Help: Video/CPU problem with computer?

[reveille_83]

I am looking for a little advice here. I have two computers, I will list the specs in a momemt. If anyone can offer guidance I will greatly appreciate it.

System A:
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 4000+ (San Diego)
MB: DFI Lanparty nF4 SLI-DR
RAM: OCZ 1GBx2 PC3200
HDD: Maxtor MaXLine Plus III 300GBx2
P/S: OCZ PowerStream 620 Watts
Video: BFG Tech Geforce 6800GT 256MB
Sound: Audigy 2 ZS

3dmark05 score = 5227

System B:
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ (Manchester)
MB: Asus A8N-SLI
RAM: Corsair XMS 1GBx2 PC3200
HDD: Western Digital Raptor 150GB
P/S: AeroCool 620 Watts
Video: Asus EN7900GTX 512MB
Sound: Audigy

3dmark05 score = 10061

Both computers were freshly formated, installed the latest nForce / Forceware drivers (non beta). Latest Micrsoft Updates, and creative drivers.

It seems like System A runs like a dog compared to System B. Do you have any ideas? Thanks again!

 

[GJSNeptune]

Define "like a dog."

System B has a better video card and a much faster CPU. An AMD 64 vs. an X2? C'mon. I don't see wht you're surprised. Please explain your observations for us.

Also, I may be a bit more ignorant than I should be, but your RAM doesn't seem to suit your CPUs. I know they're 64-bit, but don't the speed ratings still apply to RAM speeds? Both are 4000+ or higher, and your RAM sticks are all 3200.

 

[BBA]

The hard drive makes system B boot up and open apps faster than system A, and the video card and x2 cpu makes system B faster in games.

Now you only need to take the good parts out of system A and make system B complete. (At least the memory, you need two GB-and a large storage volume of the drives would do nicely too)

 

[reveille_83]

I don't think 3dmark05 takes advantage of the Athlon X2 technology. I could be wrong though.

My observations were simply system B being "twice" as fast as system A. When in raw numbers there isn't much of a difference.

It just bothers me that there is such a huge difference between the two. Am I too paranoid?

 

[movax]

It just bothers me that there is such a huge difference between the two. Am I too paranoid?

How far has the disease that is Windows Rot progressed on each computer? You'd be surprised at the difference it makes. Other than that though...I mean, let's break it down:
(A vs B)
Single Core v. Dual Core <-- obvious result here, IIRC the clocks should be very close
Motherboards...too lazy to look up the chipsets, but it's not that much of a factor here...probably
RAM <- 2GB for each system, very nice, probably not an issue unless one of the mobos fails horribly at SPD
2 300GB SATA (RAID?) vs 1 150GB Raptor <-- Raptor wins in speed. Shouldn't affect 3dmark, I think
PSU...not factoring in
6800GT 256 vs 7900GTX 512 <--- Ding Ding Ding! Coupled with the dual core advantage, that's a lot more power. The GPU's a full generation newer, with a lot more pipelines to eat pixels with. Clocked higher too, I believe. And of course, 512 v 256...dunno if 3dmark can fill 512 though.
Sound <-- SoundMark05? No factor.

That's my quick analysis...maybe they could be a _little_ closer if you OC'd the San Diego and 6800GT, but System B's got a nice advantage.

 

[J Macker]

Also, I may be a bit more ignorant than I should be, but your RAM doesn't seem to suit your CPUs. I know they're 64-bit, but don't the speed ratings still apply to RAM speeds? Both are 4000+ or higher, and your RAM sticks are all 3200.

there are good sticks sold as PC 3200 that will overclock well. loosen the timings, add a little voltage, and with a good stick, you can hit the 250mhz fsb.
Also, the AMD chips don't seem to benefit much from higher FSB.

I don't think 3dmark05 takes advantage of the Athlon X2 technology. I could be wrong though.

My observations were simply system B being "twice" as fast as system A. When in raw numbers there isn't much of a difference.

It just bothers me that there is such a huge difference between the two. Am I too paranoid?

3d Mark 05 is a joke. it's supposed to measure video card performance, and it does it better than '01, but cpu still plays a large role.
Also, the 6800 doesn't have the newer shaders (sm 2.0 I believe) which could contribute to the lower score.

You don't play 3dmark05, so don't worry about it. If the computers are both setup for playing Quake3, then they should be running neck & neck. When playing newer games thought (COD2, FEAR, Oblivion) the 7900GTX will kill the 6800

The motherboards are both nForce4, and both ultras I believe so that's not it.

 

[reveille_83]

Thanks for all the replies.

Both motherboards are nForce 4 chipsets.

I realize I don't play 3dmark05 hehe

System A plays Half Life 2 without problems it seems. I was worried though, I tried to play F.E.A.R and after a while my video would just go blank. I think the problem was with heat. I haven't tried it lately yet. I should though..

 

[reveille_83]

Oh,

I wanted to ask. Do my 3dmark05 scores seem to be on par with system specs? Or are they way off? or Better?

Thanks

 

[movax]

Oh,

I wanted to ask. Do my 3dmark05 scores seem to be on par with system specs? Or are they way off? or Better?

Thanks

There's probably some type of database you could use for comparison purposes