Slow-Motion problem with some games

Plala · Jun 25, 2006, 10:41 PM

I have strange slow-motion problems when running some games. After a while of playing the games will start running in slow-motion for about 30-60 seconds per time and after that it runs normal for a few minutes. And it keeps doing it every time.
I've had this problem with FIFA 2006, NHL 2005 and Thief Deadly Shadows.
But I have been able to play games like Doom 3, Call of Duty 2 without problem.

I have tried changing the in-game options to the lowest qualities but it doesn't help. I've also updated to Catalyst 6.5 but nothing changes. What can I do about this?

I've got an Acer Notebook with AMD Turion 64 Mobile and ATI Radeon X600 Mobile. I run Windows XP

Plala · Jun 27, 2006, 04:19 PM

Thief 3 also runs too quick sometimes, but mostly it's slow-motion.

SuperCoolAl · Jul 13, 2006, 10:54 AM

Your notebook CPU is 'throttling'. When it gets too hot it clocks back until it's cool enough to speed up again. When it clocks back you get the 'slow motion problem.'

The only way to overcome the problem is to force the processor speed using RMClock, but then your notebook may power off if it reaches critical temperature. Undervolting (also in RMClock) can help to reduce heat output. But you might want to check for dust blocking vents etc.

Plala · Jul 16, 2006, 06:43 AM

How do I change these settings in RMClock?

mkk · Jul 16, 2006, 08:02 AM

Might just be the Cool&Quiet power saving routine that mess it up without any overheating being involved. Try puting the Power Options(control panel) setting to Always On, or disable C&Q in BIOS if there's a setting for it. See if that helps gaming.

Edit: Ah yes, first you might want to update the relevant AMD processor driver and see if that alone solves the problem. http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/...82_871,00.html

Randomness · Jul 24, 2006, 06:54 AM

Hello:

I would recommend placing your notebook's power management settings to "Always On" before playing a game. That will tell the CPU driver not to throttle, and run the system at full power. However don't do this unless running on external power, otherwise it might not work.

Some processors will throttle to protect themselves from overheating, so make sure the vents are clean, and fan(s) are working.

It is also prossible that something is running in the background that is causing occasional spikes in CPU usage, such as instant messaging, automatic updating, anti-virus, Bittorrent or other background program. I recommend downloading "Autoruns" from www.systernals.com and disable the logon programs you don't use in the "logon" tab.

Make sure your harddrive is defragmented as well, because this can also cause slow-motion in some games.

Good luck, have fun, and take care.

Plala · Jul 29, 2006, 02:53 PM

I've running "Always on" so that's not it. I'm also sure it's not about the background programs. And I do have the latest drivers.

I will try defragmentation but right now my harddrive is a bit full, thanks for the tip.

Randomness · Jul 29, 2006, 04:33 PM

Hello:
Just a thought.....but perhaps your system if doing too much Paging to your Harddrive.
Windows XP using its page-file as virtual memory to compliment the system RAM. It is possible your video textures are being paged to your harddrive. Try free-ing up your active memory from update programs, unused services, misc. programs that come bundled with the notebook. I would also strongly recommend in a defragmentation program that is ale to do a boot-time defrag of the Page File and other system programs. Such programs like Diskeeper and PerfectDisk are able to do this.

Good luck.

gmduncanidaho · Dec 22, 2007, 08:14 PM

Even with a clean, newly-built system, the same thing happens to me on FIFA 08, which is the only game I play.

I'm almost sure that it's not the CPU overheating nor it has something to do with the Hard Drive or Memory, because I have plenty of space on both.

I thought it has something to do with Mobility Drivers and tried with the latest modded ATI driver, but it didn't work..

I'm now downloading FIFA 08 Patch #2 but I doubt it'll make any changes...

Anyone have a clue on another solution to this?

Forgot to write my system specifics:

Toshiba A200-1AH Laptop with 2.0 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2GB 667 Mhz Memory, 160GB of HDD with ~100GB empty space, ATI Mobility Radeon HD2600

**kris23** · Dec 22, 2007, 08:35 PM

try to disable Intel Enhanced Speed Step (EIST)

gmduncanidaho · Dec 22, 2007, 10:32 PM

There are only two options about CPU Frequency on the BIOS;
1- Dynamic (Probably SpeedStep ON)
2- Always low

Tho, I doubt it has something to do with the CPU Frequency, the computer's heat level is not rising while playing FIFA08

I tried some other games, like Crysis, and it worked all fine. The heat level was absolutely way higher while Crysis was open, and there were no slowing down or slow motion.

I'm on Vista Home Premium btw if that helps in any way..

