andySp Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 I'm experiencing this problem with GTA IV and the two Episodes. The game plays fine at around 30fps but when 5 minutes passes, the game slows down to around 7-10fps and becomes unplayable. I've tried many fixes while searching online including changing options in the nvidia control panel, using commandline.txt codes, using cache programs. I've updated my video and sound card drivers to their latest drivers as well. What's more confusing about this problem is that i was running the game fine when i was playing on vista. Now with windows 7 installed with the exact same specs i had before, i get unbearable lag after a few minutes. It doesn't make sense. I've tried patching the game with the 1.3, .1.6, and 1.7 patch and they all give the same problem. Now, onto my specs: Operating System: Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit (6.1, Build 7600) Processor: Intel® Core2 Duo CPU E8400 @ 3.00GHz (2 CPUs), ~3.0GHz Memory: 4096MB RAM DirectX Version: DirectX 11 Card name: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 Manufacturer: NVIDIA Display Memory: 2286 MB Dedicated Memory: 879 MB Shared Memory: 1407 MB Driver Version: 8.17.12.6089 Nothing special, but I should at least be able to run the game at more than 10fps. Here's what I have my graphics set at: 1680x1050 Textures - High Resolution - High Water - Medium Shadows - Medium Anisotropic - x8 Night shadows - Off View distance - 22 Detail Distance - 41 Vehicle density - 22 Definition - On Vsync - Off Even when I run my game at 800x600 and everything at it's lowest quality, it still runs at 10fps after a few minutes. So help will be greatly appreciated, I really want to be able to play this game. Thanks Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/467841-game-runs-fine-for-5mins-then-lags-to-10fps/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkey82 Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Have you tried using memrestrict? Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/467841-game-runs-fine-for-5mins-then-lags-to-10fps/#findComment-1060301766 Share on other sites More sharing options...
andySp Posted January 19, 2011 Author Share Posted January 19, 2011 Tried it, no dice. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/467841-game-runs-fine-for-5mins-then-lags-to-10fps/#findComment-1060301784 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkey82 Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Are we talking about a laptop? If yes, this may be an overheating or a throttling issue. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/467841-game-runs-fine-for-5mins-then-lags-to-10fps/#findComment-1060301814 Share on other sites More sharing options...
andySp Posted January 19, 2011 Author Share Posted January 19, 2011 It's not a laptop. I'm guessing it's a CPU related problem? My CPU goes up to around 98% when the game starts lagging really bad. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/467841-game-runs-fine-for-5mins-then-lags-to-10fps/#findComment-1060301831 Share on other sites More sharing options...
LooooP Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Try to decrease the Draw Distance to 10. Draw Distance use much Memory Ram and Processor, maybe it is making your processor be overheating. Try to close anti-virus and others unused programs while playing. You could too check the Processor temperature with Everest Ultimate Edition Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/467841-game-runs-fine-for-5mins-then-lags-to-10fps/#findComment-1060301870 Share on other sites More sharing options...
andySp Posted January 19, 2011 Author Share Posted January 19, 2011 I've been closing my anti-virus already. I tried turning the view distance down, but even at 0 it still lags the same. also thanks for the help guys, I appreciate any help you can give me. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/467841-game-runs-fine-for-5mins-then-lags-to-10fps/#findComment-1060301962 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkey82 Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 You should check for overheating. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/467841-game-runs-fine-for-5mins-then-lags-to-10fps/#findComment-1060302319 Share on other sites More sharing options...
gamervivek Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 I too used to get the same thing, strangely if I changed one graphic setting, any one of them, the fps would get up again. Do you get the same with shadows off? Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/467841-game-runs-fine-for-5mins-then-lags-to-10fps/#findComment-1060302363 Share on other sites More sharing options...
andySp Posted January 20, 2011 Author Share Posted January 20, 2011 I tried turning shadows off and putting the view distance at 3, but the problem was still there. I got maybe 2 extra fps but it was still stuttering very bad. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/467841-game-runs-fine-for-5mins-then-lags-to-10fps/#findComment-1060302950 Share on other sites More sharing options...
YankeesPwnMets Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 Like mkey said. Check for overheating. I recommend Core Temp to check CPU Temps. http://www.alcpu.com/CoreTemp/ You use Windows 7, so enable Aero, and using the Flip3D thing to switch over to Core Temp once the lag issues start appearing Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/467841-game-runs-fine-for-5mins-then-lags-to-10fps/#findComment-1060302963 Share on other sites More sharing options...
andySp Posted January 20, 2011 Author Share Posted January 20, 2011 I checked my temp before starting the game and again after it starts lagging. Feedback? Could it be my temp causing the problem? Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/467841-game-runs-fine-for-5mins-then-lags-to-10fps/#findComment-1060303108 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkey82 Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 Your CPU is burning up. Open the case and clean, there must a sh*t load of dust. Even the vent may be defective. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/467841-game-runs-fine-for-5mins-then-lags-to-10fps/#findComment-1060303127 Share on other sites More sharing options...
