Help a new PC gamer.

[icaritos]

I just started playing Portal on my computer when i noticed something. Whenever i moved my character the graphics became blocky. Its hard to explain it was like old TVs where lines divide images and cause then to shift positions like a mosaic. I tried taking a screenshot of it, however the screenshots come out like nothing happened, looking absolutely normal.

Im pretty sure its not my computer specs since this is a new and fairly good machine so i was wondering if any of the escapist PC gaming crowd would have any idea on what could cause this.

P.S. as a side note i play it on my LCD TV using a HDMI cable connection, dunno if it has anything to do with it.

Edit: Vsync seems to solve the problem but cause some lag as warned here are the pc specs:

Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7600) (7600.win7_gdr.100226-1909)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard
System Model: HP Pavilion dv7 Notebook PC
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU Q 720 @ 1.60GHz (8 CPUs), ~1.6GHz
Memory: 6144MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 6134MB RAM
Page File: 2623MB used, 9644MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7600.16385 32bit Unicode

Driver

Card name: NVIDIA GeForce GT 230M
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce GT 230M
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0A28&SUBSYS_363C103C&REV_A2
Display Memory: 3797 MB
Dedicated Memory: 985 MB
Shared Memory: 2811 MB
Current Mode: 1600 x 900 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Model: unknown
Monitor Id: LGD0226
Native Mode: 1600 x 900(p) (60.080Hz)
Output Type: Internal
Driver Name: nvd3dumx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvd3dum,nvwgf2um,nvwgf2um
Driver File Version: 8.17.0011.9562 (English)
Driver Version: 8.17.11.9562
DDI Version: 10.1
Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 11/20/2009 21:34:54, 11775080 bytes

 

[Link Kadeshi]

First, to have a better idea, we would need your computer specs. However, if I understand you correctly, it sounds like it's your monitor(TV) that is the problem. Since I also don't know what your TV is, or how old it is, it's also hard to say. Some TV's, especially the older ones, had trouble being used as a gaming monitor for PC's. If you have access, I suggest trying it out on an actual computer monitor. Though please post your specs, including your Operating System.

 

[The_Healer]

I agree with Link, there is a reason that computer monitors aren't used as tv's and vice versa.

Try it on a computer monitor and see if it makes a difference. It might be to do with the refresh rate (which is faster on monitors than tv's I think).

Although on a side note, it doesn't seem to affect my PS3...

 

[the_dancy_vagrant]

Ah, you're talking about clipping or tearing. You can get the same effect no matter what you're using for your screen. I'm guessing they only happen when there's a lot of movement occurring onscreen.

Now, the solution for this is to go under video options and find an option called 'Enable Vsync' and enable it. The only issue with this is that it can increase the amount of lag from the mouse and keyboard.

 

[icaritos]

Ah, you're talking about clipping or tearing. You can get the same effect no matter what you're using for your screen. I'm guessing they only happen when there's a lot of movement occurring onscreen.

Now, the solution for this is to go under video options and find an option called 'Enable Vsync' and enable it. The only issue with this is that it can increase the amount of lag from the mouse and keyboard.

I tried what you suggested and it worked perfectly, it is completely gone.

Thanks for the help everyone that posted.

The main problem is that i was having this from any type of movement regardless of the amount of action on screen. So I was wondering if the use of Vsync is common to solve this or if indeed there is some problem with my PC or monitor.

 

[icaritos]

I tried using the laptop monitor and the same happens without vsync. Main post now has specs:

 

[the_dancy_vagrant]

Ah, you're talking about clipping or tearing. You can get the same effect no matter what you're using for your screen. I'm guessing they only happen when there's a lot of movement occurring onscreen.

Now, the solution for this is to go under video options and find an option called 'Enable Vsync' and enable it. The only issue with this is that it can increase the amount of lag from the mouse and keyboard.

I tried what you suggested and it worked perfectly, it is completely gone.

Thanks for the help everyone that posted.

The main problem is that i was having this from any type of movement regardless of the amount of action on screen. So I was wondering if the use of Vsync is common to solve this or if indeed there is some problem with my PC or monitor.

Nope, nothing wrong with the monitor or your PC. It's just a limitation of physics/optics.

Also, there may or may not be an option under the game called something like "Reduce Input Lag" that will (probably) help with the sluggish input.