Troubleshooting texture loading issues: What's behind the problem?
Troubleshooting texture loading issues: What's behind the problem?
Greetings,
I’m encountering problems with my video games, particularly Fortnite. During gameplay, the game frequently freezes repeatedly! I’m utilizing MSI Afterburner to monitor my system’s performance, and based on the data provided, everything appears to be within acceptable parameters: my graphics card is utilizing 20% of its capacity at a temperature of 54°C, my video memory is being used to a degree of 2GB, my central processing unit is operating at approximately 50% with a temperature of 80°C, and I’m utilizing roughly 6GB of RAM. I am experiencing game freezes, and occasionally textures fail to load instead of the game freezing entirely. Interestingly, I don’t experience freezes in other games like Sea of Thieves, although I do encounter texture loading issues. Moreover, recently, I’ve started hearing short beeps from my computer approximately every 30 to 40 minutes. Here are the specifications for my system: Intel core i5 4690, 8GB of RAM at a speed of 1600MHz (which I recognize is limited), and an Asus Strix GTX 1080 Advanced installed in my graphics card slot.
This RAM is outdated and sluggish for a system paired with a 1080, and it’s currently only 8GB, which might be inadequate for certain games. Disabling all tracking features in Windows 10 granted me an additional 1GB of available memory, although whether you’re willing to use those accompanying applications is up to your discretion. A RAM consumption of 6GB might appear acceptable, yet Windows 10 can consume a considerable amount, particularly when tracking is enabled. It's advisable to limit your startup programs and disable unnecessary ones. Incorporating an additional 8GB of RAM would be beneficial; however, given its age and speed as DDR3, investing in a newer motherboard capable of DDR4 RAM would be a more prudent financial choice. Furthermore, I suggest configuring Windows 10 to utilize the “Balanced” power mode, while adjusting Power Management within the Nvidia Control Panel settings for each individual game…
The existing memory in your computer is outdated and sluggish for a system equipped with a 1080 graphics card, and it’s only 8GB – a quantity that’s increasingly inadequate for certain games. Disabling all tracking features in Windows 10 granted me an additional 1GB of available memory, though this depends on your personal preference regarding the use of applications that utilize it.
A RAM usage of 6GB might appear acceptable, but Windows 10 can consume a significant amount, particularly when telemetry is active. You should also ensure you only have essential startup programs enabled and disable the rest.
Installing another 8GB of RAM would alleviate some issues, but since it's an older DDR3 type with a slow speed, investing in a newer motherboard that supports DDR4 RAM would be a more effective use of your funds.
Additionally, I suggest configuring Windows 10 to utilize the Balanced power mode, while setting Power Management within the Nvidia Control Panel profiles for problematic games to “Prefer maximum performance.” A secondary concern is that your central processing unit (CPU) generates a considerable amount of heat. Could you specify the case you’re using and the type of CPU cooler installed?
Several users have attempted various techniques, such as utilizing Standby List cleaners, which can free up memory. EmptyStandbyList is one example, though it necessitates a scheduled task within Windows 10 to execute every five minutes for optimal performance. IntelligentStandbyListCleaner is another program that, once started, aims to regularly clear the standby list when it reaches 1000MB.
These methods are essentially temporary fixes and might not resolve fundamental RAM limitations, particularly when dealing with insufficient memory (8GB versus 16GB) combined with aging, slow RAM. In such cases, it's essentially asking for problems.
Finally, when you mention multiple games experiencing texture loading difficulties, it’s important to recognize that game requirements vary significantly. Many contemporary titles demand more than 2GB of video RAM (VRAM) to run smoothly, and several require over 4GB. Some games are so graphically intensive with texture streaming reliant systems that they operate best when installed on solid-state drives (SSDs) capable of quickly streaming textures.
Many thanks for your reply. And indeed, it’s insufficient for 1080p and only 8GB of RAM – however, I find it particularly strange because a friend with 8GB of DDR3 memory experiences no freezing while playing. I’ve investigated the issue, and it appears insufficient. Regarding adding more RAM… should I purchase an additional 8GB of DDR3 memory? Considering my budget is limited and I need to save up for a better motherboard and DDR4, would that be a worthwhile investment? Should it operate in Power Balanced mode, or is High Performance preferable? What’s the difference between High Performance within the Power Options and Nvidia Control Panel settings? My case is a Green X2 Jaguar, and I didn't install a CPU cooler initially because I assumed the case’s cooling system would manage adequately, believing 70-80°C was acceptable. Am I mistaken? You mentioned several cleaning programs, which are unfamiliar to me. However, I currently use RAM Saver Professional and it seems effective – could you recommend a superior alternative? Finally, regarding textures… I'm quite bewildered; the game functions smoothly after reinstalling my operating system, even with occasional freezing. Would installing games on SSDs resolve this problem? It’s frustrating to frequently land in specific locations within Fortnite where the textures appear amateurishly rendered. Thank you for addressing my inquiries.