andySp Posted January 20, 2011 Author Share Posted January 20, 2011 Ok so I cleaned my CPU fan and surrounding areas. I started my computer and noticed the temp hovering around 40°c. Okay that's a big difference from 69°c. I started up GTA IV and the temp went around 61°c on the menu. it was running fine for 10 minutes and then the fps dragged down to around 15fps and the temp shot up again to 101°c. An improvement, but the problem is still there. Maybe my computer just isn't strong enough to play this game? I tried putting everything on low and the lag was still there, so the graphic settings don't affect the temp rise. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/467841-game-runs-fine-for-5mins-then-lags-to-10fps/#findComment-1060303347 Share on other sites More sharing options...
gamervivek Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 Maybe my computer just isn't strong enough to play this game? I tried putting everything on low and the lag was still there, so the graphic settings don't affect the temp rise. naah it's plenty, you need to reapply the thermal paste, or readjust the cpu heatsink, it looks like it isn't making good contact so the temperature is shooting up enough to enable throttling of cpu. Better not play the game, those temps can damage the cpu or decrease its lifetime. If you want to give more time(and money) to make the game play better, look up some overclocking guides and a good cpu cooler. 8400 can go upto 4Ghz easy if you have a good motherboard to play with. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/467841-game-runs-fine-for-5mins-then-lags-to-10fps/#findComment-1060303418 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkey82 Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 In addition to what gamervivek said, you need to make sure that the CPU fan is mounted tight and that the blades can rotate freely. Large amounts of dust and intense heat can form a crust that will not allow the fan to work at optimum efficiency. When you change the paste, make sure to remove all traces of old paste first (probably there's going to be some dust over there as well) with some soft object, like a plastic spatula or something. It's very important to remove everything from the contact surface and to not cause any damage, like scratches. Even if you don't have any paste, it's better to clean everything and apply no paste then to leave it as is. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/467841-game-runs-fine-for-5mins-then-lags-to-10fps/#findComment-1060303460 Share on other sites More sharing options...
andySp Posted January 20, 2011 Author Share Posted January 20, 2011 I'll buy some paste in a couple of days and i''ll re-apply it. When I took the fan out to clean it i did notice that most of the paste was gone and had a bit of blackness to it, so i'm fairly sure it's the this causing my problem. Thanks a lot everyone, you've been very helpful. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/467841-game-runs-fine-for-5mins-then-lags-to-10fps/#findComment-1060303488 Share on other sites More sharing options...
YankeesPwnMets Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 101 C? Damn.. I'm suprised the CPU didn't lower itself instead of staying at 2.1 Ghz... Get a new cooler. I highly recommend this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...089&Tpk=v6%20gt Also, not to make you look stupid, but if you disconnect the fan, is the thermal paste still there? Or is it just copper now? Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/467841-game-runs-fine-for-5mins-then-lags-to-10fps/#findComment-1060304410 Share on other sites More sharing options...
andySp Posted January 21, 2011 Author Share Posted January 21, 2011 (edited) 101 C? Damn.. I'm suprised the CPU didn't lower itself instead of staying at 2.1 Ghz... Get a new cooler. I highly recommend this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...089&Tpk=v6%20gt Also, not to make you look stupid, but if you disconnect the fan, is the thermal paste still there? Or is it just copper now? Thanks for the recommendation, i'll look into it. When I took the fan out there there was still residue of the paste, as in it was still a bit sticky but but the surface looked black, as if it had been charred or something. Yeah don't worry about making me look stupid, i'm not too smart with these sort of things anyway haha. My brother still has some paste left so he'll apply it today since he's the technical expert. I'll report back on how the CPU is going with the new thermal paste, if it's still above normal temp then i'll probably buy a new fan. Edited January 21, 2011 by andySp Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/467841-game-runs-fine-for-5mins-then-lags-to-10fps/#findComment-1060304520 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkey82 Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 You just need to make sure the cooler is seated properly. A quality fan can give you a few degrees lesser temps, but that's not the case here. You need to cut something like 40°C, so if the fan isn't broken something else must be waaay off. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/467841-game-runs-fine-for-5mins-then-lags-to-10fps/#findComment-1060304805 Share on other sites More sharing options...
andySp Posted January 24, 2011 Author Share Posted January 24, 2011 Just stopping by to say my game runs perfectly now. My computer runs at between 30-40°c and when i play GTA IV the temp never goes above 60°c. Thanks a lot for the help guys, it really was my CPU's fault. I just had to apply new thermal paste. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/467841-game-runs-fine-for-5mins-then-lags-to-10fps/#findComment-1060309202 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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