A6-3420M + AMD Radeon HD7670 = Not diablo 3 :(

azathoth

Hey!

Just bought a new laptop for Diablo 3:

Acer Aspire 5560G
AMD A6-3420 quad-core 1,5 GHz, integrated Radeon HD 6520G
8GB RAM 1066MHz DDR3
Dedicated AMD Radeon HD7670 1 gb
Harddrive 500GB/2,5''/5400RPM
Windows 7 Home Premium

When in a dungeon or whatever the game does just fine on high textures and 1366x768 but when the screen is filled with lots of mobs the fps drops to about 12-14 making the game almost unplayable....

Ive tried the latest catalyst drivers (12.8) and ive tried setting it to 800x600 and low textures but still the same thing, goes a little bit smoother but still no big difference when you compare to 1366x768. Ive also tried the factory drivers (that came with the laptop, havent tried to update those) and the drivers from here:

http://forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?t=368602

Ive measured the GPU and CPU load with an amd tool called system monitor while playing, but according to that one, no overload on GPU or CPU......

So what to do ?

Do you guys think its a CPU/GPU/harddrive problem?

Should i try another set of GPU drivers? Shutdown the integrated graphics card? Overclock the CPU?

Please help

The Mac · 09-27-2012, 15:14 | posts: 1,391 | Location: USA

sounds like a cpu bottleneck
whats the load on the cpus during these issues?

spajdrik · 09-27-2012, 15:22 | posts: 1,061 | Location: Czech Republic

Definitely CPU problem, unless there is a way to overclock that CPU you are out of luck. If you can return laptop, do it and buy something with at least intel i3 cpu.

trocio2 · 09-27-2012, 15:24 | posts: 305

1,5 ghz? Can you turn on turbo mode or something?

azathoth · 09-27-2012, 15:33 | posts: 13

The Mac : well according to amd system monitor neither CPU or gpu is overloaded... Is there a better way to check it?

Spajdrik and torcio : There is this thing called AMD overdrive which supposedly can overclock it... Is it safe? Would it be better to use k10stat even though im a newbie when it comes to such things?

Tnx for your fast replies!

trocio2 · 09-27-2012, 15:39 | posts: 305

Your cpu does have a turbo frequency of 2,4 ghz but I have no idea on how to enable it. I use a core 2 duo

The Mac · 09-27-2012, 15:46 | posts: 1,391 | Location: USA

supposedly the turbo only kicks in on lightly threaded applications...

Try installing fraps or radeon pro and watch the cpu loads with an OSD.

Undying · *Last edited by Undying; 09-27-2012 at 15:48.*

Cant be becouse i have Asus K53TA with A6 3400m 1.4Ghz (turbo 2.3Ghz) and HD 6650M, Diablo 3 is very playable even with many mobs on the screen.

Did you force high performance in the CCC? If not laptop is using only integrated GPU...

Try some other drivers...

xacid0 · 09-29-2012, 12:44 | posts: 236

Llano laptop can be overclock.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-p...ion-guide.html

azathoth · 09-29-2012, 16:32 | posts: 13

yeah ive tried it with amd overdrive.

have overclocked it from 1,5 to 2,0 to 2,4 ghz, but still the same thing...

maybe HDD problem ?

or the game itself? many threads on the official d3 forums about stuttering/fps problems on cpus that are suppused to run it excellently...

JeffJ · 09-29-2012, 16:38 | posts: 19 | Location: Ontario

Quote:

Originally Posted by azathoth

yeah ive tried it with amd overdrive.

have overclocked it from 1,5 to 2,0 to 2,4 ghz, but still the same thing...

maybe HDD problem ?

or the game itself? many threads on the official d3 forums about stuttering/fps problems on cpus that are suppused to run it excellently...

Are you plugged in to your AC adapter when you have issues or no? ATI powerplay may be switching off the discrete card causing your issues. i would go into the options for the catalyst and turn off automatic switching of your cards and choose the performance one and see how it operates. With your ac adapter plugged in of course so ati power play lets your card reach its maximum 3d clock as well.

azathoth · 09-29-2012, 23:23 | posts: 13

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffJ

Are you plugged in to your AC adapter when you have issues or no? ATI powerplay may be switching off the discrete card causing your issues. i would go into the options for the catalyst and turn off automatic switching of your cards and choose the performance one and see how it operates. With your ac adapter plugged in of course so ati power play lets your card reach its maximum 3d clock as well.

