Do you see any difference in background applications running when you have a smooth-playing game versus the times the FPS drops and you have to restart?
Seems like there might be something lurking in the background that is interfering.
That was one of my first thoughts as well, but no. I have had no background applications running in both instances. None that I can see, anyway.
I should also clarify that when I start the game up and it is running well, it does so from the onset and it stays that way for as long as I choose to play it. When I get a "bad" start-up, it also is like that for as long as I choose to run it. Nothing changes in game in either situation, it seems to be determined from the get go, I never have any drastic fps changes mid-game.
Do you have something in the BIOS startup that might be interfering? For example, I have an AMD CPU, and there is a program called "Cool and Quiet" that is enabled by default in the BIOS. It basically regulates CPU processing to keep things quiet, and, well, cool. But the only way to disable it is to go in BIOS....it doesn't show up (that I'm aware of) in background processes.
I realize you are using an Intel CPU, so it wouldn't be the same program, but maybe there is something in there that might be contributing to a "poor" computer startup.
Disclaimer: I do NOT recommend shutting off or changing anything in BIOS unless you know for sure what it is and what it does. Digging around in BIOS can do some strange things to a system if you don't know what you are changing.
Alternately, there's also a chance you've got something misfiring hardware-wise, such as RAM or maybe a fan isn't working properly.
It's very possible I have some hidden system software running on my computer. I know my motherboard drivers installed with some added software. I just find it odd that it might be running after system startup but NOT after a reset. I'll do some digging around in BIOS and see what I can find. I generally know how to tool around in BIOS and not screw things up, I won't be changing anything I'm not certain about. Thank you for the heads up.
As for the misfiring hardware theory, could a fan really have that much effect? And is there any way for me to be able to determine whether or not it is happening with my RAM?
Thanks for your help!
