Performance Crash

[lojik]

Ok here is basic set up...

Epox 4SDA+ mobo (SIS 645 chipset)
Intel P4A Northwood 1.8 @ 2.1ghz
512mb Crucial 2700 ddr ram
Leadtek GF4ti4600

Windows ME (sucks I know)

Ok when i first put this system together I got around 10,400 in 3dmark

I have the FSB set at 118mhz with the ram on a 4:3 ratio which works out around erm... 157mhz.

Driver version 41.09 Nvidia
Latest SIS AGP Driver
Latest BIOS Version for Mobo

The original 3dmark test score was a little lower than I expected (and was also carried out with the chip only only o/c to 2.0ghz with 112mhz fsb)

However runing at that setting this morning yielded 7800ish, and with it o/c to 2.1 ghz it made 8300 which I think is frankly appaling, and a huge drop from the original result.

The only things that have been changed since the original test were the updated mobo BIOS, newer Det drivers (i tried agin with the old ones and it was even worse) and a couple cooling fans. Thats all that's changed... any suggestions?

 

[Will]

Benchmarking is a bit strange. I always think it is more important how the PC feels when you are playing games, since drivers tend to be optimised for certain benchmarks anyway.

 

[kameleon]

Also if you are looking for high scores, and arent too concerned about trahing expensive chips (as is evident since you o/c you cpu) why dont you o/c the gf4 too?

 

[Embattle]

How long a go did you put your system together?

 

[lojik]

This system was built about 4 months ago. Has been running completely stable the whole time. The P4A Northwood 1.8 is a very overclockable chip and the one I bought was guaranteed to overclock to 2.4ghz, so my running it at 2.1ghz shouldn't be stressing it too much (as I said it has run 100% stable, I never get random resets or such like).

I wouldn't bother overclocking the GF as the actual performance increases are at best minimal, and also with an underperforming system such as this, a total waste of time.

 

[lojik]

Pah! oh well lesson learned, uninstalled 3mark, reinstalled and retested, scores back up to "acceptable" levels. Guess I should take Wills advice (again) and ignore benchmarkers and just be happy that all my games run silky smooth.

 

[Will]

Don't you hate that?

 

[Testin da Cable]

In the computer industry, there are three kinds of lies: lies, damn lies, and benchmarks.

wise man say. just so you know