High FPS drops when using Fraps.

[hoppi]

I've been trying to record my gameplay using Fraps recently, and I've been getting notable FPS drops.
Specs:
-AMD Vision E2-1800 with AMD Radeon HD7340M. (The CPU's dual core @ 1.7GHz)
-6GB RAM
-750GB HDD, 5400 spin rate, about 500GB free.
-Windows 8 64-bit

Okay, I know my system isn't amazing, but my friend has an older version of my laptop, and he can record the same games quite easily at an FPS that is most certainly viewable. We both think it may have something to do with my HDD being slightly overworked, considering it's reading game files, and writing at the same time. Would using an external drive be a way of improving quality? Or is my system simply too weak for this?

[banzaigtv]

Your hardware looks to be too weak for such video recording. Had your PC included a GeForce 600-series GPU, you would have been able to use a video recorder within GeForce Experience coming out soon, which will be much better than fraps. Perhaps you can try boosting your virtual RAM?

[hoppi]

I *think* my virtual RAM is about 9GB as I was told 1.5x the amount of installed RAM is a good setup.

[Gixanix]

Firstly I would suggest getting a SSD, they are expensive but seriously the speed is absolutely fantastic. No slow downs, no lag, no nothing and thats what i love about SSD's. However they are expensive but it will solve you're lag issues, i have one 128GB SSD and one 1TB Hard drive.

I use the SSD for windows and recording fraps, then my 1TB hard drive stores my steam games, photos, videos etc. Secondly you do need a really good system to record gameplay, it really depends on the specs you have and the game you play e.g. if you play counter strike source and you get smooth, constant gameplay then you can definitely record perfectly. On the other hard like new games such as battlefield 3 you will have a hard time recording and probably playing with the specs you have shown above. A good processor, video card, ram amount & hard drive is what you need.

FINALLY ITS A LAPTOP, LAPTOPS AREN'T REALLY FOR GAMING OR RECORDING UNLESS OF COURSE YOU'RE LAPTOP IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND CAN DO THEM SORT OF THINGS. THEY ARE A PILE OF CRAP FOR THAT, THE HEAT WHICH COMES OUT OF IT ITS JUST HORRIBLE.

[hoppi]

引用自 IP3NIX：

FINALLY ITS A LAPTOP, LAPTOPS AREN'T REALLY FOR GAMING OR RECORDING UNLESS OF COURSE YOU'RE LAPTOP IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND CAN DO THEM SORT OF THINGS. THEY ARE A PILE OF CRAP FOR THAT, THE HEAT WHICH COMES OUT OF IT ITS JUST HORRIBLE.

I know it's not designed for gaming, but I'm not trying to record hardcore games, only games such as Garry's Mod, and possibly L4D. And, as my OP states, my friend has the older version of my laptop, and he has no issues whatsoever, hence my initial thoughts: my HDD is too stressed whilst recording, and possibly a removable storage device would help me out.

[Gixanix]

I would suggest getting a new hard drive then, probably faulty :)
If however thats not the case its's probably the laptop itself, they can't take it that would be why. Dude also garrys mod? L4D? definitely be able to run with fraps! even on the lowest setting so their is a problem there.

[bear]

引用自 DerKrazyAxeMurderer：

引用自 IP3NIX：

FINALLY ITS A LAPTOP, LAPTOPS AREN'T REALLY FOR GAMING OR RECORDING UNLESS OF COURSE YOU'RE LAPTOP IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND CAN DO THEM SORT OF THINGS. THEY ARE A PILE OF CRAP FOR THAT, THE HEAT WHICH COMES OUT OF IT ITS JUST HORRIBLE.

I know it's not designed for gaming, but I'm not trying to record hardcore games, only games such as Garry's Mod, and possibly L4D. And, as my OP states, my friend has the older version of my laptop, and he has no issues whatsoever, hence my initial thoughts: my HDD is too stressed whilst recording, and possibly a removable storage device would help me out.

Ive never used fraps to record so I dont know what kind of settings it has as far as capturing but what ingame settings was your friend using? If they were running the game at lower resolution/ quality settings it would not only reduce the strain form the game itself but also on the recording aspect.

[hoppi]

I wouldn't replace my internal HDD, at least I don't want to unless I can magically afford an SSD of decent size, if a new hard drive device would help me out, it would most likely be external.

[banzaigtv]

Also, a 5400 RPM HDD is rather slow. You can get a fairly small SSD, like 64 GB, and use that for tasks, such as video recording.

[hoppi]

引用自 1964WORLDSBEAR：

引用自 DerKrazyAxeMurderer：

I know it's not designed for gaming, but I'm not trying to record hardcore games, only games such as Garry's Mod, and possibly L4D. And, as my OP states, my friend has the older version of my laptop, and he has no issues whatsoever, hence my initial thoughts: my HDD is too stressed whilst recording, and possibly a removable storage device would help me out.

Ive never used fraps to record so I dont know what kind of settings it has as far as capturing but what ingame settings was your friend using? If they were running the game at lower resolution/ quality settings it would not only reduce the strain form the game itself but also on the recording aspect.

I'll have to ask him what his graphics settings are on.

[hoppi]

引用自 banzaigtv：

Also, a 5400 RPM HDD is rather slow. You can get a fairly small SSD, like 64 GB, and use that for tasks, such as video recording.

Okay, but I don't think I have enough space in my laptop case/ motherboard slots for 2 drives, so, would an external drive possibly help? If so, any suggestions?

[Marble]

I would say the combination of weak CPU and GPU is the cause of dropped frames rather than anything else. The E2 APU's are not really fit for purpose for gaming at all, let alone recording them.

[Velmarshal]

The issue is that you're filming and playing the game on the same hardrive. Fraps needs to record on a separate hardrive or even external one, and considering the speed of that HDD you must be getting terrible FPS. Get external storage to film on it or another HDD or SSD.

[_I_]

also that most notebooks ship with 5400rpm drives
using an external usb 3.0 or esata 7200rpm drive will help alot

or converting the hdd to a ssd will solve it too

[hoppi]

Cheers guys.:)
Would this USB do the trick? http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FL-101-SD&groupid=1657&catid=1908&subcat=1763
Or do you guys have any other suggestions on external drives?

[Velmarshal]

Deppends on how long videos you plan to film. Take note that fraps records lossless, soo the video files are split into 4Gb files, deppending on the resolution they can be ~ 2 - 3 minutes long on 1080p and about 5 ~ 6 on 720p, overall you wont be able to record long gameplays on that thing.