Lagging / Multitasking

Ironic Namesake · 24 Jul 2012 at 16:13

Hi ,

I'm using a triple monitor setup (3 x 19.5" @ 1920x1080 resolution) , 2 monitors connected to a GTS540, and the other to onboard graphics.

I get quite a lot of lagging when eg. watching video (720p) on one screen and browsing on the other. Ie. I refresh a page in Chrome, and the video would skip a few times and the page would take a long longer to load than it should.

CPU Load / Memory usage isn't high when this happens, and all drivers (chipset, GFX etc. have been updated)

Getting annoying and wanted to find out the cause for this, other specs are :

i5 2500 (running at stock)
DH67CL Motherboard
GTS540
16GB DDR3
60gb SSD

CyberCrow · 24 Jul 2012 at 16:22

Wouldn't it be some thing to do with the onboard graphics bottle necking the GTS?
Mobo bios update?

Orcvader · 24 Jul 2012 at 16:33

Does it happen when you disconnect the monitor from the onboard?

Try giving the onboard more memory in the BIOS?

Ironic Namesake · 24 Jul 2012 at 17:01

I'll try disconnecting the monitor from on board graphics and see how I get on.

BIOS is latest version on the Mobo too, was updated not that long ago.

I'll have a look in the BIOS shortly, see if that can be increased. GPU-z telling me current memory usage is :

Ironic Namesake · 24 Jul 2012 at 17:11

Ok, disconnected other monitor from the onboard - still doing the same thing.

Especially when scrolling up / down in Chrome, will hang and also make a beep (through headset) :confused:

Orcvader · 24 Jul 2012 at 19:21

Is it just film + chrome you're running? That seems to be a pretty high GPU core/mem usage. It's probably becuase the 540 is being stressed, hence the slowdown.

Ironic Namesake · 25 Jul 2012 at 10:49

Orcvader said:
Is it just film + chrome you're running? That seems to be a pretty high GPU core/mem usage. It's probably becuase the 540 is being stressed, hence the slowdown.

Well there's also other apps running but nothing that should stress the GFX : Skype, Bria (VOIP app) , Trillian, Google Talk, Excel, NitroPDF, Calculator, Notepad and some explorer folders open.

Just noticed it's actually the GTS450 not 540

bad memory on my side.

Do you think this can be resolved changing to a different graphics card? I know it's not a powerful card but thought it would be enough as I don't do any gaming at all

Clav · 25 Jul 2012 at 12:12

Are the video and the application on the same HD? Which is what it sounds like to me. Even on my I5/crossfire 6950 setup the video will skip and stutter at times if I download onto the same HD at the same time.

Ironic Namesake · 25 Jul 2012 at 12:18

Clav said:
Are the video and the application on the same HD? Which is what it sounds like to me. Even on my I5/crossfire 6950 setup the video will skip and stutter at times if I download onto the same HD at the same time.

The video is streamed over network - applications are all installed on the SSD.

Not just the video skipping - but everything is a second or 2 behind in reacting, eg. when scrolling up/down a page

Orcvader · 25 Jul 2012 at 13:21

I'm unsure if getting a better GPU will help, sometimes if I'm gaming + playing a HD video in the browser, and then combine that with Skype, even with a 7950 I get sluggish moments.

It may help with your use though, maybe borrow a better GPU from someone if possible just to test it out?

Ironic Namesake · 25 Jul 2012 at 15:59

I can't really think of anyone local that can lend me a GPU to try unfortunately

Is there any on the market with triple DVI output? To avoid having to use the on board at all?

Orcvader · 25 Jul 2012 at 16:31

Cheapest single card method is a bit messy: YOUR BASKET
1 x Sapphire HD 6750 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £79.99
1 x HIS Active DisplayPort to Single Link-DVI Eyefinity Adapter £19.99
1 x OcUK Value DVI to HDMI Video Adapter (DV-005) £2.99
Total : £113.47 (includes shipping : £8.75).

The onboard in theory "should" be offloading some of the work from the 450 by driving the third monitor, so maybe a second card will help if you have 1 monitor on 1 GPU each. Or I could be wrong and a bigger better single GPU will help...

CyberCrow · 25 Jul 2012 at 16:40

Ironic what Psu do you have m8

Ironic Namesake · 25 Jul 2012 at 16:43

Orcvader said:
Cheapest single card method is a bit messy: YOUR BASKET
1 x Sapphire HD 6750 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £79.99
1 x HIS Active DisplayPort to Single Link-DVI Eyefinity Adapter £19.99
1 x OcUK Value DVI to HDMI Video Adapter (DV-005) £2.99
Total : £113.47 (includes shipping : £8.75).

The onboard in theory "should" be offloading some of the work from the 450 by driving the third monitor, so maybe a second card will help if you have 1 monitor on 1 GPU each. Or I could be wrong and a bigger better single GPU will help...

Thanks, will see if I can find those locally if I need to upgrade.

PSU I'm using a Coolermaster , this one : http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-201-CM