Hugely disappointed with my new X2 4600+

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spicey

Supreme [H]ardness
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After a few weeks deliberation I went ahead and bought an X2 4600+ - thinking that a dual core with the same clock speed as my last CPU would net a similar performance in games. After all a 3800+ and a 4600+ have the same clock speed, 2.4 GHz. The problem is games are now noticeably slower. Hitman - Blood Money feels sluggish. HL2 is somewhat jerkier. Prey seems a bit jittery.

I've installed the MS Hotfix, Dual Core Optimizer (although I get a C:\boot.ini cannot be found error upon install - probably because Windows is installed on H rather than C:\), Alt Tabbed out and set affinity, updated AMD driver, mobo BIOS is up to date. I'm not sure what else to try apart from formatting and reinstalling. If it comes to formatting I really can't be bothered, I'll just sell it on eBay and put my 3800+ back in.

Needless to say I'm very, very disappointed in this processor.

Has anyone got any thoughts on how to improve gaming performance?
 
I had the exactly the same issue when I upgraded from an FX-53 to an FX-60 dual core. The only solution was to reformat and install the AMD drivers. So far I can't complain, I am very happy with my dual core.
 
after installing your X2, and booting into WinXP, the second core should be installed, and then the two AMD patches installed.

you can check to see is the correct HAL (Hardware Abstraction Layer - DLL) is installed in your device manager.

This article describes Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) options that are listed in Device Manager and the options that are available after you run Microsoft Windows XP Setup or Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Setup.

[H] Forums Dual-Core Gaming Thread

When i upgraded to my X2 4400, the first 4 re-boots were appaulingly slow, and the system sluggish. i did change my video card as well at that time, so re-installed drivers for my 6800 and the next boot was much, much better and i was not dreading my choice to upgrade to a X2. I am quite pleased with this chip and how smoothly i can multi-task.
 
I think for those considering upgrading to dual core they should just avoid dicking around with all these patches and/or adjustments and just reformat. I've built five seperate dual core systems, and none have had any issues. It seems that only the people who try and resuscitate their windows installation have major issues.

If you can't be bothered to reformat, then you probably shouldn't bother upgrading a serious part of your system. Back up your documents, and reformat.

Once you get your proc to run correctly, you're going to be incredibly happy with the performance.
 
quadnad said:
I think for those considering upgrading to dual core they should just avoid dicking around with all these patches and/or adjustments and just reformat. I've built five seperate dual core systems, and none have had any issues. It seems that only the people who try and resuscitate their windows installation have major issues.

If you can't be bothered to reformat, then you probably shouldn't bother upgrading a serious part of your system. Back up your documents, and reformat.

Once you get your proc to run correctly, you're going to be incredibly happy with the performance.
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i agree , if reformatting fixes the problems you are having then I fail to see how it is the processors fault :p PEBKAC :p
 
quadnad said:
I think for those considering upgrading to dual core they should just avoid dicking around with all these patches and/or adjustments and just reformat. I've built five seperate dual core systems, and none have had any issues. It seems that only the people who try and resuscitate their windows installation have major issues.

If you can't be bothered to reformat, then you probably shouldn't bother upgrading a serious part of your system. Back up your documents, and reformat.

Once you get your proc to run correctly, you're going to be incredibly happy with the performance.
Click to expand...
A repair reinstallation takes less than half the time and is worth a try before doing a complete format/reinstall. Many times it has the same effect without disturbing your installed programs/settings.
 
joemama said:
A repair reinstallation takes less than half the time and is worth a try before doing a complete format/reinstall. Many times it has the same effect without disturbing your installed programs/settings.
Click to expand...

Thats true, and I actually meant to say that. I suppose I should have been more specific about what I meant in my last post :eek: I just get bugged when people get frustrated that they have to reinstall windows...if you're replacing such a key component of your system, you had better be prepared to reinstall windows.
 
I went from a pentium on I865 mobo to an x2 on an NF3 with only a repair. Though I did end up formatting it just for the clean start and faster boots.
 
Jakalwarrior said:
I went from a pentium on I865 mobo to an x2 on an NF3 with only a repair. Though I did end up formatting it just for the clean start and faster boots.
Click to expand...

I personally do a backup of my inportant data and a format and re-install of Windows about every 6 months just for performance reasons. I don't understand anyone who refuses to do this after a major component upgrade and then moans about having problems.
 
I just did the same upgrade (albeit AM2) and my games are smoother than before, although framerates are pretty much the same. Here was my process:

1. BIOS flash (not necessary, but two birds with one stone)
2. Load optimized defaults in BIOS
3. Uninstall AMD drivers for 3800+
4. Switch CPUs
5. Boot, set BIOS settings
6. Load windows and install AMD dual core driver
7. Reboot, install Microsoft hotfix
8. Reboot, install Dual Core Optimizer
9. Check boot.ini for /usepmtimer
10. Check device manager for "ACPI Multiprocessor PC"
11. Done!
 
wait a minute... if you upgrade to dual-core you Have to reinstall windows. XP will install different kernels if it finds 1x or 2x processors.

