Poor performance- why? Can someone help?

D

Deathface

n00b
Joined
Jan 26, 2007
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19
Hi, I recently upgraded my computer from a AMD 2400 and a radeon 9600 with 1gb of ram to this:

Asus P5LD2 mobo
Intel Pentium D 2.8 ghz processor
1gb ram (unsure of speed)
asus en7800gtx 256mb gfx card

I was expecting a nice jump in performance, but I'm not really noticing much. In fact, BF2142 runs sluggish and choppy at any setting or resolution. Also , Guild Wars runs possibly worse than it ran under the same settings with my past rig. So my question is, what gives? I have latest drivers (got the ones from nvidia.com, would getting the latest from ASUS themselves be better?)

The only thing I'm unsure of is IRQ settings. It's an unfamiliar thing to me and after much searching, I couldn't get a clear answer as to the proper settings and how to configure. I took a screenshot of what it looks like:

irqow5.jpg


So my 2 questions are:

1) Looking at that screenshot...is my video card limited in any way?
2) Which drivers should I use, ones from Asus (manufacturer of card) or Nvidia?

Thanks in advance.
 
Use nVidia's Forceware drivers.

Your system is using the default XP drivers that contain NO 3D acceleration.

you NEED nVidia's drivers :D
 
Thanks a bunch for the quick response. But....

The last drivers I installed were the nvidia ones....why is it saying this way? Hmm and how can you tell o_O Perhaps I should re install drivers...

edit: see? checkit, driver proof:
driversnr8.jpg
 
Okay so i've checked my driver situation and i Have the latest....just experiencing choppiness at any resolutions in 3D games like Guild Wars, Battlefield 2142, GTA:SA ...

any ideas are appreciated! thanks
 
93.81 are the latest forceware drivers...not 93.71
.81 came out this month....but even with the 93.71 you shouldn't be having problems...

which version of DX do you have?

and also...are you sure the problem is with the graphics card...it could be cpu based. Run cpuz and see what speeds you are achieving with your pent d since this is a new upgrade...
 
Did you re-install Windoze when you did the upgrade? You could be getting a hit from some old drivers. Your video card looks fine.
 
Hi, thanks for the responses.

I ran CPU-Z: Core speed 2809.9mhz...looks good...reading to be a Intel Pentium D 820 2.80GHz...

DX version: DirectX 9.0c

It could be anything, CPU , ram, video card, i suppose, but the issue only comes up in games with a lot of objects in them, which leads me to think its a video card problem.

I did reinstall windows with the computer upgrade. However, when I first put the computer together I couldn't plug the graphics card in because I didn't have a 6-pin connector to power it, so I ran it unpowered. A dialog would come up saying the card is running slower accordingly. Recently I got the 6pin to 4pin power adapter in the mail that I ordered, powered it on, and the dialog goes away. Therefore, I expected awesome graphics....but I get choppiness, at any resolution.

If it was due to a slow processor...wouldn't games run better at lower resolutions? But even in lower resolutions, games will be choppy. It seems that I can't achieve smooth gameplay at any settings. ANy thoughts? The only game I can get to work pretty decently is World of Warcraft (run it at 1280x960 with some medium settings) but I was expecting more. Thanks in advance.
 
If it were me, I would do a fresh windows install. Be sure to download all current drivers for Videocard, motherboard, sound etc. Also what kind of power supply are you running? Wattage? what is the 12 volt rail rated at on your PSU? Need more info.
 
6pin to 4pin

ive never used any these adapters but i thought it was 6 pin to 2 molex (2x4pin) not just one! so its getting power but not enough power

http://cgi.ebay.com/PCI-Express-6-Pin-Power-VGA-Adapter-Cable-PCI-E-ATI-NEW_W0QQitemZ330078507721QQihZ014QQcategoryZ40158QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item330078507721
just looked yes you need two separate power lines off your psu to plug into the adapter!
 
I'm running an Antec Smartpower 400w. I don't know how to check my 12-volt rail, as I don't know what that is...

If it wasn't getting enough power, wouldn't I just get the same dialog box saying there isn't enough power supplied? Can a power supply directly affect performance? I thought it either worked or it didnt.
 
is it plugged in with two diff plugs from two diff lines off the psu? or did you just use a adapter to go 2x1? also id upgrade psu
 
It's plugged into a 1-to-1 connector, 6-pin to 4-pin. I have a new power supply here ready, but will it really improve anything? The system isn't crashing, it runs just not to what I expected it to run at. How can I check if its getting enough power or not?
 
where did you get the adapter? not sure if its correct! should go off two lines into that 6
 
i would check the temps of everything while playing.. use driver cleaner and uninstall/reinstall the drivers.. looks like others use that power adapter.. check speedfan for temps and voltage whats the read outs?
 
400 watt is pretty low for your system, i got a 396W at 100% load from : http://extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine for your videocard and your system you listed 400w and 396W utilisation is too close to be sufficiant, depending on wich psu you using and what amps, but still , it may be the problem. Or check something that happen to me when i change video card, system sometimes, is the Hardware Acceleration Under: Right Click Desktop Properties>Under Setting Advanced>In the Section Troubleshoot, check if its at full acceleration. Otherwise i may suspect your power supply.
 
