M-Radeon 9000 poor performance - massive, inexplicable slowdown in games

peterlocke77 · Apr 23, 2006, 03:10 AM

Hiya -- My Dell Latitude D600 includes the ATI Mobility Radeon 9000, 32 MB. When I first got the PC I was able to play games like Spellforce 1, Morrowind, and LOTR: Battle for Middle Earth with no trouble. Then, about a year ago, I started seeing a major performance problem -- in ANY game I play (even really old ones, like Civilization 3) after about five minutes everything slows to an incredible crawl, making play all but impossible. The slowdown lasts minimum 10 minutes; then I get 5 or so minutes of normal play; then back to snail-pace. What could be going on?

My PC seems to be in great shape, otherwise -- it's Pentium 4 1.6Ghz, 1Gig RAM, WinXP SP2, no other problems to speak of. I've tried re-formatting the hard drive and reloading everything from scratch, but this hasn't helped. Have also called Dell tech support, and they had no advice for me.

Thanks SO much for your help!
Peter

Randomness · May 6, 2006, 02:07 AM

Hello:

This sounds like the GPU might be overheating. I would recommend you invoke your warranty to have it serviced. It may be something simple like replacing the thermal pad / thermal grease between the GPU and the heatsink.
I would also recommend trying to clean the vents to the fan(s) the notebook uses to restore air flow.

I would also recommend you consult your notebook manufacturer for any available BIOS updates.

Good luck, and take care.

wastingtime · May 20, 2006, 09:23 AM

I have been having a similar problem with a dell system...any solution??? PLEASE email me at forrandomstuff2005@hotmail.com if you have any info.

LLivingLarge · May 21, 2006, 08:28 PM

Your RAM slots are overheating

Randomness · May 21, 2006, 11:43 PM

Hello:

Overheating memory would be consistant with the problem you are encountering. Again, make sure the fan / vents are clean and running properly.

Take care and Good luck.

Death_Tank · Jun 22, 2006, 03:44 PM

I had the same problem with my Dell 5150, ATI Mobility 9000.
After a lot of research this is the best advice...
Fisrt buy a can of compressed air and blow all of the dust out of the air vents on a regular basis. Just aim the can into the vent, it won't hurt it.
Then buy a notebook cooler (a stand with 2 external fans) and sit your laptop on it.
This will cool your laptop down and fix the problem like a dream.

miroslav_karpis · Dec 14, 2007, 08:03 AM

can it not be just ATI and firegl issue?

Vikingod · Dec 14, 2007, 01:54 PM

This is a very old thread, closed.

Apr 23, 2006, 03:10 AM	#1
peterlocke77 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 1 Rep Power: 0	M-Radeon 9000 poor performance - massive, inexplicable slowdown in games Hiya -- My Dell Latitude D600 includes the ATI Mobility Radeon 9000, 32 MB. When I first got the PC I was able to play games like Spellforce 1, Morrowind, and LOTR: Battle for Middle Earth with no trouble. Then, about a year ago, I started seeing a major performance problem -- in ANY game I play (even really old ones, like Civilization 3) after about five minutes everything slows to an incredible crawl, making play all but impossible. The slowdown lasts minimum 10 minutes; then I get 5 or so minutes of normal play; then back to snail-pace. What could be going on? My PC seems to be in great shape, otherwise -- it's Pentium 4 1.6Ghz, 1Gig RAM, WinXP SP2, no other problems to speak of. I've tried re-formatting the hard drive and reloading everything from scratch, but this hasn't helped. Have also called Dell tech support, and they had no advice for me. Thanks SO much for your help! Peter

May 6, 2006, 02:07 AM	#2
Randomness in a state of flux Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 366 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Hello: This sounds like the GPU might be overheating. I would recommend you invoke your warranty to have it serviced. It may be something simple like replacing the thermal pad / thermal grease between the GPU and the heatsink. I would also recommend trying to clean the vents to the fan(s) the notebook uses to restore air flow. I would also recommend you consult your notebook manufacturer for any available BIOS updates. Good luck, and take care. Last edited by Randomness; May 6, 2006 at 02:09 AM. Reason: updated....

May 20, 2006, 09:23 AM	#3
wastingtime DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 1 Rep Power: 0	similar problem I have been having a similar problem with a dell system...any solution??? PLEASE email me at forrandomstuff2005@hotmail.com if you have any info.

May 21, 2006, 11:43 PM	#5
Randomness in a state of flux Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 366 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Overheating memory Hello: Overheating memory would be consistant with the problem you are encountering. Again, make sure the fan / vents are clean and running properly. Take care and Good luck.

May 21, 2006, 08:28 PM	#4
LLivingLarge DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 25 Rep Power: 0	Your RAM slots are overheating

Jun 22, 2006, 03:44 PM	#6
Death_Tank DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 1 Rep Power: 0	I had the same problem with my Dell 5150, ATI Mobility 9000. After a lot of research this is the best advice... Fisrt buy a can of compressed air and blow all of the dust out of the air vents on a regular basis. Just aim the can into the vent, it won't hurt it. Then buy a notebook cooler (a stand with 2 external fans) and sit your laptop on it. This will cool your laptop down and fix the problem like a dream.

Dec 14, 2007, 08:03 AM	#7
miroslav_karpis DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0	can it not be just ATI and firegl issue?

Dec 14, 2007, 01:54 PM	#8
Vikingod Int'l Fish Liaison Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: By the light of lamp I sit and type... Posts: 16,197 Rep Power: 112 System Specs	This is a very old thread, closed.