HELP! Just upgraded computer, Portal runs like crap ****SOLVED*****

[rsplatpc]

Hey, just upgraded my main hardware other than video card with fresh Windows XP 32 pro install. Also upgraded from a 19" monitor to a 22"

I am running a Q6600 at 2.6, Asus P5N-D motherboard, and a GeForce 7800gt 256mgs (not in the upgrade, allready had)

Running portal at native 1680 I am hitting 30 max to 9 FPS and it's very choppy

I did a clean windows install

I am hitting like a 7900 score in PCmark05

Is the 7800gt just not good enough to run Portal at high rez? Anything else anyone can think of?

EDIT With Solution

My new motherboard, the Asus, came with Nvidia Network Access Manager (firewall) this blocks Portal from sending data back to steam and basically makes it run like it's getting 1fps from the get go. Uninstalled the Access Manager through control panel now it flys. Also decided to get the 8800GTS anyway, now it REALLY flies. Yea!

 

[Quiksilver]

I would have to say, yes the 7800GT is not good enough for a 16X10 resolution. Also what AA and AF levels we talking here?

 

[rsplatpc]

Running 4x AA 8x AF, turned them off and still kinda choppy.

Running 3dMark06 I'm hitting like 11-20 FPS on the first 2 tests, the Alien and firefly



I got the monitor a day before my hardware, ran it on my old Athlon 4000+ with older Asus, seems like it ran better. Am I missing something or is my video card really not up to the new high rez monitor? Everything else is MUCH quicker (not due to the install, last one was like 3 months ago) except the 3D performance

 

[rsplatpc]

just ran 3dMark06 basic, this is what I get, anyone have any idea if my system should be performing so bad?

3764 3DMarks

 

[Hauk]

Hope you have at least 2GB of memory, though not the issue. The 7800 GT at that res is holding you back. Portal and other Source engine games run spendid on midrange hardware. If you're having trouble with Portal, you'll scream trying run most everything of the DX10 era. It's time to upgrade the card.

If you have memory to match, that Q6600 will do 3.0 easily. Depending on your vid card upgrade, do consider getting more out of your cpu.

 

[nOOky]

It should run fine. I'm assuming if you went from a 19" (1280 x 1024) to a 22" (1680 x 1050) that performance should be comparable, especially if the system is a bit faster. Are you overclocking the card? You should be if you aren't. Portal doesn't require an awful lot of horsepower to run, but a video upgrade may be in order. It certainly should be completely playable at you new resolution, my gf runs an 8600GT that runs Portal just fine on a 20" at the same res as you run.

 

[Hauk]

Portal includes the latest enhancements to the Source engine, which include some heafty texture adjustment options. I think "runs fine" is a very subjective statement. There's a lot more than AA and AF that are going to affect performance with this game. Set everything to high and Portal will chew up your current card at 1680x1050.

Still, if you're looking for something other than gfx to be the problem, there's are still possibilities. A fresh install is nice, but how much do you have running in the background? Have you optimized startup programs/services? Have you visited porn sites since your OS install and gotten a virus? Things like that..

 

[rsplatpc]

Yep fresh install with no background stuff, I mean TOTALLY fresh as in last night.

I could run portal good at 1162 with my old hardware, I figured I should be at least able to run it fine at 1280 with the new, if not 1680.

Here are my Cpu-Z screens, anyone see anything I'm doing wrong?
Also my MOBO is a 750i but CPUZ is saying its a 650i, is that a problem or just how it reads my board?

thanks all for the help, I'm very close to buying a 8800gt at this point but want to make sure I'm not doing something dumb that throwing money at it wont fix and just cost me more.

Here are my CPU-Z screenshots on Flickr

 

[nOOky]

I guess now that I re-read your post and I'm merely hung over and not drunk like I was when I replied last night, maybe you should consider an upgrade in the gpu department. The 8800GT will be perfect for that game and anything else you throw at it, with the exception of that one game everybody loves to talk about, but no one really plays
You're coming from pushing 1.31 million pixels to 1.76 million pixels, about 25% more which will require a commensurate amount of horsepower to run the game the same all things being equal.

 

[rsplatpc]

Originally posted by: nOOky
I guess now that I re-read your post and I'm merely hung over and not drunk like I was when I replied last night, maybe you should consider an upgrade in the gpu department. The 8800GT will be perfect for that game and anything else you throw at it, with the exception of that one game everybody loves to talk about, but no one really plays
You're coming from pushing 1.31 million pixels to 1.76 million pixels, about 25% more which will require a commensurate amount of horsepower to run the game the same all things being equal.

K, I'm thinking of picking this card up, even better than a 8800gt yes? Think this will be adequate horsepower for my rig?

http://www.microcenter.com/sin...tml?product_id=0279072

 

[nOOky]

I'm not too sure about the difference between an 8800GT and an 8800GTS at your resolution, but I suspect that card would be more than adequate. If I were looking for a new card today it would be between an 8800GT512mb, a 9600GT, and the 3870 depending on price. I bet you could find something with aftermarket cooling already attached for under $200 to satisfy your needs.

8800GT Yikes!

9600GT w/hdmi!

 

[rsplatpc]

Originally posted by: nOOky
I guess now that I re-read your post and I'm merely hung over and not drunk like I was when I replied last night, maybe you should consider an upgrade in the gpu department. The 8800GT will be perfect for that game and anything else you throw at it, with the exception of that one game everybody loves to talk about, but no one really plays
You're coming from pushing 1.31 million pixels to 1.76 million pixels, about 25% more which will require a commensurate amount of horsepower to run the game the same all things being equal.

Found out my problem, will include it in my first post, here it is though

My new motherboard, the Asus, came with Nvidia Network Access Manager (firewall) this blocks Portal from sending data back to steam and basically makes it run like it's getting 1fps from the get go. Uninstalled the Access Manager through control panel now it flys. Also decided to get the 8800GTS anyway, now it REALLY flies. Yea!

 

[Hauk]

Hmm, interesting. That's weird. Oh well, you'll like the GTS. :thumbsup:

 

[nerp]

This is why I run screaming from manufacturer supplied drivers and utilities.