[Solved] Speed/fps problem - bit of a pickle

[Garteal]

You can turn Disable Lighting off, it will make the games look weird.

The other settings look fine. I just tried TP on my rig, runs absolutely fine ofcourse.

Hmm..
If you right-click on the game, and select properties.
Is there anything ticked? If so, what and where?

Could you also download a temperature monitoring application such as CoreTemp to monitor your CPU temps?
Do this while idling and then while playing.

[Masato]

Yeah I turned it off and the extreme brightness went away, thanks for that!

The following options are on:
Enable Dual-core
Enable Idle skipping
Enable MMU
Enable BAT
MMU Speed Hack
Accurate VBEAM Emulation
Speed up Disc Transfer Rate
Enable Block Merging
DSP HLE emulation (fast)
Enable WideScreen
Disable Wiimote Speaker
ZTP hack is checked

My CPU temps are the following (I have given them in degrees celsius as I am from Sweden):

Core #0: 94
Core #1: 99
Core #2: 91
Core #3: 99

This is when I have no game loaded with just Dolphin running.

With TP running I get the following values:

Core #0: 95
Core #1: 99
Core #2: 92
Core #3: 99

The load on each core goes up dramatically but that is to be expected I guess.

---

What I forgot to mention is that the speed and fps are quite stable, some periodic slowdowns from 80 to 65. But I played a bit further and once I enter the first town with Epona it just drops dramatically and the FPS is down to 14 and speed is somewhere around 40%.

[Garteal]

Wow dude, that's too high!

99 degrees celsius is TOOOOO hot. You should have it around 30-40 degrees on idle, and like 60-70 tops on load.
If I were you, I would instantly shut down the PC and check if the cpu cooler is seated correctly.

This is probably also the reason you lag so much.

[Masato]

Okay I will look into it and report back!

Thanks!

[Masato]

First of all thanks a lot Garteal for helping me solve the problem, it is indeed an issue of heating.

I opened up my computer and cleaned out the heatsink. In the BIOS I changed the fan mode to Turbo. I do have 2 fans but they wont fit on my MB (Asus P6T SE), as they are both 2 pinned. As I'm writing this my average temp is around 60 which is significantly less.

I am going to go out and buy 2 more fans and perhaps redo the thermal paste on the CPU. I built this computer about a year ago, is it normal to have to change the paste this early? Is there anything else I can do to reduce the temperature perhaps even further?

When I try to run TP it runs very smoothly, no lag or speed loss. The temperature does however still rise to around 90-95 when the game is running which is worrying. Is it expected that Dolphin will increase the CPU temp by about 35 degrees or is it just my system that is a bit off?

Really appreciate the help!

[Garteal]

Hi Masato,

Is your idle average temperature 60 degrees?
That is still too high for idle temps.

If your PC was running on 99 degrees all the time, it's quite possible you'll have to redo the thermal paste on it.
Make sure your cpufan is seated perfectly (the 4 pins should click)

Are you still using the stockfan that came with the CPU?
Even if you are still using the stockfan, it should not be on 60 degrees on idle.

What computer case do you have?
This is also a major factor in the heat you are getting.

[Masato]

Hey,

yes, when I'm just doing some random browsing using Chrome it is around 65. Not much difference when I turn off the browser and just let it be passively. It is specifically Dolphin that makes the processor very warm. Other games don't but since comparing PC games to Dolphin is useless, I suppose that statement is not needed.

When I turn on TP my Core Temp program shows me that the computer WILL rise to around 95. So I suppose if I keep playing the game it will eventually start to lag.

Yes I am, I have although heard only bad things about the fan that comes with the CPU. But you are right, it shouldn't go that high. The computer case is a very cheap looking one, nothing special. Might be a contributing factor...

[Garteal]

I'm also from Europe, and it's pretty cool now, room temperatures are much lower compared to summer time.
I expect the same kind of weather and temps in Sweden.
Imagine your temps in summer... it will be even worse.

It's already at its max right now, you should really use something different than your computer if it sticks around 9x degrees.

I highly, HIGHLY recommend you to spend some money on a better case.
From what I see, your airflow is really bad, even in -cold- room temps (unless you're in some kind of sauna or something)

And since it looks like your cpufan is broken, you should also look into buying an aftermarket cpufan. These are much better than the stock ones. (If your fan worked properly, you wouldn't have to).

Buying a good case, and a good CPUfan will cost you a lot less than frying your CPU and other components right now.
I can help you with choosing these components.

Also, I take that you can build computers, since you just did it earlier, right?

[Masato]

Yeah this time around it becomes very cold in Sweden, my room temp is around 24-25 degrees I'd say. During summer it is obviously higher.

Haha not sitting in a sauna but I'll definitely consider getting a better case.

Strange how the CPU fan is broken already, its not even a year old.

Sure I'd love some help to pick those components out, thank you =).

Yeah I have some experience in that, still consider myself a beginner, but I can remove and add hardware hehe =).

[Garteal]

So you never had this problem (with games and such, as general OS usage shouldn't require a lot of CPU usage) before?
Like, when exactly did you find out these -slowdowns-?

Yeah, it's indeed strange... And honestly, I'm afraid that you've probably been at such a high temperature for a long period.
Do you still have warranty? If so, see if you can return the cpu/fan and get a replacement for em.
Running a CPU at its max TJ all the time will FRY the CPU and lower the lifespan a lot.
So don't be lazy, contact the store (if you can) and demand a replacement.

Alrighty, do you have a max budget you would like to spend on them?

Haha good, as long as you know how it works. Just make sure to unload your electricity in your body before you work with any computer part!