Upgraded to 2X1gb OCZ Platinum 2-3-2-5, Sapphire X850XT PE agp, Xtreme Music X-FI, and with every new piece of hardware, my problems only grow.
/\-- For the benefit of the tipbox summary. This is a long post, to give as much info as possible, so I've broken it up into two parts. The first part explains the problems I'm having, and the second details my upgrade process and what I experienced as far as performance etc. I did do a search for similar threads, but any that came close had their last post weeks ago and didn't help any. I appreciate in advance any suggestions anyone might have.
ps. Money is not an issue. I'm not rich but this is my only expensive habit. I'm also willing to switch over to nVidia SLi (but not two graphics cards yet) if it will fix my problem, but I've read compatibility problems with nForce chipsets and X-FI cards, plus, will a 7800gt run better than my x850xtpe if I could get these current problems fixed? This combo on Newegg is tempting but has some pretty bad reviews:
I could probably sell my videocard and mobo on ebay and make an even trade. But I don't want to replace a good mobo and videocard for a mediocre just to go with nVidia/nForce, if the problem lies elsewhere.
HL2: With the 5.13 ATI drivers, I saw a significant FPS and peformance increase. However, while my highs are in the 300fps range (all settings including HDR maxed out, 1600x1200 @85hz), my lows still drop to 30fps during heavily animated scenes (like when the tower collapses near the beginning of the game and you're on the water scooter).
BF2: The day before 1.12, I finally got my computer optimized enough to run BF2 on all high and 1600x1200, in single player, with an average of 50fps. Using a bot changer and putting 100+ bots on the field, on a 64 map of Dalien Plant (still single player), didn't affect my fps at all. I was in heaven. The next day I bought Special Forces, patched to 1.1, then 1.12, and the rest is history. I now play with a 50/50 mix of medium/high and 1280x1024. I'm OKAY with that. However, fps still drops down to the single digits now occasionally, especially in Special Forces, and in single player.
COD2: I only have the demo, but I just barely get away with medium settings and 1280x1024.
FEAR: I only have the dmo, but I just barely get away with a mix of low/medium and 1280x1024. Aliasing looks horrible at the highest setting I can put it on. My friend has the pci-e version of my card and can play all high 1600x1200 smoothly.
Sound problems:
I noticed some sound distortion when I had my speakers turned up during artillary strikes with my onboard sound. So, I figured I'd get a sound card, and that might take some of the stress off of my mobo/cpu, and while giving me an overall peformance boost, I'd also get better sound. This has turned into the largest problem for me. I first tried the X-FI Platinum, then downgraded to the Xtreme music, and the problem persists. I even did a fresh Windows install this weekend. Haven't had the problem since then,but also haven't played many games yet. Crackling, popping, scratching, screaching, etc.
System reboots/hangs: It's no secret that I'm new to overclocking, and that I overclock fairly roughly and often. I've gotten my cpu up to 2.6 and it was stable for about half an hour at stock cooling and voltage. I was impressed to say the least! However, even with fairly low overclocking (2.4hgz cpu, memory dropped back to 333mhz in bios which becomes 400 off the cpu OC, CAS timings relaxed to 2.5 occasionally as experimentation, videocard between 560/610-574/614 (1228 effective) ), I experience sound loops, system hangs, BSOD,and system reboots. I've only experienced these in BF2 and while online though. Losing all my overclocking fixes the problem, but makes even my 50/50 mix of medium/high settings unplayable (low fps).
Install problems: Whether it's games, a fresh Windows install, basically any kind of program at all, I almost always experience a problem. Sometimes it loads halfway through and gives up, but usually I get errors saying it can't find a particular .dll file. I figured that my Rosewill was bad, and my friend let me borrow his drive and recently leant me an extra NEC he had, and I still have problems. Yesterday I reinstalled windows and had to do it 4 times because I kept getting errors, using both drives, with the new psu, using two different copies (legal) of XP Pro.
Basically, overall, my computer acts like a $1000 HP, yet it's passed the $2000 mark in quality hardware.
About 4 months ago I decided to build my first computer with the help of a friend. I originally had: 3200+ Venice, X800XT AIW (all in wonder), Asus A8V AI, 2X512mb PNY Optima, 300gb Maxtor DiamondMax, and a Rosewill DVD burner. At the time, my friend figured I just wanted a working computer but it became apparent that it wasn't living up to my expectations so I replaced the ram with what I currently have, and because of occasional lag issues in HL2, I returned my videocard as well. I should probably mention here that I had the X800XT AIW with the OCZ Platinum and honestly, haven't seen a peformance increase since that moment.
