Some queries regarding my notebook performance(nc8430)

Hello all,

I have an HP nc8430 with ATI X1600 256MB dedicated. Running XP Service Pack 2.

Lately Ive noticed some performance issues with my notebook which have started to bother me.

I mainly only play World of Warcraft, Dawn of War, and Warcraft 3.

Over Xmas I added a Docking Station and External Monitor (22"), and an extra 1GB of RAM to take the total to 2GB.

Since then the laptop has run hotter (to the touch) and noticeably louder.

I have been getting some "stuttering" while playing wow as well, which did not used to happen before my monitor/ram/docking staion upgrade.

I changed none of my graphics settings when upgrading to the external monitor except upping the resolution to 1600 x 1050. I thought the video card could handle this.

Intrigued, I ran 3DMark05 and came up with a fairly disappointing 3676 marks, I understand I should be hitting 4K+ for my hardware setup.

I have upgraded my video drivers from the HP site (drivers dated Oct. 07), and XP with Antivirus disabled and a few bloatware items removed runs at 51 processes & 420MB.

I want to do something about my laptop performance and Im looking for ideas:

- Laptop cooler? I have a docking station if this matters. I also need a program for Computer monitoring temps.

- Standalone ATI Mobility drivers? Not even sure if this will help.

Searching for some more ideas, any assistance appreciated.

 

If your laptop is closed while it is docked it's likely running hotter than it was before. Also, the external screen is probably higher resolution which will be putting more strain on the graphics card and getting you less smooth performance in games.

Temperature monitoring software is always a good idea. Notebook Hardware Control is good for cpu temps. You can also use it to undervolt your cpu which will reduce the heat output. Look for undervolting guides on google.

If you can fit a cooling pad around the docking station that could help. Also try cleaning out your cpu cooling, removing fluff and if possible re-seating the cpu with some Arctic Silver 5 thermal paste.

 

Thanks for the response.

I d/l'd Everest last night and used it to test my CPU temp. It was 45-49C at idle and 70-80C under stress during games. Seems fairly normal.

Unfortunately my X1600 GPU does not seem to have a temp sensor. I tried Rivatuner, ATI Tool, ATI Tray Tools, Everst and CCC; none of the even gave me an option to monitor the GPU temperature which is quite frustrating.

After updating my video drivers and learning some RAM with msconfig, I still only returned 3700 marks on 3dMark05 (300-500 less than expected), and still have the pausing problem in WoW.

It seems like something is occupying the CPU or GPU every now and then causing my game to pause for 2-5 seconds at a time(very frustrating). I have no idea what it is. I have eliminated most of the running processes that could be responsible, but seem to be at a dead end now as I have no idea what process is causing the slowdowns.

 

Have you tried a spyware scan? Also have you tried running the 3dmark on the laptop screen again and see if it still does it there?

 

Have tried the spyware scan, but havent tried running 3DMark on the laptop screen only. Will give that a go tonight =)

 

After looking up your laptop on google, it seems that your laptop's screen should be 1600x1050 anyway, so that shouldn't be the issue. Also, 70-80 C for a Cpu is on the high side, check out my laptop cooler review here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=213764. That should help if the heat is the problem, which it sounds like it could be.

The extra RAM shouldn't be doing it, and, if anything, having the screen closed should help with heat since it's off. Just make sure that you're only outputting to one screen, and not running dual views for no reason.

 

I had assumed that with the lid down it would only be outputting to the external monitor, but I will double check that as I did have it enabled to both screens at one point.

Will investigate the cooling situation!

Thanks.