x800 XT

[edm]

I'm in the process of upgrading my system. so far, I've upgraded the ram and video card, and just placed an order for a Sonata II tonight. So I know my CPU and motherboard need upgrading. Hopefully I'll have them by the end of July.

For now though, I need to figure out if there's a problem with my X800 XT, in case I need to RMA it.

Other than the poor frame rates in HL2, the card seems ok. But running at 1024 x 768 (no AA/AF) vsync off, I'm getting 15-20 fps during outdoor scenes (steady). I do peak to 70-90 during some of the indoor scenes, but I'm even running at 30 fps during many of the indoor scenes. Should I be this low? Are my cpu & mobo really that much of a bottle neck?

Here are my specs

Win XP SP2
ECS k7s5a
Athlon XP 2400+ @ 2ghz
ATI AIW X800 XT (latest drivers from atI)
SBLive value
160 seagate HD
2x512 PC3200 DDR (1 GIG Corsair Value) running @ 133
Liteon 40x CDR
NEC 3500 DVD-RW
Enlight 340W Case

Are there any tests I can run to check the card?

Thanks

 

[Mirko]

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/print/29cpu-hl2.html

They test with XP3000+(2GHz) and X800XT and get 94 fps for 1024x768 d1_canals_09. You should run same timedemo as them and compare.

 

[Dkcode]

I ran 1280 x 1024 hight with no FSAA on a 9800pro with a 2600+ and i had a steady 40+ frames in outdoor scenes. There should be little difference in our cpus so im guessing your problem is down to software.

 

[edm]

thanks. I'll check out that hl2 bench. I also ran 3dmark 03 & 05. I compared them and they seem to be on par with similar systems.

3DMark03 -- 9825
3DMark05 -- 4846

The one thing I did notice was my CPU scores were significantly lower to comparable systems.

03:
my cpu score: 345
system 1: 548
system 2: 633
system 3: 529

05':
my cpu score: 2193
system 1: 2671
system 2: 2929

what it all means -- :shrugs:

 

[selfbuilt]

Are you sure you are running both the the CPU/mem @133? I have that board, and it has a tendency to drop down the FSB to 100 for both cpu and mem on occasion (enter the BIOS and check). Of course, that's also part of your problem .... most people running XP2400+ are doing so with thoroughbreds @166 (sync with mem), giving them higher scores (or o/ced to 200fsb, on boards that allow that). Upgrading to your mobo should allow you to make maximum advantage of that processor (and your current mem). You might want to try to lowering your mem timings below SPD as well (i.e. @133, you should be able to do 2-2-2-5 easily with value PC3200 - although again, that board doesn't let you set all the timings).

 

[Kogan]

I think your cpu/ front side bus/ memory bus is lowering your scores -

You have ram that is made to be run at 200mhz, so you should actually run it higher than 133mhz if you can. Your motherboard should support at least 166mhz, so set the ram to 166mhz and set the cpu to 166mhz fsb with a 12x multiplier - this will give you 2.0ghz and is not atually overclocking the processor. You might want to change your cpu multiplier to 12x first while you keep a 133 fsb just to be sure your processor supports a 12x multiplier.

And if your motherboard supports it and you don't mind tinkering, set your fsb and memory bus to 200 mhz and your processor to 10x multiplier.


I've got an xp 2400+ running at 10x200mhz (2.2ghz) with pc3200 also running at 200mhz (has been running like tihs for about 2 and a half years) and it's fast enough to where I don't think I'll need an a64 system any time soon.

 

[edm]

just a quick update. Looks like it was the fsb. I just upgraded to a a64 3500+ venice on a msi neo2 and it's night and day. Even though the chip is only 200 mhz faster than the 2400+,

Anyway, finished some more hl2. 1280x960 4aax8af, everything high. I'm now getting 70-100 during outdoor scenes. And up to 200 and beyond during indoor.

 

[ironique]

It's not just 200mhz faster. There is quite a diff between an AXP on a ECS K7S5A and an A64 on a Neo2 Plat!!

 

[peleejosh]

Originally posted by: edm
just a quick update. Looks like it was the fsb. I just upgraded to a a64 3500+ venice on a msi neo2 and it's night and day. Even though the chip is only 200 mhz faster than the 2400+,

Anyway, finished some more hl2. 1280x960 4aax8af, everything high. I'm now getting 70-100 during outdoor scenes. And up to 200 and beyond during indoor.

Only 200 mhz faster. Sounds like someone has been hypnotized by the Mhz troll. The a64 is a far superior chip no matter the clock speed.

 

[jiffylube1024]

Originally posted by: edm

Here are my specs

Win XP SP2
ECS k7s5a
Athlon XP 2400+ @ 2ghz
ATI AIW X800 XT (latest drivers from atI)
SBLive value
160 seagate HD
2x512 PC3200 DDR (1 GIG Corsair Value) running @ 133
Liteon 40x CDR
NEC 3500 DVD-RW
Enlight 340W Case

Are there any tests I can run to check the card?

Thanks

It's the ECS K7S5A first and foremost. That motherboard was a value champ for it's time, but it just doesn't have the FSB or RAM performance that modern games need and is a huge bottleneck.

second of all, your CPU is pretty weak by today's standards. An AXP @ 2 Ghz (2400+) isn't that fast at all - since it's only on a 133 MHz FSB it is essentially crippled. The Athlon XP 2500+ only runs at 1.83 GHz, but it gets away with that because of the faster 166 MHz FSB and RAM.

your quickest/easiset solution is to buy an Nforce 2 motherboard and run at 200 MHz FSB. A new CPu (a 2500+ or XP-M 2400+ or 2500+ overclocked to 3200+ (2.2 Ghz, 200 MHz FSB) would give you loads better performance.

An upgrade to a P4 C series or Athlon 64 would help even more, but would cost substantially more.

 

[JBT]

Try bumping up your settings even more I wouldn't be suprised if you get even a highier fram rate. HL2/CSS is weird like that.