P150SM Fps drops gtx 880m

[d.most.wanted]

Hello,

I have clevo P150sm. I have problem with my laptop. When I play games such as battlefield 4, crysis 3 and CS GO, the FPS suddenly drops and goes up again. Things I have done so far to eliminate this problem but no luck.

Updated the GPU drivers
Reinstalled windows 10 and gpu drivers
installed windows 7
limiting the tempreature of GPU to 80C through MSI after burner. This works for battlefield 4 but in crysis 3 I still get FPS drops.
repasted the CPU and GPU
cleaned the heatsinks.

I have run out of ideas now. I am afraid the GPU is faulty. Could anyone help me and identify the problem? I have attached the log of Nvidia inspector. Any help is appreciated.

Specs
i7 7410qm
gtx 880m
16gb ram
1tb ssd

Thanks

 

[Oussebon]

I might have expected other issues as well if the GPU were faulty, things like driver error messages, games crashing, black screens, artifacts, etc.

The most recent Nvidia drivers have been widely reported as problematic, at least for the Pascal GPUs. You might try using DDU http://www.guru3d.com/files-details/display-driver-uninstaller-download.html to remove the drivers and revert to an earlier version http://www.techradar.com/news/heres-why-you-should-hold-off-on-installing-nvidias-latest-drivers

limiting the tempreature of GPU to 80C through MSI after burner. This works for battlefield 4 but in crysis 3 I still get FPS drops.

When you say you're limiting the temp to 80 degrees, how are you doing that? If you're setting a fan profile to keep the GPU at that temp (such as you might with MSI Afterburner with a desktop GPU), then it's curious you're getting drops, but if you set the GPU to prioritise temperature it may be nerfing performance to maintain that temp.

It may also be worth checking the Windows Power Plan is set to High Performance
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/778-power-plan-settings-change.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/292971-pcie-link-state-power-management-turn-off-windows.html

And set the GPU power settings to max performance:
http://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answ...ent-mode-from-adaptive-to-maximum-performance

And setting the Nvidia GPU to be the preferred graphics processor:
http://acer.custhelp.com/app/answer...ow-to-change-nvidia-optimus-graphics-settings

Are you also monitoring CPU temps and frequencies, in case the CPU is randomly dropping in frequency for whatever reason? I've that that cause FPS drops before. You can use something like HWinfo to log the info, or combine it with Rivatuner for an On-Screen Display. http://www.overclock.net/a/how-to-use-rivatuner-afterburner-on-screen-display-and-more

 

[d.most.wanted]

Thank you for the reply. I did all the things you said. But i still get FPS dips.

I cannot change the GPU fan speed in my laptop (maybe because of locked GPU bios). I prioritize it to maintain the temp.

I am monitoring CPU temps and its around 70C all the time.

I have attached a copy of msi log file. Maybe it can help to identify the problem.

 

[rav007]

I don't think your GPU usage is throttled with temperature, your GPU peaks at 91C and the usage is still close to 100% so that can't be it. I don't think it is temperature related based on that. I would suggest maybe your drive is the problem.
Are the games on a HDD?
Is it separate to your OS drive?
Is your antivirus software running updates or scans when you're gaming?
Are you running any other intensive tasks that require HDD access whilst you are gaming?
Have you installed anything recently where before the installation the FPS wouldnt drop and since then the FPS does drop?
Do you have any drops in CPU usage during the FPS drops? Monitor that too.
If your GPU was failing it would fail outright, it's like an alive or dead situation, it would crash your game and maybe even your computer (BSOD or worse). The GPU usage is high throughout and no drops around a peak temperature so I don't think your GPU is the problem. I think something is competing for hard drive resources and causing the issues. Remember the game will only run as fast as a hard drive will let you read the data, your GPU isn't the bottleneck here, most likely your hard drive. (unless if someone with more experience than me says otherwise)

 

[d.most.wanted]

My games are on SSD. its msata 840 ssd. I checked the drive usage while gaming and its 0% all the time. I do not run any cpu intensive task while gaming.

I bought it from someone on 2nd hand website few weeks ago and when i performed heaven benchmark there it looked fine but now when I call him he doesn't answer his phone. LOL. I think I am duped.

