FPS Dropping In-Game

[NeptuneRemora]

Starting this afternoon my game slows down dramatically. As of yesterday FFXI ran perfectly fine, able to 2,3, and even 4box with minimal-decent lag, even in Whitegate.

However logging in today with only 2 characters in dropped my FPS to 1.8 from the normal 15-~20 (depending on where I was in Whitegate). Restarting PC, Reseting and Restarting Router, Checked for Window's updates and installed any that were needed, Updated drivers, and nothing changes.

I'm able to log in and be "fine" for roughly 5-20minutes, having 25+ FPS, then it dives severely on me a short time after wards. This has been in Windower3.41, standard without any additional plug-ins. I have tried using the normal full-screen mode and it works decently well, however still not as great as it was in Windower.

I have scanned for Malware and Spyware and suffer from none. I was told to check Task Manager and see what was going on in processes for possible CPU hogs. POL is the second from the top only running at "05" while
"System Idle Process" using up anywhere from "63-95".


Here's my PC Stats

Window Vista™ Home Premium
Service Pack 2
Rating: 4.8
Intel Pentium Dual CPU E2180 @2.00GHz
3.00GB
32-bit Operating System
NVIDIA GeForce 8500 GT

I currently have Verizon FIOS as an ISP.

Like I mentioned, things we're fine yesterday and today this sudden change.


Any help is greatly appreciated.

[SubzeroDiabolos]

High CPU/graphic card temp?

HDD dying?

[NeptuneRemora]

How would I check those things?

PC Retarded -_-

[fishstix]

I use CPUID to check my PC's temps. It shows the cpu and video card. Also, open up your PC and check if there's any major dust build up

[NeptuneRemora]

Thanks for the replies.

I took your advice and installed a Temp. reading application and indeed my graphics card was overheating. Nearly 152 degrees Celsius.

I opened up the case and removed the card, discovering the fan on the card was shot and burnt out. Replaced the graphics card and I'm good to go.


Thanks again~

[Greatguardian]

Out of curiosity, with what resolution and settings were you able to 4-box with minimal lag? I run a similar rig (AMD Athlon x64 x2 3800+ 2.0Ghz, 3GB RAM, Nvidia Geforce 9400GT, Win 7 x64 Pro with GPU Driver 191.07), and I can barely 2-box atm without completely dying. As is, I run ffxi in a 800x600 window with registry background resolution set at 1600x1600. I don't mind lowering it, it just seems like I really *should* be able to run a lot better than I actually do.

[NeptuneRemora]

My screen resolution is currently 1440 by 900 pixels.

I'm a complete PC retard and have always had help changing my graphics. I have changed things in the Reg Edit thing to make them crisp and smooth.

I don't know where to look for the other information but if you instruct me how I'll be more then happy to supply my information.

The only time I ever have lag is by teleport crystals. I've pulled my own Astralburn parties myself with little lag between the screens, but the damn teleports will drops me down until they are out of my view.

[Greatguardian]

Geez, lol. I must be doing something wrong somewhere. My monitor runs at 1360x768. My GPU idles at around 50-52 C, but can get up to 60 C at load depending what I'm doing. Still shouldn't be too bad, ya?

I'll download that tool and see if my CPU's overheating at all.

Edit: Yeah... that can't be it o.O Can it? Core 1 is running 25C, with Core 2 at 32C Idle. I could try dualboxing with the monitor up, but I doubt it'll spike up too high too fast. I'm lost -.-

[NeptuneRemora]

Luckily one of my friends on FF actually works for Best Buy's Geek Squad so whenever I have a problem he'll just Remote Access my PC and tell me what I need to fix.

He said that Graphic Cards are fine as long as they don't go above 80-90 Celsius, after that you need to start looking for better cooling systems/fans.

I used to be unable to 2box at all, with severe lag. Mentioned it to him, he sent me a link for new drivers and now I'm 4 boxing. I'd suggest checking the manufacturers site for any new drivers possibly.

[NeptuneRemora]

Spoke to my friend for you.

He says your background resolution is too big. That you're drawing almost as much as two Blue-Ray movies per window with that resolution. You need to lower your resolution, ideally the same as your overlay resolution.

[Greatguardian]

Wow, I feel silly >.>'. Dropped to 800x800 and that helped a bunch, danke~

[TheBR]

Sorry for the bump, just to let you know, I'm the aforementioned person in Neptune's posts.. Guess I'll be providing some tech support 'round these parts..