Sudden performance issues and lag in-game

[ChipDip]

I've played Fallout 4 for almost 170 hours and apart from the initial optimisation I haven't had much issue with running the game, no lag or stuttering. However, now when I load up I experience extreme lag and stuttering issues that make it unplayable. I've worked through many of the suggested fixes but I can't seem to fix it. I have monitored the GPU and it spikes to 100% usage and hovers around 90-100% and sits around 100C GPUtemp (which I'm concerned about). This is all wrapped up in a laptop so there's only so much I can do about cooling.
Any help or advice is appreciated, I really enjoy fallout and would be disappointed if I'm unable to play anymore. My specs and current settings are as follows:

General specs:
Intel i7-7700HQ (2.80Ghz)
Nvidia Gefore GTX 1060
16GB RAM

Common game settings suggested:
Shadow Quality medium
Godrays Quality low
Weapon debris off
Antialiasing TAA
Anisotropic filtering 8 samples

Nvidia settings specific to fallout.exe
Dedicated GPU selected
Low latency mode Ultra
power management: prefer maximum performance
Triple Buffering On
V-Sync: On

[ZeaL]

Thermal throttling I feel is the issue with the 100C gpu depending how far you are wanting to go to fix it // underclocking or thermal paste replacement and such

[hawkeye]

I would lower the gpu temps. It is possible to blow the laptop completely f it overheats, especially it is full of dust or lint.

Install hwinfo64 and run it in sensors only mode while gaming. It will show maximum temps being reached plus if any thermal throttling is happening.

Turn off FO4's non-essential graphic effects completely. Completely. Godrays, TAA etc.

Set up management software to control the temperature that the gpu reaches. 80 would be my choice. The software should have been included with the laptop.

or try this -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfdPQxvFlzA

I would also read the description of what the nvidia control panel settings do, as your settings show that you don't understand them.

[ChipDip]

I would really like to know why this is suddenly an issue after ~170 hours.
I appreciate the advice

[ShutEye_DK]

Originally posted by KevDev:

I would really like to know why this is suddenly an issue after ~170 hours.
I appreciate the advice

Dust build up over time. Cooling paste/pads deteriorate over time.
New drivers can push GFX (or the whole system) harder.

[sdack]

Originally posted by KevDev:

I would really like to know why this is suddenly an issue after ~170 hours.
I appreciate the advice

It does indeed sound like it could be a thermal issue. It works for a while until it fails, which would explain your observation. It means you may have overdone it and have run your laptop for too long and too hot.

I hope it is something else and can be fixed though. So try looking for solutions. If you still have warranty on it then you may also try asking the vendor for a replacement.

Alternatively can you try to reduce the load on your GPU. If you have set your driver to "maximum performance" then set it to use less power. Turn on vsync in case it is off. Some overlocking tools allow you to underclock your GPU as well as to set a power limit, which you may also try to reduce. Do not place your laptop on a blanket or cushion, but find a cool surface for it.

[wtiger27]

Are you using a cooling pad under your laptop?

You can also try blowing some compressed air in the cans, thru the vents on the case.

[Chesty La'Rou]

Yes gpu's will generally throttle at 85c or higher. Most processors are designed the same way. Unless you're really jacking with low level type settings, it's pretty impossible to "toast" computer components.

[bandvagen]

Originally posted by KevDev:

I would really like to know why this is suddenly an issue after ~170 hours.
I appreciate the advice

After playing the game for.....heaven knows how long...... I have started getting sound issues and massive frame rate drops in certain locations.
Coming out of Good Neighbour the frame rate begins to suffer to a point that the game eventually freezes. The sound issues only happen in certain locations too. Firing my weapon makes no sound for around 5 - 10 seconds, same with throwing grenades. I don't get the *Click....Swoosh* sound when I throw it, I then see the explosion in the distance (still no sound). If I then turn and walk in the opposite direction the red grenade warning icon appears on my HUD, then I get the explosion right under my ass and it blows my power armour to bits.
This has happened previously, but has eventually sorted itself out after a Steam update.
Skyrim has also been playing up recently too, so I'm guessing it's possibly an issue with Bethesda and Steam.

[Chesty La'Rou]

Originally posted by bandvagen:

Originally posted by KevDev:

I would really like to know why this is suddenly an issue after ~170 hours.
I appreciate the advice

After playing the game for.....heaven knows how long...... I have started getting sound issues and massive frame rate drops in certain locations.
Coming out of Good Neighbour the frame rate begins to suffer to a point that the game eventually freezes. The sound issues only happen in certain locations too. Firing my weapon makes no sound for around 5 - 10 seconds, same with throwing grenades. I don't get the *Click....Swoosh* sound when I throw it, I then see the explosion in the distance (still no sound). If I then turn and walk in the opposite direction the red grenade warning icon appears on my HUD, then I get the explosion right under my ass and it blows my power armour to bits.
This has happened previously, but has eventually sorted itself out after a Steam update.
Skyrim has also been playing up recently too, so I'm guessing it's possibly an issue with Bethesda and Steam.

It probably isn't Steam or Fallout if you've played for 170 hours and the problem just appeared now. It's more likely that something has changed with your PC (whether you installed something else, are running a higher resolution than before, different hardware, etc.)

What have you changed (software or hardware-wise) since you first started playing the game?

[ChipDip]

Thanks for the responses everyone. To reply to some questions. I have a cooling pad for the laptop and cleaned it of dust about 2 months ago. There was barely any dust in the fans and I doubt that it's built up significantly in that time.
I haven't really changed anything about the laptop other than updating software.
I trialled some other games I've played without issue (witcher 3, red dead) and they all had the same issue. This pretty much confirms its the laptop for me unless some update changed a key setting I don't know about. Might be time to save up for a GPU and build a new desktop for the first time in 10 years.
Thanks again for your input!

[ZeaL]

the only quirk fallout 4 has is the higher the FPS the more accelerated the physics is maybe locking to 60 fps might do something maybe.

[Krytor]

same thing happened to me, mine dropped to 11 FPS, I just went in and played with the settings (a bit of back and forth) and got it back to 75 FPS.

I use MSI afterburner, it will allow you to override your GPU's software so you can run your fans at 100% if you want (my GPU will not kick on the fans until it reaches a high temp). I always crank them up in high demanding games.