Yeah powersupply is not the problem unfortunately

JeffJ · 10-01-2012, 15:00 | posts: 19 | Location: Ontario

Quote:

Originally Posted by azathoth

Yeah powersupply is not the problem unfortunately

the catalyst follows windows power schemes, check and see if your power scheme is set to performance and not balanced or power saver with in the windows power options. Your card should play D3 fine, mine plays it with every thing on max with 1280x720 on my 6470M

azathoth · 10-01-2012, 19:43 | posts: 13

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffJ

the catalyst follows windows power schemes, check and see if your power scheme is set to performance and not balanced or power saver with in the windows power options. Your card should play D3 fine, mine plays it with every thing on max with 1280x720 on my 6470M

Yeah ive tried that

Maybe its the two graphics cards working together that wont work with d3. tried to shutdown the integrated card but that dont seem to be working (get like 1024x768 as max in win 7 etc)
any other way to do this ?

Eastcoasthandle · 10-01-2012, 20:47 | posts: 1,511

There are a few fixes out there:
1. Using a ram disk or faster HD (in this case SSD but I would think that a 7200 rpm HD would do wonders)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqLQkqBzsZ4

2. Go to Documents > Diablo 3 > D3Prefs.txt
Change the hardwareclass from 3-4 to 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6hwTPhjA6I

JeffJ · 10-01-2012, 21:23 | posts: 19 | Location: Ontario

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eastcoasthandle

There are a few fixes out there:
1. Using a ram disk or faster HD (in this case SSD but I would think that a 7200 rpm HD would do wonders)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqLQkqBzsZ4

2. Go to Documents > Diablo 3 > D3Prefs.txt
Change the hardwareclass from 3-4 to 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6hwTPhjA6I

The hdd stuttering fix is only for old systems with slow drives, and only if you see stuttering while entering new areas when the resources are loading.

the second fix you suggested will just cause the game to set every possible setting to low, which is not a proper solution here since the graphics card SHOULD be able to play D3 just fine.

Eastcoasthandle · 10-01-2012, 22:10 | posts: 1,511

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffJ

The hdd stuttering fix is only for old systems with slow drives, and only if you see stuttering while entering new areas when the resources are loading.

the second fix you suggested will just cause the game to set every possible setting to low, which is not a proper solution here since the graphics card SHOULD be able to play D3 just fine.

Can you read? He's using a 5400 RPM hard drive. Furthermore, his A6-3420 quad-core @ only 1.5 isn't really up to par. So you have no idea of what you are talking about.

azathoth · 10-02-2012, 05:33 | posts: 13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eastcoasthandle

Can you read? He's using a 5400 RPM hard drive. Furthermore, his A6-3420 quad-core @ only 1.5 isn't really up to par. So you have no idea of what you are talking about.

If it was a CPU problem it should help to overclock it from 1,5ghz to 2,4ghz, right? but it doesnt. So im thinking its something else. Like crossfire, hdd ?

GhostXL · *Last edited by GhostXL; 10-02-2012 at 07:16.*

Quote:

Originally Posted by azathoth

If it was a CPU problem it should help to overclock it from 1,5ghz to 2,4ghz, right? but it doesnt. So im thinking its something else. Like crossfire, hdd ?

Do you keep your CAPS updated, (Catalyst Application Profiles)? Install 12.9 CAP1 and use AMD pre-defined profile, select Diablo 3 and apply. See how that goes if you haven't already.

Also update to the latest 12.9 drivers on AMD's site if they are supported. Also please check your drivers to make sure you are not on high quality under Catalyst AI, select Performance.

Also I understand while it is a "New Laptop", you must realize those specs aren't that great if you are trying to run with even medium settings in diablo 3. Try your settings on a mix of low shadows and medium everything else with no AA.

While the game looks simple graphically, it's a not so well coded engine that still eats resources and power.

seb4771 · 10-02-2012, 12:06 | posts: 61 | Location: France

hi,

7670M => http://www.notebookcheck.biz/AMD-Rad...M.74815.0.html
2 card exist, "fastest" and "slowless" memory version.

It's just ATI 6730M rebadged card with less performance.

It's not a dedicaced Games graphic card.

For Diablo 3, game running well with low quality to 800x600 (20/25 fps).

MSI afterburner gain +10 / +30 % with overclocking and all games gain +6 / +8 fps.

tips : manual config your 3D card (7670M) for this game (all program have this option to select integrated or external graphic card for running) and update to 12.9 + 12.9 caps 1 drivers.

xacid0 · 10-02-2012, 14:59 | posts: 236

Disable Crossfire, set Diablo3 to use High Performance graphic and overclock your CPU with k10stat. Use the link i posted above as reference.

Eastcoasthandle · 10-02-2012, 16:04 | posts: 1,511

Quote:

Originally Posted by azathoth

If it was a CPU problem it should help to overclock it from 1,5ghz to 2,4ghz, right? but it doesnt. So im thinking its something else. Like crossfire, hdd ?

