Dual Core Performance Issue

Mango1970

Member
Aug 26, 2006
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Hi all,

I have been using my 2 computers now for quite some time. I have a C2D e6600 at 3200Mhz and an AMD x2-4800+ at 2700mhz.

The C2D just soldiers along and runs everything I throw at it. It simply is amazing. My x2-4800 also runs well but for some reason it feels so sluggish compared to my C2D when performing multiple activities, like downloading large files, while maybe Unraring something and then surfing the net and checking my email.

These same activities AND MORE I do with the C2D e6600 and it never feels like I am waiting. With the x2-4800 it honestly feels slow. I did a fresh install on my AMD comp with my retail version of XP pro. I installed all updated drivers, service packs and mobo chipset files. I installed the AMD dual core driver/patch and optimizer. I know it's working well as my games that normally would stutter with dual cores do not. Is there any way other than this that I can check that both my cores are being used properly on the AMD x2?

My C2D has 4 GIGS or RAM and the x2 has 2 GIG?s but honestly that cannot be too much of an issue as my RAM is never saturated. The only real difference would be the fact I am using a Raptor and 2 x 500 GB SATA drives in my C2D and instead only a single 200 GB IDE drive in my X2. But again... it's hard to explain but I get a good 4 second delay in opening say Internet Explorer when I am doing pretty much anything on my X2 and a good 3 seconds delay or more to open Outlook and be even able to click on send and receive to check my email -- whereas the C2D no matter WHAT I have running does everything instantly.

Arg... I know it's a small issue... and when I run benchmarks such as 3Dm5 and 3Dm6 the x2-4800+ gives my correct performance numbers based on that chip so I am stumped as to what that constant stall or hiccup could mean.

If I try to Unrar or check pars with my X2-4800+.... forget it... everything takes 10 seconds or more to open -- the reason I went to dual cores in the first place. Again with the C2D even with par checker or repairer going or Winrar there is barely any wait.

thanks!
Bob
 

DrMrLordX

Lifer
Apr 27, 2000
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sounds like an i/o and/or disk issue. You tried a different HDD on that X2 system? Or have you tried running any HDD benchmarks?
 

MarcVenice

Moderator Emeritus <br>
Apr 2, 2007
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lol at suly -_-

My single core venice prolly opens stuff faster then his x2, so hes definately having a problem somewhere, and like X I too would look at the HD first.
 

Griswold

Senior member
Dec 24, 2004
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Originally posted by: Mango1970
My x2-4800 also runs well but for some reason it feels so sluggish compared to my C2D when performing multiple activities, like downloading large files, while maybe Unraring something and then surfing the net and checking my email.

If that makes your X2 feel sluggish, then you should listen to DrMrLordX - because that is certainly not related to the processor.
 

GeezerMan

Platinum Member
Jan 28, 2005
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I have a similiar issue with my Opteron 165 at 2.6GHz. I'm leaning toward a drive bottleneck. I'm only using one drive now., It slows down when moving large files via USB, or even via eSATA to external drives. CPU usage is very low during these times. I have only a 320GB drive internal, but I'm adding another internal drive this week. I remember reading some Microsoft update about setting the page file. The update was in response to problems like mine they were told about. I just need to find the web page again.
 

f4phantom2500

Platinum Member
Dec 3, 2006
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imo you should put the raid array in one computer and the raptor and 200gb drive in the other computer. one fast disk subsystem for each computer.
 

GeezerMan

Platinum Member
Jan 28, 2005
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That's funny, I was just thinking of a raid setup for myself. Maybe a Raid 0? I know very little about raiding.
 

BoboKatt

Senior member
Nov 18, 2004
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Sorry I am at work and using my login fror work. I did install the AMD optimizer and the AMD driver they suggest on that same page (further down).

From all your kind replies I am a true believer now it must be the HD. At this point and since I have 2 500 GB drives, I will put one in the AMD box and in fact make that my primary and keep the 200 GB as my storage if need be. At least that way I can go from one controller to another when unraring, encoding etc.

Thanks all!
 

aka1nas

Diamond Member
Aug 30, 2001
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That's definately due to the difference in spindle speeds on the disks. The Raptors might not always win benchmarks for transfer rates, but they sure do feel snappy.
 

DrMrLordX

Lifer
Apr 27, 2000
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Sounds like a workable solution, BoboKatt.

Out of curiosity, is the 200 gig drive a PATA or SATA HDD?