Need help finding performance perpetrator

Pandaru · 12-28-2009, 06:29 PM

I've attempted upgrading my GPU from an ASUS 4850 512MB to a XFX 4890 1GB and only saw a slight increase in performance.

My current setup is:
Motherboard: nVidia nForce 780a SLI SPP Chipset M3N-HT Deluxe/HDMI
CPU: AMD Phenom X4 9600 BE 2.3GHz~
GPU: ASUS 4850 512mb
RAM: 4GB Corsair Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 335MHz (5-5-5-15)
HDD: 320GB Wester Digital WDC
OS: MS Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit

I just returned the XFX 4890 1GB to get my money back if I can find out what is causing the low performance I'm getting.

-I've tried switching to a GTS 250 to see if it's just the brand of card(for whatever reason) that didn't increase performance at all.
-I'm figuring that it must be either my mobo, CPU, or RAM(I'm thinking ram but upgrading it shouldn't increase performance too much).
-Should I consider overclocking my CPU? I've found from reading online that pushing it to 2.8~ GHz is safe.

I'm mainly looking for advice on what I should change. I'm on a budget of $210 for my upgrade. Help!!

SiMoNiZoR · 12-28-2009, 06:33 PM

What do you mean by didn't increase your performance at all? Did you run any benchmark tests? The 4850 is a decent card that is quite capable of running most of the current games at high(ish) resolutions and quality settings on medium-high. If you're not playing an extremely demanding game, you would probably only see a difference if you increased the resolution that you're playing at and also increased the quality settings.

Pandaru · 12-28-2009, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SiMoNiZoR

What do you mean by didn't increase your performance at all? Did you run any benchmark tests? The 4850 is a decent card that is quite capable of running most of the current games at high(ish) resolutions and quality settings on medium-high. If you're not playing an extremely demanding game, you would probably only see a difference if you increased the resolution that you're playing at and also increased the quality settings.

Whenever playing my games I try to push them to the highest settings. Using games such as Left 4 Dead 2 and Team Fortress 2 as benchmarks, my average framerate when a lot of activity is going on ranges in L4D2(45-80FPS) and in TF2(30-70FPS). When moving to the 4890, I had an increase of about 5 FPS. Is this the expected increase for the card I moved up to using the same graphics settings(maxed w/ texture tweaks to decrease compression[mat_picmip -10 in TF2])

Resolution is at 1600x900 for all my games, running 4x AA with other various settings maxed. I've found that shadows decrease performance more than any other setting.

Pandaru · 12-28-2009, 07:48 PM

Bump because I really need an answer or something

masta121 · 12-28-2009, 08:48 PM

A 4850 can max both of those games at most resolutions with 60+ fps easily. It's going to be hard to notice an improvement with those games.

SiMoNiZoR · 12-28-2009, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masta121

A 4850 can max both of those games at most resolutions with 60+ fps easily. It's going to be hard to notice an improvement with those games.

I get 100+ with my 4850 all settings max at 1920x1080.

Pandaru · 12-28-2009, 10:44 PM

That's what I expect to be getting, but am not. No one has any clue as to what could be causing my lack of performance? Would you two mind sharing your system specs with me?

Combat Medic · 12-28-2009, 10:47 PM

It is your CPU.The phenoms are starting to show there age.I would suggest a phenom2 955 as a replacement. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-674-_-Product

AM3 cpus work with am2+ motherboards (just a FYI)

Pandaru · 12-29-2009, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Combat Medic

It is your CPU.The phenoms are starting to show there age.I would suggest a phenom2 955 as a replacement. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-674-_-Product

AM3 cpus work with am2+ motherboards (just a FYI)

Thank you so much ; ; I love you

Pandaru · 12-29-2009, 01:46 AM

I'd like to mention that there is an issue with my Mobo's drivers and not being able to install them via disc in Win7. Though I went to Asus's site to get the drivers, CPU-Z is unable to identify the Mobo.

Hardwood · 12-29-2009, 03:52 AM

Lose the nv chipset mobo and replace it with an AM2+ AMD chipset mobo.
Then get a 955/965 as suggested.
I switched my 9600 for a 955. Very happy with the upgrade.

Pandaru · 12-29-2009, 04:04 AM

Any recommendations on an AMD Chipset?

Hardwood · 12-29-2009, 04:35 AM

Northbridge: Anything from 770 to 790. Each level has slightly different features.
Southbridge: Anything 600 or higher. My mobo has the 790FX and SB600 with zero issues.

As you might expect the higher the better for both. If this is just a stop-gap solution then get the cheapest but make sure there is BIOS support for the 955. High turnover sales would ensure it comes with a newer BIOS and ready to go. On the bright side you can use the 9600 to update a BIOS if needed.

Pandaru · 12-29-2009, 04:59 AM

Thanks for the advice Hardwood. +rep

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131381

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-674-_-Product

I'm trying to stay on a budget around $200 here because of another purchase I need to make soon regarding a separate issue.

