Thinking I'm CPU bound w/9800Gx2

[mhouck]

So I finally have my step up complete to the GX2 and ran a few tests on my system. My set up is in my signature. I ran 3dmark06 a few times to see how the card is doing
SSC=675/1674/2100
Stock Everything/ Stock CPU- SSC GPU/ 2.90 CPU- Stock GPU/ 2.90 CPU- SSC GPU
9116/9368/1893/12168

From these results, I think that I'm limited either by my CPU, MB or both. It's hard to compare what I'm getting to the reviews I'm finding because anandtech is using skulltrail and 2xQx9775 in the GX2 review. I don't have the money to do anything close to that set up. But I was thinking of a x-38 and maybe one of the new quad 45nm quads based on what I found at TomHardware GX2 Test Setup.

In terms of gaming performance, to take full advantage of my card would you suggest a upgrading CPU, MB, both, neither?

 

[mancunian]

Originally posted by: mhouck
But I was thinking of a x-38 and maybe one of the new quad 45nm quads based on what I found at TomHardware GX2 Test Setup.

In terms of gaming performance, to take full advantage of my card would you suggest a upgrading CPU, MB, both, neither?

I'd suggest overclocking that E6400 if it's at stock speeds.

And if it was at stock merely for testing, at what speed do you normally run your CPU?

 

[mhouck]

I've done both stock and clocked to 2.67 and 2.90. I'm stable at Cpu 2.66, Ram- 870, GPU Stock w a 3dmark of 11188. However, at 2.90 cpu and ssc gpu I'm at 12168 but It can't last 3 minutes on prime95.

 

[Lithan]

Originally posted by: mhouck
So I finally have my step up complete to the GX2 and ran a few tests on my system. My set up is in my signature. I ran 3dmark06 a few times to see how the card is doing
SSC=675/1674/2100
Stock Everything/ Stock CPU- SSC GPU/ 2.90 CPU- Stock GPU/ 2.90 CPU- SSC GPU
9116/9368/1893/12168

From these results, I think that I'm limited either by my CPU, MB or both. It's hard to compare what I'm getting to the reviews I'm finding because anandtech is using skulltrail and 2xQx9775 in the GX2 review. I don't have the money to do anything close to that set up. But I was thinking of a x-38 and maybe one of the new quad 45nm quads based on what I found at TomHardware GX2 Test Setup.

In terms of gaming performance, to take full advantage of my card would you suggest a upgrading CPU, MB, both, neither?

Ya know 3dmark 06 has two cpu tests that dont reflect game performance in the slightest right? I swear they put em in there to try and force people to go pro just so they can actually test their gfx card. Ever since 03 came out I swear they're trying to become irrelevant as a benchmark.

 

[mhouck]

Originally posted by: Lithan

Originally posted by: mhouck
So I finally have my step up complete to the GX2 and ran a few tests on my system. My set up is in my signature. I ran 3dmark06 a few times to see how the card is doing
SSC=675/1674/2100
Stock Everything/ Stock CPU- SSC GPU/ 2.90 CPU- Stock GPU/ 2.90 CPU- SSC GPU
9116/9368/1893/12168

From these results, I think that I'm limited either by my CPU, MB or both. It's hard to compare what I'm getting to the reviews I'm finding because anandtech is using skulltrail and 2xQx9775 in the GX2 review. I don't have the money to do anything close to that set up. But I was thinking of a x-38 and maybe one of the new quad 45nm quads based on what I found at TomHardware GX2 Test Setup.

In terms of gaming performance, to take full advantage of my card would you suggest a upgrading CPU, MB, both, neither?

Ya know 3dmark 06 has two cpu tests that dont reflect game performance in the slightest right? I swear they put em in there to try and force people to go pro just so they can actually test their gfx card. Ever since 03 came out I swear they're trying to become irrelevant as a benchmark.

I was unaware that those tests were irrelevant but even so the four gpu tests showed significant fps improvement from the stock 2.13 speed up to 2.67 and 2.92. But my issue is not 3dmark specific. It's just a benchmark to let me know where my bottleneck is. Based on fps in the Crysis, I'm running around 24 fps on very high objects and shadows w/everything else at high.Crysis benchesIn the Toms review, they are averaging 32.1 in the same resolution, 1920x1200. They are running a qx6850 and an x-38. My question is their setup really accounting for roughly 33% greater performance? If it is, would upgrading my CPU alone be the best bet or should I also look at a new board as well?

P.S. Also, only quoting Tom's as opposed to Anandtech because their test system is closer to my price point. No skulltrail and 2xQX9775 for me :frown:

 

[MarcVenice]

You shouldn't run very high shadows, I think that's one of the most demanding settings with the least improvement in image qaulity. So turn down very high shadows, and enjoy.

You should try to run your memory at a different divider, so you can run your CPU at 3.0ghz. That should be sufficient to not bottleneck your 9800gx2.

