Bad benchmark on Fast computer

[MikesDD]

Hi folks!

I'm looking for some ideas. I recently built a system that from the spec shoud run pretty well, but it doesn't.

Current config:
MB = Gigabyte GA-7N400Pro2
CPU = AMD XP 3200+ (Barton core at 400mhz)
Cooler = Thermalright SLK-900A with 92mm fan pushing 56cfm, using included thermal paste
RAM = Corsair Twinx 3200LL, 2 x 256MB in dual channel config
HD = Segate 80GB SATA, 7200rpm
DVD = Plextor 8x DVD+-r/rw 708-A
CASE = full tower with 4 x 80mm fans, 2 in the front and 2 out the back.
VIDEO = GeForceFX 5200, 128MB
PSU = Antec TrueBlue 480w

-Fresh install of Win2k with all updates
-Current nForce2 chipset drivers from nVidia
-Current Forceware drivers for video card from nVidia

With this config, I am running about 950 on 3DMark03. I compare it to a friend who has a 2100+ / GF4 Ti 4200, 64MB / 256MB ram who runs about 1600 on the same 3DMark03 benchmark. We have gone thru setting by setting to see if that was it, but nothing we noticed was much different.

I have to run my BIOS at Normal / Optimal to boot--If I even go to turbo (at default Turbo setting the FSB doesn't change but the RAM changes from 2-3-2-6 to 2-2-2-5) I'll get a BSoD. I just replaced my 2100+ cpu with this 3200+ and the 2100+ seemd to have a similar problem--couldn't boot at 133, had to set to 100, and posted less than expected benchmarks.

My bios is Award version 5B (or was it 4B--it's the latest one anyway)

Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[SYAR2003]

Hello it's not your pc spec thats wrong .
It's the grapic card thats slow .
fx-5200 is low end when it comes to gaming.
Although 3dmark03 is a gaming benchmark that tests
the graphics.
A ti-4200 performs around fx-5600/5700 (but ti-4200 only support dx8).
Suspect the 4200 gets very good points in wings of fury (dx7 test) and the dx8 tests but bad in dx9 test.

The PC has good specs , but video card choice ... ?

 

[paparazi]

I've not had much experience with 3DMark03 but in 3Dmark2001SE with a Geforce FX5200 on my rig (similar Nforce2 but with XP2.6+) I get around 5,400 points and my old GF4 Ti4200 used to get 11,000 points on the same rig.
As you can see the 4200Ti is one powerful card, and still is! easily out benchmarking FX5600 cards by some margin and as you can see over double the speed of the entry level FX5200, rember the 4200Ti was only about 10% slower than the mighty Geforce 4 Ti4600 (Nvidia's top card 18-20 months ago)
So if that translates into the 3D 03 version what you are getting would seem about right.
My advice would be to try 3DBenchmark 2001SE and if you are getting about 5,500 then there clearly is nothing wrong, just a low score from an entry level card.
Martin


Replying helps further our knowledge, without comment leaves us wondering.

 

[MikesDD]

OK--the video card is the suspect for the poor gaming performance. I can switch that out in the near future, but I'm not sure I want to spend $450 on a 5950. What would be a decent performance boost from my 5200 that still would not break the bank? I've read that the new 5700 ultra is pretty good, but I value your opinion as much.

On the other issue with regard to the BIOS settings and potential overclocking: What would cause a blue screen just switching from Normal to Turbo and changing the cpu interface from Optimal to Aggressive? These seem like minor tweaks for a brand new & stock AMD cpu with high performance ram. The other question is why my 2100+ will only boot at 100MHz instead of the spec 133? Would changing my ram from Micron PC2100 to Corsair PC3200 affect it?

 

[SYAR2003]

The new 5700Ultra from albatron is very good . But there is a new 5900 card out that has good price .
Rumors say it's the best performance/price combo of the NV cards.
Its called 5900XT or 5900SE with 128Mbyte RAM.

As for your ram timings if you run 400mhz on the ram
and it's stable at 2-3-2-6 i think it's very good .
I might add that i have xp3200 and 2* pc3200 512Mb
that the best at 400mhz is 2,5-3-2-6 .