Adogg's FPS stutter/lag issue...

For some time now I have had issues with stuttering and framrate issues when I play FPS games. Also, I get issues when I play Civ 5 as well.

Info about my setup:

I have two hard drives. One has my opertating system and the other has my steam account and all games. I reformated the steam drive and reinstalled BFBC2. Tried it and still the same overwhelming lag issue.

I reinstalled windows7 last night and updated all the drivers via the windows update tool. Lag still exists.

My next steps tonight are to go to the manufactuers' websites to look for updated drivers for the graphics card and mother board. Also, I am going to clean out the dus bunnies from the inside of the box (I don't think this was an issue as the box has a ton of airflow).

Here's what I can tell you about my specs off of memory since I am at work:

8800 GTS
Core 2 Duo
4GBs of Ram
Windows 7

Any suggestions? I am really thinking that my videocard crapped out on me and that I may need to get a new one. I imagine that my CPU and MoBo will limit the card I want to get if I buy a replacement, so any advice is appreciated as well. How can I test if the GPU is underperforming?

Just because a case has awesome airflow does not mean you shouldn't clean it out on a regular basis. Even with filters, mine has to be cleaned out every 6 months at the most. I have an Antec 1200 case.

Ahhh .... well if I did burn up the card then I just checked on ebay, I can get a replacement one for $50. Hell, might even get 2 and do that SLI thing I envisioned when I built the machine.

If the video card's fan or heatsink has dust build-up, clean it... overheating due to dust is a pretty common problem as far as I've seen. We can talk more about it on Ventrilo later.

for $100(2x $50 for card on ebay) you should be able to get a newer card that will run alot better with dx10(maybe dx11) that will last longer tech. wise..

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Muddr @ Mar 17 2011, 12:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

AHHHH .... I'm going to clean everything after work then hop on vent. I was wondering if my CPU and/or MoBo would stop me from getting a better card.

If you have an 8800 GTS, that means you have a PCI-E slot--every higher-end gaming card used PCI-E. CPU doesn't affect ability to upgrade GPU at all.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Cletus @ Mar 17 2011, 04:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Reallllllly ...... very interesting indeed. Might have to keep that in mind when BF3 comes out. Any word on the video card I will want for that? Or better yet, what is the best card I should get for the money?

PS. For those that didn't know, you should clean your computer case at least once a lifetime. Maybe twice.

I'm sitting on a $50 best buy gift card and I'm going to get ~$100 for working the upcoming election. Anything above that would require spousal consent....

I do... I usually have a shitload of gift cards.
I even got my headset there because it was the same price as on Newegg.

Glad you got your stuttering fixed... dust sucks.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Bender @ Mar 18 2011, 11:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

So what world does $50+$100=$199?!

Thanks Mr. Bender. Now that it works again I'm not sure I want to upgrade. The wife needs a new laptop. Any suggestions? It doesnt have to do much but I'd like for it to play games (like Minecraft) so I can play with my kids.