*Updated* - got 10148 with semi-overclock - 3dmark 2006 score for 8800GTS 320 - 4100???

[Phlargo]

So here's the deal.

It was the overclocking. Apparently, something gets real sensitive about CPU/Memory overclocking. I couldn't isolate the exact setting but I'll tell you all what I ended up with which still permitted the "faster" speed. I worked up bit by bit until it didn't want to overclock anymore while retaining the faster speed.

I moved the case to the floor to improve circulation some.

In the end CPU speed = 2940 (420x7) - cores idle at 34 degrees C @ 1.275V
Memory at 420 Mhz (840ddr) @ 4,4,4,10,2 @2.25V
GPU running at 600/900 (1800) idling at 57 degrees C

Either way, I have a modular power supply now which can be tranplanted into a new case when I build a discreet media center PC or server.

Now comes the real question? What is the wall that I'm running into? Here're some of my guesses:

PCI-E speed (used to be 105, now 100)
Memory Clock
FSB speed (I used to run at 465, now 420)
Minor CPU settings?

Any other suggestions? I'd like to really figure this one out so other people don't run into this, or at least understand how to diagnose it or repair it.

------------------------
So I did a clean MCE 2005 install... decided it was time to fire up 3dmark, just to check it out.

It was choppy and slow. Am I being screwed by the new nvidia drivers (158-whatever)?

PNY 8800 GTS 320 @ stock speeds
Core2Duo E6300 @ 3.3ghz
Asus P5B Deluxe Wi-Fi/AP
2 gigs PC-6400 Ballistix (4,4,4)
Sound Blaster X-fi Extreme Music
Antec Smart Power2 450 Watt PS

For fun, I restarted, closed all programs, killed all unnecessary tasks and I ended up with about the same result.

Whine whine whine...

 

[Dainas]

Yeah, sounds like something isn't working. Pretty sure it would be news if the 8800GTS 320mb completely bombed 3dmark06... Although its funny, from how cpu sensitive ocmark....err 3dmark06 is, you should be able to get 5,000 points running integrated graphics on a 3.3ghz core 2 duo(/sarcasm).

I would try reinstalling drivers, otherwise poke around and hope.

 

[SolMiester]

450PSU, is that enough considering the cpu OC?

 

[Phlargo]

Well... I'm really looking for someone to say specifically: That 450 CPU is not enough for that Overclocked CPU and GPU. In which case, it's off to Fry's I go (I may go anyways, even if I don't get a solid response about it).

But really.. can too small a power supply actually reduce your performance that much? Wouldn't it just not work?

 

[ss284]

Why dont you take off your CPU overclock and see how you do. If its really a power issue, the extra wattage for your video card should drive your score up.

 

[Phlargo]

You are a smart man (or woman). I will try this to see - maybe if I'm on the edge, this will be a repeatable test. Any other ideas, comments, or suggestions are welcomed

 

[sthaznpride17]

You should be getting much higher scores than that. My 4000+ pales in comparison to yours yet I got a 6000 in 3dMark06. Antec Smartpowers are notorious for being cheap and cruddy, my old SP500W died within 7 months and if you read on Newegg many many others have also. Best idea would be to ditch the PSU and get yourself a Corsair HX520W.

 

[xSkyDrAx]

Your OC is unstable. My GTS got around 4k when it was overclocked too high, then once I got it stable it doubled to about 9k.

 

[RussianSensation]

Originally posted by: xSkyDrAx
Your OC is unstable. My GTS got around 4k when it was overclocked too high, then once I got it stable it doubled to about 9k.

His card is running at stock speeds.

___________

did you check the driver panel to make sure everything is set to Default and that AA/AF are set to disabled and Vsync is Disabled? Set the sliders to Highest Performance not image quality. Run the system with E6300 at say 2.8ghz (or even stock) and see what happens.

Finally, play some games because thats what you bought an 8800GTS for right? As long as the games run well, then who cares?

Do you have latest Intel chipset drivers?

