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Poor PC Performance

BullBuchanan

Junior Member
Well I've been posting my issue at pretty much every tech forum out there but to no avail. I currently have problems in the following areas. Poor Performance issues in Gaming (Need For Speed Underground, Call of Duty, Battlefield:Vietnam etc.) Slow loadup of programs and a choppy non-fluid feel (windows XP login screen(animation is choppy), Photoshop 7 ( things load piece by piece etc), etc) What I need to know is, am I just plain expecting too much out of a pc that didnt run me 3 grand? here are my specs from cpu-z.


CPU-Z Report

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CPU-Z version 1.21.


CPU(s)
Number of CPUs 1

Code Name Northwood
Specification Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.40GHz
Family / Model / Stepping F 2 4
Extended Family / Model 0 0
Brand ID 9
Package mPGA-478
Core Stepping B0
Technology 0.13 µ
Supported Instructions Sets MMX, SSE, SSE2
CPU Clock Speed 2392.0 MHz
Clock multiplier x 18.0
Front Side Bus Frequency 132.9 MHz
Bus Speed 531.6 MHz
L1 Data Cache 8 KBytes, 4-way set associative, 64 Bytes line size
L1 Trace Cache 12 Kµops, 8-way set associative
L2 Cache 512 KBytes, 8-way set associative, 64 Bytes line size
L2 Speed 2392.0 MHz (Full)
L2 Location On Chip
L2 Data Prefetch Logic yes
L2 Bus Width 256 bits



Mainboard and chipset
Motherboard manufacturer Dell Computer Corp.
BIOS vendor Dell Computer Corporation
BIOS revision A08
BIOS release date 09/23/2003
Chipset Intel i845G rev. A1
Southbridge Intel 82801DB (ICH4) rev. A1




Memory
DRAM Type DDR-SDRAM
DRAM Size 1024 MBytes
DRAM Frequency 166.1 MHz
FSB😀RAM 4:5
CAS# Latency 2.5 clocks
RAS# to CAS# 3 clocks
RAS# Precharge 3 clocks
Cycle Time (TRAS) 7 clocks
DRAM Idle Timer 16 clocks
# of memory modules 2
Module 0 Infineon DDR-SDRAM PC2700 - 512 MBytes
Module 1 SpecTek Incorporated DDR-SDRAM PC2700 - 512 MBytes



Software
Windows version Microsoft Windows XP Workstation Service Pack 1 (Build 2600)

Ive had these problems for a while now, and am not sure if they've been there since I got the machine (december 2002) but I had different issues then

Do I need a 400 dollar Video card to play the games I want to play? or two 3.6 ghz processors to run the programs I want to run without problems? Im sorry if I seem a little edgy, i've just kinda had it with this machine.

Usually a reformat of my HDD fixes some of my issue for a while, but once again it brings up other ones, and its only a temporary fix to some things.

Please keep in mind that my Hardware knowledge is very very limited. I'm a code and site design junkie. I've never edited bios or overclocked anything(dont know how) and ive never really messed with anything in the backend of it all. Any changes were made through Windows XP Home. I also dropped another 512mb RAM into this thing last week, and I notice absolutely no difference at all.

I know its a laundry list of issues, but I figure someone out ther has the answer.

Thank You in Advance
Bull Buchanan
 
Originally posted by: nick1985
well your first problem is you bought a dell.


and what is your video card?

LOL, yes I realized that. I have a Nvidia GeForce 4 Ti 4200 128mb. I will probably upgrade to the ATI Radeon 9600-XT 256 mb within a few weeks.

By the way, Ive tried all the standard fixes (spyware,fragmented HDD, and even configured windows via blackviper.com settings)

 
> I will probably upgrade to the ATI Radeon 9600-XT 256 mb within a few weeks.

