How does my system look and how to improve it (cheaply)?

Jed Shields · 24 Apr 2007 at 22:22

Hi guys,

I've just run PCMark05 and 3DMark06 on my PC and have got the following results:

PCMark05 5867
3DMark06 4360

My system (approx 18 months old):

Athlon 64 4400 X2
Abit AN8 SLI mainboard
2Gb RAM
nVidia 7800GTX 256Mb Graphics

Firstly, do these scores look about right? The PCMark05 score shows me about halfway in the relative chart but the 3DMark06 chart shows me much closer to the slower, left hand side.

Secondly, what would be the best way to give my system a little boost. I've thought about overclocking so might give it a go. I fitted a decent HS and fan when I built my system, so it should handle it okay. I've also seen 7800GTX cards around for 90 quid. I'm not looking to spend too much at the moment though. I'm aware that DX10 games around the corner, but don't want to shell out for a brand new card yet, but 90 quid to give me an SLI setup is viable. What sort of improvement would this give me?

Also I've noticed that there's not much advancement opportunity for the CPU as it looks like my socket 939 has been superceded by AM2 (when did that happen???) - so, again, this would be something that I'd put on the back burner.

So ... any thoughts guys?

Cheers,

Jed.

stinka · 24 Apr 2007 at 22:30

overclock yer cpu and get a 8800 gts

3dm 06 looks abit low tbh

t31os · 25 Apr 2007 at 00:26

In the real world benchmark scores mean **** all.....

I'm running a 939 setup here...

2gb pc3200
San Diego 4000 @ just 2.55
x1800gto

I'm playing most all games at high settings on 1440x900....

I'm sure your rig can play just aswell as mine does..... is there anything in specific the system struggles with?...

Jed Shields · 25 Apr 2007 at 08:41

I can play things like CSS fully maxed out at 1600*1200 on my 19" monitor fine, but newer games, such as STALKER, and to some extent Oblivion need to be scaled down quite a bit, especially when the action kicks in. I knock the resolution to 1280*1024, with the sliders more central. I'm just wondering how much of an improvement an additional 7800GTX would make, seeing as it's a relatively cheap upgrade.

I'm not looking to replace my card with an 8800GTS or GTX yet, simply because I don't want to spend too much at the moment. Maybe Xmas or early next year I'll change the mainboard, CPU and graphics card, but in the meantime would an additional 7800GTX make much of a difference?

The 3DMark score has got me puzzled at the moment. I ran it a couple of days ago and I'm sure it was around 5300. I've lost the piece of paper that I wrote it on though. However, I ran it 3 times last night and each time was around 4350 ish ...