In MP, Drain = slooooow fps

[c the c o]

Running a P3-650/GF2GTS w/DSL.

 

In multiplayer (internet) games, if someone uses drain near me it slows me down from 25-30 fps to around 6 fps, with stuttering sound, until the drain stops. It seems to happen with lightning also, but not nearly as bad. What would be the cause of this? Is there anything I could tweak to fix it?

 

Thanks!