slow system

[colinftl]

When I play games like World of Warcraft or Fallout 3, my system gets incredibly sluggish for about 30 seconds and I have to wait it out, or I won't be able to accomplish anything. When it finally regains normality, the process will repeat itself in approximately 3-5 minutes. However, I was pretty confident that it was a cooling issue, since I only have stock fans inside my case, but I took it a step further and ghetto rigged my computer to have a ordinary house fan blow into the case. This actually helps, and I don't have any issues when that's running, but it seems ridiculous to have to go by this method.

To give everyone an idea of what I'm running, here are my specs.
Intel Core 2 Quad CPU Q6600, 2.4GHz
2 gb RAM
NVidia GeForce 8800 GTX
550 Watt Power Supply

I'd like to think I'm running with an alright system, and aside from the slowing down, I don't have any problems visually. But I would like to get this problem fixed.

I also have SpeedFan telling me my heating problems and it's listed as:
GPU 74-80C
CPU 70C
Local 64C
Remote 2 70C
Temp1 47C
Temp2 36C
HD0 29C
Core 0 65C

The GPU, CPU, Local, Remote 2, and Core 0 are all listed as "on fire." I'm aiming to try and figure out what to do about this, and if I possibly have to buy a cooling system.

 

[imported_Scoop]

If those are your idle temps, you definitely have a cooling problem, for load temps, they shouldn't be the cause of any issues.

 

[chizow]

However, I was pretty confident that it was a cooling issue, since I only have stock fans inside my case, but I took it a step further and ghetto rigged my computer to have a ordinary house fan blow into the case. This actually helps, and I don't have any issues when that's running, but it seems ridiculous to have to go by this method.

Sounds like you diagnosed your problem. Unless your system was pre-built with those components you shouldn't expect to run premium components without proper cooling. You can look at improving case cooling (with a new case, or more/better fans) or you can look at improving cooling for the individual components you suspect are having problems.

For the CPU, if its the stock cooler, you can cool temps dramatically with any decent after-market cooler. I'd also make sure any speedstep or performance throttling options are turned off in the BIOS. For the GPU, you can use a program like RivaTuner or EVGA Precision to manually set fan speed. I believe the G80 begins throttling performance at 100C.

Those temps you listed are high, but not high enough to be a problem by themselves. When are you reading temps? During gameplay or after you alt-tab/quit the games? I'd still look at improving airflow in your case, since opening the case and using a direct fan stopped the throttling, but accurate temps would help confirm the problem.

 

[videogames101]

What case? Pics of your computer and fan locations would help greatly, so we could recommend ways to improve airflow.

 

[colinftl]

Originally posted by: Scoop
If those are your idle temps, you definitely have a cooling problem, for load temps, they shouldn't be the cause of any issues.

Those are my idle temps, and they do increase during performance, but those are a bit harder to check, unless I'm not seeing something.

Originally posted by: chizow
Those temps you listed are high, but not high enough to be a problem by themselves. When are you reading temps? During gameplay or after you alt-tab/quit the games? I'd still look at improving airflow in your case, since opening the case and using a direct fan stopped the throttling, but accurate temps would help confirm the problem.

I'm reading them while I'm alt-tabbed, but I have the fps showing while running WoW, and when it slows down, it reads at about 2-4 fps. That's the bulk of what I'm going with in-game. How do I read the temperatures during gameplay? I'm not really savvy enough to know where to find this information, or how to acquire it.

Pics will be coming too, once my camera has more power.

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: colinftl
I'm reading them while I'm alt-tabbed, but I have the fps showing while running WoW, and when it slows down, it reads at about 2-4 fps. That's the bulk of what I'm going with in-game. How do I read the temperatures during gameplay? I'm not really savvy enough to know where to find this information, or how to acquire it.

Pics will be coming too, once my camera has more power.

I typically monitor temps and system vitals using a 2nd monitor. G15 LCD can also show you these things. Otherwise, you can try to run the games windowed and watch temps/cpu usage there.

If you have to alt-tab, I'd use the following programs as they give you some idea of max temps under load.

EVGA Precision

HWMonitor

Precision will allow you to check temps and also adjust fan speed if necessary. Its a lightweight version of RivaTuner and much easier to use.

HWMonitor is great because it shows vital temps with current/min/max. Run your games and when you slow down, alt-tab and check your current and max temps.

If you confirm CPU temps 80C or higher and GPU temps 90C and higher that would confirm your findings that temps are the problem.