Yet a new problem! [Need Help]

[Faraday]

Thanks ACE, yes my main concern is TF2

I did what you said, and looked at the graphs & stuff (also alt-tabbed during TF2) and saw that the processor graph was peaking way up high (my estimate around 80% usage). I couldn't determine which process it was, that was maxing out my processor.
hl2.exe was the one using the most memory (obvious) after that I found like 20 apps called svchost.exe. All using about 4MB of ram. This is very odd, I don't want to terminate those processes because I don't know what will happen.

So my guess is that my processor is maxing out while I'm playing games. Which is weird because I never experienced that on my old motherboard.

My old one was an ASUS M3N78-VM and the new one is an MSI K9N6PGM2-V2

Could you take a look and see if there's any major differences in CPU support or w/e that could make my CPU max out much quicker? Or is that a completely ridiculous way of thinking? I really am frustrated about all of this and want to find a solution which won't cost me another 200€.

[[V]ACE]

svhost.exe (or its similar name) is a windows process - cant remember what it does but dont terminate it - its either a process of the os or of the internet lol

hmm looked at the mobo's (would suggest someone else might want to as well to ensure i am correct):

I can find two main differences:
Your old card had support for directx10 - new card only does directx9 (though im sure gfx card will support dirextx11 so this wouldnt/shouldnt make any diffrence)

Other thing is the bus speed (aka transfer speed on mobo) - its slower on your new mobo - old one was min 1600mt/s (max 5200MT/s - new one is 1000mt/s (so 600 million transfers a second slower at minimum). Might explain the problem.

Also, your old mobo had hypertransfer 3.0 which is (apparently) 2.6times faster than the new mobo.
A note of caution: I could not tell you if 1000mt/s is fast or slow, or if it should be able to play games. So your new mobo could be fast enough.

If you got this done at a shop and told them you were going to use the computer for games, then they should have made sure that the rig can play games half decently.

Another way to determine what is eating up your cpu/ram is to do this:
task manager, performance then click the little "resource monitor" button (lower middle of the performance charts), click and then on the resouce monitor click CPU tab. Order the processes by "threads" (mine currently has anti virus first then firefox, then svchost). This should tell you whats using ur cpu the most.

Then click ram - order by "commit (kb)" - again mines same order as before.

NEW INFO:
So i did a bit of research - check your bios and ensure your mobo is not using the "integrated" gfx which come with it (it should disable when it finds the newer card, but always worth a shot).

Lastly: (after a long post) If any of this is confusing i apologise. Just say and i can clear it up. I will try to look more into the prob tomoz and ask dugi. Another idea (as were not the greatest of experts here) is to post this (not the whole thread, but your problems) on a "computer forum" http://forums.techguy.org/ . I would recommend that site - i have had problems before and they have helped me. Good knowledge and a "games/hardware" section. Its free (which is always nice).

[Faraday]

I did an extra test with BFBC2 and running the monitoring thingy at the same time. Now my processor went up to 100%. There was also a service called "NT & Kernel" which used up more than 100 threads where as BFBC2 only used around 60..

Thx for your help so far, I'll surely check that forum out.

[Devilboy665]

No srsly now... have u tried reinstalling all hardwares drivers and stuff? And installing originals back on,without updating?

[Faraday]

I have tried it with original drivers from their accompagnied DVD's, with updated drivers, etc. I don't think it's a driver problem.

[Alvar]

Pieter, do the BIOS thingy ACE told you. If the motherboard is using integrated GFX then we have an obvious reason why you suffer from enormous lag. I am like 55% sure that the issue you're dealing here is motherboard related. If you have a friend, that has AM2 mobo (or AM3 mobo that supports AM2+), you can test you're GFX, RAM and processor on his rig to make sure the issue is with motherboard. Motherboards are luckily not that expensive (mid class ones), you can easily replace your current momo for AM3 mono that also supports AM2+. Also, don't leave out the PSU. PSU can have an affect on performance if the parts you're using in your rig exceed your 500W of power usage and if PSU burns through, it can take many valuable PC components with it.

Not sure if any of this helped, but I thought I'd give my rookie 5 cents in here also.

[Faraday]

I already checked the BIOS and it's set to use the PCI-E slot for graphics, so nothing there.

