Friend's new PC is too slow

[Kruno]

P4 2.4GHz
DFI model: NB73-BC (intel 845E) chipset
Radeon 9700 Pro
Windows XP
512MB DDR SDRAM
SBLive
LAN 100Mbps
80Gb HD split into 2 partitions 7200RPM

My system use: 6xFSAA, 16x AF with max quality at 1152x768 (my res), friends res was at 640x480 with everything set to lowest possible.
UT2003, Face 3 CTF map with 14 bots runs min 9fps, average 25fps and max of 30 or so fps with max details untweaked.

On my system I get 43fps average, 36fps minimum and 87fps maximum, untweaked.
My specs: 1.8Ghz P4, 768MB RAM (SDRAM), Radeon 9700 Pro, SBLive, Flyview Video Tuner, LAN 100Mbps, 40Gb HD split into 2 partitions.

Both systems use Intel Aplication Accelerator and chipset installation utility was installed before hand. All latest drivers have been used.

The performance is beyond disturbing.

Thanks

[Clockwork]

Err...OUCH.

If I wouldn't have read this I would have said your friend's bench numbers were impossible. I mean they are completely horrible....


:confused:

That's just crazy.

[Kruno]

That's what we are trying to solve. We tried all sorts of different tweaks, settings. We haven't solved the problem. :(

No, these framerates are not fabricated.

[digitalwanderer]

You don't happen to have his box calculating Pi or something in the background while testing, or ripping some DVD or something?

I would recomend trying setting the characters skin details to "medium" in UT2k3, ATI has always had some trouble getting the "high" setting to run fluidly. (IMHO)

You tweaked XP?

[Kruno]

Originally posted by digitalwanderer
You don't happen to have his box calculating Pi or something in the background while testing, or ripping some DVD or something?

No, we removed everything in the background and the likes.

I would recomend trying setting the characters skin details to "medium" in UT2k3, ATI has always had some trouble getting the "high" setting to run fluidly. (IMHO)

He was using very low settings when he got the framerates at 640x480.

You tweaked XP?
Yes and No, tried it both ways.

[-=DVS=-]

Hmm unessesery tweaks moust of the time screw up things

1. Check bios restore settings all to defaults AGP size 64MB ect...AGP 4x.. NO overcloaking

2. if one is still no go , then windows and driver configuration is obviously screwd up , id suggest either reinstall or for testing purposes install second copy of windows next to current , install directx 9 , mobo driver set , ATI's official drivers , soundcards driver , and test Unreal again ;)

3. if one and two fail , test his Radeon in your system maybe card is defective :rolleyes:

4 & 5 , if card is ok , test CPU and RAM , last thing would be defective mobo :confused:

Is external power supply pluged in i assume , you can try increasing AGP voltage from bios also.

[Kruno]

Originally posted by -=DVS=-
Hmm unessesery tweaks moust of the time screw up things

1. Check bios restore settings all to defaults AGP size 64MB ect...AGP 4x.. NO overcloaking
tried it

2. if one is still no go , then windows and driver configuration is obviously screwd up , id suggest either reinstall or for testing purposes install second copy of windows next to current , install directx 9 , mobo driver set , ATI's official drivers , soundcards driver , and test Unreal again ;)
tried it

3. if one and two fail , test his Radeon in your system maybe card is defective :rolleyes:
Will ask

4 & 5 , if card is ok , test CPU and RAM , last thing would be defective mobo :confused:
Possible

Is external power supply pluged in i assume , you can try increasing AGP voltage from bios also.
yep
Thanks

[Dazz]

Try updating his drivers to catalyst 3.2 and make sure you don't have an anti virus scanner working in the background as this can stop some files being copied over.

[Kruno]

Done that.

[Stealthy]

Ever thought of upgrading WinXP to SP1?

[-=DVS=-]

Originally posted by Stealthy
Ever thought of upgrading WinXP to SP1?

For some people SP1 screws up things even more or from good goes bad :D

I had horrible experience with SP1 and my DSL Modem :(

[Kruno]

Originally posted by Stealthy
Ever thought of upgrading WinXP to SP1?

Done that too.

[Sazar]

mess around with your pci cards as well :)

sometimes IRQ problems cause all kinds of hell for other products in the system

/me points to his sound blaster...

friggin thing had an irq conflict with just about everything in my system and killed the performance of other parts... I exiled it to another pci slot and everything is peachy... nothing affected my vid card... but my tv tuner was buggered :)

[Unit01]

Free up some IRQ's Disable onboard sound, serial ports, printer ports. Check mainboard agp size. Ram timings? Try run memtest ?

[GlowStick]

Its a windows thing, just reinstall it : O

[-=DVS=-]

Originally posted by GlowStick
Its a windows thing, just reinstall it : O

Originally posted by -=DVS=- and Quoted By K.I.L.E.R
..............
2. if one is still no go , then windows and driver configuration is obviously screwd up , id suggest either reinstall or for testing purposes install second copy of windows next to current , install directx 9 , mobo driver set , ATI's official drivers , soundcards driver , and test Unreal again
tried it
.............................

[GlowStick]

Originally posted by -=DVS=-
Originally posted by -=DVS=- and Quoted By K.I.L.E.R
..............
2. if one is still no go , then windows and driver configuration is obviously screwd up , id suggest either reinstall or for testing purposes install second copy of windows next to current , install directx 9 , mobo driver set , ATI's official drivers , soundcards driver , and test Unreal again
tried it
.............................


its allways a windows thing.

[-=DVS=-]

Originally posted by GlowStick
its allways a windows thing.

Yes but he already tried reinstalling with no luck :) maybe something else is wrong :rolleyes: you know IF software can't be fixed change your hardware :D

[demonized]

is AGP texture acceleration enabled in Direct X?

[Kruno]

Originally posted by demonized
is AGP texture acceleration enabled in Direct X?

Yep.

[Headbust]

maybe the card is junk>?

[GlowStick]

That would be werid, all companies have a very good Quality Control sections now.

[Headbust]

all it takes is one crack hit

[Kruno]

He did say, putting in a Geforce 4 and everything looked alright. Not sure if he did any extensive testing. Maybe the card is broken somewhere down the line?

Anyway, what he does next is up to him. I will ask and see what options are available. The guy spent around $2K on the bloody thing, one should hope it would work perfect.

RMA'ing the card might be a good idea, but as someone suggested he could try my R300 in his PC and see if it works any better.

I would seriously doubt his NIC or SBLive would conflict, but it may very well be the case too.

Last thing he wants is to open up his case and start switching around the hardware though.