Solved Not Sure if My Nvidia is Working Properly or at All

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JakubM

JakubM

PCHF Member
May 2, 2020
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Hi guys,

I've been having some issues with my graphic card. I tried to do some research on my own but nothing helped, so I am here to ask you. I am suspecting my Nvidia Geforce GT 555M is lazy to work and everything is on my Intel(R() HD Graphics 3000 secondary card.

What's wrong exactly:
  • If I disable Nvidia in Device Manager, I don't see any changes, I run PC games or anything else with the same results as when the card was enabled.
  • If I disable Intel(R) HD Graphics, some games don't even start and if they do, they are really bad.
  • When I'm playing and check Task Manager, CPU is usually between 10-20% of capacity, memory around 50% and GPU 0% (I enclosed a screenshot). And I am having really bad FPS, like between 15 - 35, which I don't understand, if no PC component is running at 100% capacity.
The weird thing is, that GeForce Experience is showing that all drivers are functional and updated. Device Manager shows both card and none is indicating any issues. I even found some indicator, showing when Nvidia is active and inactive and moved it to the right part of the bottom Windows bar. When running some games, it shows that Nvidia is active and the game is running on it. But I don't think so...

What I've tried so far:
  • Reinstall all Nvidia components including drivers
  • Disable and enable both graphic cards via Device Manager
  • Check for Nvidia updates via both, GeForce Experience and Device Manager

I know the computer is old (MSI GE 620DX) but I still think it should handle games such as LoL or WoW with the lowest possible graphic settings (that's what I'm using) with more than 20fps. I've enclosed a screenshot with my Processor and Ram memory, but since they are not working on 100%, I don't think it's them :(.

I would really appreciate any tips or opinions on how to deal with his :).

Thanks a lot!

Screenshots:
Capture.JPG
Capture2.JPG
Capture3.JPG
 
Hello JakubM,

Download then run Speccy (free) and post the resultant url for us, details here, this will provide us with information about your computer hardware + any software that you have installed that may explain the present issue/s.

To publish a Speccy profile to the Web:

In Speccy, click File, and then click Publish Snapshot.

In the Publish Snapshot dialog box, click Yes to enable Speccy to proceed.

Speccy publishes the profile and displays a second Publish Snapshot. You can open the URL in your default browser, copy it to the clipboard, or close the dialog box.
 
Hello Jakub,

Spotted what looks to be the problem but it looks like your notebook could do with the insides cleaning out of heat trapping dust, if we were to apply the suggested fix there is a good chance that the notebook would overheat and shut down as you video chip is already reporting high temps atm;

2047MB NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M (MSI): 81 °C

There is an example cleaning guide and video here it`s done by HP but the principle is the same for your notebook.

Post back when you have done the clean out and include a new Speccy url so we can make sure that the temps have come down enough to apply the fix.
 
Hi Phill,

Yes, I saw the high temperatures. But I am dusting off the fan regularly every 3 - 6 months. I checked the fan again but there was almost no sign of any dust. But I have to admit that the first 3 years of using that laptop I didn't know about this issue and when I opened up the laptop for the first time there was a really thick layer of dust (you should see the photo I took :D). Do you think that those 3 years without maintenance could permanently damage some parts of the graphic card or the cooling fan?

Btw I am also using a cooling platform for my laptop and 2 years ago I even bought some kind of a cooling paste and re-apply it on the CPU and the graphic card (found some video online how to do it for MSI laptops).

Are there any other ways how to deal with overheating graphic cards?
 
Hello Jakub,

Apologies for the delay, just been watching a video for reapplying thermal compound to the CPU and GPU on your model of notebook, probably the same one that you mention, if not it is here + 1 to MSI for providing the easy access.

You would expect the CPU to also have higher than normal temps if the fan was faulty so I suspect that the fan is ok.

Couple of questions if I may;

How long ago was the thermal paste reapplied, what did you use to clean off the old thermal compound and what brand of thermal paste was reapplied.

Have you always had a second screen attached to the notebook.

There are no other ways to cool the GPU other than what you have already done so afford yourself a pat on the back (y)
 
It's weird that my GPU is so wild with overheating. The next thing is, that my GPU is overheating but my fan is not working on 100%. I can hear it's busy but 100% is usually louder (system cooling policy is set to: Active).

Regarding your questions:
  • like 2 years, I guess it's time to do it again following the video you sent me (thanks for that). Frankly, I don't recall what I used to remove the old compound (maybe I didn't remove it :-/) It was the same compound brand as in the video just different type. I still have some left so I'm gonna re-apply it and this time I make sure to remove the old one.
  • Nope, I actually started like 3months ago...does it influence the performance somehow?
I guess I will have to accept the fact the laptop is 6 years old and I can't have big expectations from it. But it's pitty considering it used to be really powerful back in the days and other components besides the GPU are usually max 50% busy.
 
As mentioned previously if the fan was faulty the CPU would also be hotter so perhaps the thermal compound on the GPU does need to be redone, as will the CPU of course down to removing the heatsink etc.

For cleaning off thermal compound use something like 90% pure alcohol that is used for first aid or alternatively acetone or acetone based nail polish remover, no scraping the metal surfaces either as the slightest scratch and the thermal compound won`t work, Ive used Arctic Silver for years and swear by it but any proven brand will do.

Regarding the second monitor, disconnect it then check the temps and you should see them drop, it is not unusual for temps to go up by 10 °C or more on a desktop that has better cooling so realistically you would expect some sort of drop on a notebook.
 
Hey Phill,

Today or tomorrow I will try to re-apply that cooling paste on my GPU following your video. Hopefully it will get better. But like you said, there is nothing else I could do. So if it doesn't work I will probably just consider buying a new laptop :D. Anyway, I would like to thank you for all the tips and help you've given me, really appreciate it. If you would like to close the thread, feel free to do so. You've done enough for me :).

Jakub.
 
Hi Jakub,

Thanks for getting back to us (y)

Forum policy to ask for an update when a thread goes quiet for a few days so you will hopefully be able to get this sorted over the weekend and then sign your thread off.

You are welcome btw :)
 
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