*update* new rig, alarmingly bad 3dmark06 score

[jeffjones66]

Ok, normally I don't make a big deal out of 3dmark scores, but this is pretty alarming.

My previous score was: 7850, achieved on:

AMD x2 4400 @2.2ghz
2gb PC3200 (ddr1, at 400mhz)
Nforce 570 chipset
Nvidia 8800GT

my score today (done twice): 4275, achieved on:

intel e6750 @2.66ghz
2gb PC6400 (DDR2 at 800mhz)
intel P35 chipset
same 8800GT

Same OS both times (XP SP2), and both scores were done with the free version of 3dmark06, which doesn't allow you to change any settings. Both times I checked the nvidia panel to make sure all the settings were conducive to good scores. The same Nvidia drivers were used both times (169.02)

My bios and Everest both say that my CPU and ram are functioning at their normal speed.

I am kind of concerned here. Others with my same hardware are getting 11,000+

What could possibly be causing my score to be 1/3 of what it should be?

 

[raddreamer3kx]

check Gpu-z,make sure your running at pci-e x16. Im seeing more and more people getting these low scores with 8800gt's, Im getting around 8200 with my core 2 duo e 6300@1.8(stock),Im not sure if thats the norm but you definitely should be getting higher scores then me.

 

[jeffjones66]

thanks radd, i will check that. Also, i just ran CPU-Z, and it says i'm running the CPU at 6x333=2000, doh! should be 8x333=2.66

 

[Syntax Error]

Originally posted by: raddreamer3kx
check Gpu-z,make sure your running at pci-e x16. Im seeing more and more people getting these low scores with 8800gt's, Im getting around 8200 with my core 2 duo e 6300@1.8(stock),Im not sure if thats the norm but you definitely should be getting higher scores then me.

That's around nominal, 3DMark06 inflates scores according to CPU power, your 8800GT is fine.

If you got something like a Q6600, that'd boost you easily over 10,000 3DMarks, but in actuality, your gaming experience would be about similar to the guy with the Q6600, as games don't fully utilize all the cores in your system.

 

[jeffjones66]

Checked the BIOS, both it and the post screen say the CPU is already at 8x333=2.66.

 

[swtethan]

install the motherboard drivers correctly?
did you check the pci-e lane for x16 speeds?

 

[jeffjones66]

swtethan, how do i check the PCI-E lane?

ok this is starting to get really weird! The BIOS reports 8x333, and when I post it says the same thing. But now Everest and CPU-Z both are saying 6x333=2000mhz for the CPU

I installed the mobo drivers that came with the board, how can I check for newer drivers? it's the Gigabyte P35 D3SL board.

 

[swtethan]

6x333 is the speedstep kicking in. newer drivers are at their website and cpu-z should be able to check you pci-e lane

 

[jeffjones66]

ok, in CPU-Z, on the mainboard tab, it says 'Graphic Interface', Link Width x1, Max Supported x16. Is that the problem? if so, how do I fix it?

 

[swtethan]

reinstall gigabytes motherboard drivers.

 

[math20]

Originally posted by: jeffjones66
ok, in CPU-Z, on the mainboard tab, it says 'Graphic Interface', Link Width x1, Max Supported x16. Is that the problem? if so, how do I fix it?

I had this problem before, it means that you have to raise the voltage. Try altering the settings for FSB, G(MCH), PCI-E and even the RAM voltage. The required settings are different for everyone, for me it was +0.2 G(MCH), +0.1 FSB, +0.1 PCI-E and +0.3 RAM.

 

[jeffjones66]

math20, thanks for the tip. I tried your settings (as I have no idea where to start). Everything booted up fine, but cpu-z still says x1 for the Link Width. Should hitting the right voltages make it report x16 Link Width?

swtethan, i reinstalled the intel chipset drivers (downloaded latest from Gigabyte) and that didn't help either. man, this is frustrating.

Could this whole problem be the result of an insufficient PSU? I'm running this setup on a 420w Thermaltake TruPower.

 

[Matt2]

Originally posted by: jeffjones66
ok, in CPU-Z, on the mainboard tab, it says 'Graphic Interface', Link Width x1, Max Supported x16. Is that the problem? if so, how do I fix it?

You are running in PCI-E x1 mode and are no doubt starving your card of bandwidth.

I am unfamilar on how to change the link width on Intel chipsets. I know on my mobo it is in the BIOS settings.

 

[jeffjones66]

This is insane ... is there no known fix for this?

I've tried:

reinstalling vid drivers

reinstalling chipset

flashing bios to latest

adjusting NB voltages, as well as others, in many combinations

moved PCI-E clock to 101

on and on, and no matter WHAT i do, Link Width = x1 and it's crippling my card badly.

Above I asked, is it possible that my PSU is underpowered (420w thermaltake) and that's what's causing the pci-e to lock at x1? This is driving me nuts!

 

[bryanW1995]

yeah, x1 speed would probably limit your perf a little bit...

 

[SolMiester]

Is there a setting in BIOS for PCIe width, try holding ALT and press F1 when in BIOS for advanced settings

 

[jeffjones66]

SolMiester, I can't find anything in the BIOS to control the width. ALT+F1 doesn't do anything, unfortunately. I also tried Ctrl+F1 to no avail.

I have googled high & low, and everything that worked for others has failed for me. Not sure what to do now except try a different motherboard

 

[taltamir]

EDIT: Doh, I was discussing drivers for his OLD rig, not the new one.


However, I don't think the drivers are to blame. This shouldn't happen regardless of drivers.

I recommend you get a warranty replacement on your mobo. OR go with an entirely different one altogether.

 

[math20]

What is your RAM multiplier? Set it to 1:1, that might fix it.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Have you tried running the CPU @ 266FSB and testing it? (you never know!)

 

[WoodButcher]

I know this is too simple but I must ask. Have you re- seated the vid card?

 

[taltamir]

One question... You did reinstall windows when you switched the mobos, right?

 

[bryanW1995]

One time I switched mobos and didn't have to do anything. Of course, they were both msi mobos so it was an easy switch...

 

[LOUISSSSS]

theres a setting in your bios that lowers ur multiplier to 6x to save energy. its an intel efficiency setting.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

and btw i'm hoping you did a complete reformat when u upgraded ur pc...