Help needed: "stuttering" in fullscreen mode

[Dan]

I'm having a problem with some games (the sims, civ 4, Elder scrolls
4) where about once a minute these will freeze up for about 5 seconds
and then recover. It happens less often with lower resolutions but
still occurs as low as 800x600 and it only happens when I run in
fullscreen mode. They run fine in windowed mode at high resolutions
(1280x1024). I used low detail settings and no FSAA. My system meets
all the minimum requirements and most recommended requirements.. am I
missing something? Please help!

Here's the system specs:
Athlon 64 3700+
1GB ram
GeForce 6800GT video
Dell 2405FPW
Creative X-FI sound

Some things I've tried that didn't fix the problem:
-Upgraded sound, video, & mainboard drivers
-Scanned for virus & spyware.
-Eliminated background programs, virus scanner, and unnecessary
startup items.
-Checked CPU temp (max is 55C)

 

[Paul]

I'm having a problem with some games (the sims, civ 4, Elder scrolls
4) where about once a minute these will freeze up for about 5 seconds
and then recover. It happens less often with lower resolutions but
still occurs as low as 800x600 and it only happens when I run in
fullscreen mode. They run fine in windowed mode at high resolutions
(1280x1024). I used low detail settings and no FSAA. My system meets
all the minimum requirements and most recommended requirements.. am I
missing something? Please help!

Here's the system specs:
Athlon 64 3700+
1GB ram
GeForce 6800GT video
Dell 2405FPW
Creative X-FI sound

Some things I've tried that didn't fix the problem:
-Upgraded sound, video, & mainboard drivers
-Scanned for virus & spyware.
-Eliminated background programs, virus scanner, and unnecessary
startup items.
-Checked CPU temp (max is 55C)

What is the motherboard ? Is the chipset NForce3 ?

Paul

 

[Sleepy]

I'm having a problem with some games (the sims, civ 4, Elder scrolls
4) where about once a minute these will freeze up for about 5 seconds
and then recover. It happens less often with lower resolutions but
still occurs as low as 800x600 and it only happens when I run in
fullscreen mode. They run fine in windowed mode at high resolutions
(1280x1024). I used low detail settings and no FSAA. My system meets
all the minimum requirements and most recommended requirements.. am I
missing something? Please help!

Here's the system specs:
Athlon 64 3700+
1GB ram
GeForce 6800GT video
Dell 2405FPW
Creative X-FI sound

Some things I've tried that didn't fix the problem:
-Upgraded sound, video, & mainboard drivers
-Scanned for virus & spyware.
-Eliminated background programs, virus scanner, and unnecessary
startup items.
-Checked CPU temp (max is 55C)

1) I wouldnt use the 93.71s - very dodgy driver - the 91.47s are more
reliable.
2) You dont mention your PSU - you need a decent 400watt PSU *minimum* that
delivers a stable current on the 12volt rail.
3)Many problems in Oblivion seem to be related to sound ie disabling sound
makes a vast improvement not just to framerate (as you'd expect) but
eliminates stuttering too.

 

[kony]

I'm having a problem with some games (the sims, civ 4, Elder scrolls
4) where about once a minute these will freeze up for about 5 seconds
and then recover. It happens less often with lower resolutions but
still occurs as low as 800x600 and it only happens when I run in
fullscreen mode. They run fine in windowed mode at high resolutions
(1280x1024). I used low detail settings and no FSAA. My system meets
all the minimum requirements and most recommended requirements.. am I
missing something? Please help!

Here's the system specs:
Athlon 64 3700+
1GB ram
GeForce 6800GT video
Dell 2405FPW
Creative X-FI sound

Some things I've tried that didn't fix the problem:
-Upgraded sound, video, & mainboard drivers
-Scanned for virus & spyware.
-Eliminated background programs, virus scanner, and unnecessary
startup items.
-Checked CPU temp (max is 55C)

Check the video card fan, video card dust buildup levels,
and leave the case side panel off and point a fan at it
temporarily to see if the problem persists.

 

[DaveW]

Your power supply unit, which you didn't list, may be underpowered and
overstressed during periods where the graphics card is strained by visuals.

 

[Dan]

Check the video card fan, video card dust buildup levels,
and leave the case side panel off and point a fan at it
temporarily to see if the problem persists.

The video card dust buildup was the culprit. After cleaning my temps
are ~50C. Thanks!