Jun 25, 2006, 10:41 PM	#1
Plala DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 4 Rep Power: 0	Slow-Motion problem with some games I have strange slow-motion problems when running some games. After a while of playing the games will start running in slow-motion for about 30-60 seconds per time and after that it runs normal for a few minutes. And it keeps doing it every time. I've had this problem with FIFA 2006, NHL 2005 and Thief Deadly Shadows. But I have been able to play games like Doom 3, Call of Duty 2 without problem. I have tried changing the in-game options to the lowest qualities but it doesn't help. I've also updated to Catalyst 6.5 but nothing changes. What can I do about this? I've got an Acer Notebook with AMD Turion 64 Mobile and ATI Radeon X600 Mobile. I run Windows XP

Jul 13, 2006, 10:54 AM	#3
SuperCoolAl DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 37 Rep Power: 0	Your notebook CPU is 'throttling'. When it gets too hot it clocks back until it's cool enough to speed up again. When it clocks back you get the 'slow motion problem.' The only way to overcome the problem is to force the processor speed using RMClock, but then your notebook may power off if it reaches critical temperature. Undervolting (also in RMClock) can help to reduce heat output. But you might want to check for dust blocking vents etc. __________________ Evesham Quest Roma T37 (MSI MS-1029 Chassis) AMD Turion 64 MT-37 1MB L2 Cache 1024MB DDR333 RAM 60GB 5400rpm Hard Disk 128MB Ati Mobility Radeon X700 Integrated Realtek AC97 Audio Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2

Dec 22, 2007, 08:35 PM	#10
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,019 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	try to disable Intel Enhanced Speed Step (EIST) __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!

Jun 27, 2006, 04:19 PM	Thread Starter #2
Plala DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 4 Rep Power: 0	Thief 3 also runs too quick sometimes, but mostly it's slow-motion.

Jul 16, 2006, 06:43 AM	Thread Starter #4
Plala DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 4 Rep Power: 0	How do I change these settings in RMClock?

Jul 16, 2006, 08:02 AM	#5
mkk Cthulhu/Dagon 2012 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Gefle, Sweden Posts: 4,495 Rep Power: 132 System Specs	Might just be the Cool&Quiet power saving routine that mess it up without any overheating being involved. Try puting the Power Options(control panel) setting to Always On, or disable C&Q in BIOS if there's a setting for it. See if that helps gaming. Edit: Ah yes, first you might want to update the relevant AMD processor driver and see if that alone solves the problem. http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/...82_871,00.html

Jul 24, 2006, 06:54 AM	#6
Randomness in a state of flux Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 366 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Hello: I would recommend placing your notebook's power management settings to "Always On" before playing a game. That will tell the CPU driver not to throttle, and run the system at full power. However don't do this unless running on external power, otherwise it might not work. Some processors will throttle to protect themselves from overheating, so make sure the vents are clean, and fan(s) are working. It is also prossible that something is running in the background that is causing occasional spikes in CPU usage, such as instant messaging, automatic updating, anti-virus, Bittorrent or other background program. I recommend downloading "Autoruns" from www.systernals.com and disable the logon programs you don't use in the "logon" tab. Make sure your harddrive is defragmented as well, because this can also cause slow-motion in some games. Good luck, have fun, and take care.

Jul 29, 2006, 02:53 PM	Thread Starter #7
Plala DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 4 Rep Power: 0	I've running "Always on" so that's not it. I'm also sure it's not about the background programs. And I do have the latest drivers. I will try defragmentation but right now my harddrive is a bit full, thanks for the tip.

Jul 29, 2006, 04:33 PM	#8
Randomness in a state of flux Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 366 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Hello: Just a thought.....but perhaps your system if doing too much Paging to your Harddrive. Windows XP using its page-file as virtual memory to compliment the system RAM. It is possible your video textures are being paged to your harddrive. Try free-ing up your active memory from update programs, unused services, misc. programs that come bundled with the notebook. I would also strongly recommend in a defragmentation program that is ale to do a boot-time defrag of the Page File and other system programs. Such programs like Diskeeper and PerfectDisk are able to do this. Good luck.

Dec 22, 2007, 08:14 PM	#9
gmduncanidaho DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	Even with a clean, newly-built system, the same thing happens to me on FIFA 08, which is the only game I play. I'm almost sure that it's not the CPU overheating nor it has something to do with the Hard Drive or Memory, because I have plenty of space on both. I thought it has something to do with Mobility Drivers and tried with the latest modded ATI driver, but it didn't work.. I'm now downloading FIFA 08 Patch #2 but I doubt it'll make any changes... Anyone have a clue on another solution to this? Forgot to write my system specifics: Toshiba A200-1AH Laptop with 2.0 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2GB 667 Mhz Memory, 160GB of HDD with ~100GB empty space, ATI Mobility Radeon HD2600

Dec 22, 2007, 10:32 PM	#11
gmduncanidaho DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	There are only two options about CPU Frequency on the BIOS; 1- Dynamic (Probably SpeedStep ON) 2- Always low Tho, I doubt it has something to do with the CPU Frequency, the computer's heat level is not rising while playing FIFA08 I tried some other games, like Crysis, and it worked all fine. The heat level was absolutely way higher while Crysis was open, and there were no slowing down or slow motion. I'm on Vista Home Premium btw if that helps in any way..