Have you monitored temps when OC? Have you used Resource Monitor to see what your CPU usage is in game? Why not try both CPU and GPU OC? Do you have any enhanced settings disabled in CCC like: AA/AF/Morphological filtering = off, Anti-Aliasing Mode set to performance.

Try changing the hardwareclass settings. If you mess up here is how to replace that folder: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/forum/topic/6758457122

Also look into how they are making a ramdisk: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/forum/topic/5568801628
Here is how to create a symbolic link using a 16Gig usb flash drive: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/forum/topic/5642269402

They have a lot of suggestions over on their forums about the game. Stuttering/slow frame rates is something well discussed over there.
This is a sticky thread directly from them: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/forum/topic/5596249920. Which recommends you look into vsync, disk loading and overheating.

Stutter work around (a sticky thread directly from them): http://us.battle.net/d3/en/forum/topic/5978349974

There are other threads that maybe of interest:
http://us.battle.net/d3/en/forum/topic/6712882071
http://us.battle.net/d3/en/forum/topic/5271779894
http://us.battle.net/d3/en/forum/topic/6759186884

Edit:
I found your thread over there:
http://us.battle.net/d3/en/forum/topic/6759366108

azathoth · 10-03-2012, 09:48 | posts: 13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eastcoasthandle

Have you monitored temps when OC? Have you used Resource Monitor to see what your CPU usage is in game? Why not try both CPU and GPU OC? Do you have any enhanced settings disabled in CCC like: AA/AF/Morphological filtering = off, Anti-Aliasing Mode set to performance.

Try changing the hardwareclass settings. If you mess up here is how to replace that folder: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/forum/topic/6758457122

Also look into how they are making a ramdisk: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/forum/topic/5568801628
Here is how to create a symbolic link using a 16Gig usb flash drive: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/forum/topic/5642269402

They have a lot of suggestions over on their forums about the game. Stuttering/slow frame rates is something well discussed over there.
This is a sticky thread directly from them: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/forum/topic/5596249920. Which recommends you look into vsync, disk loading and overheating.

Stutter work around (a sticky thread directly from them): http://us.battle.net/d3/en/forum/topic/5978349974

There are other threads that maybe of interest:
http://us.battle.net/d3/en/forum/topic/6712882071
http://us.battle.net/d3/en/forum/topic/5271779894
http://us.battle.net/d3/en/forum/topic/6759186884

Edit:
I found your thread over there:
http://us.battle.net/d3/en/forum/topic/6759366108

Thanks you and many others for good suggestions!

About the RAMdisk/flash drive solution.

Ive got USB 2 on my laptop, what would give the best results:

1. USB flash drive via usb2
2. SD card in the memory card reader
3. USB connected external SSD drive ?
(4. usb3 connector via expresscard or something like that)

Regards
Azathoth

Eastcoasthandle · 10-03-2012, 12:32 | posts: 1,511

Quote:

Originally Posted by azathoth

Thanks you and many others for good suggestions!

About the RAMdisk/flash drive solution.

Ive got USB 2 on my laptop, what would give the best results:

1. USB flash drive via usb2
2. SD card in the memory card reader
3. USB connected external SSD drive ?
(4. usb3 connector via expresscard or something like that)

Regards
Azathoth

Option 1/2 would be the easiest choice as long as the usb flash drive/sd card (or any other external device) is greater then 8 gigs. SD cards are, IMO, a viable option as long as you have either a class 6 or class 10 sd card.

JeffJ · *Last edited by JeffJ; 10-03-2012 at 19:35.*

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eastcoasthandle

Can you read? He's using a 5400 RPM hard drive. Furthermore, his A6-3420 quad-core @ only 1.5 isn't really up to par. So you have no idea of what you are talking about.

the A6-3420 has been and is being used to play D3 just do a search, there are even videos. And a 5400 RPM hdd is fully capable of loading resources fast enough if its in proper working order and not fragmented and thrashing constantly.

People are running D3 off ****ty USB 2.0 sticks with a read rate of 20mb/s and write of about 10. so to suggest a properly working 5400rpm sata 2/3 disk cannot handle it is absurd.

Now if it was an IDE disk then i'd actually accept your suggestion that the HDD is too slow.

If it were a HDD issue you would get things such as sound stuttering when casting spells and attacking large mobs, severe frame drops when entering a new area where the resources have to be streamed. things like that. Yes he is getting stuttering in mobs, but hasn't complained about anything else that suggest HDD. Its more likely the graphics are suffering having to draw all the effects and mobs when it get harry.

using the resource monitor to actually look at access times of the HDD in regards to Diablo3's executable would be a better suggestion then just blindly moving data on the whim that the hdd may be too slow.

Edit: Use crystal disk report http://crystalmark.info/software/Cry...k/index-e.html post your results. i have a feeling you're results will show that your drive is fast enough.