Is my CPU causing a bottleneck?

[Gimpymoo]

My Current Spec is:
AMD A64 3000+
ATI X1950 PRO 512MB
Geil Value 2 x 1GB RAM

Installed the OcUK ATI X1950 PRO 512MB yesterday expecting to be "BLOWN AWAY" by the difference and althought the difference is noticeable, it just doesnt seem "Right".

For example, I am only running a cheap CRT so am gaming at 1024x768 and am unable to run HL2 at max settings smoothly which I thought this card would do for breakfast?

Also, MS Flight Sim X runs Terribly on Medium High settings.. again, I thought this card would handle OK at this res.

Many people say that nowadays games are more GPU than CPU intensive, is this definitely the case or are the games im playing more CPU intensive, I can understand Flight Sim being CPU intensive.

Any advice or tips welcome.

Thanks all.

 

[Gimpymoo]

he says he has an AMD A64 3000+ on the first line of the spec.

To be fair, i'd forgot to include that in my original post so had to do a Ninja style edit, at the time though, there was not a post.

Have you installed the ATI drivers? You should be able to play half life 2 at that resolution very easily. Try runing 3dmark06. You should be getting just over 4000

I uninstalled the drivers using the ATI uninstaller, restarted the computer in safe mode and used Driver Cleaner.

I will try 3dMark06 and report back what I get.

Check to see what else is running in the background, how many icons in the taskbar etc, and have you done an av/trojan scan lately?

Check to see what else is running in the background, how many icons in the taskbar etc, and have you done an av/trojan scan lately?

You could always try overclocking the cpu, as the 3000+'s are generally good - got my old one from 1.8g to 2.6 on stock volts.

No viruses and limited apps running in the background, one of my pet hates is un-needed apps running in the background - Grr.

Have posted in the Overclocking thread about overclocking the CPU, did it a few years ago and achieed 2.7Ghz with a Arctic Cooling fan but the fan has since broke and ive forgotten how to Overclock

Have you install FSX Service Pack 1?

WIll try that. Do you know if it includes performance tweaks?

Thanks for everyones help.

 

[Gimpymoo]

Try runing 3dmark06. You should be getting just over 4000

Results of 3D Mark 06 test are here:
http://service.futuremark.com/orb/resultanalyzer.jsp;jsessionid=HGAMCIOMHNLF

3D Mark 06 gave a score of 3675.

The CPU score was 698

Lagged REALLY bad on the CPU testing.

 

[Gimpymoo]

What cad did you upgrade from?

You should overclock your CPU you will see a large difference.

I upgraded from an ATI X800XL 256MB - One of the best cards ive ever bought in terms of cost Vs perfromance when it was available.

 

[Gimpymoo]

Have disabled my Sound card (AC'97) and FPS is now much better.

I guess it was just an audio driver issue. Silly me.