9800 pro is a much stronger gaming card, and they are now selling for just over $200 (see Hot Deals). You'll get a more noticeable speed jump and greater lifespan from the 9800.
 
dont bother going for 256mb cards, since its absolutely pointless. by the time games will beging running 256mb, your card will barely support those games. if you have 1 good reason to get a 256mb card, then go get it. otherwise, i cant think of one
 
1st problem: You bought a Dell you can't upgrade.
2nd problem: You are running at 333MHz DDR on a P4. P4s are especially memory-hungry, and don't like being denied. The more bandwidth, the better.
3rd problem: You're running games that are especially powerful. BF1942 was a system resource hog, so I'm sure BF:V is even worse.

Summary: You need faster RAM, a faster CPU, and most importantly, you need to turn down your detail settings. I have an Athlon XP O/C'd to 2.4GHz, 1GB of 400MHz DDR RAM, and a Ti4200 O/C'd to 4600 and beyond levels, and I still don't expect to be able to turn on all of the graphics details of current games. You certainly shouldn't. Make sure your graphics settings aren't too high.

I like Dell for my parents, but not for me. Gamers need flexibility. Dell doesn't want you upgrading, they want you buying a NEW Dell.

Sorry, but I believe you'll have to buy new hardware to speed up your system.

Oh, and I'd make sure you've flashed the latest BIOS. That could help as well.
 
Originally posted by: Ilmater
1st problem: You bought a Dell you can't upgrade.
2nd problem: You are running at 333MHz DDR on a P4.
Oh, and I'd make sure you've flashed the latest BIOS.
Im a hardware n00b so in response to your first thing about RAM - What kind should I get? I thought as long as I got PC-2700 they were for the most part the same, except some brands are better than others(KIngston, corsair) I cheeped out and got spec-tek for 80 bucks(kingston was around 130)

I flashed the latest bios as well.

I guess PC gaming has kind of gotten away from me then, it seems they make games that cant even run maxed out on the best hardware available retail. I already dumped about 1500 into this thing and not really looking to dump anopther 2-3 grand for an alienware style computer. Thanks For the help anyway, I sincerely appreciate it

Thanks - Bull Buchanan
 
I have same problems with my dell. Mine is only a little slower (p4 1.7 ghz/gf3 ti500) and I wouldnt dream of even trying to play those games=p. i've heard that reformatting will help.... but i cant figure out how to reformat win2k😛 someone post a guide to reformatting 2k/xp and help us both please =)
 
Originally posted by: Holyhandgren
I have same problems with my dell. Mine is only a little slower (p4 1.7 ghz/gf3 ti500) and I wouldnt dream of even trying to play those games=p. i've heard that reformatting will help.... but i cant figure out how to reformat win2k😛 someone post a guide to reformatting 2k/xp and help us both please =)
...dude, you back things up, put the CD in, delete the current partition during the install, format it, and go. If you've got stuff backed up, you've got nothing to lose 🙂
 
Originally posted by: BullBuchanan
Just out of curiosity, what would I need(hardware wise) in order to achieve what I'm looking for?
1. Use ad-aware
2. Use Spybot S&D
3. Get rid of background apps, aside from anti-virus and personal firewall.
4. If none of that works, what's your HD? If it is a 5400 RPM drive (why they still use those things, I'll never know)
5. Get chipset drivers from Intel and burn them to a CD. Re-install XP, assuming you've got one of the good ones where it's a real copy of XP, but only installs on Dells (as opposed to a restore disc), install the drivers, DirectX, and all other updates.
6. If it's slow after that...dunno.

For games, you'll need power. However, if it's choppy just getting to the desktop, then it's dogged down by something. W/o gaming and such, a PIII 500 is plenty fast enough for XP.
 
One of my friend kinda gamer brought a new dell and after 6 months, he realized whats it like to be having a Dell.
After 12 months he took a hammer and ripped off the entire case and took out some useful stuff and sold the mobo and other junk on ebay.
 
Originally posted by: 17thewizard
One of my friend kinda gamer brought a new dell and after 6 months, he realized whats it like to be having a Dell.
After 12 months he took a hammer and ripped off the entire case and took out some useful stuff and sold the mobo and other junk on ebay.
Yup. 1st-Tier OEM cost-cutting measures help white-box dealers and us DIY guys out 🙂.
 
Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
> I will probably upgrade to the ATI Radeon 9600-XT 256 mb within a few weeks.

9800 pro is a much stronger gaming card, and they are now selling for just over $200 (see Hot Deals). You'll get a more noticeable speed jump and greater lifespan from the 9800.

*nod* and if you do go for the 9600, don't get the 256mb version.
 
Can my motherboard even support the 9800 pro? and is it worth the extra 200 bucks to go with the 9800 Pro instead of the 9600-XT?
 
Originally posted by: BullBuchanan
Can my motherboard even support the 9800 pro? and is it worth the extra 200 bucks to go with the 9800 Pro instead of the 9600-XT?
Are you outside the US? The price of the 9800 Pro in the US is around $200 total, not (9600 + $200).

The 9800 pro should work fine in your system if it has an AGP slot.
 
I'd say your system should not load most programs in a choppy manner. But, the latest games you listed will need to be ran a lower graphics levels. A GF4ti4200 is a decent video card for running games at 1024x768 with no AA/AF and moderate detail. If you have set for higher, you will see choppy performance. You may want to lower your graphic settings until you have better performance. Also, turn off AA/AF with your current video card. A Radeon 9800 would be a good investment if you must have high resolutions with AA/AF. Recommend you tune your current system and then decide to upgrade video card or other.
 
Originally posted by: Ilmater
1st problem: You bought a Dell you can't upgrade.
2nd problem: You are running at 333MHz DDR on a P4. P4s are especially memory-hungry, and don't like being denied. The more bandwidth, the better.
3rd problem: You're running games that are especially powerful. BF1942 was a system resource hog, so I'm sure BF:V is even worse.

Summary: You need faster RAM, a faster CPU, and most importantly, you need to turn down your detail settings. I have an Athlon XP O/C'd to 2.4GHz, 1GB of 400MHz DDR RAM, and a Ti4200 O/C'd to 4600 and beyond levels, and I still don't expect to be able to turn on all of the graphics details of current games. You certainly shouldn't. Make sure your graphics settings aren't too high.

I like Dell for my parents, but not for me. Gamers need flexibility. Dell doesn't want you upgrading, they want you buying a NEW Dell.

Sorry, but I believe you'll have to buy new hardware to speed up your system.

Oh, and I'd make sure you've flashed the latest BIOS. That could help as well.

wtf? spewing lies to the man.

1. yes it's a dell
2. it's upgradeable, in terms of GFX, which he can unless there's a PCI TI4200 .. prolly not. So AGP is there, he pop in whatever AGP card he wants.
3. his ram isn't too slow. he can't oc and his memory is quad pumped 133, which would equal PC2100. His PC2700 is more than enough.

4. :beer: cause we both agree his gfx card wont be able to handle the games he wants at accepted rates / visuals with that 4200.
 
i have a Dell:
2.0ghz p4 400mhz fsb
ATI 9600XT O/C
512 pc2700 ram
intel mobo
80gig (no idea what kind) HD
sb live! value

i can run every game out with max settings with ease. I tryed BF1942, didn't like game play, but ran fine on my comp. Americas Army which is very demanding on the system runs at full details with 40-60 fps depending if i am outside or inside. CoD i get around 50 fps. I have played the far cry demo and was totaly playable as well.

Even when i had my old ti200 card in i could play all the games, just at lower detail settings. That has been my experiance with my Dell, nothing but complements for it. I definataly wouldn't buy dell again, but it hasn't failed me for almost 2 years. it is still on top of every game that has come out.

Something has to be messed up with your comp. I have 2 friends who have the same dell set up as you except with mx440's insted of ti500's. and they can run any game except with lower details. call dell, see what they have to say. except it is hard to understand sometimes what they say since tech support is based in india.
 
It almost sounds like your hard drive is in PIO mode.

Do you have IAA installed - Intel's Application Accelerator?
 
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