Lag Spikes when connected to the internet?

[Auroraah]

Hi everyone,

I've been having trouble with my PC for quite a while now, and have been looking for a fix for a long time. When I'm using my computer every so often I will get random lag spikes, that last for around 2-5 seconds. When it happens everything slows down, and the sound sounds like a broken CD/DVD where it goes all choppy.
Recently I was staying at a friends house, where my computer wasn't connected to the internet, and while I was there I didn't have the problem at all, so I think it's something to do with being connected to the internet.
I have checked all my drivers and they are all up to date, and I've tried to minimize my startup programs etc. but I'm still having the same issue.
The only times it happens are:
- When using any web browser
- When downloading something with BitTorent.
My system specs are on my profile.

Thanks, hope you can help!

 

[ibshaw]

Without actually being familiar with the term "random lag spikes" I have to assume it is some kind of interference or noise getting into your network ? Does this happen when connected both wired and wireless ?

 

[Auroraah]

Well the lag spikes affect the whole computer, not just the internet, so for example, if I were playing FIFA 12, the whole game would slow down, start stuttering, and the sound will become choppy. It's exactly like a DVD with a scratch in it.

As for the connection, I have never used the computer on wireless as it's a desktop and the router is right next to me, however I have tried using all the ethernet ports on the router, and even tried using the spare router, but still the problem persists.

 

[event3horizon]

run this tool while using your computer normally and report the results back to us: DPC Latency Checker, Download bei heise

 

[Auroraah]

Okay I don't really understand it so I have attached a link to a printscreen: 87eb9cd8425ece516d3d93a1cc3cc7db.png

I have also noticed that when these lag spikes happen, my CPU Usage in Task manager that usually sits around 2%, will jump up to 97% if that's any help.

 

[event3horizon]

yea you are spiking to 8000 ms look at that! Follow these explanation and instructions (don't be in a hurry read carefully):

DPC Latency Checker

Essentially, you can weed out which driver is possibly causing these spikes.

 

[Auroraah]

Okay, I did what that said and I've worked out that it's the driver for my network card that is causing the issues with my computer. It's is called 'Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller'. Which I find weird because that implies it's for use with a PCIe network card, which I do not have, just inbuilt motherboard. Could this be the cause of my issues? Also when I right click and press update, it says I currently have the best version for my system.

 

[Auroraah]

I have just gone to the gigabyte website and found the most up to date driver, downloaded and installed, still no fix...

 

[event3horizon]

Please find the latest chipset drivers for your motherboard and reinstall them. You'll have to keep doing trial and error to see why the LAN driver is causing this.

Also, go to device manager and on the LAN driver for manufacturer does it say Microsoft or Realtek?

Dig in to the LAN driver settings and find out if you see something called "Green Ethernet" and switch it off. Let us know what happens, thanks.

 

[Auroraah]

Hi,

sorry for the delay in replying, wanted to give it a chance to see what happened. I did what you said, and although they have become less frequent, I'm still getting them.

 

[Auroraah]

Hi again,
today while watching a program on 4oD and I was getting these lag spikes every 30 seconds to a minute. It's definitely worse when I'm doing things that use higher internet connection.

 

[event3horizon]

damn.. i'm not certain how to further t/s this. Some problems are a pain and pesky. Hopefully someone else can throw in some advice.

 

[Auroraah]

Thanks for all your help, it has really improved after doing what you said! I also think I have fixed it by accident! I've just overclocked my CPU from 3.3GHz to 3.6 (Going to 4.1 when my new cpu cooler comes) and it hasn't happened again since!

Again thank you for all your help, I really appreciate your time!

 

[event3horizon]

good to hear! you can mark thread solved, thanks.

 

[goofybootz]

Same Problem

I am currently having a major issue with this. Through previous posts I used the DPC Latency Checker and through process of elimination found that, what a shock, it's my wireless network adapter (Atheros AR5B93 Wireless Network Adapter). Drivers are currently all up to date and working properly. Lag is pretty bad when using anything internet related and listening to music, just distorts like crazy. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Auroraah]

Please post your own thread in the future. I have actually discovered what was ultimately causing my problem, it was McAfee internet securities feature 'NetGuard'. I have since stopped using McAfee and started using Microsoft Security Essentials, and now I have no problems at all. I have no viruses, and no more trouble with lag spikes.

 

[goofybootz]

Sorry about that, new member and all.

Surprisingly I do have the McAfee Internet Security running while experiencing these spikes. I did just however re-new my subscription with them for another year like 2 days ago so I wish it didn't come down to terminating my service but if it fixes the spikes I am all for that. Do you suggest just turning everything off or completely un-installing the software all together to fix the issue ? I just got so frustrated by the spikes I bought a netbook for all my internet needs while my laptop plays music and what not. Pretty lame and costly solution but seems to be the smoothest sailing solution at this time.

 

[Auroraah]

You don't NEED to completely remove McAfee but I would recommend it as there are much less resource heavy Security Software Packages. If you want to keep McAfee try turning off NetGuard to see if it fixes the issue.

 

[goofybootz]

Disabling NetGuard....yup that's the answer.....many thanks!