Poor game performance

Question

I've had my i5150 for about 6 months now. Lately the performance with games has not been very good. The framerate will suddenly drop and the game will become sluggish for about 10-20 seconds. This happens with Unreal Tournament 2004, but also with some older 3d games. I tried reinstalling my graphics card drivers (currently using the ones supplied on the dell site), tried reinstalling xp, still no luck. I'm not sure if it is anything to do with the dust problem these models seem to have, but the cpu doesn't seem to reach very high temperatures. Any ideas?

Specs:
2.8ghz mobile p4
geforcefx go 5200 64mb
512mb ram

jeffcmfrt · Answer

Just a shot in the dark. Passing this on to you. I have expeirenced somthing simlar to yours with my pc to make a long story short because it took me over a month to figuire out my problem.I can say with the xps with 9800 video card and the latest AO5 bios the video drivers arent compatable with bios the latest video drivers only work properly with the A01 bios.And dell tech support recomended me update the video drivers update to the A05 bios and update also the audio drivers when i called because i couldnt play doom 3 what a mess my system lost performence bigtime mt fps droped on the games i was playing prior altho doom 3 played somewhat.Just a thought you might want to swap the bios and drivers around while watching your fps. good luck i understand how frustrateing this can be. I installed the omega drivers because i heard so many good things about them and it did improve my fps.But it wouldnt allow me to use my dvd player along with a couple other bugs.So i went back to the dell download site to changed back to the dell drivers and thats where i stumbled upon my problem after a month of on the phone with dell tech support. Loss of sleep and frustration.Come to find out the A05 does not work with the latest drivers for the 9800 you must use the A01.I installed the A01 the updated drivers and got my system back runs great.I called dell tech support and told them after all they are the ones that messed me up in the first place.Good luck and it is wise to come to the dell forum before calling dell tech support.

Inspiron XPS
3.4 H/T processor
1 gig ram
256 ddr ati 9800
15.4 wide aspect ultra sharp
wuxga(1920x1200) display
Operating system windows xp home
Service pk 2
Logitech MX750 wireless mouse
Nostromo n52 gamepad

Message Edited by jeffcmfrt on 01-03-2005 03:11 PM

egoneo · Answer

i say that it is most probably the dust problem. try cleaning out those vents at the back and if that does not work try and install/reinstall chipset drivers and the mobile intel pentium 4 drivers.

jeffcmfrt · Answer

Yes i also done the dust deal and then sum while trying to troubleshoot the problem even tho my laptop is only a couple months old.I guess heat can be a factor. I have been reading in the forum for fixes for mine. I havent seen too many heat problems with your system but have seen plenty with the 600 and laptops in general.I think all laptops heat is a big issue and it is also worth a shot to do the caned air. I also read where sombody sugested useing a antec cooling pad which suposivley made a difference altho i looked into the consumer reviews and seems they arent made that well and they don't last. But for 30 or 40 bucks compaired to what we pay for our laptops it is worth the investment if it works.I have a targus pad more for setting my laptop on for the angle it is supposed to help for cooling also altho it dosn't have any fans.Also they have free tool downloads that will tell you your temps so you can pinpoint or eliminate heat as your problem.By no means get the wrong idea that i know computers that well. Im just learning myself im just passing off information that may be helpfull to you. There are a lot of people in this forum with a lot more knowlege than me that have helped me a lot.good luck

Inspiron XPS
3.4 H/T processor
1 gig ram
256 ddr ati 9800
15.4 wide aspect ultra sharp
wuxga(1920x1200) display
Operating system windows xp home
Service pk 2
Logitech MX750 wireless mouse
Nostromo n52 gamepad

Dave.B · Answer

Ok, I've spent a long time trying out basically every single driver that dell offer for my card, no luck.
As far as heat goes, my laptop works at 50-60 degrees c, but I will try that compressed air idea out tommorow. Hopefully that will help.

TheGR8-1 · Answer

I had the same sort of problems after I'd had my system about 5 months with games as well (NHL 2004).  I found that a gel ice pack underneath where the video card lies (top right corner) fixes the problem

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Poor game performance

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