I added another stick of DDR3 toward the end of it's generation on my X58 build because the 6GB I was using was not enough. I happened to find the same Kingston HyperX, but the timings were not quite the same.
When adding RAM it's best to find a module that is pretty much identical to the RAM you're using in brand, model, speed (frequency) and timings. There are 4 timings listed and the one that's most important is the first one (CAS), because it's the one that determines how many CPU cycles lapse in between each passing of data from RAM to CPU.
The fastest, most efficient way to run RAM is in dual channel mode, and in this mode each channel mirrors one another to increase speed. This is why dual channel RAM is sold in matched modules that are measured to be in very close spec to one another.
You can get by with higher timing numbers, which is slower RAM, but it can affect stability until you lower your RAM timing settings in the MB BIOS. This is because your PC will default to the slowest timings of your RAM. I had to do that on my last X58 system, but I also found out I didn't have to go from triple channel to single channel like I thought. It was an odd configuration, but my MB allowed me to run it in dual channel.
Let me know the brand and model of RAM you're using, preferably with timings, and I'll see if I can find a match.
DDR3 is getting harder and harder to find, and can be fairly expensive for what you get, especially if it's high performance modules with low timing numbers.
The timings should be listed on your packing slip if you still have it, or the RAM container if you still have that, or the manufacture's website if you know the exact product page. As a last resort, it's also usually on a sticker on the module itself.
The reason most say to put Windows in High Performance mode is they don't know the same can be achieved in the Nvidia Control Panel under Power management with the Prefer maximum performance setting. The reason it's better to do it that way is your CPU only ramps up to it's boost clock speed when the game is launched. Then when you exit the game, the CPU goes back down to idle speed automatically.
In Windows High Performance power mode, your CPU will run at max speed all the time, generating unnecessary heat and wear and tear, and causing it's fan to run at higher speed. I (and I think most) prefer their CPU to run quieter and cooler at idle, which will also make it last longer. This is why Balanced mode is recommended by Windows.
The only caveat is you need to make a profile for each game in Nvidia Control Panel setting the Power management to Prefer maximum performance for any games you're having issues with. It's very quick and easy to do though and only need be done once with each game. People saying to use High Performance power in Windows are either naive, lazy, or running an OC speed constantly.
Yeah if you're only running the stock CPU cooler 80c is normal, but anything 80c or more is still considered fairly hot. The stock coolers just aren't very efficient. For about $33, or much less on a sale, you could get a decent cooler that would keep it at more like under 65c, barring abnormally high summer temps, etc.
https://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Maste...hyper+212+led&qid=1565031635&s=gateway&sr=8-2
The case looks OK, but if ambient temps are high, I would add the optional 2nd 120mm fan to the front.
I would avoid RAM optimizers, they are often not what they're cracked up to be. You can achieve the same thing just by restarting your PC before a game session, or using a standby list cleaner. All a standby list cleaner does is make sure your standby RAM is free to use. IntelligentStandbyListCleaner is the one to use, and it's very easy to use. It will also continually free up RAM during a game session.
https://www.wagnardsoft.com/forums/viewt...f=5&t=1256
That said, if a reinstall of your OS has fixed the problem before, there may be something you're doing (or a app you're using) that is causing system file corruption or even malware problems. It's possible as well if you're adding programs back in when formatting the OS, it eventual gets to a point where too much RAM is being consumed, especially if you have a lot of startups
I advise you first check for malware, then run the Windows System File Checker (sfc /scannow). CCLeaner and Malwarebytes are two trusted and free tools to clean your PC of possible malware.
CCLeaner
https://www.ccleaner.com/ccleaner/download
Malwarebytes
https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download/
Refer to the MS support page on how to properly run sfc /scannow in W10. Pay close attention on how to restore the system image first, as you need a healthy system image file to run the scan properly.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help...le-checker