Help figuring out crappy 9800 PRO performance

[User5]

Okay.. To start off, specs are:
AMD 64 3200+
Asus K8V SE Deluxe
160GB Seagate SATA
Antec 550W Power Supply
9800 Pro (around 5950 3DMarks03)

Okay, I upgraded from a 9600 pro to a 9800 pro and I have been very dissapointed. The 9800 pro performs at almost the same exact level as the 9600 pro did, but it gets even worse frame dips. When playing Enemy Territory and Call of Duty, I get a nice smooth 125FPS (locked it at) but I get so many occasional frame dips down to 35-40 which is just unnaceptable. Even at lower settings this happens. I put the 9600 pro back in, and I really dont get those frame dips I got with the 9800pro.

I think there may be an issue with the power connector? I went into a game and played around a little, and tested it, and got the <40 frame dip. I unplugged the power connector, and I was getting the same exact performance with the <40 frame dip. So could it be that since it performs the same with and without the power connector plugged in, that could be an issue? Should it be performing better with the power connected or something? Any way I can test this, if this is the problem or not?

Thanks in advance!!

 

[apoppin]

try running benchs . . . . 3dMark01/03/05 . . . .

the 9800p should perform significantly better than the 9600p. 😉

And you just did a "remove and replace"? . . . . no "messing" with drivers, right?

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Driver Cleaner. Google it. 😛

- M4H

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Driver Cleaner. Google it. 😛

- M4H

ZERO need if you are going from a 96-9800p. 😛
:roll:


edit: OP. your 3DMark03 looks about "right" - ~5950 . . . .

WHAT was your 3D-03 for the 9600p?

 

[User5]

My 3DMark03 score for the 9600pro was something in the mid 3000's.

The card performs great.. It doesent perform any much better than my old 9600 pro did at all, and is getting even worse framedips that I NEVER got before.

Could it be something with the power connector? Being that it performs the same with, or without kinda seems fishy.

Running the Cat 4.9s forgot to mention.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: User5
My 3DMark03 score for the 9600pro was something in the mid 3000's.

The card performs great.. It doesent perform any much better than my old 9600 pro did at all, and is getting even worse framedips that I NEVER got before.

Could it be something with the power connector? Being that it performs the same with, or without kinda seems fishy.

Running the Cat 4.9s forgot to mention.

I am not sure that is a true "test" of its power consumption . . . but it is suspicious. 😉
(and try another connector from another lead . . . anyway)

So . . . . we have a faster card that is getting better scores BUT with extreme dips in FPS that never happened before . . . could be the PS connector.
:shocked:

I'm not at all sure here . . . . hope someone else can help you . . . . perhaps it's time to e-mail ATI tech support or perhaps visit the Forums at Rage3d if no one here can suggest something. 😉

 

[User5]

thanks for the replys 🙂

I have tried several PSU leads. All same results.

Just seems weird to me.. because why would they include that power connector on the card if it doesent actually DO anything? Currently, its not connected and there is no difference here or gaming.

 

[LocutusX]

Originally posted by: User5
Just seems weird to me.. because why would they include that power connector on the card if it doesent actually DO anything? Currently, its not connected and there is no difference here or gaming.

maybe its a faulty card?

i wouldn't reccommend you running your 98pro without the molex connected, though. in fact, this is the first time i've heard of someone doing that.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: LocutusX

Originally posted by: User5
Just seems weird to me.. because why would they include that power connector on the card if it doesent actually DO anything? Currently, its not connected and there is no difference here or gaming.

maybe its a faulty card?

i wouldn't reccommend you running your 98pro without the molex connected, though. in fact, this is the first time i've heard of someone doing that.

i got to think a bit more during dinner . . . .

really weird . . . . i think the card might have a HW-related problem . . . i'd suggest the forums at Rage3D.com (they have seen everything) and then ATI tech support

and i DO agree, you shouldn't run with out the connector 😉

good luck!

 

[CKTurbo128]

That's very strange, I thought 9800 Pros refuse to boot at all (shows that red error message stating that the power connector isn't connected) when the molex is not connected. Maybe a faulty card?

 

[Viper96720]

Originally posted by: CKTurbo128
That's very strange, I thought 9800 Pros refuse to boot at all (shows that red error message stating that the power connector isn't connected) when the molex is not connected. Maybe a faulty card?

Thar's what I thought also. Hope it's not being unplugged while running.

 

[Elcs]

Originally posted by: Viper96720

Originally posted by: CKTurbo128
That's very strange, I thought 9800 Pros refuse to boot at all (shows that red error message stating that the power connector isn't connected) when the molex is not connected. Maybe a faulty card?

Thar's what I thought also. Hope it's not being unplugged while running.

Mine refused to boot like that recently when I unplugged it to install another HDD.

 

[effee]

Maybe yours is a 128 bus width card?

 

[Somniferum]

Originally posted by: effee
Maybe yours is a 128 bus width card?

That's what I was thinking. You can use ATI Tool or Everest to make sure the memory interface is 256-bit. If it's 128-bit, the card is not worth keeping.

 

[Fern]

Originally posted by: CKTurbo128
That's very strange, I thought 9800 Pros refuse to boot at all (shows that red error message stating that the power connector isn't connected) when the molex is not connected. Maybe a faulty card?

That's what mine does. I left the molex connector off once and my pc wouldn't boot. Just got the error message you describe.

 

[five40]

When my power connector is plugged in my computer doesn't boot and it beeps like all hell just broke loose.

 

[User5]

Okay guys thanks for all the replys.

I uninstalled the 4.9 drivers, and installed the 4.8s. EVERYTHING is better now. I get NO random frame dips here and there, I havent gotten any at all. I just got back from some 64 player Enemy Territory and Call of Duty rooms to test it out, and it was WW2 literally, and I dont think I saw my FPS go below 50 or so and I was very happy 🙂

Unfortuanetly, This is a big improvment over before, but its still not a dramatic increase over my 9600 pro, but maybe I was just expecting too much from it.. But whatever the reason was with the drivers, the 4.8s are working better than the 4.9s for sure. I guess ill stick with the quote 'if it aint broke, dont fix it!" from now on.

 

[Fern]

but its still not a dramatic increase over my 9600 pro, but maybe I was just expecting too much from it.

Play Far Cry or Doom 3, I was thinking the same after I upgraded from the 9600 pro til I played these two bad boys.

Fern

 

[GreatBarracuda]

Originally posted by: effee
Maybe yours is a 128 bus width card?

Yes, verify this with ATITool

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: User5
Okay guys thanks for all the replys.

I uninstalled the 4.9 drivers, and installed the 4.8s. EVERYTHING is better now. I get NO random frame dips here and there, I havent gotten any at all. I just got back from some 64 player Enemy Territory and Call of Duty rooms to test it out, and it was WW2 literally, and I dont think I saw my FPS go below 50 or so and I was very happy 🙂

Unfortuanetly, This is a big improvment over before, but its still not a dramatic increase over my 9600 pro, but maybe I was just expecting too much from it.. But whatever the reason was with the drivers, the 4.8s are working better than the 4.9s for sure. I guess ill stick with the quote 'if it aint broke, dont fix it!" from now on.

Something wrong with the Cats!?! . . . . glad it's working now.

I doubt that you have the 128 bit card; your 3DMark score would be lower. 😉

No, it isn't DRAMATIC going from a 96- to a 9800p . . . . nothing like upgrading from an older DX8 card . . . . you'll just find your new card much faster and you might turn up the AA/AF a notch or increase your resolution . . . . anyway, you'll really begin to appreciate it with more demanding games. 😉
:thumbsup: