Low FPS when headphone is plugged in :: Hardware and Operating Systems

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warp 10 Jul, 2017 @ 9:22pm

Low FPS when headphone is plugged in

It's Lenovo G510. It's not a gaming laptop but is able to run some games with OK frame rates.

Strangely, when I plug something into the headphone jack, FPS drops to less than 10.

It's got dolby software preinstalled. I am not sure what they do or how it interact with the hardware, but I doubt it's the problem.

Hareware wise, it's 2-3 years old since I bought it. It came with i7 4700 MQ, which is higher than its usual configuration for this model. I am not sure if this cause it to underpower with change in CPU and more ram.

(It had this problem since I bought it, but I ignored it since I didn't use headphone that much).

Any leads would be appreciated.

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Showing 1-13 of 13 comments

cult 10 Jul, 2017 @ 9:29pm

The only thing I can think of is your motherboards soundcard, maybe that could use a replacement, but dont take my word for that. I'm actually clueless.

CursedPanther 10 Jul, 2017 @ 11:18pm

Have you tried updating the drivers?

rotNdude 11 Jul, 2017 @ 9:43am

The audio processing is done on the CPU, just like the video processing. Once that processing is done, it passes that raw information for rendering and reproduction to the video and audio cards/chipsets. Game engines determine how many resources they can use on a computer based on threading.

What games are you talking about?

warp 11 Jul, 2017 @ 1:36pm

Yes, I updated the drivers, GPU manually (since windows 8 -> windows 10 it fails to recognize the correct version) and audio driver through windows update.

It happens in all games, tomb raider, l4d, dota. etc. When I plug in my headphone, after 1 sec, audio switch to the headphone and screen begin to shutter. When I unplug it, it's back to normal.

tacoshy 11 Jul, 2017 @ 1:39pm

Originally posted by Velcro Strap-On:
The only thing I can think of is your motherboards soundcard, maybe that could use a replacement, but dont take my word for that. I'm actually clueless.

as you said motherboard sound card which is true. IF he would need to replace it, he would have to replace the MoBo. ever heard someone replacing his laptop motherboard? well it is more expensive then replacing the whole laptop.

basically what rotNdude said but you still have audio to process when using the build in speaker so it still seems strange

nahte 7 Dec, 2020 @ 3:40pm

this is 3 years old but this is literally one of the only sources i can find, if you did manage to fix it is it okay if you tell me how you did. i get an average if 150fps in csgo but with headphones plugged in from the audio jack i get 100fps and high stuttering.

warp 8 Dec, 2020 @ 12:17am

Although I'm not 100% sure, I think it's because the power adapter not supplying enough power so the OS/laptop automatically limit the speed to lower the power usage. This is just my guess, because if I unplug the power cord and let it run on battery, the problem disappear.

nahte 8 Dec, 2020 @ 12:55am

Originally posted by warp:
Although I'm not 100% sure, I think it's because the power adapter not supplying enough power so the OS/laptop automatically limit the speed to lower the power usage. This is just my guess, because if I unplug the power cord and let it run on battery, the problem disappear.

didnt expect a reply but I appreciate it, I will look into that, have a good one mate

amaguire736 30 Dec, 2021 @ 8:55am

hi I know this is crazy asking because this discussion is nearly 4 years old but did you ever solve the problem and if so could you explain how because I am experiencing the exact same as you plus my mic doesn't work so I have resorted to Bluetooth headphones.

_I_ 30 Dec, 2021 @ 9:21am

get the correct drivers for the sound card

and all the mobo drivers while at it from the mobo brand/model site

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Alpini Marmot 10 Oct @ 2:01pm

Originally posted by warp:
Although I'm not 100% sure, I think it's because the power adapter not supplying enough power so the OS/laptop automatically limit the speed to lower the power usage. This is just my guess, because if I unplug the power cord and let it run on battery, the problem disappear.

4 More Years Later and Im on a ROG Zephyrus (2024) trying to play a game using bluetooth earbuds (Galaxy Buds 3 Pro) and I started having an issue with them connected I have 1FPS...Disconnect them and the FPS return to normal.

I unplugged my Laptop from the charger waited a second for the power profile to switch then plugged back in and boom game works fine with my bluetooth earbuds now.

Last edited by Alpini Marmot; 10 Oct @ 2:02pm

#11