COD4 FPS/performance

Hangwire · 02-19-2008, 02:33 PM

Just as a precautionary....I run no mods, my system meets game requirements....I run no background programs, my directX is updated and works fine, my video card drivers are updated and my game is patched.

To give a general idea of my problem....I get around 20 FPS average in COD4 with no AA or AF on. All detail settings are on normal(model detail, water detail, etc) with things like shadows, blood, bullet impact, glow ON. I run at 1280x1024 Resolution on desktop and in game.(19 in. monitor)

Specs
Motherboard=Microstar K8N nforce-4 Socket 939
CPU=AMD Athlon 64 3500+ 2.2ghz
RAM=1xGeneric 1024 MB PC3200 stick & 2xPatriot 1024mb PC3200 sticks(ALL DDR, 3g total)
Video Card=ATI Radeon x1650 Pro 512mb PCI-E
PSU=Allied 330watt with a single 19A +12.00 rail
OS=Windows XP
No overclocking is done
When I ran 3dmark05 I received a score of 4600ish

This week I found some time to try to troubleshoot this and downloaded a couple programs such as Prime95, MBM5, etc. When I ran Motherboard monitor 5 I painstakingly found out that my +12.00 rail is only receiving 2.3 VOLTS! +5.0 seems to be ok and +3.3 is a little under-volted but the +12 rail really caught my eye. This is a PSU thats already been replaced once within 1 year of purchasing this computer - and i'm beginning to realize why.

My first question - is my PSU the culprit? My second - What do you suggest as an upgrade for my build? I read through your PSU thread and I was deciding between two of the listed PSU's there. But whatever would be best for my system is what I want.

**tecknomage** · 02-19-2008, 03:11 PM

Suggest you use the the Tweak Guides site:

Also suggest you add their Home Page to your Favorites.

I don't see COD4 on the Game Guide list, but the other guides may help.

**koala** · 02-19-2008, 10:18 PM

PCI-E graphics cards need at least 26 amps on the +12V line. Your PSU only has 19 amps. 330W is very low by modern standards, they were more common about 5 years ago.

Replace the PSU with a 550W with 26A/+12V. What's your price limit, and which 2 were you looking at in the PSU article?

Hangwire · 02-20-2008, 11:44 AM

My price limit is $200

I was originally looking at the Corsair HX-620 watt and the Seasonic 600 watt.I noticed that they were 18A on 3-4 rails and decided not to buy until I found out exactly what I needed.

Id like to make sure I leave room for future upgrades and OCing.

**koala** · 02-20-2008, 01:15 PM

The 2.3V reading you're getting for +12V is incorrect, possibly due to a faulty sensor. If it was really that low, the computer wouldn't start. You can check in BIOS or use another monitoring program like Everest, SpeedFan or SensorsView, but with it being a weak PSU anyway, I would replace it.

Either of those units are ideal for your system, with the SeaSonic being slightly better for future upgrades. 18A on each of the 3/4 rails is more than enough.

Corsair 620W - $145 (after rebate)
SeaSonic 600W - $150

Hangwire · 02-23-2008, 02:48 PM

Corsair HX-620 Watt should be at my workplace doorstep on Monday Morning. $138 with $26 overnight shipping @ http://www.zipzoomfly.com.

Id also like to say on the side that I appreciate the high quality well organized info on PSU's and comps in general here. It would take a true dunce to leave this site and not know exactly how to clean their comp up and have it in tip-top shape. Though most of this I already knew I felt like I learned alot about PSUs and their importance. I will probably be posting again within the next week depending on how much the new PSU fixes my gaming performance issue.

