The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Frame rate of 3-8 on Starcraft II WoL

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by newvelaric, Jan 22, 2013.

  1. newvelaric

    newvelaric Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    6
    Messages:
    117
    Likes Received:
    15
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Guys, I do not understand what happened: when I play on Starcraft II WoL, my game frequently stutters and the frame rate drops to 3-8. I do not understand. I have a M17X-R2 and am running the game on medium settings. So why is the game dropping so slow? I do not play online so it has not caused problem for other people but I am not enjoying the game as much as I should. Anybody with any idea for me?


    PS: all my system is up to date, as are the drivers and Starcraft is up to date.
     
    newvelaric, Jan 22, 2013
    #1
  2. sangemaru

    sangemaru Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    758
    Messages:
    1,551
    Likes Received:
    328
    Trophy Points:
    101
    CPU and GPU temperature log during SC2?
     
    sangemaru, Jan 22, 2013
    #2
  3. Thearcy

    Thearcy Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    14
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Are you running on battery?
     
    Thearcy, Jan 22, 2013
    #3
  4. newvelaric

    newvelaric Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    6
    Messages:
    117
    Likes Received:
    15
    Trophy Points:
    31
    No, my M17X-R2 is always connected to an outlet.

    My CPU runs to "50%" from a quick look on a sidebar gadget. My temperature is good, because I make sure there is a lot of air circulation around the system. I will download CPU-Z AND GPU-Z and check on my system.

    I just do not get it. I can run almost all games on from "high" to "ultra" settings, except SC II. I run Diablo III at "very high" without any trouble at all...
     
    newvelaric, Jan 22, 2013
    #4
  5. Tsunade_Hime

    Tsunade_Hime such bacon. wow

    Reputations:
    5,413
    Messages:
    10,711
    Likes Received:
    1,204
    Trophy Points:
    581
    My R2 could run it on ultra 1200p, even custom maps that spawn a billion units...what driver version are you on?
     
    Tsunade_Hime, Jan 22, 2013
    #5
  6. Greywolf22

    Greywolf22 Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    849
    Messages:
    1,453
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    56
    No problems running it on mine either. Definitely sounds like a driver or throttling issue (heat). Would be interesting to see what gpu-z reports. Also I'm running the latest amd drivers 13.1 without any issues what-so-ever.
     
    Greywolf22, Jan 23, 2013
    #6
  7. newvelaric

    newvelaric Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    6
    Messages:
    117
    Likes Received:
    15
    Trophy Points:
    31
    I am using Catalyst 13.1 for my AMD dual cards (it is 5800 on my devices page). I just updated a few days ago when it came out. Then I reinstalled the game, no change...
     
    newvelaric, Jan 23, 2013
    #7
  8. Alienware-L_Porras

    Alienware-L_Porras Company Representative

    Reputations:
    3,658
    Messages:
    6,874
    Likes Received:
    969
    Trophy Points:
    281
    When that happens press the Gauge-like button (stealth mode) it might be that it activates without you noticing. Also, did you check on the temperatures?
     
    Alienware-L_Porras, Jan 23, 2013
    #8
  9. Tsunade_Hime

    Tsunade_Hime such bacon. wow

    Reputations:
    5,413
    Messages:
    10,711
    Likes Received:
    1,204
    Trophy Points:
    581
    I've never seen Stealth mode just randomly activate, I haven't tried 13.1 drivers, I always avoid updating the driver immediately, past experiences with AMD drivers just shys me away from that.
     
    Tsunade_Hime, Jan 23, 2013
    #9
  10. Thearcy

    Thearcy Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    14
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    If it weren't a legal/patched copy, I'd be thinking it was the title screen throttling it.
     
    Thearcy, Jan 23, 2013
    #10
  11. senshin

    senshin Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    124
    Messages:
    311
    Likes Received:
    11
    Trophy Points:
    31
    does your framerate stutters with some units on schreen or alot?
    What videocard and CPU do you have?? and also what drivers are installed?

    If you have some kind of old drivers it could cause the problem because sc2 is alot optimized in later videocard drivers.

    Mostly if you have problems with a game like sc2 there is something wrong with drivers or installation.
     
    senshin, Jan 23, 2013
    #11
  12. newvelaric

    newvelaric Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    6
    Messages:
    117
    Likes Received:
    15
    Trophy Points:
    31
    It stutters everywhere, even the cinematics stutters... And it does not matter if there are few or many units, the whole things slows down.

    I bought the game on Amazon when it first came out, and it is registered with Battle.net. Blizzard has yet to send me any e-mail saying there is a problem.

    I do not have many software of my computers, but all of them are legally bought...

    I will do a reinstall of the whole laptop. I can't seem to find the problem...

    Anyways, my new M18X-R2 should arrive soon so I will tell you guys if things stay the same on my new monster.
     
    newvelaric, Jan 23, 2013
    #12