Unusually low FPS in games and can't understand the cause.


  1. Posts : 2
    Windows 10 Home Version 21H2 (OS Build 19044.1348)
       #1

    Unusually low FPS in games and can't understand the cause.


    Hello,
    I'm writing as I've recently had a big reduction in performance in games, down to even 6 fps. This is happening even with games I previously could play fine. DOTA 2 still runs fine, but isn't the most demanding title. I've tried a few things but not sure on the cause and so writing here for help with troubleshooting and things to try.

    Example games and observed fps:
    • DOTA 2 - works fine with 60fps (maximum for my screen).
    • Dark Souls III - down to very low fps around 10fps but fluctuates. Get kicked to offline mode as fps is too low.
    • Ori and the Will of the Wisps - around 12fps in the main menu and ~6 in-game, at the start.


    OS information:
    Windows 10 Home
    Version 21H2 (OS Build 19044.1348)

    So far I've tried the following:
    • Restarted my laptop as this has been happening for a while now, perhaps two weeks.
    • Getting latest Windows updates (but not cumulative update preview KB5007253).
    • Reinstalling NVIDIA driver, with the clean install option. I'm on driver 425.31 which should be the last one for my GPU - GeForce GTX 880M (old and not supported anymore).
    • Checked if games were using the NVIDIA GPU or not and manually set to use it in NVIDIA's control panel.
    • Had a look at frames and GPU performance using Windows' game bar overlay and HWinfo. Seems like GPU remained at ~50°C and <50% utilisation showing low fps like 6 or 12 in games and even their menus. HWinfo showed the performance limit being utilisation.
    • Checked laptop's power plan in Control Panel\Hardware and Sound\Power Options\Edit Plan Settings and then 'Change advanced power settings'. Plan is Power4Gear high performance, where processor should be at 100%, but no change (and can't seem to be able to change the plan to something else?).
    • Rolled back some Windows updates, tested games and now back again to latest updates.
    • Scanned pc with Windows Defender and Malwarebytes.
    • Reinstalling games, and verifying their files in Steam.


    Haven't tried:
    • Resetting Windows version or reinstalling OS
    • Opening my laptop to get access to the motherboard, fans and cables (not very quick or easy to do on my model). Laptop internals were however cleaned earlier this year. Issue didn't occur after putting it back together but is more recent.


    I'm not the most tech-savy person, I've tried having a look online and trying a few things but think this is beyond me. I'd appreciate some help or other ideas of things to check and try.
    Thanks in advance
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,572
    win10 home
       #2

    Your graphics card is about 7 years old and will struggle with newer games and is most likely dropping the frame rate in order to cope.
    If you have games of that vintage,try them and see what happens.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 4,453
    Win 11 Pro 22000.708
       #3

    The ASUS G750JZ seems to employ nVidia's Optimus technology, where the integrated graphics are used for low-power applications, and switched to the nVidia GPU for high powered stuff like games.

    At a guess, the machine is getting stuck in the iGPU mode.

    I have no idea whether this will help, but it may be possible to force the use of the nVidia GPU: How to turn off Optimus on your Gaming Laptop - Jarrod's Tech
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 2
    Windows 10 Home Version 21H2 (OS Build 19044.1348)
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Thank you for the replies!

    @joeandmarg0
    I reinstalled Dark Souls II from 2015 as an older title and observed utilisation of CPU at ~20%, GPU 40-60% and frames at 55-60fps.
    I've completed Dark Souls III on this laptop a few times, not at the maximum graphical settings but could get 60fps at medium or so settings, 1080p. Now, even at 720p and lowest settings, I only peak at 15-20fps, and more often under 10. I'll likely try some other games and see the performance, though I'll need to uninstall other things before I do.

    Seems like my issue is somewhere in between, I can still run games and older titles are fine, but games I could previously run are now unplayable. I would like to upgrade and build a desktop but GPUs are too expensive. If I don't manage to get this to how it was before, I suppose I'll still have older or 2D games to play until I do.


    @bobkn
    I've installed ASUS armoury crate (v4.2.12.0) but don't see an option for GPU mode/discrete graphics or similar. Under System Configuration, I only have volume (even when I go into the profile options to add/remove configuraitons in case it was hidden). Also had a look in my BIOS/UEFI thing, and can't see a setting to toggle Optimus or something similar to hybrid graphics (like in the DELL section of your link).

    In my NVIDIA control panel, even setting it to always use the discrete GPU (rather than Auto select) doesn't help and games are shown to be using it in task manager and in the NVIDIA GPU Activity icon in the taskbar. So, I think they are using it but perhaps not utilising it well or as much as they could?


    I'll test with more games and keep trying.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 2,716
    Windows 10
       #5

    The Laptop is 7 years old and with a Mobile version Graphics chip.

    There is only one thing to do with more recent games, that is to reduce the graphic options to a lower setting. Each graphics setting has a different effect on fps and on visual quality.

    You need to do a bit of research and fiddle with the graphics settings. Some effects are minimal but can use a lot of CPU/GPU. Those are what you turn down the settings on.

    The numbers you quote are to be expected on old hardware and new games on higher settings. No amount of fiddling about changes that.

    "HWinfo showed the performance limit being utilisation."

    It is the old hardware not the utilisation.
    You have done checks and that is it, you need more modern hardware.

    Release dates: DOTA 2 2013, Dark Souls III 2016, Ori and Will of the Wisps 2020

    I use a Laptop with Optimus very similar age to yours, so I know how it is.
      My Computer


 

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