I ran the game and logged the cpu frequency. Couldn't log the FPS of the game with it. It shows the frequency drop. Don't know why. I run aida64 and it says 100% there.

 

[rav007]

Unfortunately without the times for FPS drops it wont be possible to infer if the CPU usage drops coincide. However, you deserve to be told off for buying a 2nd hand SSD. Never buy 2nd hand hard drives! :nono: The hard drive may be fine, its really not possible to tell unless someone looks at your laptop to be honest. Maybe send it in for an RMA with the details? I can't think of any other hardware or software issues myself. I did have an interesting experience once with Rapture 3D sound software which installed with Dirt. It seemed to cause some weird tree textures in Sims 3. When I uninstalled it the textures were fine, reinstalled it and the trees appeared like blocks. It was really strange.

 

[d.most.wanted]

I bought the laptop 2nd hand, not the SSD :sweatdrop: . I will try to get the fps with the CPU frequency and post it.

 

[d.most.wanted]

okay i monitored the CPU frequency. And indeed the CPU is the problem. When i start crysis 3, the CPU is at 3.2 Ghz but while playing game during the FPS drops, the CPU frequency drops to 2.4 Ghz and 700Mhz. The temps are fine. When I run aida64 it says 1% throttle due to over heating. Any idea why it is doing this?

Edit: Ran the intel diagnostic tool and it showed no error. Cant send it to RMA because original buyer isn't answering my call to transfer the warranty

 

[rav007]

okay i monitored the CPU frequency. And indeed the CPU is the problem. When i start crysis 3, the CPU is at 3.2 Ghz but while playing game during the FPS drops, the CPU frequency drops to 2.4 Ghz and 700Mhz. The temps are fine. When I run aida64 it says 1% throttle due to over heating. Any idea why it is doing this?

Edit: Ran the intel diagnostic tool and it showed no error. Cant send it to RMA because original buyer isn't answering my call to transfer the warranty

You took a gamble on this one, I hope it pays off to be honest I hate seeing people get screwed over. If it's overheating give the CPU a re-paste. If you dont know how, either find someone who will do it cheaply for you or just go onto youtube and watch some re-pasting videos. You can buy paste for a few quid and it is really simple to do. I am guessing it will be an i7 4700mq or hq? I have the mq in my current laptop which is a year older than yours, and my CPU temps only hit 80 on stress tests with no throttle so yours should be capable of the same. What kind of temps are you getting on the CPU? You can use HWmonitor to log it real-time and then post your max temps on the CPU.

 

[d.most.wanted]

I repasted it twice. I think my repasting job is good because I did it on an Alienware and the temp dropped. I am using arctic mx-4 paste. Here is the summary of hwinfo monitoring. It says no thermal throttling. Honestly I have no idea what else to do.

 

[SpyderTracks]

deleted.

 

[rav007]

I repasted it twice. I think my repasting job is good because I did it on an Alienware and the temp dropped. I am using arctic mx-4 paste. Here is the summary of hwinfo monitoring. It says no thermal throttling. Honestly I have no idea what else to do.

Check windows event logs to see if any windows events coincide with the stuttering. Enable shadowplay with hotkey record and when you're playing, when you notice the FPS drop, save a video with the hotkey of the past few minutes of gameplay and upload it to youtube and link it here so we can see what the FPS drop looks like. Enable the Geforce Experience FPS overlay too. If we have video of whats happening it may highlight the issue more clearly.

Also chase up with the guy you bought the laptop from and check the T&Cs on the website you bought this from 2nd hand because if that guy has sold you a ****ed up laptop you need to have some way of getting your money back and giving him his crap laptop back in case this can't be resolved. Does everything else work on the laptop? Like web based video content and anything else? Also did you say that BF4 was now working fine but it was only Crysis 3 that isnt?

EDIT: Check for malware on the computer.

How much paste are you putting on there by the way? As little as possible right? Thin layer about the thickness of a hair?

 

[Oussebon]

Check windows event logs to see if any windows events coincide with the stuttering. Enable shadowplay with hotkey record and when you're playing, when you notice the FPS drop, save a video with the hotkey of the past few minutes of gameplay and upload it to youtube and link it here so we can see what the FPS drop looks like. Enable the Geforce Experience FPS overlay too. If we have video of whats happening it may highlight the issue more clearly.

