Hi guys! This is my first time on this forum, so I hope this is the best place to post this. I've got a lot of experience in PCs, I know certain things about hardware, but my knowledge is limited as it's not exactly my passion. (Though, I do have an A+ certificate, hehe) I've been kinda worried about my current setup: AMD Athlon 64 3000+ @2.0ghz Winfast Foxconn nForce 4 1gb (2x512mb) Kingston Ram in Dual Channel XFX PV-T71G-UCE7 Geforce 7900GT 256MB 40gb Hard Drive (with windows) 120gb Hard Drive (games, music etc.) I have a relatively clean system since I formatted not too long ago. I'm running WIndows XP Home Edition with Service Pack 2. My main problem is the overall performance of my PC compared to other similar setups. Games run overall fine and I'm very happy with it, but when I compare benchmarks with other PCs similar to mine, well it's just strange. I did a benchmark in 3DMark06, though my graphics are pretty good, my CPU falls short very short. http://service.futuremark.com/compare?3dm06=367959 I was wondering if it could be that it's being bottlenecked by the graphics card? Or could it be my motherboard. Mainly because I see a lot of other 3000+ CPUs do much better in CPU benchmarks, even ones that are at stock speeds. I hope that made sense. My CPU:
Are you sure the other 3000+'s aren't overclocked? since even a 200mhz increase in pcu speed could increase your results significantly. Also Make sure that the other peoples graphics cards aren't overclocked either. And just one more thing, its only 3D Mark, fi your system plays games how you want them to then don't worry.
Thanks for the reply. 3DMark benchmarks gives pretty detailed information, and it shows that some of the CPU's are running at 1800mhz, and it still beats mine in benchmarks. Not sure about the graphics cards though.
It may be your motherboard having bottlenecks, but I think your 3000+ is probably bottlenecking your GFX. But then again my X800PRO @XTPE Speeds with a s754 Clawhammer (2.2GHZ 200MHZ overclock) outperformed my friends s939 3000+ @2.2GHZ withaa 6800GT @ ultra speeds. It confused the ATi guy to hell.
Hardware just confuses people Hehe, I've been thinking of updating my CPU in a month or two (maybe wait for price drops) and I have my eye on a 64 X2: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103562 Good idea?
I wouldnt worry too much, most people posting benchmarks will be overclocking so they may have the same hardware but it will be running at the speeds equivilant to a faster model. If there are any bottlenecks it probably would be your cpu, if you have the cash to spare then upgrade. Yer go for the X2 3800, fast at stock speeds but most will do 2500mhz or above with reasonable temperatures on air cooling, if you decide to overclock it at a later date Welcome to the forum
Thanks man! Yeah, I have to wait a while to get my finances back up. I just bought the 7900GT and it put a little dent in my pocket Any other suggestions for an under $300 CPU upgrade? (socket 939)
Welcome to the forums Retro_X Nope... go with the x2 3800 you've mentioned above. They're very good VFM now, and have the potential to OC well beyond their rated speed - even on just [decent] air cooling The very reasons I signed for a retail x2 3800 just yesterday myself
If you wanted to try and overclock your current cpu this would improve speeds a lot. The 3000+ can be oced usually to 2.7 ghz (stock - 2ghz), people say it depends which revision you get but I personally have yet to see the 3000+ not reach 2.7 ghz when oced (by someone who knows what they are doing). Ed ps I agree with the people above though, the 3800+ x2 is a very good choice for an upgrade.