Well in the meantime I'm saving up for a new motherboard/processor/ram (AM3+DDR3), because I also think it's a mobo issue. The guys at the shop just took what they had in stock so it's not that of a great motherboard, it only supports AM2(+). Once I get enough money to buy the new stuffs I'll put this stuff with an old gfx card into another case and I'll put it aside or sell it to someone :p

I just feel a little ripped off by the guys in the shop, and I think there's nothing I can do about the lag without having to buy new components..

Also it's definately not my PSU. I did the Antec PSU Calculator thingy and it only needed around 400W, so I'm safe there.

I did some additional testing while playing and monitoring my MEmory usage, Processor usage, and the only problem I see is the processor maxing out. I don't know what that happens. It only happens on 1 of 4 processors so that's a little strange. I get 4 graphs from processor 0 to 3, and only processor 0 is at full capacity.

[Faraday]

Posted my problem on the Tech Guy Forums, I'll keep it updated here.

[[V]ACE]

It only happens on 1 of 4 processors so that's a little strange. I get 4 graphs from processor 0 to 3, and only processor 0 is at full capacity.

Interesting

Try opening task manager (when a game/process that lags) is running. Right click it (tf2 = hl2.exe) and click affinity, make sure all CPU's are checked (0,1,2,3). It could be that the games/processes are not set up right for quad core and are all using one cpu (its unlikely, but worth a shot).

Is you cpu am2 or amd2+ (i thought it was the former). If its the latter there are a few mobos, like your old one for around 30-40£ (i have no idea about conversion rates). The only thing is to do as you said - save up and get new parts.

BTW just curious now: you have tried your old gfx card in your new rig (instead of the 550gtx)? again i am presuming you have done this with no results.

Any ways, keep us updated with what tech guys say: i would like to know what the solution is

edit: I found your post lol - just thought i would mention that

[Faraday]

Interesting

Try opening task manager (when a game/process that lags) is running. Right click it (tf2 = hl2.exe) and click affinity, make sure all CPU's are checked (0,1,2,3). It could be that the games/processes are not set up right for quad core and are all using one cpu (its unlikely, but worth a shot).

I'll take a look into this when I have the time.

Is you cpu am2 or amd2+ (i thought it was the former). If its the latter there are a few mobos, like your old one for around 30-40£ (i have no idea about conversion rates). The only thing is to do as you said - save up and get new parts.

I think it's AM2, no idea really since I've searched on AMD website but couldn't find the info.

BTW just curious now: you have tried your old gfx card in your new rig (instead of the 550gtx)? again i am presuming you have done this with no results.

Any ways, keep us updated with what tech guys say: i would like to know what the solution is

edit: I found your post lol - just thought i would mention that

I haven't tried my old gfx card to see if that could be the problem, I'll do this after the weekend. I'm at home right now, and my desktop is in my college home.

[EnzoMortelli]

Hey man,
i had some probs on my rig with older games and some rare new ones, that somehow sound similar to urs.
Ill suggest to search ur bios for AMD's 'cool-n-quiet' option, some amd cpus have that thing, if u find it, put it out, it's known to cause major lags.
Also try binding ur game processes to specific cores, and test it with several setups. That also helped me.

[Faraday]

Yes I'll try turning the Cool 'n Quiet option off.

On another note: As I noticed I didn't reinstall all my games in that meaning. Let me explain: I installed my steam (and all of my games) on a different hard drive. That was under a 32-bit Win7. Now I was thinking, most games I play are steam games, except for BFBC2 and Fable:The Lost Chapters. I can play the latter without any lag whatsoever. So I'm gonna try and delete everything, and then reinstall steam and reinstall all of my games. Or maybe I can keep the game files for like nonsteam games like GTA:IV (because that's over 40 gigs of DL in total).

I also got a message when I first tried to launch L4D2 with my new card, that the card wasn't in the database of support for L4D2. I'm gonna contact steam about this for sure.

[[V]ACE]

I also got a message when I first tried to launch L4D2 with my new card, that the card wasn't in the database of support for L4D2. I'm gonna contact steam about this for sure.

new card so might not be yet, but should still run it. Yeah reinstall steam, and all games if possible (esp tf2 - mine was lagging and crashing and re-install was only way to fix it...sigh)

It a pain in the arse to re-dl games, but worth it when it works

[Faraday]

Okay reinstalled steam and TF2 + GTAIV:EFLC + L4D2. Play L4D2 without any lag, TF2 still lags like hell. Tried playing with and without multicore redering. It's very strange.

[Devilboy665]

Check BIOS! And reinstall Windows! Or try other windows! GL