Although this combo goes over it, if anyone could show me a mobo to purchase at bare minimum for a lower price, and will also support my current RAM, I'd be very appreciative.

12-29-2009, 06:36 AM

here
and here

Triple core is the way to go for u my friend

.

12-28-2009, 06:29 PM	#1
Pandaru Banned Join Date: Dec 2009 Reputation: 7 Posts: 91	Need help finding performance perpetrator I've attempted upgrading my GPU from an ASUS 4850 512MB to a XFX 4890 1GB and only saw a slight increase in performance. My current setup is: Motherboard: nVidia nForce 780a SLI SPP Chipset M3N-HT Deluxe/HDMI CPU: AMD Phenom X4 9600 BE 2.3GHz~ GPU: ASUS 4850 512mb RAM: 4GB Corsair Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 335MHz (5-5-5-15) HDD: 320GB Wester Digital WDC OS: MS Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit I just returned the XFX 4890 1GB to get my money back if I can find out what is causing the low performance I'm getting. -I've tried switching to a GTS 250 to see if it's just the brand of card(for whatever reason) that didn't increase performance at all. -I'm figuring that it must be either my mobo, CPU, or RAM(I'm thinking ram but upgrading it shouldn't increase performance too much). -Should I consider overclocking my CPU? I've found from reading online that pushing it to 2.8~ GHz is safe. I'm mainly looking for advice on what I should change. I'm on a budget of $210 for my upgrade. Help!! Last edited by Pandaru: 12-28-2009 at 06:52 PM.

12-29-2009, 06:36 AM	#15
dillonsurdaddy Guest Posts: n/a	here and here Triple core is the way to go for u my friend.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

12-28-2009, 06:33 PM	#2
SiMoNiZoR Join Date: Aug 2009 Reputation: 102 Posts: 785	What do you mean by didn't increase your performance at all? Did you run any benchmark tests? The 4850 is a decent card that is quite capable of running most of the current games at high(ish) resolutions and quality settings on medium-high. If you're not playing an extremely demanding game, you would probably only see a difference if you increased the resolution that you're playing at and also increased the quality settings.

12-28-2009, 07:48 PM	#4
Pandaru Banned Join Date: Dec 2009 Reputation: 7 Posts: 91	Bump because I really need an answer or something

12-28-2009, 08:48 PM	#5
masta121 Join Date: Apr 2006 Reputation: 670 Posts: 4,068	A 4850 can max both of those games at most resolutions with 60+ fps easily. It's going to be hard to notice an improvement with those games.

12-28-2009, 10:44 PM	#7
Pandaru Banned Join Date: Dec 2009 Reputation: 7 Posts: 91	That's what I expect to be getting, but am not. No one has any clue as to what could be causing my lack of performance? Would you two mind sharing your system specs with me?

12-28-2009, 10:47 PM	#8
Combat Medic Banned Join Date: Aug 2009 Reputation: 34 Posts: 1,070	It is your CPU.The phenoms are starting to show there age.I would suggest a phenom2 955 as a replacement. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-674-_-Product AM3 cpus work with am2+ motherboards (just a FYI)

12-29-2009, 01:46 AM	#10
Pandaru Banned Join Date: Dec 2009 Reputation: 7 Posts: 91	I'd like to mention that there is an issue with my Mobo's drivers and not being able to install them via disc in Win7. Though I went to Asus's site to get the drivers, CPU-Z is unable to identify the Mobo.

12-29-2009, 03:52 AM	#11
Hardwood Join Date: Apr 2004 Reputation: 843 Posts: 2,908	Lose the nv chipset mobo and replace it with an AM2+ AMD chipset mobo. Then get a 955/965 as suggested. I switched my 9600 for a 955. Very happy with the upgrade.

12-29-2009, 04:04 AM	#12
Pandaru Banned Join Date: Dec 2009 Reputation: 7 Posts: 91	Any recommendations on an AMD Chipset?

12-29-2009, 04:35 AM	#13
Hardwood Join Date: Apr 2004 Reputation: 843 Posts: 2,908	Northbridge: Anything from 770 to 790. Each level has slightly different features. Southbridge: Anything 600 or higher. My mobo has the 790FX and SB600 with zero issues. As you might expect the higher the better for both. If this is just a stop-gap solution then get the cheapest but make sure there is BIOS support for the 955. High turnover sales would ensure it comes with a newer BIOS and ready to go. On the bright side you can use the 9600 to update a BIOS if needed.

12-29-2009, 04:59 AM	#14
Pandaru Banned Join Date: Dec 2009 Reputation: 7 Posts: 91	Thanks for the advice Hardwood. +rep http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131381 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-674-_-Product I'm trying to stay on a budget around $200 here because of another purchase I need to make soon regarding a separate issue. Although this combo goes over it, if anyone could show me a mobo to purchase at bare minimum for a lower price, and will also support my current RAM, I'd be very appreciative.