Right?
 
dont have to I havnt reinstalled and I game fine went from a opteron 144 to 3800 X2 I love it
 
Thanks to everyone for taking the time out to reply. Since the original post I've completely reformatted my hard drive and put the OS back on - I slipstreamed Windows XP with SP2 to be safe. After I re-installed Windows I put the AMD X2 driver on (version 1.3.2.16) followed by the dual processor optimizer followed by the MS Hotfix. Things are working much better now. Games are back to where my 3800+ was performing. OS is much more responsive than before. Booting into Windows is much faster too - around 15 - 20 seconds. :)

Something must have screwed up when I put the X2 in, not sure what though!
 
Roberty said:
I personally do a backup of my inportant data and a format and re-install of Windows about every 6 months just for performance reasons. I don't understand anyone who refuses to do this after a major component upgrade and then moans about having problems.
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I hope you are using Norton Ghost. Else, that would be plain silly. :D
 
You guys are fooling yourselves is you think no reinstallation of XP is necessary when going from a single core CPU to a dual core CPU. WHEN XP INSTALLS FOR THE FIRST TIME, it either runs single or multi kernel data. The simple way to check is to see if task manager has a split screen under the performance tab for the CPU Usage History. If it is one large graph you are NOT running correctly. OS images will net the same poor results. You must to a fresh installation.

Glad the OP got his problem fixed! NOW OVERCLOCK IT!!!!!!

I guess the lesson learned is a fresh installation of XP every few month keeps your system running at top performance :)
 
spectrumbx said:
I hope you are using Norton Ghost. Else, that would be plain silly. :D
Click to expand...

Believe it or not I don't. I usually change programs on such a regular basis that after 6 months a Ghost image would be about worthless anyway. Not to mention all the new drivers and updates that come out along the way.
 
I installed my new dual core cpu without a reformat. Did all the patches, etc. and I have the ACPI Multiprocessor listed in the device manager as well as the split CPU usage monitor. Am I good to go?
 
Roberty said:
I personally do a backup of my inportant data and a format and re-install of Windows about every 6 months just for performance reasons. I don't understand anyone who refuses to do this after a major component upgrade and then moans about having problems.
Click to expand...

qft ftw
 
R1ckCa1n said:
You guys are fooling yourselves is you think no reinstallation of XP is necessary when going from a single core CPU to a dual core CPU. WHEN XP INSTALLS FOR THE FIRST TIME, it either runs single or multi kernel data. The simple way to check is to see if task manager has a split screen under the performance tab for the CPU Usage History. If it is one large graph you are NOT running correctly. OS images will net the same poor results. You must to a fresh installation.

Glad the OP got his problem fixed! NOW OVERCLOCK IT!!!!!!

I guess the lesson learned is a fresh installation of XP every few month keeps your system running at top performance :)
Click to expand...
Or you could simply have the view set for "one graph for all cpus" instead of "one graph per cpu". :D I didn't format going from an Opteron 148 single core to a X2 4400+ and I didn't even do a repair install because I didn't see the need. I can assure you both of my cores are working and working fine....my 3DMark 06 score is better than ever and my Sandra/Everest cpu benchmarks beat the reference 4400+ they have listed.
 
Shadow27 no, it must say acpi multiprocessor.
 
Roberty said:
Believe it or not I don't. I usually change programs on such a regular basis that after 6 months a Ghost image would be about worthless anyway. Not to mention all the new drivers and updates that come out along the way.
Click to expand...

A little obsessed with being up to date on patches and drivers... ain't you?
Why not keep multiple images?

My way is to keep an image of the OS freshly installed (no drivers or anything else), then an image with the necessaries (drivers, patches, utilities), and so forth up to an image of my current configuration. So, I usually have 3-5 images.

Also, what patches and drivers are you installing that require a fresh install?
 
For those that have the same problem the OP did, it is likely because you couldn't install the AMD Dual Core drivers. And you didn't install them, that C:\boot.ini error means the drivers didn't install. AMD is idiotic and the program just shuts itself down if C: isn't the system drive. Here is what AMD told me to do (my system drive is E: and I am too lazy to reinstall and change it)..

You can try typing the following commands in command prompt.

subst c: %systemdrive%\

This will map your systemdrive (whatever drive letter it is) to c:\. So you can use this whenever your systemdrive is H:\, D:\, Z:\ or anything else.

Please remember the backslash at the end or you will get an errormessage that "E:" is an unsupported parameter.
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You dont need to do a reinstall. If you correctly install the hotfixes and drivers everything will work just as it is supposed to...I know because I have done it the wrong way and the right way.
 
