7811 FX Framerate Help

Hey guys,

Here's the scoop: I bought this laptop brand new from Best Buy on Sept. 27th, 2008. Warranty expired, and Gateway's service is terrible.

For a while the game will run silky smooth with no lag/frames problem. Then out of nowhere it will slow down for about a minute, sometimes less than that.

I'm experiencing this problem with the following games (all I have on my comp):
TF2 , CS:S , L4D , WoW

I've tried reducing the resolution, and downloading the latest forceware drivers. Didn't fix the problem. The last driver I downloaded also switched the resolutions to ones such as: 1400x1050 instead of 1440x900. What?!...

My current Nvidia Forceware drivers are: 8.16.0011.8681


----

I'm really thinking about just formatting the entire computer and reinstalling all the drivers from the main 7811-fx thread. I've done this before.. determining which driver was which (there are so many) was a bit complicated though... could use some help if I decide to do this again. I'm around 80% sure this is the right step to take. I always feel better when I start off with clean drives and a fresh install...

If anybody has any other thoughts/suggestions I'd appreciate it. Sorry for the wall of text... getting upset


Edit: Also entertaining the idea of selling the laptop for whatever I can get for it and building a new desktop, since this is basically used as a desktop. I don't even take it anywhere.. lol

 

I had this problem for a while.
While playing World of warcraft it drops from 90fps to 35-40fps for about 3 minutes.

tried many things.
any ideas?

 

Download and run HD tach or HD tune and run a speed test. Perhaps your hard drive is under performing. Have you tried defraging your hard drive? Is your hard drive activity lighting going crazy when you game?

 

Download HWMoniter and run it while you are playing a game. (it will record your temps)

Once the slowdown happens close down the game and check the readings on HWMoniter. It sounds like you are getting throttling due to your TZS0 hitting 98 degrees.

If this is the case please report back and we can work around it from there, if not we'll check on other things as well.

 

Aha! What he said. And if that is the case, prop up the back of the lappy. I saw this on here a while back and thought nothing of it(I think Ewrecked first posted it) about propping. It really helps out a lot. Dropped my temps about 10C. Let us know what you get..,?

 

thanks for the replies,

I just actually finished with the reformat and reinstalling of the latest stable bios / chipset / video drivers. What do you guys usually use as your desktop and gaming resolution? I'm finding 1900x1200 to be wayy too big, eye strain galore even with 120DPI.

Also, whats with 1400x1050 instead of 900? Just wondering.

I have always kept the rear of the laptop propped up, for proper ventilation. =P I have downloaded the program you recommended and will give it a shot once TF2 finishes installing! Will keep you updated.

 

I had this same exact problem when i first got my 7811 and it is most likely your temps being way to high. If the left side of your computer (graphics card vent) is hot to the touch while you are gaming then you need to clean out the computer.

I used the gateway fx disassembly sticky at the top to completely take apart my laptop and clean the fans with cotton swabs and compressed air. I never had that problem again and my temps went from 105c (i know ridiculous) down to 65c max.

Btw, I am a complete beginners at taking apart laptops and i found it fairly easy to do, but most importantly the benefits of it outweighed the risks by far.

If you are experiencing harsh temperatures you could permanently damage your graphics card.

Good Luck!

 

yeah, you guys are right.. holy . I just tried L4D and the GPU temperature jacked up to 107... I'm going to start taking it apart and giving it a cleaning, its the only thing I haven't done.

Do you think I've done alot of damage? I'd say it has been hot enough to slow the frames down about 20-30 times. I've been avoiding it by turning down the resolution within games to around 1024, or 1280. Do you have any recommendations? I plan on buying some heatsink gucka (artic stuff) and a cooling pad.

I hope I haven't done any long-term damage =/ =/

 

Update:

I completely disassembled the entire laptop from top to bottom using the stickied guide. It took just under 2 hours =D The fans were a little dirty, but the big orange block right before the outlet vent near the GPU was stuffed full of dust bunnies; this was blocking the airflow. While I have this thing apart, im going to go ahead and apply some TIM. Any brand suggestions? I will let you guys know about post-op progress and temperatures.

PS. What resolution(s) do you guys set your desktop / games at? Just wondering! )

 

Ah glad you found your dust bunnies... they are evil monsters.

As to TIM: alot of people have started swearing by ICD7 its supposedly the best stuff out right now. I'll be ordering some once my new lappy arrives next week. I've always use Artic Silver Ceremique, and i swear by the stuff. I think with a proper application its some of the greatest stuff on the planet. I have an x9000 running @32-34 idle so thats impressive to me for a 44watt CPU

BUt honestly with the results i've seen i would give ICD7 a try.


As to your resolution... native is always best (sharpest image) but you are free to run it at any res. I have the 1440x900 screen so i pretty much run everything at that resolution. Not much i cant power through like that

 

im thinking drivers play a role with screen rez. I know when i had 185.85 drivers i had the option to move down to 1400x900. Now it isnt a option on any game.

 

i usually place it up by 2 small books from the back.
i still get this 3 minutes of low fps/throttling.
would that secret with ASL Complier and changing the TZ thing...etc
i dunno i saw a guide posted on a different thread.
is that known to work?
i just cant handle playing smoothly then all of a sudden it drops big time.
i cleaned it with compressed air before. not a big difference

 

Isnt the Arctic silver silver based compound better than ceramic based compound? Any TIM is better than the stock goo/thermal pad. +1 to ICD7/AS product though.

 

Yeah, I did some further research and it looks like I'll be going with the IC7, or AS5. Pref. the former. I will also be getting the NZXT Cryo LX as well, for cooling. It should really help keep the temps down. After all this, I'll try to do some undervolting... =P

southzz, i'd recommend getting an air canister and blowing the vents out asap, see if that fixes your problem-- if so, you should probably clean our your laptop too, and grab a cooler.

 

Chuco,

There some info in the other threads surrounding the 7811 about the TZS0 sensor needing adjustment or being out of place. I haven't read much about it because I wasn't experiencing heat problems, but I did see it in there. Is that the sensor that was spiking or was it the CPU/GPU temps

 

Hey Cepheid, thanks for the response.

I just successfully added AS5 to my GPU and CPU and reassembled the computer just about 10 minutes ago. Temperatures have dropped significantly since cleaning.

I'm sure this was an internal problem and not a sensor problem as the left side vent was burning hot to the touch. Literally. =/ I will let you all know what my final performance temperatures are when I receive the Zalman. Cheers

Edit: Decided, after an extensive review of several hours (sigh) to go with the Zalman NC2000. I found a comparison thread and it seems to offer better cooling when positioned correctly.