If doing all that you can also set up HWinfo and Rivatuner to include an on-screen display of pretty much everything - CPU frequency and usage per thread, GPU frequency and load, temps, etc etc. There's a guide in the link I posted.

 

[d.most.wanted]

I don't know what to look for in windows event logs. I have recorded the gameplay with all the sensors i think necessary. Here is the link. https://youtu.be/X8Lwcwd3h6Y . If the quality isn't good, you can download it from my dropbox. https://www.dropbox.com/s/ne35ctjfksrlop1/Crysis%203%2011.23.2016%20-%2016.37.12.17.mp4?dl=0

I think overheating is not the issue as the cpu throttling says NO in all the cores. I also feel a little bit lag in windows. Hope the video will help to diagnose the problem.

 

[d.most.wanted]

video uploaded. Please check previous comment.

 

[rav007]

When you run Crysis 3 on low settings do you still get fps drops or similar stuttering as in the video?

Edit: Every time it stutters your temp on the GPU seems to drop into the low 80s and the memory clock also drops from 2400 to 2000, but GPU usage stays high. CPU temperature is quite erratic in general, range from 67C to 83C is what I saw, with no common pattern. I think this may be throttling to drop the GPU temps are the GPU's maximum temperature is 94C. You GPU jumps back up to the high 80s really quickly after each FPS drop event. Have you re-pasted this? At least one other person has had a problem with the GTX 880m in your laptop model and posted it here: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?33703-Vortex-IV-880m-throttling/page1

It may require another shot at GPU repasting, or just reduce the settings and accept that even though the GPU wants to play harder, it can't because of throttling. Out of curiosity how much did you pay for this laptop?

 

[d.most.wanted]

Yes, I still get the same stutter in low settings. The funny thing is I run aida64 and furmark together, there is no drop in CPU or GPU performance. No thermal throttling. The temps are around 90C but don't exceed. Atleast thats what the software shows. Whenever I play any game, this happens. I have a little bit of left over thermal paste on the CPU which I cant remove. 4710MQ has some kinda pins on top of CPU. I will try to remove it and hope i do not damage the CPU.

I paid 600 Euros for the laptop

I e-mailed PCS and hope they reply me. I called them once but they said you need to transfer the ownership and the seller just disappeared. Its a website like gumtree where people sell their used stuff so no chance of getting my money back.

 

[d.most.wanted]

Update: I installed Clevo Control Center and set the fan to max. The temp on the CPU and GPU stays around 80C. I see fps drops in crysis 3 but not in battlefield 4 and CS GO. Well i tested it for 10 minutes. I will test it more and update. Case still pending....

 

[rav007]

I e-mailed PCS and hope they reply me. I called them once but they said you need to transfer the ownership and the seller just disappeared. Its a website like gumtree where people sell their used stuff so no chance of getting my money back.

There is always a chance. This kind of thing can be taken to small claims court for someone selling a faulty product to you. All 2nd hand website should always have some form of customer information in case something like this happens as money always goes from A to B, they can't turn around and say that B has mysteriously disappeared. Not at that kind of price anyway.

You can also set the fans to max by pressing FN + 1

Edit: I wonder if you have overloaded the textures... though I wouldn't expect that to cause an FPS drop if you don't have sufficient VRAM for max textures, drop the texture quality?

Try running the games on the lowest possible settings on the integrated intel GPU too (try to get some decent or consistent frame rate, you may have to reduce the resolution a bit too), because if that doesn't stutter it could well mean the 880m is the problem. If not, it could be the CPU.

 

[d.most.wanted]

I do not have any proof that he sold me this laptop. It was hand to hand deal.

I ran CS GO from integrated Graphics. The CPU frequency was constant 3.2 Ghz.

One thing i dont understand is why is it working without any problems in benchmark softwares like furmark but while gaming it drops fps. I ran Furmark again for 15 minutes. Max GPU temp was 87 (rising constantly) and CPU frequency was 2.4Ghz all the time with GPU Clock at 810Mhz. Everything ran normal. The only hope is PCS technical support but they haven't replied yet.