Sudden drop in performance by around 60% --- most noticeable in games.


  1. Posts : 14
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       #1

    Sudden drop in performance by around 60% --- most noticeable in games.


    I noticed this problem just yesterday when I downloaded the Torchlight 2 demo from Steam and started playing it on max settings.

    Lo and behold, I only got 13fps while playing the game Which is weird because I'm able to hit ~25fps playing Crysis 2 on max (a game with much higher sysytem requirements)

    After more observation since then, I've noticed that my laptop in general has slowed down a bit --- the mouse movement isn't as smooth, apps don't load as fast, and the system in general doesn't respond as quick as before.

    So finally, I decided to benchmark my system again running Crysis 2 on max. Luckily, I benchmarked it two weeks ago using Fraps and got this result on max settings:

    Ultra Detail; DX11; High-Res Textures
    Min, Max, Avg
    16, 31, 22.398

    But just now when I benchmarked the game again - at the exact same part of the game I played before - I got this:

    Ultra Detail; DX11; High-Res Textures
    Min, Max, Avg
    0, 22, 9.992

    That's a 60% drop in FPS, which makes me positive that there's something wrong with my laptop....

    ...but I have no idea where to start diagnosing this problem My system specs are in my profile. Help please!
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 2,240
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit
       #2

    I would start with checking and removing any malware, spyware and adware that might be on your system which does cause systems to slow down. Then go through your programs list and remove/un-install any software that you don't use anymore. Then use Ccleaner to clean up system and run the registry cleaner if you so desire. Then defrag your hard drive if not an SSD, then reboot.

    Next, I would make sure I have all the latest drivers for all your hardware.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 14
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
    Thread Starter
       #3

    ^ What program would you recommend for checking and removing any malware, spyware and adware that might be on my system?

    Also, I regularly go through my programs list to remove/un-install any software that I don't use anymore. There aren't much since my laptop is just several months old... and most of the software is gaming-related.

    I'll look into Ccleaner. Thanks.

    I'm not sure if a defrag is in order since the laptop is just a few months old.

    Also, I'm pretty sure I have the latest drivers for most stuff. Most recently, I upgraded my graphics drivers to the 306.23 WHQL version, which came out a few weeks ago for my video card.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 236
    .
       #4

    hmm a sudden drop in performance like that is indeed odd.

    run malware bytes
    run a virus scan, you can try eset online scanner, simple and av i recommend their free one time scan is usually very good.
    run ccleaner..basicly combines all the system cleanup methods in one place.

    an one last thing, have you dropped the laptop?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 14
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Good news: I did a System Restore to three days ago and things went back to normal.

    Bad news: I still don't know what caused it in the first place.

    The affected programs listed before I did the System Restore were the following:

    Adobe Flash Player 11
    Torchlight 2 Demo
    Saints Row: The Third
    Magicka 2 Demo
    a bunch of DirectX upgrades/installs
    Dota 2

    After the System Restore, I re-installed and played the Torchlight 2 Demo and was hitting 30fps on it minimum. That's a far cry from the 13fps which I was previously getting, so I've ruled out TL2 as the problem.

    Right now, I suspect that either it has something to do with Adobe Flash or Direct X... but I'm thinking it's probably something that went wrong with Flash because before the System Restore, I was also getting sporadic ActiveX/Flash plugin errors while browsing that I didn't get before.
      My Computer


 

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