X1900XTX not performing

KangooVanMan · 2 Sep 2006 at 11:59

Mainly RAM settings in BIOS I think need checking, just sounds to me like you are down on cpu/ram bandwidth. Thats why I suggested using a system benchmark to check.

I also agree with the post about checking cpu usage in windows via taskmanager.

Laurie1403 · 2 Sep 2006 at 13:33

I had already switched off the ATI services, I found your guide a couple of hours after you mentioned it.

KangooVanMan, I downloaded Sandra lite and did some bechmarks. the CPU bench looks fine but I cant make much sense of the memory benchmark to be honest.

Memory

CPU

I reckon you are on to something with the bottleneck theory, makes sense since I get the same FPS no matter what resolution or quality settings I play on.

EDIT - Ok, photobucket seems to have resized these, let me know if you have trouble reading them and I'll put them somewhere else and link you to the fullsize version.

Nami · 2 Sep 2006 at 13:58

That memory bandwidth looks extremely slow (altho I did have trouble reading it!

).

You have 2x1Gb sticks, right? Make sure they are running in dual channel - refer to your mobo manual to see which slots they need to go into to run DC.

Also, if u've OC'd ** CPU, are you running a divider on the RAM to keep them stable? If so, what is it? Maybe take some CPU-Z screens and post them here.

For comparison, I have a San Diego 3700+ @ 3.05Ghz and I'm currently using just 512mb of Crucial Value RAM @ 203Mhz, 3-3-3-8 and I get approx. 3000mb/s bandwidth according to SiSoft Sandra, in single channel. My usual RAM is 2x512mb Geil One TCCD in DC which can run up to 600Mhz at 2.5-4-4-8 and that give ridiculous bandwidths, up to 8Gb/sec on Sandra test :eek:

So my guess is that your RAM bandwidth is limiting you at the moment.

Jimbo · 2 Sep 2006 at 14:29

Concorde Rules said:
Hmm

Start --> Run --> type "Services.msc" and hit enter.

There should be two ATI Services, both should be set to automatic and running, as these control 2D/3D changes.

If that does not work. Download ATi Tool 0.25 Beta 14 and read my guide.
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17534763

Then try.

If still not working then im stumpt

Are you saying disable - ATI hotkey poller? and ATI smart?

Laurie1403 · 2 Sep 2006 at 14:37

Nami said:
That memory bandwidth looks extremely slow (altho I did have trouble reading it! ).

You have 2x1Gb sticks, right? Make sure they are running in dual channel - refer to your mobo manual to see which slots they need to go into to run DC.

Also, if u've OC'd ** CPU, are you running a divider on the RAM to keep them stable? If so, what is it? Maybe take some CPU-Z screens and post them here.

For comparison, I have a San Diego 3700+ @ 3.05Ghz and I'm currently using just 512mb of Crucial Value RAM @ 203Mhz, 3-3-3-8 and I get approx. 3000mb/s bandwidth according to SiSoft Sandra, in single channel. My usual RAM is 2x512mb Geil One TCCD in DC which can run up to 600Mhz at 2.5-4-4-8 and that give ridiculous bandwidths, up to 8Gb/sec on Sandra test
So my guess is that your RAM bandwidth is limiting you at the moment.

Turns out my memory is running single channel, although im almost certain it wasnt last night. (looking at this it looks like OCUK sent me the wrong RAM too :mad:

)

My motherboard says I can run Dual channel with 1/3 or 2/4 configuration, Im running 1/3 because I couldnt get it to post without a RAM stick in DIMM1.

I checked through my BIOS and theres no obvious setting for switching dual channel on. Checked the jumper settings too and nothing. On the upside it looks like Nami spotted my problem. THANK YOU!!!

Now I just need to sort it.

Sandra seems to think my memory is running dual channel....

FreeStream · 2 Sep 2006 at 16:05

Hmmmm

The mem B/W should be about 5-6gb/s

Timings, they are very loose :confused:

What mem is it? Try 2.5-3-3-7

Ram shouldn't be running 2T, it should be running 1T, this is called CPC is some BIOSes.

As for dual channel. Clear CMOS and try at stock.

***ATI SERVICES INFO***
IF you are usign ATi Tool up to 0.25 Beta 14 then these MUST BE DISABLED.

IF you are suing ATi Tool Beta 15 or not using ATi Tool at ALL then these services MUST BE RUNNNING.

CR.

Laurie1403 · 2 Sep 2006 at 16:18

Concorde Rules said:
Hmmmm

The mem B/W should be about 5-6gb/s

Timings, they are very loose What mem is it? Try 2.5-3-3-7

Ram shouldn't be running 2T, it should be running 1T, this is called CPC is some BIOSes.

As for dual channel. Clear CMOS and try at stock.

***ATI SERVICES INFO***
IF you are usign ATi Tool up to 0.25 Beta 14 then these MUST BE DISABLED.

IF you are suing ATi Tool Beta 15 or not using ATi Tool at ALL then these services MUST BE RUNNNING.

CR.

