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    Use of USB cooler causing framerate drops when OC'ed?

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by bobuy00, Aug 1, 2012.

  1. bobuy00

    bobuy00 Notebook Geek

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    This is something I've observered when playing DiRT 3 on a i3-2310M, GT 555M laptop with an 80W power brick:

    1) Cooler ON, No OC (650/900) = Steady but so-so FPS ~50
    2) Cooler ON, OC 700/950 = Steady and better FPS (maintains's 60 fps limit)
    3) Cooler ON, OC 840/1000 (Tested on folding/unigine/3dmark) = Higher settings at FPS limit, but drops to 20 fps occasionally
    4) Cooler OFF, OC 840/1000 = Same settings at FPS limit but and NO fps drops.

    So, by that logic would that mean that the fps drops are caused by the mobo being starved of power? and would this apply to all other games as well?
     
    bobuy00, Aug 1, 2012
    #1
  2. MrDJ

    MrDJ Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    most probably.
    this has happened to quite a few and the simple answer is to get a 4 way powered usb hub. all the things will be powered by the mains leaving the laptop to do what it does best, game without any extra drain.
     
    MrDJ, Aug 1, 2012
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  3. amirfoox

    amirfoox Notebook Evangelist

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    Huh?!

    I never realized that, this sounds almost absurd. I wonder if a USB cooler can actually do anything to hamper a 17" Clevo with a 220 Watt power supply, though.
     
    amirfoox, Aug 1, 2012
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  4. aduy

    aduy Keeping it cool since 93'

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    You can also use a cell phone charger that has a usb port to power the fans.

    Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
     
    aduy, Aug 1, 2012
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  5. maverick1989

    maverick1989 Notebook Deity

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    Your USB port supplies around 2.5W. It seems unrealistic to believe that it will starve the other components of some power. Have you tried the powered approach? If it works then it was indeed the USB (although that would be crazy!).
     
    maverick1989, Aug 2, 2012
    #5
  6. Kingpinzero

    Kingpinzero ROUND ONE,FIGHT! You Win!

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    He's using an 80w psu. I think its realistic to have such instability with a power cooler connected that draws a spcific amount of power all the time.

    His cpu has a max tdp of 35w. A stock GT555m has a TDP of 45w. So that makes 80w. If he OC it with good numbers has he shown, there could be a power drainage from the usb ports, in this case the cooler.

    Switching to a bigger psu should resolve his issues, EG a 150w psu. 80w psu is not enough for overclocking the card and having the system running stable, is the bare minimum, made for a system running at stock. As he said at stock with cooler on he doesnt have those issues, that pretty much sums it up.
     
    Kingpinzero, Aug 2, 2012
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  7. bobuy00

    bobuy00 Notebook Geek

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    So, buying a higher rated power brick would solve the issue?
     
    bobuy00, Aug 2, 2012
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  8. Kingpinzero

    Kingpinzero ROUND ONE,FIGHT! You Win!

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    Mostly yes. If my theory is correct you need a better power range if you plan to OC higher than your current OC limit and have a cooler at the same time.
     
    Kingpinzero, Aug 2, 2012
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  9. bobuy00

    bobuy00 Notebook Geek

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    Bought a $5 socket to usb adapter for the fan. Turns out that both it and the GPU were being starved of power.. Now the fans push out much more air than it did before :/. I'll pick up a better PSU if I could find one ^^

    The cooler does come with a 2-port Hub, and the power is supplied vie micro usb, so, would a USB cable with auxiliary power work? One usb plugged to the Laptop and the other to the socket adapter?
    yCable.jpg
     
    bobuy00, Aug 5, 2012
    #9
  10. MrDJ

    MrDJ Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    told you so :D
     
    MrDJ, Aug 5, 2012
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  11. bobuy00

    bobuy00 Notebook Geek

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    Still, would using the Y connector with one plugged in the laptop and the other on the mains allow me to use the built in hub while the fan takes power from the plug?
     
    bobuy00, Aug 6, 2012
    #11