02-19-2008, 02:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
Hangwire Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 17 OS: Windows Vista SP1 Basic	COD4 FPS/performance Just as a precautionary....I run no mods, my system meets game requirements....I run no background programs, my directX is updated and works fine, my video card drivers are updated and my game is patched. To give a general idea of my problem....I get around 20 FPS average in COD4 with no AA or AF on. All detail settings are on normal(model detail, water detail, etc) with things like shadows, blood, bullet impact, glow ON. I run at 1280x1024 Resolution on desktop and in game.(19 in. monitor) Specs Motherboard=Microstar K8N nforce-4 Socket 939 CPU=AMD Athlon 64 3500+ 2.2ghz RAM=1xGeneric 1024 MB PC3200 stick & 2xPatriot 1024mb PC3200 sticks(ALL DDR, 3g total) Video Card=ATI Radeon x1650 Pro 512mb PCI-E PSU=Allied 330watt with a single 19A +12.00 rail OS=Windows XP No overclocking is done When I ran 3dmark05 I received a score of 4600ish This week I found some time to try to troubleshoot this and downloaded a couple programs such as Prime95, MBM5, etc. When I ran Motherboard monitor 5 I painstakingly found out that my +12.00 rail is only receiving 2.3 VOLTS! +5.0 seems to be ok and +3.3 is a little under-volted but the +12 rail really caught my eye. This is a PSU thats already been replaced once within 1 year of purchasing this computer - and i'm beginning to realize why. My first question - is my PSU the culprit? My second - What do you suggest as an upgrade for my build? I read through your PSU thread and I was deciding between two of the listed PSU's there. But whatever would be best for my system is what I want. Last edited by Hangwire : 02-19-2008 at 02:43 PM.

02-19-2008, 03:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
tecknomage TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 804 OS: WinXP Pro SP3	Re: COD4 FPS/performance Suggest you use the the Tweak Guides site: System Optimization Tweak Guides TweakGuides Tweaking Companion Game Tweak Guides Also suggest you add their Home Page to your Favorites. I don't see COD4 on the Game Guide list, but the other guides may help. __________________ Tecknomage Computer System Specialist IT Technician

02-19-2008, 10:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
koala Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK Posts: 9,293 OS: XP/UBUNTU My System	Re: COD4 FPS/performance PCI-E graphics cards need at least 26 amps on the +12V line. Your PSU only has 19 amps. 330W is very low by modern standards, they were more common about 5 years ago. Replace the PSU with a 550W with 26A/+12V. What's your price limit, and which 2 were you looking at in the PSU article? __________________ New members: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. TSF Folding@Home Team 85015 - details here

02-20-2008, 11:44 AM	#4 (permalink)
Hangwire Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 17 OS: Windows Vista SP1 Basic	Re: COD4 FPS/performance My price limit is $200 I was originally looking at the Corsair HX-620 watt and the Seasonic 600 watt.I noticed that they were 18A on 3-4 rails and decided not to buy until I found out exactly what I needed. Id like to make sure I leave room for future upgrades and OCing. Last edited by Hangwire : 02-20-2008 at 12:00 PM.

02-20-2008, 01:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
koala Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK Posts: 9,293 OS: XP/UBUNTU My System	Re: COD4 FPS/performance The 2.3V reading you're getting for +12V is incorrect, possibly due to a faulty sensor. If it was really that low, the computer wouldn't start. You can check in BIOS or use another monitoring program like Everest, SpeedFan or SensorsView, but with it being a weak PSU anyway, I would replace it. Either of those units are ideal for your system, with the SeaSonic being slightly better for future upgrades. 18A on each of the 3/4 rails is more than enough. Corsair 620W - $145 (after rebate) SeaSonic 600W - $150 __________________ New members: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. TSF Folding@Home Team 85015 - details here

02-23-2008, 02:48 PM	#6 (permalink)
Hangwire Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 17 OS: Windows Vista SP1 Basic	Re: COD4 FPS/performance Corsair HX-620 Watt should be at my workplace doorstep on Monday Morning. $138 with $26 overnight shipping @ http://www.zipzoomfly.com. Id also like to say on the side that I appreciate the high quality well organized info on PSU's and comps in general here. It would take a true dunce to leave this site and not know exactly how to clean their comp up and have it in tip-top shape. Though most of this I already knew I felt like I learned alot about PSUs and their importance. I will probably be posting again within the next week depending on how much the new PSU fixes my gaming performance issue.