*Very Frustrated, low scores

[GamingGuy246]

I know many threads here start with a title like mine, and most are fixed and answered. However, this is my story and I have yet to find a solution. I upgraded to a 3400+ clawhammer, from a 2800+ newcastle, and to a 6800GT from a 9800XT.

Before install I deleted all my ati drivers, and used drivercleaner, even reset cmos. Well I was still getting crappy scores when I was running 3dmark03, around 8600+. I decided my hard drive was in need of a reformat anyway so along with my upgrades I reformatted to clear away any drivers that could be putting a damper on my performance. After installing windows xp home, the order in which I installed my drivers are as follows: the latest via chipset drivers for my Abit Kv8 pro KT800 motherboard and then the latest drivers from nvidia.com the 66.93's. After I installed these programs one at a and time and restarted after each. I then installed and ran 3DMark03, the score was around 11,500 which I hear is normal. I preceded to install my misc. programs and update windows and install service pack 2. after Installing everything and defragmenting the hard drive first, I ran it once again and the score reverted back to 8600~. After continual frustration and dissapointment, I decided to do this once again and to see if the same anomaly occured I reformmated yet another time, got around 11,500~ before installation of service pack 2, and around 8600~ or so after.

Heres the question, is this a problem with service pack 2, and if so, can anyone please provide a link to a fix if there is one?

My rig

Athlon 64 3400+ clawhammer @ stock
Abit Kv8 pro KT800
1 GB Mushkin 3200DDR Value
EVGA 6800GT @ stock
Antec 450watt
Seagate 120GB 7,200rpm 8mb cache

I know my video card works fine because it was scoring normally before service pack 2 and its now a little bit faster than my previous 9800XT


I play mostly WoW, HL 2, going to replay Doom 3 with the 6800GT rather than the 9800XT, and Rome Total War. I was getting around 7 fps or so on Rome Total War with max settings at 1280x1024 with around 6000+ units. I know thats a lot of people on the screen, but even so I would think a 6800GT would be pulling at the least 35+ fps.

The temps read..

CPU temp 24C
ambient temp 33C
GPU Core temp 53C

 

[fstime]

I installed Sp2, i hated it, just stick with sp1.

 

[thegimp03]

hmm...i'd just reformat and stick with sp1. :/

 

[GamingGuy246]

Is there anyway for me to get rid of service pack 2 without reformatting? Can I just download and install SP1 and overwrite SP2?

 

[SrGuapo]

Have you downloaded all your drivers after the install? it may be possible that SP2 installed all of the default (and slower) windows drivers.

 

[Duvie]

Is you r order of install this???

1) install windows...
2) install mobo chipset drivers
3) update sp1 & 2 and relevant updates
4) install direct x 9.0c
5) install drivers


This is what I do and I have no issues with 3dmark scores etc....Actually in this last install I just updated to sp2 after stage 5 caus I totally spaced I didn't have it cause I was taking my sweet arse time to activate until I knew I didn't want to reformat.....My score stayed the same...

 

[GamingGuy246]

This was my order

1)install windows
2)install mobo drivers
3)install video drivers
4) Install misc software, Nero, DvD player, etc.
5) Update to sp2

I had previously reinstalled drivers, but I suppose I can retry again.

 

[XBoxLPU]

DX 9?

 

[Mrvile]

The 7.1+ drivers give a huge boost. I got a 400 points boost in 3DMark05 with my 6800GT.

 

[GamingGuy246]

Originally posted by: XBoxLPU
DX 9?

ofcourse

 

[GamingGuy246]

Originally posted by: Mrvile
The 7.1+ drivers give a huge boost. I got a 400 points boost in 3DMark05 with my 6800GT.

I'm only getting 66.93s from nvidia, could you provide a link?

 

[Mrvile]

I'm too lazy, but if you go to the top of this forum there's a sticky with all the latest drivers. Anything above 66.93 is beta though.

 

[AnImuS]

I also get the about the same FPS with Rome Total War. With the same res and almost maxed out settings. Im running a 6800 ultra@ stock.

 

[GamingGuy246]

Bah, I still have the same problem, I uninstall SP2, reinstall all drivers, reinstall SP2, then reinstall all drivers again, and I get the same crappy scores, I tested eachtime I reinstalled, all around 8600. 3dMark is running at the defualt settings, getting 30fps in Doom 3 with a 6800GT at Ultra settings at 1280x1024 is unacceptable, same goes with getting around 25fps or 30fps in WoW. Is there a fix, or something I can download to fix this problem?

 

[DusterAZ]

Weird, SP2 works fine on my system. Have you tried making a new WinXP install CD w/ SP2 slipstreamed and reinstalling with that? I would never uninstall/reinstall a service pack as I would expect there to be some issues.

 

[otispunkmeyer]

how about bios update for the graphics card? you could try that

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: GamingGuy246
Is there anyway for me to get rid of service pack 2 without reformatting? Can I just download and install SP1 and overwrite SP2?

Backup all your data and reformat. reinstall XP with only SP1.

 

[Savarak]

Why do people insist on doing everything in the wrong order? SP2 should be the VERY first thing you install, not even the chipset drivers...

 

[McArra]

Originally posted by: Savarak
Why do people insist on doing everything in the wrong order? SP2 should be the VERY first thing you install, not even the chipset drivers...

Yep, also make sure AA/AF are disabled in the settings. And I recommend you VXG 71.20 drivers, they are sweet. You can find them in Guru3d

 

[FuFighterStan]

Service Pack 2 is far from the problem Not sure why people think it is.

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: FuFighterStan
Service Pack 2 is far from the problem Not sure why people think it is.

This may not be the cause of the OP's problem, but SP2 is garbage any way you look at it.

Here's why:



From Microsoft about compatability issues after installing SP2

Some programs seem to stop working after you install Windows XP Service Pack 2

Just look at this nightmare

Like I said, the OP's problem probably does not stem from SP2, but please do not advocate the damn thing.

 

[Duvie]

Order is important sometimes...I just wanted to point that out...

Good luck!!!

 

[Gamingphreek]

SP2 is not to blame for this.

I see you have an Antec 450Watt PSU. How much power do you have on the 12V rail (in Amps). Also take some measurements under load and idle and post them. Your card might be throttling itself back.

Secondly at the top of this forum i have made a huge post with every concievable driver you could ever want. Just look there. I would advise going to the 67.03's then trying the 71 series drivers.

-Kevin

 

[vshah]

what are your bios agp settings. perhaps there is a bios update for your motherboard?

 

[fishmonger12]

i know sp2 has an in box driver for a lot of cards. it was running the in box driver for my 9800 pro, and it nerfed performance in a lot of games. like a 20-30 fps difference.