Something isn't right here.

Nation_1ne · 14 Nov 2006 at 17:40

Hey all, I was wondering what kind of performance I should be getting out of my machine, it's not amazing but then not really crap (or so I wouldn't say atleast). Anyway the set up is:

CPU: AMD Athlon X2 3800+ (clocked at 2.40Ghz)
MOBO: 939Dual-SATA2
RAM: DDR PC3200 Kingston 512mb x4 (2GB)
GPU: ATI RADEON X850XT Platinum Edition AGP 256MB
PSU: Hiper 530W
OS: Windows XP SP 2

It seems my machine struggles to get above medium graphics on most games, I even notice it on Guild Wars at times. Is this normal or is something not right here? I have the Windows and the AMD hotfix for my CPU installed, also I'm up to date on my drivers etc.

Any help or advice much appreciated, Thank you.

Nation_1ne · 15 Nov 2006 at 18:35

No ideas?

Jokester · 15 Nov 2006 at 18:36

What resolution are you using?

Jokester

Nation_1ne · 15 Nov 2006 at 18:42

Jokester said:
What resolution are you using?

Jokester

1024x768

Jokester · 15 Nov 2006 at 18:43

Have you ran any of the 3dMark benchmarks? The scores from them will give an idea if you're PC is set up right.

Jokester

Nation_1ne · 15 Nov 2006 at 18:45

Jokester said:
Have you ran any of the 3dMark benchmarks? The scores from them will give an idea if you're PC is set up right.

Jokester

Actually, no I haven't

will do then I'll post here if the problem should be occruing or not. Sorry about this.

Jokester · 15 Nov 2006 at 18:47

Don't worry about it, we're here to help.

Jokester

Darg · 15 Nov 2006 at 19:29

On my P4 3.0 478, 1GB DDR1, 9800Pro 128mb. I could run GW fine at 1280x1024. Not fantastic frame rates but it was smooth enough to play. Never checked the precise figures but I'm guessing around 25-30.

FEAR ran at 1024x768 medium settings at playable framerates.

Oblivion ran at 1024x768 medium settings at around 20fps.

Yours should be quite a bit better then mine, maybe a 25% increase in performance on the gfx front. Your CPU was better and your double amount of RAM would have helped too.

In theory FEAR should be playable at high settings on 1024x768 without a problem. Same for Oblivion and GW should fly at highest settings.

Nation_1ne · 15 Nov 2006 at 20:04

Well I ran the 3Dmark test and compared to 12 other systems like mine I came last! I'm also near the bottom of the chart for the over all stats. Something is seriously wrong here!

Thanks for the post Darg, it seems you're even more proof that my system is under performing.

I really hope you guys have some more tips and suggestions, cos' to be honest I'm lost.

snowdog · 15 Nov 2006 at 20:05

Tbh something sounds wrong, i renember running fear with maxed gfx seting textures, physics, effects, etc...(on 1024x768 tho) smoothly on my 6600gt and my old p4 2.8 ghz...

Indeed 3dmark benches would be nice...
(scores , perhaps a compare link??)

Jokester · 15 Nov 2006 at 20:06

Post your score, a lot of the scores on The Orb will be heavily overclocked systems so don't make a fair comparison.

Jokester

Nation_1ne · 15 Nov 2006 at 20:07

Here are the stats: http://service.futuremark.com/orb/resultanalyzer.jsp?projectType=14&XLID=0&UID=6891916

Hopefully you make something more of than myself it.

Jokester · 15 Nov 2006 at 20:11

That actually looks ok to me I think.

Jokester

Nation_1ne · 15 Nov 2006 at 20:18

Jokester said:
That actually looks ok to me I think.

Jokester

Oh right, well I'm a bit bummed I have to say lol. I assumed I'd get a little bit better performance out of my system to be honest, especially since a couple of other people have compared my own to theirs (theirs being lower/same) and have claimed they can run at the same FPS, Darg being an example of this. Well I guess I'll just have to deal with it until I'm ready to upgrade. Thanks for your help, it's much appreciated. Anymore tips and suggestions are welcome though

Jokester · 15 Nov 2006 at 20:19

Run someother benchies just in case.

Jokester

Nation_1ne · 15 Nov 2006 at 20:22

Well without sounding too noobish (which I guess I am really) what would be a good way to achieve that?

Jokester · 15 Nov 2006 at 20:25

Try some of the other 3dmarks, what other games have you got? Some of them might have time demos.

Jokester

Nation_1ne · 15 Nov 2006 at 20:31

Well I only have BF2 and Guild Wars installed, I haven't really played many other titles recently.

Darg · 15 Nov 2006 at 20:42

Use ATiTool to overclock your graphics card as far as possible. I had my 9800Pro oc'ed as far as it could go.

There is an option in ATiTool to keep the fps up on the top right corner of the screen during games. I used this to measure my oblivion fps.

Unfortunately I can't find a similiar tool to let me check my fps on an nVidia card so if anyone can point me to one I'll be grateful

I think I had textures at large, most visual distances at medium or below, bloom turned off, no HDR, no self shadows, no shadows on grass. Apart from that I can't remember. Just keep everything around medium and test your fps on that. I was about 25-30 outside town dipping to 20 or less inside towns.

If you have FEAR then there is a built in benchmark utility. I think it's under "Test Settings" in the options-graphics advanced menu.

EDIT: btw on my current system I get around 3600 in 3dm06. With overclocking you should hope to get over 2k atleast.

Nation_1ne · 15 Nov 2006 at 20:49

I could overclock my GPU but I'm worried about my temps. I'm allready overlocking my CPU, only from 2GHZ too 2.4GHZ. My CPU when not playing games runs at 29/30oc.My GPu is sitting at 45oc whilst doing nothing.