After getting the X850XT PE, $400 at the time (and lost my TV abilities), I was amazed to see that I still had problems. I then began researching computer optimization and am still learning registry hacks, BIOS settings, etc. (So, even if it's true, please don't say this is all user-fault, because I am trying very hard).
My next upgrade was to get a SATA 10K rpm Raptor drive. I saw some quickened Windows, and possibly load times, but nothing significant. I recently was given an Adaptec SCSI PCI card and am contemplating a 15,000 RPM 3.3ms seek drive to either run my OS or more stressfull games on.
This weekend I got a new PSU (in sig). I really thought that a lot of my problems stemmed from the old psu ( a Dynapower W-Power DP-400AT which I can't find any documentation online for) that says it has a max of 400W output. Unfortunately, I've since experienced every single problem that I attributed to a stressed PSU since installing my new one.
All that leaves is my cpu and motherboard. If, for arguments sake, the psu had fixed all of my problems, then I had planned on buying a new processor this week; most likely a San Diego core 4000+.
But will that be like throwing spinners on my Corsica? Obviously, in the end, all of my upgrades will suddenly equal a really great computer, but I'm trying to at least fix my problems before upgrading. I don't care if I have to play BF2 half and half between medium and high settings, as long as it plays WELL. Then I'll upgrade later and enjoy the increase. But as it is, I keep putting more money into my computer and see NO increase at all, because of the existing problems that persist.
That combo deal on Newegg that I mentioned is very tempting. But the bad reviews worry me. I had been planning on building a second computer in about 6 months once the prices of the things I wanted calmed down. 7800gtx 512mb, sli mobo, X2 or FX (dual) processor, water cooling, etc. Should I stick with that idea, and replace this mobo, stick with ATI for this computer, and hope the mobo fixes the problem? Also, agp mobos are hard to find on sites I like/trust. Newegg's highest rating AGP 939 board is... guess what... the A8V!!!
I'll probably still get the 4000+ this week, plus a new heatsink, probably a copper Zalman. Down the road I'll probably add extra cooling, possibly liquid, and a pci PVR card. I don't want to get a new mobo just to experiment. So hopefully someone has some good advice for me, and I truely appreciate you taking the time to read this and offer your feedback.
- Jofaba
/\-- For the benefit of the tipbox summary. This is a long post, to give as much info as possible, so I've broken it up into two parts. The first part explains the problems I'm having, and the second details my upgrade process and what I experienced as far as performance etc. I did do a search for similar threads, but any that came close had their last post weeks ago and didn't help any. I appreciate in advance any suggestions anyone might have.
ps. Money is not an issue. I'm not rich but this is my only expensive habit. I'm also willing to switch over to nVidia SLi (but not two graphics cards yet) if it will fix my problem, but I've read compatibility problems with nForce chipsets and X-FI cards, plus, will a 7800gt run better than my x850xtpe if I could get these current problems fixed? This combo on Newegg is tempting but has some pretty bad reviews:
I could probably sell my videocard and mobo on ebay and make an even trade. But I don't want to replace a good mobo and videocard for a mediocre just to go with nVidia/nForce, if the problem lies elsewhere.
-------------------------------------------------------
Part I
Unstable FPS: Part I
HL2: With the 5.13 ATI drivers, I saw a significant FPS and peformance increase. However, while my highs are in the 300fps range (all settings including HDR maxed out, 1600x1200 @85hz), my lows still drop to 30fps during heavily animated scenes (like when the tower collapses near the beginning of the game and you're on the water scooter).
BF2: The day before 1.12, I finally got my computer optimized enough to run BF2 on all high and 1600x1200, in single player, with an average of 50fps. Using a bot changer and putting 100+ bots on the field, on a 64 map of Dalien Plant (still single player), didn't affect my fps at all. I was in heaven. The next day I bought Special Forces, patched to 1.1, then 1.12, and the rest is history. I now play with a 50/50 mix of medium/high and 1280x1024. I'm OKAY with that. However, fps still drops down to the single digits now occasionally, especially in Special Forces, and in single player.
COD2: I only have the demo, but I just barely get away with medium settings and 1280x1024.
FEAR: I only have the dmo, but I just barely get away with a mix of low/medium and 1280x1024. Aliasing looks horrible at the highest setting I can put it on. My friend has the pci-e version of my card and can play all high 1600x1200 smoothly.
