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    Games stutter with new XPS 15

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by Unco, May 8, 2011.

  1. Unco

    Unco Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi guys, I recently got my new Dell XPS 15 L502x with the following specs:

    i7 2630
    8gb ram
    750gb 7200rpm
    525M 1gb

    I've tried playing games such as Counterstrike and Starcraft 2 and they both run quite smoothly. The temperatures on my cores are around 50-65 when gaming. I've checked all my drivers, and they should be up to date.

    The problem is that out of the blue the games will stutter. Idk if its the heat thats getting to the computer or the network that has an issue.... Although I have asked teamates while in game whether I was lagging or not and they all say that I'm good, so I can assume its not the network.

    So in this case, is it a heat issue? Because I'm not running anything at all in the background (except MSN and maybe itunes), idunno why the games are stuttering. Its like a lag, but the games are showing that I've got 60+ FPS.

    Can anyone help? Thanks!
     
    Unco, May 8, 2011
    #1
  2. skydrome1

    skydrome1 Notebook Consultant

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    Try enabling Vsync. Sometimes, if your framerate is too high, it might cause stuttering if your screen can't keep up.

    Could we have GPU temps? That may help a bit.
     
    skydrome1, May 9, 2011
    #2
  3. Tsunade_Hime

    Tsunade_Hime such bacon. wow

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    Do you also have the latest Nvidia drivers?
     
    Tsunade_Hime, May 9, 2011
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  4. Unco

    Unco Notebook Enthusiast

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    Ive updated all the recent NVIDIA drivers right off from the website.
    I've got vsync enabled. The GPU temperature goes to around 50-60C.
    Thanks.
     
    Unco, May 9, 2011
    #4
  5. steakikan

    steakikan Notebook Consultant

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    Just to find out...
    Can you run counterstrike on GMA3000, and then test whether it still stutter?
    I think counterstrike is not that demanding, but just want to find out whether it your card faulty
     
    steakikan, May 9, 2011
    #5
  6. lamer01

    lamer01 Notebook Consultant

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    My guess is that your game is not using the Nvidia card. When gaming, the GPU temps get to high 70s, low 80s. Go into the Start Menu, Find NVidia, Find Performance. Once that app is open, find the panel that allows you to set the card for a given program/game. If your game is not in there, add it.
     
    lamer01, May 9, 2011
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  7. Spunky424

    Spunky424 Notebook Consultant

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    does your game stutter when your doing single player mode or just when your online? if your not lagging and one of your partners is it could just be their connection to the game and nothing wrong with your laptop.
     
    Spunky424, May 9, 2011
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  8. Unco

    Unco Notebook Enthusiast

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    My bad I checked again and the GPU temp went up to low 70s..
    I can't find it in the settings, this is what my settings looks like: ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting

    Also, when I play games, it says "Nvidia GPU Activity: Starcraft 2, or Counterstrike".

    The lag only happens occasionally, not all the time...
    I can play sc2 on high in single player and it doesnt lag. However, when I ask my friends in game about the lag, they say theyre not lagging and that the network doesnt say that I am lagging either...

    How do i change to GMA3000?

    Thanks again.
     
    Unco, May 9, 2011
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  9. Unco

    Unco Notebook Enthusiast

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    Ok nevermind, I don't think its the GPU anymore. People are telling me I'm lagging, so perhaps its my network thats garbage? How can I fix it?
     
    Unco, May 9, 2011
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  10. steakikan

    steakikan Notebook Consultant

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    Did you use the wireless card?
    Then, the easiest is to check u use power saving mode while playing or not, as the wireless card will run on low power mode following the system power saver mode. This may reduce bandwidth
     
    steakikan, May 9, 2011
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  11. Unco

    Unco Notebook Enthusiast

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    Ohhhh thats probably the reason... but what if my laptop is plugged in? Will the power saver mode still affect it?
     
    Unco, May 9, 2011
    #11