XPS 8940, RTX 2060, Diablo 4 freezing

The first thing I see with XPS 8940s is CPU cooling issues.

Make sure you have a good CPU cooler or your CPU will throttle down.

Something that becomes more frequent, is usually caused by temps and/or dying hw.

full perf for gpu is useless, is NEVER a fix to freezes, and only helps in situations where the gpu load is low and the card regularly down clocks, resulting in stutter until clocks go up again, usually older games/using low settings etc,

same for vsync, which will only cause higher power consumption/heat, while introducing tearing.

is the inside (fans/coolers/gpu) clean?

did any win updates before it started?

could also be the psu, given that rig isnt new, and past experience with fixing pre-config stuff they usually last around 3-5y (psus).

What Nvidia Driver do you have?

I 'usually' stay current on the Nvidia Released drivers. Nvidia has really caused problems with Driver's V572 and later (see https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/forums/game-ready-drivers/13/) and search for 2060 for more specific reports.

I did put V572 when released and I had some problems, slow responses and I recall a lock-up too. I reverted to the LAST KNOWN good driver mentioned by those that had problems, V566.36 from last Dec. Go to the Nvidia site and get that and install it, I suspect it would clear your issue.

You might need to use DDU (https://www.guru3d.com/download/display-driver-uninstaller-download/) to clean out the OLD Nvidia driver before installing V566 though.

Alternatively, you might be OK using the Dell posted driver for the Nvidia card which is V552.41 that might also work for you.

Even if you hadn't used a recent driver from Nvidia, i'd suggest getting the Dell Driver and DDU. Run DDU and then install the Dell Driver, something might have been damaged?

@Element115s4​ I am afraid to change anything inside the stock pc. But I did see a lot of post about adding some fans inside. And a lot of people are saying that 8940 has poor cooling too.

@Muppets_Waldorf​ previously I tried to run the game on medium settings, then low settings, now I am trying it on high. Not sure too if it has something to do with the graphic settings in game, but the high settings now seems to be working (fingers crossed).

@ispalten​ now I am using 566.24. Previously I have also tried the latest ones in geforce app (forgot which version that was). I will try the 566.36, did you use game ready or studio driver?

@2023charlesg​ 

I am running with Game Ready.

Game Ready vs. Studio. Game Ready is optimized for games, Studio for 'productivity' and had less changes in it and considered more stable by many. However, it might also work for games depending on functions a game requires that might not be in the Studio driver. It is a 'try it and see' sort of thing.

When changing backward always use DDU first. May not be required, but it can help. 

If you didn't use DDU when you went back to 566.24, that could explain your issue, some remnant left over. Most installs, even ones by Nvidia will NOT replace a NEWER component, even under the 'clean' setting possibly.

@ispalten

any of this incl use of DDU will be useless, unless the rig is offline while uninstalling and cleaning,

and win driver update is disabled (DDU offers an option), or it will simply load the latest drivers right after your online.

@2023charlesg 

unless its in something like troubleshooting with help from a gpu/driver forum, stick with game ready,

the studio stuff is usually for non gaming gpus like Quadro cards.

im in multiple forums including one "just" for drivers, as well as one for gpu stuff, and so far in over 25y dont remember a single time where a studio driver would fix something (vs game ready).

its usually the other way around, with folks installing game ready drivers on workstations, so they can also play some games (incl headless gpus) without the need for another rig.

so in short, unless someone that tells you a very specific reason why (studio), dont install studio drivers for a gaming rig/gpu.

@Muppets_Waldorf​ 

Nope, not true, IF you disable that. 

For MS Update forcing a driver install, in BIOS disable Capsule Update (works a majority of the time).

Do this:

Select "No, let me choose what to do" and check "Never install driver software from Windows Update". 

I've NEVER had MS force a driver down on me.

During cleaning of the driver, Windows uses the default driver for the HD750 I recall? If you were to reboot, Windows would use its default Nvidia driver. Not too sure, hard to tell though. The Video ports are tied together, but in BIOS I have BOTH set on for Video and set the Primary Display to Nvidia (I might be wrong here, been so long since I did that, maybe only Primary Display needs to be set?).

@ispalten 

never seen a single non-enthusiast know about this, so 99% chance its not disabled on those machines that need troubleshooting.

my real problem is, ppl talking/recommending DDU should communicate this important step (just tell ppl to use the setting in DDU options) and maybe even take the time and explain in a few steps how to properly use DDU,

seen to many times where it hd to be repeated (as in again properly).

even a friend that had worked in shops with me, usually didnt care to take the time to do it like i told him when he had issues (disconnect/safe mode etc), with the problem being solved after i visited some point later and did the cleaning "properly".

that said, might be time i finally type something down (how to) for copy paste in cases like this.

(gee, they dont even have smileys here?!)

@Muppets_Waldorf​ 

I guess you can say I made a mistake not doing a full exposure on DDU, but I 'assumed' one would got to the web site link and READ it before just taking it down?

Like these parts:

=============

Recommended usage

• The tool can be used in Normal mode but for absolute stability when using DDU, Safemode is always the best.
• Make a backup or a system restore (but it should normally be pretty safe).
• It is best to exclude the DDU folder completely from any security software to avoid issues.

.

.

.

.

Recommended usage

• You MUST disconnect your internet or completely block Windows Update when running DDU until you have re-installed your new drivers.

=============

I don't bother with that, but I do do it in SAFE MODE without NETWORKING to be safe. Once the Nvidia driver is removed, I'll reboot to normal and then install the new driver, and select CLEAN INSTALL as well.

I do not do this for normal updates, only when going back in driver versions.

@2023charlesg​ 

Have you watched the CPU temps?

I'd do that before messing with drivers.

@Element115s4​ any recommendation for cpu temp monitor in game? So far the nvidia one only monitors cpu utilization which normally stays at 10% and does not go above 30% when I am playing.

@ispalten 

true, sorry my post should have included "or at least tell ppl to RTM"..

just my observation when doing web searches in the past 5y, 8 out of 10 times you wont even see a "text" result,

only stupid YT vids how to do stuff.

Seeing how many try using tools/apps without looking at settings or how to section, and usually not only wasting their time (having to do stuff over), i think its something to keep in mind.

@2023charlesg 

i would use (MSI) afterburner, either from the MSI or the Guru3D site.

make sure to disable any "power" monitoring in the app (you dont need/install the Rivatuner part),

you dont need anyway.

you can use it to monitor cpu and gpu, i would do load and temps, start playing for about 30 min then close game,

and you will see the last couple min in the graphs, as well as min/max numbers reached.

https://www.guru3d.com/download/msi-afterburner-beta-download/