Gaming focused A64 dual core producing so-so results

[Wupjak]

Great forums, great resources. This post fits best (probably) here in the tech support forums, although it has to do with overclocking and general system performance as well.

Right, here we go:

Built this machine a few weeks ago with the following components specifically to play Battlefield2 and other demanding PC games. The issue is that I read and talk with guys with very similar setups who are getting much higher performance than I am. I'm writing to ask whether any of you sees anything that might be causing a slowdown.

Specs:

XION case, 450w PS
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811208008


AMD64 X2 3800+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103562

PowerColor x800GT 256 PCI-express
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814131420

ASRock939Dual Sata2
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813157081

2x 1GB Mushkin 184P D500 991483 R
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820146397

Video Card is currently running at 522.0/594.0, stock air, no artifacting/tearing. Ram settings at or over 600mhz are a no go with my card, so this is about it.

CPU is stable at 54c with two instances of Prime95 running at 235x10, RAM at 166mhz, 2.5/3/5/3/8 iirc, other settings on request. Going to 240x10 and the same ram settings gives stop errors, so that is where I am with that.

Benchmarking results -

3dmark03 - 9507
3dmark05 - 4611

Video drivers are cat 5.12s without the CCC.

I guess what it comes down to is that I can't really accept the performance my machine is giving me is as good as it can be. I drop down from 1280x1024 to 1152x864 and even 1024x768 and see virtually the same range of framerates of 37-70 or thereabouts. Very heavy action will result in frames dropping into the low 20s. Changing texture quality and mipmap settings in the ati control panel do nothing to improve framerates, the game just looks crummier.

I'm a neophyte when it comes to overclocking, although I've been around/tinkered with computers for several years and have read a bunch of threads here at anandtech and elsewhere in preparation for this project. I'm stumped and have come here for help.

If I've used terminology incorrectly or left something out that is required for your input, please let me know and I'll add it. Your patience and assistance are very much appreciated.

Regards


Wup



The more I thought about it, this post belonged here as opposed to the Tech Support forums. Sorry for the cross-post, I'll delete my other thread (or as much as I'm able - I received a reply).

 

[fbrdphreak]

3DMark05 sounds about right. isn't the X800GT a 12 pipe card? That might be a little low, but not bad.

Are these performance problems in BF2?

 

[Wupjak]

the card is an 8 pipe card. I'm actually suspicious of the video card (it was a poor choice for a gaming rig, but it was one of those budget choices).

performance problems are all in bf2, yes. the thing that causes me the most concern is that the frames don't jump up when I step down one - or even two - resolutions.

 

[Boris teh Spider]

If you really want more performance, get rid of that X800GT and get a 7800GT. You should have spent more on the video card anyway, and less on the processor if necessary. Anyway my 3800+ X2 @ 2.4GHz, 2GB GSkill Value @ 166Mhz (divider) and EVGA 7800GT CO @ 505/1.15GHz gets me 8126 in 3DMark05 and around 5885 in PCMark05. I am really pleased with the results, and by getting a 7800GT, I am sure you will be much happier. It's a good fit for your system.

 

[Boris teh Spider]

By the way, I am assuming you are using that PSU that came with that case... that is probably a VERY bad idea. Get a XClio 450W or FSP 450W. I have the FSP and it's great, and the XClio is probably even a bit better.

 

[Wupjak]

Thanks for the input Boris. Yes, I know, I kick myself at least once a day for the video card.

As far as the power supply, could you elaborate a bit on the necessity to change out the power supply? Not that I doubt your advice. Better/more consistent voltage to the components, I'm guessing?

 

[fbrdphreak]

A PSU will further your OCing abilities; if things are stable right now & you don't want to try to OC more, then there's no harm in keeping it for now.

Yeah, if its an 8-pipe GPU then that is your culprit right there. Normal 3DM05 score

 

[thisbarb]

If this was to be a gaming rig, you should never skimp on the vid card. That and the CPU are probably the 2 most components for a gaming rig (the vid card being slightly more important)

 

[Wupjak]

thanks for the confirmation. video card is being researched and ordered asap.

 

[biostud]

read this: http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/games-2005.html

 

[Wupjak]

again, thank you.

 

[Markfw]

And you will be very upset if that crap PSU blows chunks, and takes your system with it. The most important piece of your system is the PSU. Get a good quality 450-500 watt PSU, Antec, Seasonic, PC Power and cooling are three good companies.

 

[VooDooAddict]

LAN Party much?

If yes and you are replacing your Powersupply. I'd recomend an Active PFC (a spec not a brand ). Some LANs I've been to have had shaky power. Active PFC can handle a wider range of voltage INPUT and keep the system running fine.

To find a list of Active PFCs ... PFC is a search criteria on Newegg's site.

Here's a link to a list of Active PFCs filtered to a reasonable price range.

Link [newegg]

 

[potato28]

Use CCleaner, or go to the Consolidated Security Thread to help out your system...

 

[Wupjak]

XFX 7800 GT 256 and a RealPower 450W PFC power supply on the way from the egg. Thanks to the contributors who helped me out.

I'll also run those anti-malware proggies.

 

[Markfw]

Realpower 450 ?? YOu are asking for trouble, don;t say we didn;t warn you.

 

[VooDooAddict]

Originally posted by: Markfw900
Realpower 450 ?? YOu are asking for trouble, don;t say we didn;t warn you.

What's wrong with the Coolermaster 450 Realpower?

Running great with a DFI LANParty NF3 250gb (754 pin) 3 raptors and a slighlty overclocked 3200+ and a few too many fans.

You didn't warn me....

 

[Wupjak]

I did snoop around a bit before pulling the trigger on the PSU. Granted, it wasn't one of the brands you listed, Mark, but it met the PFC spec and was on the list that Voodoo provided.

http://www.extremeoverclocking.com/reviews/cases/Cooler_Master_550W_8.html

Appreciate the word of caution though.

 

[Wupjak]

Ok, well after a brief adventure with a smoked hard drive/mobo, I'm back in business. Long story short (no pun intended), the HDD was shorting, grounding to the case and the mobo shut down the power about a 10th of a second after I powered up. I replaced the drive, all better now. While I was at it I replaced the mobo to a BFG nf4 Ultra.

The 7800 GT cured the performance issues I had. BF2 is now resplendent at 1280x1024 with all settings on high and 2x AA. Good call and thanks for the wake-up slap. I'm trying to get back to a stable base before I begin tinkering again.


Final concern I have is with the power quality. Could I please get you fine folks to look at the below numbers and verify that I'm ok? The numbers are derived from SpeedFan and are produced by the CoolerMaster RealPower 450w PSU I mentioned ordering above. How do these voltages (from speedfan) look?

Thanks very much for reading:

vcore1: 1.31v (nTune says 1.35)
vcore2: 2.51v (nTune says 2.60)

+3.3v = 3.2v
+5v = 4.89v
+12v = 11.78v

-12v = -11.79v
-5v = -4.10v

+5v = 1.94v
vbat = 2.62v