Game drops to 0 FPS and CPU Usage drops to 0%

_Sped · Apr 28, 2014

So I have no idea about hardware but I figure that this is a hardware related problem.

While gaming (Marvel Heroes, Arma 2 Operation Arrowhead) I drop to 0 FPS for up to 1 minute and my CPU Usage will drop to 0%. This has been happening for 8 days now and completely out of the blue.

I have tried updating drivers, lowering game settings to minimum, rebooting my pc and a few more things mainly orientated around the game.

Benchmarking Test: https://novabench.com/view/603857

Specs:

Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Intel Core i5-3570 3.40GHz
AMD Radeon R9 270X
16GB DDR3 RAM

cst1992 · Apr 28, 2014

Power Supply?

_Sped · Apr 28, 2014

What do you mean by "Power Supply"?

cst1992 · Apr 28, 2014

Which power supply do you have? Make and Model? And please don't just say 500 Watts or 750 Watts, doesn't help.

_Sped · Apr 28, 2014

Thermal Master TM-420-PSAR-I3

It came with the case.

cst1992 · Apr 28, 2014

This one?
http://hardwareinsights.com/wp/the-2012-el-cheapo-power-supply-roundup/5/
Change it.

It's a wonder your PSU didn't blow up; that one did.

Get a good quality PSU; 550W or more. Your CPU and GPU both use that much power.
Get ones from the Corsair HX,TX,GS,AX line, Antec, XFX or Seasonic. Seasonic recommended.

_Sped · Apr 28, 2014

cst1992 :

I have to ask, I've been using this power supply since 2009 and with the CPU & GPU since January. Why am I only having problems with it now?

maxalge · Apr 29, 2014

_Sped :

One word: Degradation.

All power supplies suffer it thru time, shit like that power supply suffer from it at accelerated rates while under more than a casual load.

That specific unit exploded at 400w load.

I'm surprised it has not destroyed your system already.

cst1992 · Apr 29, 2014

A low quality power supply shortens the life of your components. Harsh as it may sound, the effects could be showing up.
I can pretty much guarantee you'll see an improvement with a good power supply.

cst1992 · Apr 29, 2014

maxalge :

Right.

_Sped · May 1, 2014

cst1992 :

Just bought a new PSU; a Gigabyte PoweRock AX 600. It's 600W and if anything it's made the problem worst. I still drop down to 0 and 0% only it lasts longer and it makes the game non-responsive.

maxalge · May 2, 2014

_Sped :

hmmmm.

Download this install and run the cpu bench:
Cinebench

While you do that have this running in the background:

Core Temp

Temps ok?

_Sped · May 2, 2014

Since Cinebench is taking abnormally long to download, I used NovaBench which I already had installed.

Temps: http://i.imgur.com/iF2lXyL.png

cst1992 · May 2, 2014

_Sped :

Why did you get that PSU? It's not even 80PLUS certified. It's not bad, but not very good either.

_Sped · May 2, 2014

cst1992 :

All I could afford at the time. Besides, you said a 550W or more and that's what I got.

cst1992 · May 2, 2014

_Sped :

I listed the brands too.
Anyway, nothing can be done now that you got it. And besides, something else seems to be the problem in your case(pun not intended).

_Sped · May 2, 2014

Other than games, I also just noticed that this seems to be happening on videos as well. I just tried to watch a movie and it continued to stutter.

maxalge · May 3, 2014

_Sped :

Wow those temps! Especially in a locked non overclocked cpu.

Your cpu is overheating and throttling down to save itself.

You have the stock cpu cooler? Check the fans for failure.

You might need to take the cpu cooler off to reapply thermal compound and seat it properly.

_Sped · May 3, 2014

maxalge :

They're averaging out at around 72 degrees Celsius at the moment. It's surprising because I have that many fans in the case it's not funny.

maxalge · May 3, 2014

_Sped :

lol one of the cores actually reached 105...

Run a game with core temp in the background then quickly alt tab to it when you get 0 cpu usage.

I'm betting it's too high temps.

_Sped · May 3, 2014

maxalge :

I'll try a game in a moment but I think I might have found why it's overheating. I opened up the case while it's running and there is a cable stopping the processor fan from moving. If heat is the problem, it should be an easy fix (plus I have an extra fan I can add since I have 3 blank spots)

_Sped · May 3, 2014

Got a letter opener in and moved the cable aside and now it's down to 40 degrees and it appears to be dropping some more.

_Sped · May 3, 2014

Don't think it overheating is the problem.

In Game Temps: http://i.imgur.com/nd3qOWu.png

In Game (CPU dropped) Temps: http://i.imgur.com/eIkeYyv.png

Game drops to 0 FPS and CPU Usage drops to 0%

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