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Half-Life 2 (Original), ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI, Stuttering - Last Modified 2008-08-23 19:10 UTC - Created 2008-08-23 19:10 UTC

So the full version of Half-Life 2 has the same problem as the demo on my machine. The audio stutters, and the video lags very slowly for about 5-10 seconds at seemingly random times.

I tried all the tricks on the Internet to resolve this:

I tried it all, but nothing has even made the issue a little better.

Here are my computer specifications:

Here is an old site with some consolidated info on fixes: http://www.blep.net/hl2stutter/

I'm going to try contacting VAVLe support to see if they have anything else or know about issues with my specific motherboard.

Possible Cause Found

I believe the stuttering is caused by my CPU reaching its maximum temperature and the motherboard freezing the CPU in order to cool it. I installed ASUS Cool & Quiet and ASUS Probe II utilities. Each time my CPU reached 62°C the stuttering would occur and continue until the temperature dropped.

I tried reseating my processor, removing and replacing the thermal compound, but my CPU still hits 62°C. Looks like I'm going to have to buy an expensive cooler to keep the CPU cold enough. Sad thing is I bought the "upgraded" fan when I purchased the motherboard and cpu combo.