Weird FPS drop/lag in games

[tnecniv]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
Troubleshooting starter

1. Overview of the problem
   Graphics/FPS lag in games.
   
   
2. Full description of the problem and symptoms
   Okay, random times when I boot up my computer, and I play a video game like WoW or Counter-Strike, my FPS will be horrible and I will get choppy gameplay. When it doesn't do that, I get great FPS and no lag at all, but if I close the game and reopen it, my FPS will drop and the game will lag really bad. Restarting my computer will ALWAYS fix the FPS lag.
   
3. Did it work normally at one time, or has the problem always existed?
   When I first setup my computer everything was fine, for maybe two weeks. I thought my power supply wasn't able to power my video card, so I bought a new one, and it still did it.
   
4. Is the problem consistent and repeatable, or entirely random, or semi-random?
   Sometimes I will get the lag the first time I open a game. But when I get good FPS in a game, my FPS will drop if I restart the game.
   
5. I already tried these steps:
   Upgraded my PSU
   Updated nVidia Drivers which were bugged, so went to an older version (yes I used a Driver Cleaner)
   
6. My software:
   • Windows XP Professional Edition with SP3[/i])
   • McAfee
   
   
   
7. My hardware
   • HP Computer
     
   • I have no clue
   • Core2Duo E6400
   • EVGA GeForce 8800GT
   • 2G Corsair XMS PC-6400 (5-5-5-12)
   • Corsair 520hx
     
   • I was given this computer from my cousin, and I put in the video card, memory, and power supply, so I don't know what kind of motherboard it has.
   
   
   
   

 

[oynaz]

Both games depend on a solid internet connection for smooth running. I suspect you will find that the error is related to you internet connection somehow.

Do you have any programs running which could steal a large amount of bandwidth? Norton Antivirus are notorious for pulling stunts like this, for one.

 

[tnecniv]

I don't have any big programs running in the background. I don't think it could be my internet connection, because it does this when I am at school and when I am back at home. It's not latency lag, it's choppiness and low frame rates.

 

[rasczak]

sounds to me like either your Video card is running too hot, or possibly dying. can you check your gpu temps and give us a read out?

 

[tnecniv]

Originally posted by: rasczak
sounds to me like either your Video card is running too hot, or possibly dying. can you check your gpu temps and give us a read out?

Alright, I just installed RivaTuner. I'm not sure if I'm using it right but I opened up the hardware monitor thing and it says my Core temp is 59C and Ambient temp is 48C, and I just booted up my comp. I'll play some CS and see how hot it gets.

Also, I was looking through some of my graphics stuff and I have Hardware Acceleration on Full. Should I try turning it off?

 

[tnecniv]

I just played CS for about 30 minutes and my Core temp went up to 68C and my Ambient Temp went up to 57C.

 

[tnecniv]

bump

so when i'm gaming my temps don't go above 70C

 

[tnecniv]

any suggestions?

if I can't figure out what's wrong then I'm probably going to try a reformat.. except I'm going to have to get Vista Pro because I can't find my XP CD =\