Vesztho

Hello. First post here, but prolly not the last. ;'\ I've recently put my very first system together from the ground up. I cherry picked most the parts to make sure its would all roll out easy. The building was easy enough; color by numbers mostly. But after everything was said and done, updating the BIOS, Drivers, and making sure the CPU, and GPU weren't melting, I'm still having issues running somewhat demanding software, and I notice my system isn't as responsive as it should be.

***Problem***: I'm trying to play Crysis: Warhead on Gamer settings and I'm getting major chopping, shuddering, and over all poor performance. I went to the System Requirements website and it says they not only is my box up to specs but its over the Recommended.
"http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/referrer/srtest" for those interested.

I got the BIOS set to default, and I haven't tried to over clock anything just yet, but as it is I should get least 25 fps, but I can't even fire a rifle without a hitch, none the less explosions. I've monitored the GPU's and CPU's temp and they don't peak over 55 and 45 respectively. I'm almost certain my PSU is putting out enough juice too, I read that a 600w should push it all.

The only thing I can think of is I might have a faulty MoBo, or GPU. I could have accedently damaged it during install. Any advice would be welcome. But before the post gets too long winded these are my PC's specs. Thanks in Advance.

OS: Win Xp Sp3
Mobo: M4A78T-E (AM3)
CPU: AMD Phenom II X3 720 BE
GPU: Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 (w/ heatpipes)
RAM: OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
PSU: Thermaltake 600W ATX 12v 2.0

Niram

you will probably need a better PSU, with at least 850W if not more

as for the graphic.. it's I believe fine, maybe check temperatures before and after you play for 15 minutes?

emosun

Which specific thermaltake 600w are you using? I won't say it's the immediate problem , but it may be eventually , 600 is the lowest possible for that 4870.

Post your temps of the card under load. Also try the game with the AA lower or off.

Vesztho

In response to Emosun:

Thermaltake Purepower W0121RU 600W ATX12V V2.0:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817153077

When I was picking the pieces I thought the power would be enough, it doesn't seem to have any issues booting. But I do notice it does take a long time to load programs. Ex. When opening Crysis is takes a min plus to actually start the beginning movies, aswell as loading levels, and well as when I select a saved game I the systems hangs a bit, and I can hear the sound skip. It would be nice if It was culprit cause I can just RMA it.

But while looking into the reviews on NewEgg for any possibilities I found this:

"This card it appears has a history of failing. I googled this problem and found quite a few posts about this card. Apparently the problem is well known at Sapphire and Athlon Micro. When I explained to the tech that I saw three diodes on the back of the card flashing red(d1601-1603 on the back of the card near the end on the top edge of the PCB they are white and light up red when their is some failure) he immediately told me to RMA the card. I agree that the fee should be waived it is 15.00. They say it is to cover the cost of shipping the cards back to sapphire, however I feel that the costs of RMA should be built into the margin when you sell the cards. This is how most companies handle warranty work. And I purchased this card in February. I would not buy a sapphire card again. The radeon 9500 pro I purchased back in the day gave me nothing but problems."

And while I was running the games to test the temp under load I had the case open. The heatpipes were hot to the touch, but the temp display said it never peaked passed 55C. Also I'm pretty sure those red lights were on too, I just passed'm off as activity lights. But it may have something due to the power requirements. The card itself has 2 power connections, I have'm both plugged in, but they're on the same cord. I don't know if that would be an issues. I'd like to do some troubleshooting before I just RMA it.

Tumbleweed36

Let's try checking the at-rest temps in the bios to see what that says. That alone may be an indicator of the heat you are dealing with because the bios is normally the most accurate way to check them. Also, when you run this rig, then take a house fan and with the side of the case off the computer, blow it directly on the CPU and see if that helps you any.

BTW, almost forgot, also check the voltages in the bios while you are in there checking the temps.

You would be running that video card on the very basic power supply size and the thermaltake you have listed is not one of their better models. We can look at that after you have done the small things like checking the temps and voltages in the bios.

Vesztho

It's funny you mention using a house fan, I was running one on it last night. But the idle temps from BOIS are CPU: 40C/104F, MoBo: 39C/102F, and GPU: 42C. The BOIS voltages are set to CPU VDDA: 2.5v, DRAM:1.5v, HT: 1.2v, NB: 1.3v, SB: 1.2v.

But it turns out the red lights on the card don't light up. So that's out the window. So I'm still open to suggestions.

Vesztho

Well I got the issue resolved. But it wasen't anything suspected here. Turns out it was the Hard Drive. Should have guessed it. When the PC would boot up it came back with a S.M.A.R.T. driver error something about backup and replace. But I didn't think it would effect the in game performance as much as it did. I'm RMAing it to NewEgg today, so I can get it replace. But after I put in my old HDD and updated the drivers I could run crysis, and COD4 at max setting without a flinch. But thank you all very much for looking out. :D

Vesztho

The dreaded double post.

Tumbleweed36

Hey, we are happy you got it sorted. Enjoy your weekend.