Sound problems:
I noticed some sound distortion when I had my speakers turned up during artillary strikes with my onboard sound. So, I figured I'd get a sound card, and that might take some of the stress off of my mobo/cpu, and while giving me an overall peformance boost, I'd also get better sound. This has turned into the largest problem for me. I first tried the X-FI Platinum, then downgraded to the Xtreme music, and the problem persists. I even did a fresh Windows install this weekend. Haven't had the problem since then,but also haven't played many games yet. Crackling, popping, scratching, screaching, etc.
System reboots/hangs: It's no secret that I'm new to overclocking, and that I overclock fairly roughly and often. I've gotten my cpu up to 2.6 and it was stable for about half an hour at stock cooling and voltage. I was impressed to say the least! However, even with fairly low overclocking (2.4hgz cpu, memory dropped back to 333mhz in bios which becomes 400 off the cpu OC, CAS timings relaxed to 2.5 occasionally as experimentation, videocard between 560/610-574/614 (1228 effective) ), I experience sound loops, system hangs, BSOD,and system reboots. I've only experienced these in BF2 and while online though. Losing all my overclocking fixes the problem, but makes even my 50/50 mix of medium/high settings unplayable (low fps).
Install problems: Whether it's games, a fresh Windows install, basically any kind of program at all, I almost always experience a problem. Sometimes it loads halfway through and gives up, but usually I get errors saying it can't find a particular .dll file. I figured that my Rosewill was bad, and my friend let me borrow his drive and recently leant me an extra NEC he had, and I still have problems. Yesterday I reinstalled windows and had to do it 4 times because I kept getting errors, using both drives, with the new psu, using two different copies (legal) of XP Pro.
Basically, overall, my computer acts like a $1000 HP, yet it's passed the $2000 mark in quality hardware.
-------------------------------------------------------
Part II
Part II
About 4 months ago I decided to build my first computer with the help of a friend. I originally had: 3200+ Venice, X800XT AIW (all in wonder), Asus A8V AI, 2X512mb PNY Optima, 300gb Maxtor DiamondMax, and a Rosewill DVD burner. At the time, my friend figured I just wanted a working computer but it became apparent that it wasn't living up to my expectations so I replaced the ram with what I currently have, and because of occasional lag issues in HL2, I returned my videocard as well. I should probably mention here that I had the X800XT AIW with the OCZ Platinum and honestly, haven't seen a peformance increase since that moment.
After getting the X850XT PE, $400 at the time (and lost my TV abilities), I was amazed to see that I still had problems. I then began researching computer optimization and am still learning registry hacks, BIOS settings, etc. (So, even if it's true, please don't say this is all user-fault, because I am trying very hard).
My next upgrade was to get a SATA 10K rpm Raptor drive. I saw some quickened Windows, and possibly load times, but nothing significant. I recently was given an Adaptec SCSI PCI card and am contemplating a 15,000 RPM 3.3ms seek drive to either run my OS or more stressfull games on.
This weekend I got a new PSU (in sig). I really thought that a lot of my problems stemmed from the old psu ( a Dynapower W-Power DP-400AT which I can't find any documentation online for) that says it has a max of 400W output. Unfortunately, I've since experienced every single problem that I attributed to a stressed PSU since installing my new one.
All that leaves is my cpu and motherboard. If, for arguments sake, the psu had fixed all of my problems, then I had planned on buying a new processor this week; most likely a San Diego core 4000+.
But will that be like throwing spinners on my Corsica? Obviously, in the end, all of my upgrades will suddenly equal a really great computer, but I'm trying to at least fix my problems before upgrading. I don't care if I have to play BF2 half and half between medium and high settings, as long as it plays WELL. Then I'll upgrade later and enjoy the increase. But as it is, I keep putting more money into my computer and see NO increase at all, because of the existing problems that persist.
That combo deal on Newegg that I mentioned is very tempting. But the bad reviews worry me. I had been planning on building a second computer in about 6 months once the prices of the things I wanted calmed down. 7800gtx 512mb, sli mobo, X2 or FX (dual) processor, water cooling, etc. Should I stick with that idea, and replace this mobo, stick with ATI for this computer, and hope the mobo fixes the problem? Also, agp mobos are hard to find on sites I like/trust. Newegg's highest rating AGP 939 board is... guess what... the A8V!!!
I'll probably still get the 4000+ this week, plus a new heatsink, probably a copper Zalman. Down the road I'll probably add extra cooling, possibly liquid, and a pci PVR card. I don't want to get a new mobo just to experiment. So hopefully someone has some good advice for me, and I truely appreciate you taking the time to read this and offer your feedback.
- Jofaba
Comment