 

[Phlargo]

Well... one reason I'm here is because I've had some serious trouble playing Titan Quest since I got the card - it often pales in performance comparison to my old card. I've found out there some issues with the game and the 8800 series - but I wouldn't think it'd be that big a difference. I played some last night and found that the game was tanking even on low texture and detail settings which didn't phase my old card.

I also fired up Oblivion on my previous windows install and while it worked nicely, it wasn't near what I expected. I was probably getting 25 fps with minimum dropping below 7 or so. And any new movement brings the game to a halt.

I only used 3dmark to get an idea if I was running within normal spec and when I saw that online results put me in dead last place I knew something was up.

I had the intel chipset driver that came with my mobo - I'll try and update to the newest one if there is a webrelease.

Thanks for the tip.

 

[Phlargo]

Wow! I did a run with the conservative GPU driver settings and standard clock CPU and things go way faster. I then tried to re-enable the graphic features from the nVidia driver and things still worked waaay faster. Bam - first run 7810 marks.

So are we in clear power supply waters here?

 

[jdoggg12]

What do you mean by conservative driver settings?

 

[Phlargo]

I forced AF/AA off and Vsync off along with Texture Quality as Performance.

It didn't make much difference in the performance in the end, so it isolated the CPU overclock or power issue it would seem

 

[xSkyDrAx]

Originally posted by: RussianSensation

Originally posted by: xSkyDrAx
Your OC is unstable. My GTS got around 4k when it was overclocked too high, then once I got it stable it doubled to about 9k.

His card is running at stock speeds.

___________

did you check the driver panel to make sure everything is set to Default and that AA/AF are set to disabled and Vsync is Disabled? Set the sliders to Highest Performance not image quality. Run the system with E6300 at say 2.8ghz (or even stock) and see what happens.

Finally, play some games because thats what you bought an 8800GTS for right? As long as the games run well, then who cares?

Do you have latest Intel chipset drivers?

im talking about his CPU OC

 

[xSkyDrAx]

Originally posted by: Phlargo
Wow! I did a run with the conservative GPU driver settings and standard clock CPU and things go way faster. I then tried to re-enable the graphic features from the nVidia driver and things still worked waaay faster. Bam - first run 7810 marks.

So are we in clear power supply waters here?

the problem wasn't your PSU, it was your overclocked CPU. Overclock it slowly and test it with 3dmark each time. If it runs fine then your OC is okay. If you instantly notice a ~50% decrease in frames during the test, then your OC is not okay and it's time to take a step back.

 

[yacoub]

yeah the tiny difference in wattage from an oc'd cpu is very unlikely to be a PSU problem. you can also check voltage sag though just to see if your +3.3 and +5 are looking strong.

 

[idiotekniQues]

i got over 10,000 with the 8800 gts 320mb in 3dmark 06 with the 92 or 94 something drivers.

ill install the enw drivers and try again and see if it is that.

 

[swtethan]

looks like you have almost the same system as me, oc your video card to 600/2000 and see if you can match my 10,100 score

 

[Phlargo]

I did a mild overclock at stock voltage above stock speed (2400mhz) and was able to keep a near linear performance increase. I however, believer that in the upper regions of my CPU and GPU overclocking, my PSU is a limitation...so I pulled the trigger and purchased a Raidmax Volcano 630W from Frys while I was out - this way I shouldnt even be close to the PSU max. I'm going to install it shortly and I'll give an update as to how my overclocking works out.

This will certainly answer some questions. I'll post another update once it's all set up.

 

[Matt2]

Raidmax? Not exactly name brand.

How many amps?

 

[Phlargo]

I looked it up on my phone while I was at the store.. saw what I could about it. It gets 38A on the two 12V rails

 

[SolMiester]

Originally posted by: Phlargo
I did a mild overclock at stock voltage above stock speed (2400mhz) and was able to keep a near linear performance increase. I however, believer that in the upper regions of my CPU and GPU overclocking, my PSU is a limitation...so I pulled the trigger and purchased a Raidmax Volcano 630W from Frys while I was out - this way I shouldnt even be close to the PSU max. I'm going to install it shortly and I'll give an update as to how my overclocking works out.

This will certainly answer some questions. I'll post another update once it's all set up.

The cpu isnt throttling at the high OC's is it which may account for poor results