Just tried a 600 watt coolmax power supply, the system wouldn't post, it would power and drives would get power and fans would spin, but for some reason the system wouldn't boot up. So I'm back to my old 400w, still runs...

How would I know if I could see a performance increase in getting a new power suppy? Seems dumb to me, if your power supply powers it, then it works, or it doesn't, shouldn't affect performance....thoughts?
 
im not sure if it is.. but more power helps keep it stable what where your temps?????????????????????????????? what did speed fan say?
 
Just a question...do you have the 4 pin connector connected to your motherboard?
 
LoKe: i have the 4 pin connector connected to my motherboard, and the 20 pin...what are you getting at?

my speedfan readings:

System: 37C
CPU: 75C
AUX: 90C
CPU: 37C
Local: 40C
Remote 2: -64C
HD0: 28C

what is AUX?... hmm...tell me what you guys think, and sorry for being a noob. thanks in advance!
 
that is really hot temps! also could be caused from bad drivers but i think its overheating try underclocking it and see what happens also you can use ati tool to monitor temps and scan for artifacts and underclock it... even tho your card is not ati it will work..
 
75c is high !!! Also you say you are using 20 pin atx ? on a 24 pin motherboard, if yes, there your problem, you have 7800gtx wich consume a lots of power and the 4 pin you miss on the 24 pin board is the power that used for pcie card, your using a card that required some power. If your board is 20 pin then your cpu temp are too high, clean it or check connection board or reapply thermal artic silver or something like that, or just change your cpu heatsink, there some cheap around and better then the stock.

Edit: I just saw you had the Asus P5LD2 wich is 24 pin board, if you using 20 pin only, that your problem right there, buy a adaptater. If problem persist then it come from your cpu temperature that is high.
 
Thanks for the response...

I bought a new power supply that has a 24 pin connector, but my mobo wont post with it!! Blah! I don't understand!!

I also am not sure what kind of adapter you want me to get...maybe I should try another Power supply?? I don't know...doesn't seem right...
 
What kind of power supply did you get. There used to be a problem with Antec and Asus boards. Coolermax isn't the best of power supplys.
 
The power supply that WORKS is my old antec smartpower 400w
the power supply that i bought in hopes to help my comp performance but wont post is a coolmax 600w
 
Deathface said:
The power supply that WORKS is my old antec smartpower 400w
the power supply that i bought in hopes to help my comp performance but wont post is a coolmax 600w
Click to expand...

Hmm

Personally I would take that to mean that the coolermax is DOA. If the 400 was a Smartpower 2.0 I would say that you would be fine using it. I ran my system with an Antec 430 until my 8800.
 
looks to me to be overheating and throttling, basically what *SOME* chipsets/cpus/gpus do when they overheat is automatically under clock them selfs, thing is people RARELY see it because on [H] we over clock our systems and our systems usually become unstable/crash at certin temperatures before throttling can even take effect :p (that gta image is what I saw happen to me when I pay playing on a notebook and the power got accdently disconnected, the under clocked to save battery power and bam, that what it looked like :p pointy thing everywhere!
 
So....

do you think a new PSU would fix these issues? If so I'll buy one tomorrow...

Is running only 20 pin in a 24 pin really a problem?
 
It depends on the motherboard and the situation. Some motherboards can use 20 pin and leave 4 open some have to have all 24. Though usally they run better with a 24 pin power supply.

Don't worry its pretty hard to find a power supply these days that isn't at least 20+4.

But yes I think a new PSU will help. Just careful on what you get. With computers you get what you pay for.
 
What is your power supply model, and wattage doesnt mean nothing those day, you need to check the Amp on the 12v rail. You have have a 600w psu but only 18amp on the 12v rail wich its crap and wont work well with your system, you have have a 400w with like 25 amp on the 12v rail and will be okay but still not powerfull, you want to get something like 30-40amp on the 12v rail total. That may be the problem too.
 
That probably the best unit you are going to get at Best Buy and more then sufficient for your rig.
 
That psu have 54amp on the 12v rail wich is really good and sufficent for your rig. Then if you are use that psu you are more then fine. But SL400, what brand ?
 
Thanks a bunch for your replies guys :D

yes that is my power supply srgess, now I'm realizing it's quite old, it needs a replacement, I suppose the coolmax I got is bum, I'll get a new antec as those serve very well for me before.

I'm looking at the power supply I already listed and this one maybe:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103937

thanks again and I hope that the power supply is the answer...just gotta get ANOTHER one tomorrow...hopefully my mobo posts...
 
Deathface said:
Thanks a bunch for your replies guys :D

yes that is my power supply srgess, now I'm realizing it's quite old, it needs a replacement, I suppose the coolmax I got is bum, I'll get a new antec as those serve very well for me before.

I'm looking at the power supply I already listed and this one maybe:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103937

thanks again and I hope that the power supply is the answer...just gotta get ANOTHER one tomorrow...hopefully my mobo posts...
Click to expand...

If your going to get an Antec get the NeoHE it has better quality then the smartpowers and the truepowers.

This would be the best budget supply for your rig.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817189005

But as of right now your best bet is to hope that the psu was DOA. Which i bet it was because it is running on the Antec 400 right now is it not.
 
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