alt-tab out of the fullscreen game and quickly take a screenshot before the values start reverting back to normal.

Oh, that's what you meant. Ok, be back in a few.

 

[LtCarman]

After 10 minutes in L4D2:

My 3.3v is off. However, while in the BIOS (during bootup), it's a normal reading.

 

[koala]

Those readings are all very good.

Try changing the CPU affinity for the games you're having trouble with. Not all games fully support quad core CPUs. Start the game, then alt-tab back to the desktop. Open the Task Manager and click the Processes tab, right-click the game's exe, click Set Affinity, change from 4 cores to 1 or 2, then restart the game.

 

[LtCarman]

Those readings are all very good.

Try changing the CPU affinity for the games you're having trouble with. Not all games fully support quad core CPUs. Start the game, then alt-tab back to the desktop. Open the Task Manager and click the Processes tab, right-click the game's exe, click Set Affinity, change from 4 cores to 1 or 2, then restart the game.

I have tried doing that with BF2, but that, like all the other potential solutions that I've tried, did nothing to rectify the problem.

By the way, why is my 3.3v reading off?

I honestly don't know what else to do.

 

[koala]

System monitors are not always 100% accurate, and the +3.3V rail is not important anyway. As long as it's ok in BIOS, I wouldn't worry about it.

If you've only been testing with online games like L4D2 and BF2, try an offline game. It could be a problem with your connection, ping rate or their servers.

Sorry, I can't think of anything else to suggest at the moment. Hang on for some replies from some other people, and I'll get back to you if I think of anything else.

 

[LtCarman]

System monitors are not always 100% accurate, and the +3.3V rail is not important anyway. As long as it's ok in BIOS, I wouldn't worry about it.

If you've only been testing with online games like L4D2 and BF2, try an offline game. It could be a problem with your connection, ping rate or their servers.

Sorry, I can't think of anything else to suggest at the moment. Hang on for some replies from some other people, and I'll get back to you if I think of anything else.

I tested those games in single player, so my Internet connection shouldn't have been an issue. The same thing is happening with FS2004 as well as a demo for this Street Sweeping simulator, both of which are almost purely single player.

Thanks for your help so far, Koala.

 

[LtCarman]

Sorry for the double post here but, I've noticed in dxdiag that my current display mode says "1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (60Hz)" whereas I have the 64 bit version of Windows 7. Could this be responsible for my stutters?

 

[Elvenleader3]

Are you positive that you have downloaded the 64-bit version of your drivers?

 

[LtCarman]

Are you positive that you have downloaded the 64-bit version of your drivers?

I'm pretty positive. As far as I know, the 11.4 drivers from ATI are compatible with both 32 bit and 64 bit.

 

[koala]

The 32-bit display mode just means that you've got the maximum number of colors selected for the desktop, which is normal. Nothing to do with the graphics driver.

 

[Markgg88]

Can't help but to think it's the PSU. Temps are normal, you have the latest drivers and your system should handle gaming with no problems. That leaves the PSU.
I'm by no means an expert, but I can't think of anything else.