PC to HDTV Framerate Issues

[Haroldo_55]

Hey, I am not sure if I'm posting this in the correct category but I wasn't really sure where else to ask this, anyways here is my problem:

I am attempting to hook up my PC to to my new HDTV to play games on but I am having some fairly serious frame rate issues when I attempt to play them.

PC : Gateway FX 4200 - http://support.gateway.com/s/PC/FX/1015582R/1015582Rov7.shtml
TV: Sony Bravia 52xbr7 - http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665532061
Graphics Card: ATI Radeon HD 3850 http://reviews.cnet.com/graphics-cards/ati-radeon-hd-3850/4505-8902_7-32745241.html

HDMI Cable Used: 750 HD HDMI Monster Cable

I plugged the HDMI cable from my computer to the HDMI port on the side of the TV and I got it to display the picture fine. However, I booted up Left 4 Dead from steam, and tried to play it but the frame rate was horrendous, barely even playable. When I play this game on my regular Samsung monitor, I have no issues at all with frame rate, it runs very smooth. I haven't tried any other games yet though, but I doubt its an issue of the game.

My question is: Is this slow down in the frame rate to be expected when trying to play on a large tv, or is this not common? Could this slowdown be caused by my graphics card on my PC? Could this problem possibly be solved if I used the RGB plug in on the back of the TV instead of the HDMI? I don't really know even where to start, just looking for someone to shed some light on this.

Thanks a bunch

 

[Oakley707]

Your TV is 1080P and therefore has a resolution of 1920 X 1080. Your Samsung monitor unless 24" has a resolution much lower than that. The performance of your computer is completely dependent on the resolution you want to game at. I recommend upgrading your graphics card to at least a 4850, or a 4870 if you can pop for it. When upgrading, make sure to check your power supply to see if you meet the requirements.

P.S. HDMI cables transmit digital signals and therefore don't matter brand or "gauge". Just letting you know so you don't pay extra for a Monster cable next time.

Let me know if you have a large monitor and for some reason your frames drop when on the HDTV.

 

[Haroldo_55]

Ahh ok, yes that makes sense, I am currently using SyncMaster 226 BW which is only 22'' so it is probably not using a resolution that high(1680 X 1050, I think). Alright, so upgrading my video card could possibly fix the frame rate issue then? If I was to buy one, are they hard to put into your computer yourself?

Thanks for response and for the tip about the HDMI cable, definitely wont spring that much money for one next time.

 

[Oakley707]

They are very easy to install in your computer. Simply take the old one out of the slot and put the new one in the slot. Very similar to RAM, if you have ever installed that. A video card would must likely fix the frame rate issue, your processor is a little light compared to the new ones that just came out. You might be able to upgrade that, but of course it would be quite a bit more complicated.

I just found an HDMI cable on Amazon.com for a total of $3 shipped. It just arrived the other day and works FLAWLESSLY, just wanted to share the knowledge.

 

[gamerk316]

There is no diffrence between HDMI cables, PERIOD. For all the false advertising they do, I wish someone would sue the crap out of Monster Cables...

As said above, its almost certainly resolution that is causing the slowdown. Still, L4D, even on a 3850, should be at least playable at 1920x1080, especially if its playable at 1680x1050...