Framerate unstable. One moment is +100, the next is -20

[brotrrwinner]

My system is a Q6600 @ 3000MHz, 2GB RAM Win XP Pro SP3 and a GTX 275. I can run the first Bioshock with no problems. But this one, one moment I am with 140/180 FPS, the next it drops to below 20. And this happens within seconds of interval. After it drops to unplayable levels, it takes a few seconds to stabilize within normal values. Did I mention this happens very frequently? Yes, it makes the game unplayable. I know the problem isn't my PC. Anyone else is experiencing this? Is there a fix?

[Setzer]

That's happened to me too. I don't know how to fix it, but I'm certain the people from 2K are aware of the glitch. Did you buy it off Steam? I did. I wonder if it's related.

[Tech Paul]

Hello,

In order to fully troubleshoot the problem that you are having please try the steps below:

1. Delete all temporary files from your system.
Hold the windows key and press the 'R' key, this will open the Run window
Type 'temp' then click OK or Navigate to C:\Windows\Temp and delete all files in this folder.
Type '%temp%' then click OK or Navigate to C:\Documents and Settings\*Your User Name*\Local Settings\Temp and delete all the files in this folder.

You may need to turn on the ability to view hidden files and folders to do this. To do so, double click My Computer, then click Tools and Options. Then click View and select the option to view all hidden files.
Then reboot and try the game again.

2. Close down all background tasks.
To do this hold the windows key and press the 'R' key, this will open the Run window, then type MSCONFIG and click OK. From there click on the tab marked startup.
Click the button marked as Disable All, then click Apply and Close.


3. Reinstalling the game.
Please uninstall the game, then delete the folder that is left behind. Then reboot the computer, reinstall the game and reboot again. Then install any patches that are available for the game, reboot the computer and then try the game again.

[acrh2]

My system is a Q6600 @ 3000MHz, 2GB RAM Win XP Pro SP3 and a GTX 275. I can run the first Bioshock with no problems. But this one, one moment I am with 140/180 FPS, the next it drops to below 20. And this happens within seconds of interval. After it drops to unplayable levels, it takes a few seconds to stabilize within normal values. Did I mention this happens very frequently? Yes, it makes the game unplayable. I know the problem isn't my PC. Anyone else is experiencing this? Is there a fix?

When I reinstalled the game in Vista (was running in xp), this problem went away.

[HuNTi]

I do have the exactly same issue.
FPS drops, slowdowns ...

Tryed re-install the game, but doesnt help at all.
In places FPS drops down to 20, normaly it runs with 90-120+.
Its an bad optimized game, that needs a patch...

[McDoogle]

I bought mine off steam, and my computer is plenty powerful enough to play it.

It's smooth and then it starts to stutter like I just kicked off a virus scan in the background, then smooths out again. For the most part it runs with very low frame rates. This game needs a patch!

[bender]

I bought mine off steam, and my computer is plenty powerful enough to play it.

It's smooth and then it starts to stutter like I just kicked off a virus scan in the background, then smooths out again. For the most part it runs with very low frame rates. This game needs a patch!

same lol. I bet you have win xp

[Setzer]

Well, it may simply be a time for me to upgrade. These issues aren't on Windows 7, are they?

[brotrrwinner]

Hello,

In order to fully troubleshoot the problem that you are having please try the steps below:

1. Delete all temporary files from your system.
Hold the windows key and press the 'R' key, this will open the Run window
Type 'temp' then click OK or Navigate to C:\Windows\Temp and delete all files in this folder.
Type '%temp%' then click OK or Navigate to C:\Documents and Settings\*Your User Name*\Local Settings\Temp and delete all the files in this folder.

You may need to turn on the ability to view hidden files and folders to do this. To do so, double click My Computer, then click Tools and Options. Then click View and select the option to view all hidden files.
Then reboot and try the game again.

2. Close down all background tasks.
To do this hold the windows key and press the 'R' key, this will open the Run window, then type MSCONFIG and click OK. From there click on the tab marked startup.
Click the button marked as Disable All, then click Apply and Close.


3. Reinstalling the game.
Please uninstall the game, then delete the folder that is left behind. Then reboot the computer, reinstall the game and reboot again. Then install any patches that are available for the game, reboot the computer and then try the game again.

Did everything you listed, didn't fix it

[brotrrwinner]

I think I got the problem. It's my RAM. Or lack of. So far, 2GB have been enough for everything but Bioshock 2 is a memory *****. It takes around 1050MB. I tried playing it in windowed mode and Firefox closed (which takes almost 400MB because I keep lots of tabs open) and it solved the problem.
However, in fullscreen the stuttering remains, even with the 400MB extra. Do games in fullscreen take up more memory than windowed?

[acrh2]

I think I got the problem. It's my RAM. Or lack of. So far, 2GB have been enough for everything but Bioshock 2 is a memory *****. It takes around 1050GB. I tried playing it in windowed mode and Firefox closed (which takes almost 400MB because I keep lots of tabs open) and it solved the problem.
However, in fullscreen the stuttering remains, even with the 400MB extra. Do games in fullscreen take up more memory than windowed?

No. It's a bug of some sort with fullscreen vs. windowed.

[Tech Chris]

To the OP. Are you able to confirm if the framerates are more consistant using windowed mode using the same resolution?

[brotrrwinner]

To the OP. Are you able to confirm if the framerates are more consistant using windowed mode using the same resolution?

Yes, running in windowed mode with same resolution basically got rid of the stuttering (after I closed Firefox, of course). In fullscreen the stuttering remains even with Firefox closed. I'd have no problem playing in windowed mode if it weren't for the window borders which are distracting >_<

[harndawg]

I'm having the same problem as brotrrwinner. My game runs great until I open the sauna in Adonis Baths, then the frame rate drops to almost nothing. It can't be my specs because they are all above the minimum. I even tried to replace my video card, but that didn't work. In fact, I tried everything, and nothing seems to be working.

What should I do?

PS- Oh, and the multiplayer mode works absolutely fine, so I doubt it's my specs.

[harndawg]

This is a bump! Can anybody help me though?

[DAOWAce]

Edit: If you aren't already using the latest drivers for your video card, go update them. I automatically assume everyone uses the latest drivers available.


Get GPU-Z: http://www.techpowerup.com/gpuz
(Note: Your system may lockup when starting up GPU-Z on Windows XP, so be prepared if it does. Happened on mine all the time, can't recall it ever happening on Vista.)

Monitor your texture memory. If a game is trying to push too much into VRAM, your FPS should drop. If this is happening on your system, you found the problem.


Also, see this guide, maybe it will help you: http://www.tweakguides.com/Bioshock_1.html

Applies to Bioshock 2 as well.


Obviously, these are guesses, but this is the essence of troubleshooting.

[mnemosyne]

install game in vista, i had this same problem in bioshock1 and bioshock2

xp 32bit - stuttering
vista 32bit - no stuttering
win7? - didnt check

my pc: q6600@2.4, 8800gts 640mb, 4gb ram