Corsair 2GB DDR XMS3200PT TwinX (2x1GB) CAS3 (MY-039-CS)

Thats the stuff Im running now, despite ordering the Dual channel kit at £25 extra. Im ashamed that tis taken me this long to notice but OCUK are really taking the **** here.

Back to my problem though...I reset the CMOS last night and at stock it ran the RAM in single channel at 166Mhz.

FreeStream · 2 Sep 2006 at 16:52

That is dual channel

Something isn't right here :/

Updated BIOS to newest?

I think your mobo is one of the older buggier ones

Laurie1403 · 2 Sep 2006 at 17:01

haha yea I know its dual channel but I ordered the one up from that. Hopfully OCUK will sort it out though.

I just downloaded the BIOS update and will flash it if I can find a floppy disk....stupid old technology.

I really hope this works, I spent too much money on this build. I cant afford another motherboard.

Cheers for all the help so far people!

FreeStream · 2 Sep 2006 at 17:08

Laurie1403 said:
haha yea I know its dual channel but I ordered the one up from that. Hopfully OCUK will sort it out though.

I just downloaded the BIOS update and will flash it if I can find a floppy disk....stupid old technology.

I really hope this works, I spent too much money on this build. I cant afford another motherboard.

Cheers for all the help so far people!

No no no

Use WinFlash. If it doesn't work it will tell you and you can fix it. If you do it in BIOS your stuffed

Laurie1403 · 2 Sep 2006 at 17:44

Bit f a hairy moment there when the computer wouldnt boot after updating the BIOS, popped out the CMOS battery and now its good.

That seems to have done the trick. CPU-Z says Im in Dual channel mode. Also I stuck my sticks in DIMM 1 and 2....so dont ever trust your motherboard manual.

Still getting dissapointing bandwidth benchmarks though, would that be down to the slack timings?

Incase you cant read it:-

RAM BW Int - 4875MB/s
RAM BW Float - 4876MB/s

KangooVanMan · 2 Sep 2006 at 17:55

Yeah I agree with concord .
Dual channel isn't such a biggy but cas 3 and 2T isn't helping at all.
I personally spend hours in the bios when setting up a new system, checking the handbook, manufactures website and forums ect for every setting. So much performance is locked up in bios settings. I had an MSI mobo that on default settings ran ddr400 at ddr200 and was costing me stacks on 3D mark till I spotted it.
The difference on my pc from cas3 @ 2T in 3Dmark05 to cas2 @ 1T is nearly a thousand points.

Laurie1403 · 2 Sep 2006 at 18:08

Wow, I really have no idea what is going on when it comes to RAM timings. Since OCUK messed up my order I think Ill wait until they (hopefully) sort me out with the RAM I wanted (2-3-3-6) Then I'll guess my way through it.

Thanks for all the help and info guys, very good to see so many people willing to help! You have been awesome.

Laurie

KangooVanMan · 2 Sep 2006 at 18:18

Are you sure that ocuk sent you the wrong ram? It might just need timings changed. Take a stick out and look at the rating on the sticker. Don't want to return something that isn't wrong as it will cost you.

Laurie1403 · 2 Sep 2006 at 18:25

Good idea, I'll do that.

EDIT - You were right, it is the correct RAM it just ships with crappy timings. Thanks again for the info.

FreeStream · 2 Sep 2006 at 21:13

Now whats the B/W results? And what happens if its in 1 - 3 or 2 - 4 dual channel enable then?

2005 score now?

CR.

Laurie1403 · 2 Sep 2006 at 21:32

Ok, got the timings to 2-3-3-6 and the CT is now at 1. BW results for the memory are now:-

Int. - 5998
Float - 5952

My 3dMark05 score however didnt change much. Got 10552.

Havent tried the modules in different DIMM configurations yet Concorde but it might be worth looking at. It does claim Im running dual channel though.

FreeStream · 2 Sep 2006 at 23:21

Ok that be much better

CPU back at 2.4ghz? Try to get 2.6ghz or 2.8 out of it, then your score should increase to over 11k.

Or it could be your mobo is one of the older ones and thats the performance loss.

Hows the games now??

Laurie1403 · 2 Sep 2006 at 23:39

Ive only tried briefly but its looking better. GRAW is hovering around the 40 mark now. BF2 is going around the 80 mark

Thanks for your help, I'll look into my MoBoard to see whats what, but Im waiting for OCUK to tell what whats happening with the CPU I ordered. The San Diego should clock much better than the clawhammer they gave me (accidentally?) and I have a Zalman C-77 on there already so cooling shouldnt be a problem.

Thank you very much!!!

Jimbo · 3 Sep 2006 at 11:04

Laurie1403 said:
Ok, got the timings to 2-3-3-6 and the CT is now at 1. BW results for the memory are now:-

Int. - 5998
Float - 5952

My 3dMark05 score however didnt change much. Got 10552.

Havent tried the modules in different DIMM configurations yet Concorde but it might be worth looking at. It does claim Im running dual channel though.

Just benched my mem...

Int. - 6633
Float - 6626

My ram is G.Skill 2GB DDR2 NR PC2-6400 timings are 5-5-5-5-15.

Gonna install 3d mark 05 and see what I get.