 

[Lithan]

You should check with your system overclocked and not overclocked in crysis. There's a lot of system variables other than cpu clock remember. I THINK Crysis works with quads... can someone confirm? So if it's really high in physics it could make a sizable difference. In my testing, cpu clock did almost nothing to crysis performance, but Im on a much slower gfx than you.

Edit: Yeah and why not 1:1 on the mem. My 6400 could do 3.6ghz if my northy didnt overheat. set mem 1:1 and open that cpu up a little.

edit 2: yeah, and use their settings if you wanna compair. They're running the opposite of you. VH on most but High on shadows.

 

[mhouck]

Originally posted by: MarcVenice
You shouldn't run very high shadows, I think that's one of the most demanding settings with the least improvement in image qaulity. So turn down very high shadows, and enjoy.

You should try to run your memory at a different divider, so you can run your CPU at 3.0ghz. That should be sufficient to not bottleneck your 9800gx2.

What frequencies would you suggest to get there?
The e6400 is a 8.0x 266 at a fsb 1066 and my memory is at ddr2 800. at the 8x multipler i need to be at 375. should I set the memory back to 750? would it be easier to run to 3.2 at 400 and then my memory could be at 800 too?

Btw, I've a novice overclocker and have never really had to adjust all of those settings.

 

[Lithan]

Yeah, set mem back to 1:1 with you cpu bus. (750mhz @ 3ghz) and start climbing up till you max out your cpu and or memory again.

 

[AzN]

Originally posted by: Lithan

Originally posted by: mhouck
So I finally have my step up complete to the GX2 and ran a few tests on my system. My set up is in my signature. I ran 3dmark06 a few times to see how the card is doing
SSC=675/1674/2100
Stock Everything/ Stock CPU- SSC GPU/ 2.90 CPU- Stock GPU/ 2.90 CPU- SSC GPU
9116/9368/1893/12168

From these results, I think that I'm limited either by my CPU, MB or both. It's hard to compare what I'm getting to the reviews I'm finding because anandtech is using skulltrail and 2xQx9775 in the GX2 review. I don't have the money to do anything close to that set up. But I was thinking of a x-38 and maybe one of the new quad 45nm quads based on what I found at TomHardware GX2 Test Setup.

In terms of gaming performance, to take full advantage of my card would you suggest a upgrading CPU, MB, both, neither?

Ya know 3dmark 06 has two cpu tests that dont reflect game performance in the slightest right? I swear they put em in there to try and force people to go pro just so they can actually test their gfx card. Ever since 03 came out I swear they're trying to become irrelevant as a benchmark.

We are talking about GX2 here though with massive bandwidth and fillrate. If you don't feed the card with a powerful CPU it will be limited to certain fps.

 

[AzN]

You can easily clock that E6400 to 3.2ghz. Ease up on the timings on the ram and you should be able to hit it. Bump up the voltage if you have to but make sure it doesn't hit 70C on load.

I can get my E6300 @ 3.5ghz @ 1.55 volts but I use it 24/7 @ default voltage @ 3.05ghz.

 

[AzN]

Originally posted by: mhouck

Originally posted by: MarcVenice
You shouldn't run very high shadows, I think that's one of the most demanding settings with the least improvement in image qaulity. So turn down very high shadows, and enjoy.

You should try to run your memory at a different divider, so you can run your CPU at 3.0ghz. That should be sufficient to not bottleneck your 9800gx2.

What frequencies would you suggest to get there?
The e6400 is a 8.0x 266 at a fsb 1066 and my memory is at ddr2 800. at the 8x multipler i need to be at 375. should I set the memory back to 750? would it be easier to run to 3.2 at 400 and then my memory could be at 800 too?

Btw, I've a novice overclocker and have never really had to adjust all of those settings.

You won't see much difference upping the memory divider. You might even lose performance honestly.

Run it @ 1/1 divider lower timing if you can. Your mobo might not like the high fsb either. Not to mention MSI older 650i chipset which might be fidgety with high fsb. :thumbsdown:



You might want to see this.

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3271&p=4

 

[mhouck]

Thanks Azn and Lithan for the help with clocking. It's stable at 3.0ghz and mem at 750. That's fine for today. I'll keep working on voltages to get 3.2ghz cpu and 800 mem and see if that brings me back up too. The cpu can definitely handle it. Prime95's recording temps peaking at 39 on core 0 and 41 on core 1.


As far as crysis improvement, I've just played through the first two levels again and while I don't have a measured average, I did see higher fps. I hit over 40 in spots and in combat sequences I don't remember seeing it drop below 22. I think the clocking may have added 3-4 fps on average but I'll have to go back and record the results.

 

[MarcVenice]

Just lower the frigging shadows to high instead of very high!!! Post processing can be a pain as well... Read this: http://www.tweakguides.com/Crysis_1.html

Crysis sucks, the gameplay isn't all that good, and although it looks stunning it also kills your hardware so to speak. You have to tweak the settings to get the most out of your hardware.