Tech Support: Video card lag

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nibergrn

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Jan 13, 2015
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Good day all,

I build my first system about 6 months ago to run SC2 and CSGO at max settings.

It's been running great until 2-3 days ago. First, I would get a black screen (monitor would not detect PC) on start up. So I would restart and I would see the Windows loading screen and then black. I dusted the computer and removed/inserted RAM. Still same problem. I can hear computer running, but nothing on monitor.

After 3-4 computer resets, I would get the monitor to power at the same time as computer. But the lag in games was horrible. It is weird since it worked 10/10 just 3 hours before. At the time of this writing, the lag just running Chrome is horrible.

Here is my build:

ASRock Z97M Anniversary mobo
Intel i3-4150 cpu
Crucial 8GB DDR3
AMD Radeaon R9 280 GPU
thermaltake Power Supply 240-Pin 500W

This is a screen shot of my sensors (temperature/voltage) running SC2 on Ultra settings:

https://www.anony.ws/image/DlIB
https://www.anony.ws/image/DlIG

What is going on? Software or hardware issue?

I have no problem reformatting. There is nothing but 2 games on this PC. Is it going to change anything?

Thanks a lot.


 
Solution
jimmysmitty
Sorry I calculated in my head wrong. So they are well within tolerances.

I can't say that a format will do anything. The issue could be a corrupt OS but it also could be a bad GPU or a failing PSU that could be unable to provide the necessary power to the components.

You can try a format and see if it changes anything but if it does not the only thing to do next is test a new good PSU to verify it is not the PSU. Hell I would do that first before formatting the system to save yourself time.
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nibergrn

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Jan 13, 2015
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Everything spins correctly and quietly.

I dusted everything thoroughly.

Still same problem. It looks like there is not enough juice to power GPU.

Are my PSU voltage readings fine? It should be reading 12.0V no? Why am I only seeing around 3V?
 
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nibergrn

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Jan 13, 2015
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I get about 3.4v on AVCC and 3VCC. And 1.7/8 on VIN5 and VIN6 of mobo. Are those correct readings?


I have removed the GPU and now the computer & monitor boot every time. I did system restore. I am still getting a ton of lag. Just going around from folder to folder is about 1 frame per second. Is there a way to test it is the PSU without having to switch parts to another computer ?
 
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jimmysmitty

jimmysmitty

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Oct 5, 2007
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OK so not the PSU. The motherboard takes in many different voltages. Is there anything showing a 12V at all? I have not used SIW for a while so I am not sure if it is reading just input voltages to components or what is directly coming in to the board from the PSU.

I would doubt those voltages are low, mainly because that low and I don't see how your system is running at idle since even then some use will need the 12V rail.
 
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nibergrn

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Jan 13, 2015
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I disconnected the main 24pin from my mobo and I tested the ports manually with a multimeter. I have grounded black and tested all wires and have gotten the following voltages: 5.20V 5.20V -11.37V 3.42V 12.28V 12.28V 5.09V 5.17V 5.19V 5.19V 3.42V 3.42V They seem to be within the tolerances
 
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nibergrn

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Jan 13, 2015
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5.20V is 4% higher than 5
-11.37 is 5% higher than -12
12.28 is 2.3% higher than 12
3.42 is 3.63% higher than 3

It seems within limits to me.

I am about to format the HDD. Do you think it's going to change something?
 
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jimmysmitty

jimmysmitty

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Oct 5, 2007
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Sorry I calculated in my head wrong. So they are well within tolerances.

I can't say that a format will do anything. The issue could be a corrupt OS but it also could be a bad GPU or a failing PSU that could be unable to provide the necessary power to the components.

You can try a format and see if it changes anything but if it does not the only thing to do next is test a new good PSU to verify it is not the PSU. Hell I would do that first before formatting the system to save yourself time.
 
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Solution
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nibergrn

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Jan 13, 2015
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I have bought on Craigslist a coolmax 500w PSU. It has somewhat improved the lag on the system, but games can't start because of driver error and my GPU Is listed as Standard VGA adapter.

I tried installing the newest amd catalyst but it didn't change anything.

I don't understand ...
 
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nibergrn

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Jan 13, 2015
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I updated Windows since I hadnt in a long time.

Now I don't get any image if I am plugged HDMI from my GPU.

Even if the GPU is plugged in, fans spinning, it is not detected since the upgrade. If I plug my monitor directly in my MOBO, it works and it shows as Intel HD Graphics 4400 on my device manager/system info.

I updated to the latest version of MSI Afterburner and AMD Catalyst Center.

Still doesn't recognize my GPU.

Any idea?
 
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nibergrn

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Jan 13, 2015
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I finally had the time this weekend to work on the issue.

I dismantled the whole computer, dusted everything, put it all back together; then I reset the BIOS, wiped the HDD and installed a fresh copy of Windows 10.

I had not created any partitions when I first installed Windows 7. Oddly enough, there was a 100MB partition when I wiped the drive. It was not formatted as NTFS. It seemed pretty strange. But I was in clean-up mode and I didn't investigate the matter further than this.

So yeah, now it works like a charm. I don't know what was causing the issue, but I'm glad it works.

Thank you JimmySmitty for helping me out.
 
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jimmysmitty

jimmysmitty

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Oct 5, 2007
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Glad it works now. That 100MB partition you speak of was a new feature starting with Windows 7. They took the boot manager and gave it its own partition to keep it safe from attacks. It is hidden. Windows 8 made it a 350MB partition and now 10 has a 300-500MB and a 450MB partition for it.
 
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