Please help my 8600!

[RhythmMgmnt]

*Disclaimer: New to this site, hope this thread is in the right spot

Hi guys. I really hope you can help me. Bought my 8600 about 8 months ago and all I wanted it for was portability and gaming (and all the rest of that word processing nonsense). Little did I know it can't really handle the latter. I play City of Heroes (playable only online), and that's the only thing my laptop can't do (well) that I want it to do, and I shall not rest until it runs well!

Stats:
Dell Inspiron 8600
Processor: 1.6 GhZ Pentium M
Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon 9600
RAM: 2x512 MB (on 2 dimms).. so 1GB (recently upgraded)
HD: 100GB (not sure of the speed or model - factory HD from Dell)
Gaming: I play at 1900x1200 resolution (native resolution to the 8600)

I thought the memory upgrade would fix it. It does for a short amount of time, but after about 30-40 minutes, it starts to heat up and then sporadically lags, and as I keep playing, the lags spikes are worse and more frequent. I also tried lowering the resolution, but it doesn't really help much. Even when it's "good" its not "great!". So... my questions are:

1. Will an upgrade to a 2.0 GhZ Pentium M help me run this well ALL the time? (Specifically, will this work: http://processorfinder.intel.com/scr...ALL&CorSpd=ALL) - I got it from Powerleap.com
2. Is this a fan issue, and if cooled properly would run well?
3. Is there a program to use to trim down what's running in the background? If I open task manager I don't know what processes I can/can't close.

I would appreciate ANY advice you can give me...I cannot be a hero if I (literally) die from lag!!

Thanks!!

-RM

-Also, my friend's old desktop runs the game fine, and my new laptop can't... just boggles my mind!

[Andrew]

try looking at this thread for some ideas on how to optimize your notebook without buying hardware:

How to Easily Optimize a Notebook Computer and Make it Faster Discussion

[RhythmMgmnt]

Wow that's a great link. Exactly the stuff I wanted to see for my 3rd question!! Much appreciated. I will try this ASAP!

-RM

EDIT: I wish doing these steps would fix the issue I'm having, but it seems too good to be true. Any recommendations on the hardware? Thanks!

Also, this is the cheapest I could find the 2.0 GHz.
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=MPM-760JBX&src=fr

Any cheaper deals out there? Also, is this all inclusive, or will I need to get other parts to make this work right?

[LaZzZy_Dude]

as for the temperature issue you should try fangui....
http://www.diefer.de/indexe.html

it help my old 8100 to stay cool

[KaeptnOvi]

I doubt that a faster CPU would change anything, since you say that it runs ok, then gets slower, right? So the CPU is capable of handling it in the beginning. Maybe it really is a Heat-Problem, IIRC the Geforce throttles itself down if it gets too hot.

on another note: are you sure that it's not the network that's lagging, since it's a online-game?

[RhythmMgmnt]

It is, sometimes. I would say 10% of the time it is due to server, the rest of the time it's due to my CPU. It's pretty predictable (can almost clock it, with fan noises as well).

You mentioned the graphics card. One of my earlier attempts was the redo the ATI drivers and I believe I went with Omega drivers...does anyone have the latest & greatest suggestion for drivers for the ATI 9600 Mobility Radeon?

Even if Omega is the best, I would like to redo them while I am revamping the rest of the settings on my machine. Might as well go that extra mile.

-RM

[RhythmMgmnt]

OK I ran these tests as given in the first link and it's SO much better! But I still have some slowdown when it gets hot, I downloaded the fanGUI program but have some questions about it.

Info:
1. It gets up to about 65C when playing games and the CPU load shoots to 100% but the CPU Speed stays at 1400MHz but I have a 1600MHz available, why does it do this?

2. What should my temperature control options be set to? Does someone have a profile that works for an 8600? Regular use (internet searching, music listening, word processing it has no slow down at all, just game playing)

3. It goes up to 100% CPU load while gaming and says there, is this normal?

I hope the fanGUI can solve the slight remaining problems I still have.

Thanks!

RM

[JustJimDelany]

Originally Posted by abaxter

try looking at this thread for some ideas on how to optimize your notebook without buying hardware:

How to Easily Optimize a Notebook Computer and Make it Faster Discussion

This is a good link but.. it says to disable system restore. Personally I would consider this a fatal mistake. This has saved my bacon more than once. I would only do this if you truely understand the consequences and like formats. jumping down off soapbox now and engaging shields .

[RhythmMgmnt]

Can I please get some help on this? I noticed when hot (62C) my CPU was running slow (load at 100%), but noticable lag in my game, and CPU speed was at 1200MHz. It kicked into 1400MHz and the lag went away (temp still hot however).

Is there anyway to get it to use 1600MHz and to not have any lag?

Is it normal for 100% CPU load ALL the time while gaming on a machine with my hardware specs?

Thanks

RM

[wong3541]

Are you running on the battery only?