I (should) have decent computer for running games, but am getting horrible frame rates

Status
Not open for further replies.

Reversinator

Honorable
Jan 4, 2014
3
0
10,510
(I don't have much knowledge/experience with computer stuff, so bear with me)

I bought this computer with the thought that it'd be able to run games at a decent speed. From what I checked online, that is what should be the case. However, that couldn't be further from the truth. To use XCOM: Enemy Unknown as an example, it runs at 30 fps on the menu and on cutscenes, which then drops to ~20 during actual gameplay, and after a few minutes it plummets to an unplayable 5. If I try to push through it, my computer crashes, blue screen and everything. Even minimal games like Thomas Was Alone and Organ Trail have a tendency to lag, and I have no idea why. I've tried playing on really reduced setting, to no avail, and at this point, I just want to know what I need to do. My computer specs are below (I don't know if I missed anything important), so... can someone just give me an answer?

Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-2310 CPU @ 2.90GHz
Video Card NVIDIA GeForce GT 520
Chipset GeForce GT 520
Operating System Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Edition Service Pack 1 (build 7601), 64-bit
 
Solution
47C is fine for a CPU. Look for something to load your GPU and see if that crashes then. I think you can use ATItraytools and run the artifact checker part of the program. That should stress your GPU and show if you have artifacts or not. If you leave your drivers open in a different window you should be able to monitor the temps as well.

http://downloads.guru3d.com/download.php?det=733

Edit: Make sure you let the program run for 5-10 min as you said it takes that long to watch the frame rate drop. You did check the CPU temps with the CPU under load and for 5-10min as well right?

Bean007

Distinguished
Feb 18, 2005
529
0
19,160
Not sure about the other 2 games but I think that your card isn't enough to push Xcom, or at least the settings you currently have for the game. The FPS that you get from the menu doesn't mean anything, it's the actual game play and I think your is the little card that kept saying I think I can, I think I can, but I don't think he can. 520 is a low end budget card. I think you need to get a better card.
 

Reversinator

Honorable
Jan 4, 2014
3
0
10,510


Er... what exactly are temps, and how do I go about checking them? I'm also not really sure what kind of BSoD I get. I mean, it's a blue screen with text. Is there an actual way of checking?

The general consensus seems to be that I need a new video card, so... any recommendations, preferably under $500?
 

4745454b

Titan
Moderator
? Temps means temperature of the CPU/GPU. There are many temp reading programs. Web search for one. I used to suggest speedfan a lot, but its not updated anymore and it has issues reading modern stuff. Easy tune? There are lots out there.

In all that text on the BS there should be a stop code. Stop 0000000xotherstuff. Give us the numbers and we can look them up and see whats complaining.
 

Reversinator

Honorable
Jan 4, 2014
3
0
10,510
Using CoreTemp to track this...

Tj. Max: 99° Celsius
Power: 25-27 watts
Cores: ~40° Celsius, Min = ~30°C, Max = 47°C, Load = ~30%

I'm simplifying the cores bit, but that's basically what it's showing for all of them. Still haven't been able to crash my computer, though.
 

4745454b

Titan
Moderator
47C is fine for a CPU. Look for something to load your GPU and see if that crashes then. I think you can use ATItraytools and run the artifact checker part of the program. That should stress your GPU and show if you have artifacts or not. If you leave your drivers open in a different window you should be able to monitor the temps as well.

http://downloads.guru3d.com/download.php?det=733

Edit: Make sure you let the program run for 5-10 min as you said it takes that long to watch the frame rate drop. You did check the CPU temps with the CPU under load and for 5-10min as well right?
 
Solution

Matt Dobe

Reputable
Jan 20, 2015
621
0
5,360
Surely we should just recommend a new graphics card? Even if he finds his temps are high he's not going to be able to play much with that card.

Depending on what your PSU can support and how big your case is I would recommend an r9 280 at a budget of $200 -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127789&cm_re=r9_280-_-14-127-789-_-Product

Or... if you want something to really high end I would definitely recommend a GTX 970 -

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121899&cm_re=gtx_970-_-14-121-899-_-Product

You will be able to max out any games you through at it.

Would you be able to post all the specs of your PC or where you bought it? I can check whether your setup could handle a 970GTX.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.