//PROBLEM
//NOTES
- i have around 71~ processes running in the background, but most of them are necessary. i did a clean OS installation on my SSD and didn't have to deal with the software clutter that normally comes with it whatever the problem is, it's usually coming after a couple hours of playing games
- i've updated drivers around 3 times with beta drivers & reverted back to the original drivers since i had a better WEI score (7.2 compared to 6.8)
- it's a laptop. i set the power plan to high performance and set the options on max performance. i also went into the nvidia control panel and changed the adaptive to max performance
- i set msiafterburner to run at +135 core & +200 memory
- i have the problem at stock settings & overclock
- power saving features are all turned off
- i do have a cooling mat (notepal coolermaster u2) and stock thermal compound
- research at notebookreview shows the i7 can reach temps as high as 105. other user benchmarks report average temps of 70-75 (high: 80) while gaming
- I have shut down the game & restarted the laptop when i experienced the performance issues. Upon reloading the game and playing the fps issues of dropping down to 30~45 were gone, but still noticed "choppiness" or a jitter to the frames.
- my cpu and gpu are not throttling. i ran Team fortress 2 until i experienced the performance issues alt tabbed n checked cpu-z and gpu-z. coreclock/memory clock for gpuz ran the same. cpu-z mhz ran at 3.4 continuously. i saw it dip to 1.2 ghz but thats normal with the cpu turbo especially when you alt tab out of the game. it proceeded to jump back to 3.4 a microsecond later. (the 1.2 ghz -> 3.4 ghz also happens during idle w/no apps running) *1 hour of prime95 causes a max temp of 85 with an average of 75~79
- i've ran both the BIOS diagnostics of my hardware & alienautopsy with a 100% pass except for the SMART tests (cannot run).
//Software Used
- HWMonitor
- GPU-Z
- CPU-Z
- MSIAfterburner
- Prime95
- Furmark
- CrystalDiskMark
//SYSTEM SPECS
- Alienware M14X R2
- 3rd Generation Intel Core i7-3720QM (6MB Cache, up to 3.6GHz w/ Turbo Boost 2.0)
- 8GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1600MHz
- English Keyboard, M14X R2
- 14.0" High Def+ (900p/1600x900) with WLED backlight
- 2 GB DDR5 NVIDIA GeForceGT 650M using NVIDIA Optimus technology
- 750GB 7200RPM SATA 3Gb/s
- AlienFX Color, Quasar Blue
- Alienware Command Center Software, M14X
- Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit Service Pack 1, English, w/Media
- Stealth Black with Soft Touch Finish
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Slot-Loading Dual Layer DVD Burner, DVD+-RW
- Internal High-Definition 5.1 Surround Sound Audio
- Killer Wireless-N 1202 a/g/n 2x2 MIMO for Gaming and Video and Bluetooth 4.0
- Alienware M14X 150W A/C Adapter
- Placement, M14X R2
- Alienware Documentation
- Shipping Material, M14X R2
- NO VIRUS PROTECTION REQUESTED
- Resource DVD, M14X R2
- Windows 7 OS Label, Alienware Notebooks
- DataSafe Local BackUp
- PC Restore
- DELL-DOWNLOAD-FLAG
- Camera Software 2.X, Factory Install
- Dell Support Center Software 3.0
- Quickset, M14X R2
- 63WHr 8-Cell Primary Battery
- Dell Hardware Warranty Plus On-Site Service, Initial Year
- In-Home Service after Remote Diagnosis, Parts and Labor On-Site Response, Initial Year
- Accidental Damage Service, 1 Year
- No Warranty, Year 2 and 3
- Soft Contracts Consumer Accidental Damage Agreement for Alienware
- Soft Contracts Dell In-Home Hardware Agreement for Alienware
- Warranty Support, Initial Year
- No Wireless HD Selected
- Standard Nameplate, M14X
I'll take any help at all
EDITED: for more details
-
-
It doesn't sound like a hardware issue. I would try another game or try a fresh install is on another hard drive so that you don't lose data on your current system.
-
i dont really have another HDD since it's a laptop but i've done 2-3 clean installs (nvidia geforce drivers) on it. as for tf2, i've done the check local files using steam validation. it encountered no corrupt files
-
Alienware-Natalia_J Company Representative
Run AlienAutopsy, and/or a PSA.
What game does it happen with? -
--
I also believe it's not hardware related.
Does it happen on a certain map or certain area in the game? Is there a pattern? -
It is cause the GPU is speed throttling download afterburner and look at the core speed when it does it my GPU throttles around 60C too, very annoying as this is not a high temperature at all.
-
Alienware-Natalia_J Company Representative
I know you probably already tried this, but I have to ask; Are you making sure the game is running on the Nvidia gpu?
-
Alienware-Natalia_J Company Representative
Are you still having this issue voodooi?
-
GPU Throttling at 60c is way too low. I just downloaded A04 Update, not sure what it fixes as it's not documented at all yet, but maybe it fixes some of the fan, cooling issues.
-
please keep this updated
-
yes i have. i manually went into the application in my steam folder set run as nvidia gpu as the default. i also added it into my manage 3d settings nvidia control panel. the issue still isn't fixed. i've tried it both on a SSD and a HDD and alienware tech support isn't being helpful at all.
edit: i edited first post for more details
i notice it on ctf_doublecross but it's not as bad. just more constant spiking from 60 to 44 which is extremely noticeable.
TBH i shouldn't be having any of these problems with a 5 year old game that's optimized for PC with a laptop of these specs. -
Alienware-Natalia_J Company Representative
Have you tried logging out and back in from steam when that happens? it might be a problem with steam...and I know you said you are running 71 processes in the background that are necessary but try a clean boot, just to test the game.
-
well the complete tf2 uninstall & re download & install didn't fix the problem -
Alienware-Natalia_J Company Representative
Try re installing Steam, that might help...
Alienware M14X R2 FPS Dipping after 3+ hours of gaming
Discussion in 'Alienware 14 and M14x' started by sh0gunshin, Aug 9, 2012.