GPU FPS Drops / Stutter - Lowering Memory Clock Solves the problem

KuLee · May 21, 2016

Greetings everyone,

Update:
Full system

Windows 7 - 64 bit clean installed just today (because i though it could be software related which it wasnt)
PSU Corsair vs650 - 650 Watt - Single +12V Rail 60 amps
GPU 9500gt - GTX660 both causing me problems
CPU - Intel 2 Quad Q9550
SSD CRUCIAL CT250MX - 250GB 2.5''
CPU Cooler : CoolerMaster Hyper 412S RR-H412-13FK-R1
MOBO: P5KPL/1600
RAM: Kingston DDR2 2x2GB = 4GB

I finally found out what is making my pc drop in frames and make all my game performances very very bad.

It was memory clock of my gpu for some reason when its on Default 400 Mhz i get really big fps drops which makes my game freeze for couple seconds

Reducing the memory clock to 200Mhz solved the problem but this way my games have total low fps and gpu hungry games are unplayable

Anyone know what is going on? any advices?

ingtar33 · May 21, 2016

sounds like your gpu has power or overclock issues.

Generally speaking bad overclocks or undervolting causes your type of problem. Some gpus will let you increase the voltage to the vram, i'd try that in a program like MSI afterburner, before turning down the clocks. the other option would be to lower the clock speed of the gpu a little bit, or bump the power to the gpu a bit.

what gpu do you have?

KuLee · May 21, 2016

ingtar33 :

This one is 9500GT

Afterburner only lets me touch Core Clock, Shader Clock and Memory clock nothing else

SkyNetRising · May 21, 2016

KuLee :

Try different memory clock settings. 350Mhz maybe?

KuLee · May 21, 2016

SkyNetRising :

I tried 300 which it did not work for me either still the same huge fps drops

KuLee · May 21, 2016

any advices please? looks like trading my memory clock for fixing this issue is a big trade off

ingtar33 · May 22, 2016

KuLee :

your card is almost 8 years old. I suspect the problem is due to degradation of the parts due to age and use.

Save up $150 and replace the card with a GTX 950. It will destroy your old 9500

KuLee · May 22, 2016

ingtar33 :

Bro i have a gtx 660 and i have same problems

ingtar33 · May 22, 2016

KuLee :

wait, how are you getting the same problem on two separate products?

that doesn't even make sense. they aren't installed on the same pc are they?

there is something funny going on if you are getting the EXACT same problem with two separate cards... you're going to have to give us a LOT more information if you want us to help you. Start with your full system setup, all the parts, ages if you know, and software. explain what games/software these problems occur and explain the problem in more detail if possible as well as troubleshooting steps taken.

KuLee · May 22, 2016

ingtar33 :

Okay with the gtx 660 i am experiencing huge DPC latency full RED bars on DPCLat even when i am on idle
and in games i get the drops to althogh i somehow have insane huge fps like 300+ in all games

With the 9500gt i dont have the dpc latency but i have the huge drops in game that i only can fix it by reducing memory clock i did not try reducing memory clock on gtx because i recently figured out that solves the problem

Full system

Windows 7 - 64 bit clean installed just today (because i though it could be software related which it wasnt)
PSU Corsair vs650 - 650 Watt - Single +12V Rail 60 amps
GPU 9500gt - GTX660 both causing me problems
CPU - Intel 2 Quad Q9550
SSD CRUCIAL CT250MX - 250GB 2.5''
CPU Cooler : CoolerMaster Hyper 412S RR-H412-13FK-R1
MOBO: P5KPL/1600
RAM: Kingston DDR2 2x2GB = 4GB

Thanks for trying to help very appreciated !

ingtar33 · May 22, 2016

hmmmmm...

I'd like you to try something before we dig into this further. lets eliminate one of the more likely causes right now.
pop off the side of your case
stick a room fan in the opening blasting on full speed into the case. see if the issue goes away.

