NR2003 "Slowing Down"

[Henderson]

Not sure if this should be a different section, because it involves my laptop and game, so a mod can move it if needed.

Anyway, it seems after I play NR2003 for about ten or fifteen minutes, the game slows down. It seems to go with the fan. I can hear the fan running, and it speeds up when I open the game, because I am using my laptop more obviously, but during the race, the fan will slow down, or shut off completely. The game then start freeze framing, and going really slow to the point I have to pause. The fan then speeds up a few seconds later (probably ten, if it matters) and the game runs fine. It does this about every ten or fifteen minutes. Sometimes sooner, depending on how long I have been playing the game.

It doesn't do this when I am just browsing the web, or using any programs. Only when I am playing NR2003.

I use a 2007 Gateway laptop. I am guessing that could be the problem, considering it is so old, it may be dying, slowly. Thanks for any help!

 

[Henderson]

My display adapter (I am assuming thats my graphics card) is an ATI RADEON XPRESS 200M Series

 

[Ryan597]

Probably your computer.

 

[T18]

I would confirm the highest power setting but really sounds like the machine is not happy.

 

[MrNascarFan2011]

It appears you have the same laptop as me, and i can confirm your suspicion. You can play the game for 10 or 15 minutes, then the fan kicks on high power anf the FPS drops by about 20 for me.

 

[MattyO]

You are smoking your graphics chipset. You don't have a video card, you have a video chipset.

What's happening is it starts running too hot (because your laptop is not a gaming laptop) and the graphics chipset is failing. Thus, FPS go down and if you continued to keep playing, you will fry your chipset for good.

I'll get blasted again for saying this, but nr2003 wasn't built for your everyday run of the mill laptops. Nor was it built for your everyday run of the mill Dell optiplex office PC's.

nr2003 is a sever benchmark for cpu's and gpu's. Which most laptops and hunks of crap Dell PC's lack in a major way.

 

[cdawg0388]

I play on a 2005 acer laptop with a chipset. I could suggest one thing that worked for me is that I deep cleaned the fan and all the insides of the computer with an air compressor. This did the trick for me. I cant even hear my fan kick on anymore. Also I never get the frame rates to drop drastically.

 

[Henderson]

What's happening is it starts running too hot (because your laptop is not a gaming laptop) and the graphics chipset is failing. Thus, FPS go down and if you continued to keep playing, you will fry your chipset for good.

When they sold it to my mom, they told her it was a gaming laptop. Granted, my mom doesn't know the difference between a PS2 and a PS3, but the still sold it to her.

So, if I continue to play like this, what would be the worst that could happen? Would it just kill my whole laptop?

 

[Henderson]

I play on a 2005 acer laptop with a chipset. I could suggest one thing that worked for me is that I deep cleaned the fan and all the insides of the computer with an air compressor. This did the trick for me. I cant even hear my fan kick on anymore. Also I never get the frame rates to drop drastically.

Yeah. That is exactly what I was going to do when I get home. I was looking at it today, and noticed that it was very dirty.

May I ask how you play it? Do you just put it down on a table/desk and play, or do you have it kind of lifted? I use one of those lap fans (off) and set my laptop down on that, so the fan isn't sitting right on the desk.

 

[David24]

When I hear the word "laptop" I think of businessmen. And businessmen...well...they are all work and no play. Which explains why laptops are for simpler things and NOT games (unless of course it was built for gaming)

It's always good to open up your computer and get all the dust out though.

 

[Henderson]

Thanks David. I am looking to invest in a desktop pretty soon, but first, I really need a job. XD

Anyway, thanks for the replies guys!

 

[Henderson]

Well, with all these replies, what do people suggest I get? Will pretty much anything after '03 work?

EDIT: Never mind. Found this topic - http://www.simracingdesign.com/nr2003-general-discussion/33794-time-upgrade.html

 

[cdawg0388]

Yeah. That is exactly what I was going to do when I get home. I was looking at it today, and noticed that it was very dirty.

May I ask how you play it? Do you just put it down on a table/desk and play, or do you have it kind of lifted? I use one of those lap fans (off) and set my laptop down on that, so the fan isn't sitting right on the desk.

Once I got it good and clean I no longer needed to lift the fan off the desk. It works just fine and the fan never kicks in to high gear. When it was dirty however, It would crank up even if I lifted it with books, it would always overheat and shut off abrubtly. Try that trick and let me know if it helps!

 

[Henderson]

Alright, I will clean it up Monday and let you know.

 

[Henderson]

I wasn't able to actually get the panel off, so I blew it out. Seems to be working fine for now, but I haven't tried the game.

Also, Matt, if your still around. If this is a chipset issue, what would happen if I fry it completely? Is that something that can be fixed, or would it ruin the whole laptop, forcing me to buy a new one?

 

[NossedEvo]

No expert (but)

Hey Henderson

Just my .02, and Matt knows what he's talking about, but if you don't fry your lappy -- it would go a very long ways towards paying (trade) for a system that will run N'03. As far as the thread you mentioned? I would not rely on that thread too much. Expand your search & get a bunch of opinions -- then form your own. For PSU info I recommend "jonnyguru".

You can spend a lot, or very little, depending on how much you're willing to research/learn.

FPS is not expensive -- when you're talking a 2003 release. You don't get what you pay for, you get what you can insist on. Salesclerks are simply not good sources for computer info.

I would def' give some real thought to the data on your laptop. Don't be casual. There's a real possibility you could lose things you'll regret. Back up your most important files (pics, address book, etc) before you continue to push your current rig.

A used rig, with a PCI graphics expansion slot is the short answer for what to start looking for. Or you can build a new (max the game) rig for a few hundred dollars. Or you can blow a grand and have the game blow too. Desktop is the frugal way to go. Building a PC is easier than Tinker Toys & cheaper than Lego.

I can't replace chipsets, so imo frying one would effectively brick your laptop. Not saying it can't be done, but I don't know any Wizards. Replacing the motherboard would likely cost more than a great N'03 rig. Modifying laptops, to a state where they will play N'03, isn't really practical.

 

[Henderson]

Thanks NossedEvo.

I have another topic setup, and I am looking around for good systems. Thanks again.

(1,000th Post!)

 

[amidst tundra]

Much to my chagrin, I have to use a laptop right now but I have found using a cooling pad helped my laptop. Zalman make pretty good ones which, when coupled with cleaning the fan out, really supes up the performance.

As for a new rig, with nr2003, CPU is king. Aim for something north of 3Ghz with a decent power supply. I've heard AMD is a lot friendlier with nr2003 and I like the Phenom range for price. Pretty much most contemporary video cards will be sufficient I'd suggest a Radeon HD 6 series and go by whatever is in your budget.