I am trying to perfrom the above operation on my curent system. My computer has the system drive labeled "D:" and a second hard drive which is "C:". I want to make the sytem drive "C:". I try the above operation but I just get a message saying "invalid parameter c:." Any suggestions? I dont really want to reformat.....
 
I'm glad the OP got it working. I just wanted to mention that when I upgraded to an X2, Windows 2003 booted up normally and automatically installed the drivers for the new chip and asked to be rebooted. So far so good. Games play smoother than before. Pretty much anything that would hiccup becuase something was going on in the background doesn't do it anymore.
 
venm11 said:
wait a minute... if you upgrade to dual-core you Have to reinstall windows. XP will install different kernels if it finds 1x or 2x processors.

Right?
Click to expand...
No you do not HAVE to, and it is not a different kernel. the NT kernel is a multi-threaded one, and will run according to the CPU(s) detected. it is the HAL.dll needs to be different for a SMP/Multi proc. vs Uni-Proc (as well as ACPIvs AT etc.).

a repair installation is usually sufficient, but a new Mobo or Dual core is goodreason to start from a fresh format. it keeps it simple, and no clutter left from a previous instal.

i played around using a spare HDD on my A64/nF4. did a clean install using my 3000 venice, and benched it, then i installed my X2 4400... Windows XP detected the new CPU (secon core) and i re-booted. installed the AMD drivers for the X2, re-booted and then the AMD Optimizer for X2's. reboot again and benched for stability...no problems. I did have the issues i mentioned in my earlier post though when i removed the spare HDD and hooked up my drives, but following the same procedure everything is fine. one thing though...my HDD/Windows XP installation was a repair done just a week or so before i got my X2, and worst case scenario was a reformat/clean install which is not a big deal because i have back ups of my important data.
 
tacosareveryyummy said:
I am trying to perfrom the above operation on my curent system. My computer has the system drive labeled "D:" and a second hard drive which is "C:". I want to make the sytem drive "C:". I try the above operation but I just get a message saying "invalid parameter c:." Any suggestions? I dont really want to reformat.....
Click to expand...

Sorry, not sure about that
 
I think your X2 4600+ is disappointed in you, he wants to be setup the correct way.
 
What MoBo are you using?

How many HDD's and what kind (PATA or SATA)? what are the partitions on each drive?

how are they installed, and jumpered?

if your Boot partition is on a SATA, and you have a PATA installed for data/apps, it will be listed as C: when Windows begins an install (detecting previous MS OS...) and your SATA/or PATA's that are connected using a PCI IDE controller card (i.e. a promise card) will be treated as SCSI and assigned drive letters after the PATA is given C:

you can disable them in BIOS or physically disconnect all but your active/boot partitioned HDD and try a repair Install, once this is completed you can re-connect the other drives (or just enable them). this should keep your Boot Partition as C:
 
spicey said:
Sorry, not sure about that
Click to expand...
He can use the Citrix "Driveremap.exe" utility. He would be able to change his D: to C:. I must say though that this is normally done right after an OS install. It's supported by Citrix for use in production environments. I'm forced to use it in my Citrix server builds at work.

Citrix article here: http://support.citrix.com/article/entry.jspa?entryID=1985

The utility found on the Metaframe product CD but you might be able to find it for download somewhere.
 
tesfaye said:
He can use the Citrix "Driveremap.exe" utility. He would be able to change his D: to C:. I must say though that this is normally done right after an OS install. It's supported by Citrix for use in production environments. I'm forced to use it in my Citrix server builds at work.

Citrix article here: http://support.citrix.com/article/entry.jspa?entryID=1985

The utility found on the Metaframe product CD but you might be able to find it for download somewhere.
Click to expand...

Or he could just right click on my computer go to manage, select disk management, right click on his system drive graph and click the option to change drive letter and paths.

If he has WinXP Pro, I don't know if that is available in XP Home.
 
kydsid,

Windows will not let you do that. Besides if you could you would have to hunt through the registry and lord knows whatelse to change all of the drive letter references. You'll end up with services and other items not working properly. Windows through the UI won't let you change the drive letter but you can do it in the registry under HKLM\System\Mounted Devices and change the letter in the \DOSDEVICES\ entry for your drive.
 
Yeah dual core is nothing without drivers "Installed the RIGHT way" that make it feel like its acrouly running your comp faster. I had a single core at the same speed. Well I felt a big difference because of the drivers and how they used the programs and the OS. Nice multi tasking and speed boost with 2 cores working at the same time with one thing. Gets stuff done in half the time mostly with 64bit windows and do more things.
 
i was actually able to go dual core without a repair/reinstall. I just installed drivers, and had to reboot a couple times, and then BAM!!!!!!! 2 boxes under performace.
 
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