KuLee · May 22, 2016

ingtar33 :

my cpu temps never go higher than 50C at most this cooler its good for its job other parts like ssds mobos and etc are arround 36C now as about gpu depends on the load and the game it goes up to 70C+ so i dont have a room fan but i have this hair dryer which can be set on cool so i have to aim at i am assuming u want me to cooldown the gpu?

ingtar33 · May 22, 2016

KuLee :

not necessarily. plenty of things can overheat. from motherboards to ram to PSUS to the ram on the gpu, most of that stuff isn't temp monitored. Combined with the fact that temp monitoring software and the temp probes themselves are notoriously unreliable and i'm just eliminating an "environmental" cause (when you're dealing with similar problems across different types of hardware environmental causes are pretty common)

you don't have to test this, but you'll wish you had if we try a million and one other things including buying new gpus and the problem persists, only for it to turn out to be something stupid overheating.

KuLee · May 22, 2016

ingtar33 :

KuLee :

not necessarily. plenty of things can overheat. from motherboards to ram to PSUS to the ram on the gpu, most of that stuff isn't temp monitored. Combined with the fact that temp monitoring software and the temp probes themselves are notoriously unreliable and i'm just eliminating an "environmental" cause (when you're dealing with similar problems across different types of hardware environmental causes are pretty common)

you don't have to test this, but you'll wish you had if we try a million and one other things including buying new gpus and the problem persists, only for it to turn out to be something stupid overheating.

okay im going to find a room fan brb

KuLee · May 22, 2016

ingtar33 :

So i tried 650Clock 1625Shader 200memory with room fan Good Low fps 80-30 but no drops
So i tried 550Clock 1375Shader 200memory with room fan Good Low fps 80-30 but no drops
Then i tried 550Clock 1375 Shader 500 Memory with room fan Good Low fps 80-30 but no drops
Then i tried 650Clock 1625 Shader 500 Memory with room fan Very bad High total fps 120-100 but huge drops to 5-15 and freeze screen for couple seconds

Also the gpu temps did not go higher than 55-60C

Spencer_10 · May 22, 2016

1) Maybe change the paste and pads on your Northbridge heatsinks on the motherboard.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mfykKXqDww

2) Make sure ram is running in dual mode.

KuLee · May 22, 2016

Spencer_10 :

My ram is running in dual mode and now i am watching the video thank you

Spencer_10 · May 22, 2016

Thats good,

Yes near the start he takes off the north bridge.

I cant think of anything else that would cause it as your temps are good on the CPU and GPU and same deal with 2 GPUs so its not thier vrams.

SkyNetRising · May 22, 2016

KuLee :

You are overclocking your gt9500 too much.
Default frequencies:
Clock 550mhz
Shaders 1400mhz
Memory 500mhz
If you go above this, at some point system will become unstable.

KuLee · May 22, 2016

SkyNetRising :

My graphics card is the overclocked version of gigabyte so the heatsink and all are designed to run these clocks although im not running these clocks im running at 550 1400 400 and im still unstable thanks for answering

Defaults of Gigabyte 9500 Core 650 shader 1625 memory 400
Defaults of 9500GT are randoms based on the bios so i am using Clock 500 Shader 1400 memory 400 and im still unstable

SkyNetRising · May 22, 2016

It's somewhat common, that factory overclocked cards may face problems running OC frequencies.
Yes, they are supposed to be designed to support those frequencies. But they are not always sufficiently tested.
People are forced to lower frequencies to be able to use such card successfully.

This setting is obviously max you can get from your card:

550Clock 1375 Shader 500 Memory

KuLee · May 22, 2016

Spencer_10 :

SkyNetRising :

Yes in my case when i unboxed this gpu i was forced to run it at lower clocks because i had very old PSU at that time
so i was always running it of the nvidia 9500 defaults which worked for me but back then i was using a duo e6550
which was very weak for games so when i experienced stutters and all i did not blame the gpu

So i don't know when my problem actually started thanks for replying to me

KuLee · May 22, 2016

Just did a stability test

I run my game with 550Clock 1375 Shader 500 Memory and did not work for me got drop and screen froze the first minute

SkyNetRising · May 22, 2016

KuLee :

There are 7 versions of that gigabyte gt9500 card. Which exactly is yours?
http://www.gigabyte.com/products/list.aspx?s=43&p=52,53@53@53@53,54&v=1,9@8@1@2,130#1

KuLee · May 22, 2016

SkyNetRising :

This one sir

GV-N95TOC-1GI
http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3025#ov

GPU FPS Drops / Stutter - Lowering Memory Clock Solves the problem

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