gpu @ 99% usage

[thefuzmixman]

There seems to be a problem with my hardware when running Warcraft.

i have frequent moments in-game where i get low framerates. Pretty much in tandem with 99% usage spikes when looking at the log. The highest temp gets is about 60c.

I tried a different online game to compare performance. Loaded up Battlefield 2142. Graphics are set to max and i experience no framerate issues whatsoever even on 64 man servers. The whole time i'm playing my card is at 90-99% usage as well and temps do not exceed 60c.



xp pro sp3 performance tweaked
q6600 @ 2.8ghz
asus hd3850 512mb
zotac mobo nforce 630i chipset
2 gb pny optima 667mhz ram
sb hush psu +12v @ 25a

 

[Narynan]

Is this something that pops up in WotLK content or all around?
Is this something that just started with 3.0.8?

 

[error8]

So you we're expecting a lower GPU usage, or what? When you're playing a game is normal for your GPU to be loaded at 100%. This is what a gpu does.

Maybe you just have a problem with drivers or the videocard is too slow for WOW. But it has nothing to do with the 99% load.

 

[Denithor]

WoW loves CPU & RAM above all else. You've got a pretty solid CPU although you could push it up to 3-3.2GHz, most likely without too much effort (but you do want good cooling for this if you don't already have an aftermarket cooler). A faster GPU could also help since you're obviously reaching the max on your current card.

G.Skill 2x2GB DDR2-800 $40
MSI 4850 $130AR

 

[thefuzmixman]

Originally posted by: error8
So you we're expecting a lower GPU usage, or what? When you're playing a game is normal for your GPU to be loaded at 100%. This is what a gpu does.

Maybe you just have a problem with drivers or the videocard is too slow for WOW. But it has nothing to do with the 99% load.

Thank you, yes i didn't know if it was indeed normal for the video card to be at max load. I also am thinking that WoW is asking for more then people say it does.

WoW loves CPU & RAM above all else. You've got a pretty solid CPU although you could push it up to 3-3.2GHz, most likely without too much effort (but you do want good cooling for this if you don't already have an aftermarket cooler). A faster GPU could also help since you're obviously reaching the max on your current card.

Indeed it does. So are you pretty much saying that performance i get now, i normal according the hardware I'm using? What is peculiar is that i went from an e2180 to the q6600 shortly after then expansion came out. While i did see a boost in performance, it was not what i was expecting.

Is this something that pops up in WotLK content or all around?
Is this something that just started with 3.0.8?

The performance problem is not related to the the 3.0.8 patch but WOTLK content in general - namely inside Wintergrasp Fortress where i have severe slowdowns (into the teens), Alterac Valley raids and also, Dalaran is hard on my system even when the server is at low population.

 

[thefuzmixman]

I just thought of something while checking the Device Manager for problems. Could i get better performance from a dedicated soundcard? Right now i'm using the onboard sound on my mobo. I have an old M-audio mobilepre laying around that i can use. It's an external soundcard running through usb though so i don't know if that would be bad for gaming.

 

[Cheesetogo]

I would strongly, strongly suggest more RAM. I upgraded a short while ago from 2GB, and my total RAM usage occasionally got as high as 97-98% when in Dalaran. Stick another 2 GB in and you should probably be much better off.

Edit - A dedicated soundcard isn't going to give you a very tangible performance improvement.

 

[yh125d]

2 more GB of ram will definitely get used by WoW

 

[thefuzmixman]

Thank you so much for all who've replied. So if i get more RAM, will i get better performance in large scale PvP raids? That's currently my biggest gripe.

 

[taltamir]

sound card is the last thing to upgrade. get more ram... in fact your ram is also 677mhz, so the 2x2GB module will be more ram that is also faster ram.
Your CPU should easily OC to 3ghz at default voltage with higher quality ram (I would say that is what is holing your CPU OC right now), so that should also help... There might be a driver issue, but its most likely ram and CPU. GPU is an unlikely culprit, and audio is a non issue.

 

[yh125d]

More ram will make everything better

 

[Denithor]

Get the 4GB RAM I linked above, see if your CPU will OC a bit more and give that a whirl.

If it's still not up to expectation then drop the bucks for a faster GPU.