falling performance (reason - higher CPU usage by SYSTEM process)

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
  • Start date Start date
G

Guest

Few days ago my windows (XP SP2 version 2002 fully updated [dxdiag shows :
5.1 build 2600]) started to behave quite crazy.

After few minutes of playing game (no matter what game it is) it suddenly
loose performance (my FPS - frames pre second falls down a lot). I tried to
figure out whats the problem and found that exactly while having this huge
performance loss, process called SYSTEM has higher CPU usage than in normal.
I made a graph that shows CPU usage by this process (using ProcessExplorer
program) - http://redeemer.ic.cz/Prblm/SYSTEMprocess.jpg
Hill - performance loss
Last hill and after - loss -> shuting down game -> normal win running

It makes the same on clean install (updated).

I had performance drops before, but just a few (in a month) and I thought it
is because of CPU temp (rises to 66 C where my P4 640 starts to 'calm down').
I've bought good CPU cooling to avoid overheating and temp is now always < 50.

So here are my questions:

1) Why has windows started to behave like this ?

2) Could it be some hardware related problem ? (I suspect PSU)

(sry for mistakes, eng is not my mother tongue)
 
My GPU is ok ... while playing games temp of the core rises from 45 C in idle
to 75 C (target slowdown is 145 C according to NVidia ControlPanel). Graphic
card fan is spinning all the time. I excluded theese kind of problems with
graphic card overclocking software RivaTuner which provides showing card
information (temp / core clock / ram clock) on OSD (in OpenGL / D3D
applications - games). My graphic card is ok ... no overheating, no
underclocking, no fan problem.

Thats why I suspect Windows.
 
Hi Redeemer,

Hardware issues can cause freezing, black screens and other
errors. Also, your drivers should always be kept up to date.

Try the following steps one at a time to try and resolve the issue.
I hope this helps. Please post back if you have any questions! :-)

1. Update DirectX and your Chipset, Sound, &Video Drivers:
For all Video / DirectX / Game and Hardware Issues, I have a
Checklist of Solutions at: http://NibblesNbitsVideo.tk

2. Dust your fans, vents and components using a 1/4" paintbrush
and a hose vacuum. Use compressed air for hard to reach places.
Set a housefan to blow cold air into your case to expose an over-
heating issue.. If it works add more fans or replace defective ones.
Use this Motherboard Monitor Utility: http://mbm.livewiredev.com

3. A faulty power supply can cause STOP errors, random reboots,
and black screen lockups. One way to test for that is to check the
wattage sticker on your power supply and then calculate your need
http://www.jscustompcs.com/power_supply/ (Min. 350 for gaming)

4. Test your RAM using: http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp

--
Cheers, Windows_XP_MVP_Shell/User
Jimmy S. http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Visit my MSN Zone.com and Gaming Help Site: http://mvps.org/nibblesnbits
MS Games Help and Support Center: http://support.microsoft.com/?pr=gms
My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any rights.
_________________________________________________________

Redeemer Wrote:
=================
| Few days ago my windows (XP SP2 version 2002 fully updated [dxdiag shows :
| 5.1 build 2600]) started to behave quite crazy.
|
| After few minutes of playing game (no matter what game it is) it suddenly
| loose performance (my FPS - frames pre second falls down a lot). I tried to
| figure out whats the problem and found that exactly while having this huge
| performance loss, process called SYSTEM has higher CPU usage than in normal.
| I made a graph that shows CPU usage by this process (using ProcessExplorer
| program) - http://redeemer.ic.cz/Prblm/SYSTEMprocess.jpg
| Hill - performance loss
| Last hill and after - loss -> shuting down game -> normal win running
|
| It makes the same on clean install (updated).
|
| I had performance drops before, but just a few (in a month) and I thought it
| is because of CPU temp (rises to 66 C where my P4 640 starts to 'calm down').
| I've bought good CPU cooling to avoid overheating and temp is now always < 50.
|
| So here are my questions:
|
| 1) Why has windows started to behave like this ?
|
| 2) Could it be some hardware related problem ? (I suspect PSU)
|
| (sry for mistakes, eng is not my mother tongue)
 
OK problem solved

Its not software (Windows) issue ...

After trying everything I find out something is overheating in my PC.
Unfortunately I thought this before (that it is CPU) and new high-end cooler
didnt solve problem, so I excluded overheating. Now I see it's something
else. Maybe northbridge - can affect CPU and it's heatsink is too hot ...

So theres no need to continue it this topic ...
Bye and thanks for advices
 
Back
Top