Computer slows down on and off

[psirockin]

Recently, my computer has been becoming really slow every once in a while, usually when I play a game, which causes a very low framerate and games overall unplayable. This lasts for a pretty long time, around another hour or so, and the games I have been playing have been running perfectly normal until this problem occurred. This has been going on for a week or two now, but I don't seem to have made any major changes to my computer, I don't have any big programs running and there aren't any viruses, though the processor often goes up to 100%. I was wondering if there is any way I can fix this problem, and I would greatly appreciate any help.

processor: Intel Celeron M, Genuine Intel (R) CPU 585@ 2.16GHz
Operating System: Windows Vista
System Type: 32 bit
RAM: 2.00 GB
GPU: Mobile Intel (R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family Revision 7
SPD: DDR2-1024 MBytes, 400 MHz

 

[doive1231]

Which game do you play?

 

[psirockin]

Games like team fortress 2, half life 2, emulators, etc. It's not a problem with my internet because the same thing goes for offline games.

 

[jerreece]

CPU temperatures?

Try using RealTemp, CoreTemp, or HWMonitor to determine this.

If your CPU gets very hot during gameplay, it will slow down to keep itself from burning up. 😉 Considering this is a laptop, you have two factors against you. Laptops aren't designed for the most efficient heat dissipation. Also, the Celeron processor is not great for gaming either. So it's probably working fairly hard, which means more heat. Plus, your processor is also what drives your integrated graphic system. So the CPU is working double duty as it is. 🙁

When using your laptop, especially for gaming and such, make sure it's on a flat surface. In your lap, on the bed, on carpet, or other places where fabric is involved you can unintentionally reduce the airflow coming out of the vents on the laptop's case.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

What are CPU temps / PSU temps and voltages on all your rails ?

Try OCCT which will test your system while providing all this info.

http://www.ocbase.com/perestroika_en/index.php

 

[psirockin]

I tested for CPU temperature while my computer was normal and it was 31 degrees Celsius, with a voltage of 12.4V. Then I played a game, waited for it to slow down, and tested it, but there was no change in temperature or voltage.

 

[homerzwei]

My first thought was a scheduled virus scan was running in the background.

 

[psirockin]

I don't know if this is important or not, but my CPU usage varies a lot, going from say 27 to 50 something then to 100.

 

[psirockin]

I think I found the problem, my CPU usage stays at 100% when it gets slow, but there aren't any processes using up much. How do I fix this?

 

[Onus]

No visible processes? I'd say you're infuckted by some malware then.