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Laptop CPU spikes during games...

  • 10-12-2005 9:06pm
    #1
    snappieT
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,357 ✭✭✭


    Another problem from your favourite customer: snappieT!

    Dell Inspiron 8600c: 512 RAM, 1.6 Centrino @ 221, ATI Radeon 9600 Pro Turbo, XP Pro SP2. Relatively recent (re)install of Windows.

    When I'm playing games, the CPU usage shoots to 100% and stays there for the duration of gameplay, and I see no reason why. Games I have tried include Call of Duty, Simcity 3000 & Theme Hospital (at least 2 of those shouldn't be taxing at all!)

    Keeping an eye on the processor usage, it is entirely the fault of the game, it is eating up all the CPU power, there are no other processes over 1% usage. This happens regardless of the laptop being plugged in or running off battery. I have also tried all the Dell power profiles (High Performance, etc...)

    WHY!!!
    -snappieT


Comments

  • #2
    TimTim
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 804 ✭✭✭TimTim


    Its just the way of the world, the game will take 100% of your CPU. Exact reasons behind this I'm not too sure on, buts its normal anyway.


  • #3
    Karoma
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,396 ✭✭✭✭Karoma


    Use Sysinternals' Process Explorer to break the usage down further.
    Also, re: spec-> how much VRAM is there? Is it shared memory?


  • #4
    snappieT
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,357 ✭✭✭snappieT


    128MB Video RAM, dedicated. And this never happened before, so if 1998 computers could handle Theme Hospital fine, why can't my 2005 computer?


  • #5
    daywalker
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 552 ✭✭✭daywalker


    Theme hospital is a very old game designed to work on windows 95/98, usually games of that era wont work on XP, you might get theme hospital to work using the XP compatibility modes.


  • #6
    Khannie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,485 ✭✭✭✭Khannie


    Games will always use 100% of the processor. If there are spare CPU cycles, they use it to make the game run more smoothly (generally by attempting to render more frames). This is entirely reasonable behaviour. :) Nothing wrong with your cpu being pushed to 100% usage unless you're running on battery.


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  • #7
    snappieT
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,357 ✭✭✭snappieT


    I guess it's just odd that it never happened before. And if I am running on battery, is there any way to get it to run at a reasonable rate?

    Thanks again,
    snappieT


  • #8
    daywalker
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 552 ✭✭✭daywalker


    You could try turning off the power saving features of the centrino processor. These features usually include reducing the clock speed of the processor to save on battery life, have a look in the bios, or the computer may have come with the necessary software, not sure what it is though. :o


  • #9
    Mutant_Fruit
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,943 ✭✭✭Mutant_Fruit


    If its a centrino based laptop, (or at least one with a pentium-m) use SpeedSwitchXP to control the CPU speed. Its great, and free.


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