Low 3dMark06 scores

[UltimaBoB]

I just got my computer serviced after having many issues.

I upgraded to windows XP x64 from 32 bit windows.

My setup:

ASUS P5W DH Deluxe
Intel E6700 CPU @ factory 2.66ghz
2 x HIS ATI 1950XTX in crossfire
4 GB OCZ memory

When my computer was bought, 16 months ago, I only had 2 GB of slower Hynix memroy and I was posting ~11,000 3dMark06 scores which at the time was about right for my machine when compared to others with similar machines.

Now, I'm only getting ~6,000 to ~7,000 scores according to the guy who fixed my machine. The only changes are that now I have newer drivers than 16 months ago and I upgraded to x64 windows from 32. The person who serviced the machine says that the discrepancy is due to the OS system change and that my machine is benchmarking at the level it should w/ x64.

Is this correct?

 

[UltimaBoB]

strangely, the overall scores that I am getting seem to correspond to the benchmarks that people with my CPU and a SINGLE 1950xtx are getting. Crossfire says it is installed...

6196 3DMark06 score

SM2 = 2352
HDR/SM3 = 2648
CPU=2363

These scores just seem off and internet searching doesn't reveal anything about x64 windows tanking 3dmark scores that badly.

 

[Extelleron]

Windows XP 64-bit is probably going to be a bit slower than 32-bit XP because it never really caught on and the drivers are not the best. However, I don't think the drivers are so bad they would cause a drop of 4,000+ points.

Make sure you have the latest XP 64-bit drivers from ATI: http://game.amd.com/us-en/driv...px?p=xp64/radeonx-xp64

I remember that my SM2/SM3 scores were similiar to what you are posting, when I had my X1900XT. I think your problem is that Crossfire is not working, only one card is functioning.

If I were you, I wouldn't have "upgraded" to XP 64-bit; if you want a 64-bit OS, Vista is the way to go.

 

[UltimaBoB]

I have been doing a lot of looking at the futuremark site.

x64 per se shouldn't drop my score according to anything I find. However, if the driuvers aren't working then...

My CPU score is exactly what it should be.

My other two scores match what people got with only 1 card.

Somehow my second GPU isn't working - I think you are right.

 

[UltimaBoB]

solved! apparently when you enable crossfire for the first time, you have to reboot immediately or it will only 'say it is enabled.

Small little tidbit I found out after 3-4 hours of searching lol Sometimes it's the small stuff. The tech I just had working on my system must not have known that either and enabled it after installing the OS and not rebooted right away.

So I disabled Crossfire, then enabled it and applid + immediate reboot.

Voila 3dmark06 score of 10,690!

Only problem now is that this means the thermal testing the tech did was done without the second GPU firing. Let's hope I will be okay...

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: UltimaBoB
solved! apparently when you enable crossfire for the first time, you have to reboot immediately or it will only 'say it is enabled.

Small little tidbit I found out after 3-4 hours of searching lol Sometimes it's the small stuff. The tech I just had working on my system must not have known that either and enabled it after installing the OS and not rebooted right away.

So I disabled Crossfire, then enabled it and applid + immediate reboot.

Voila 3dmark06 score of 10,690!

Only problem now is that this means the thermal testing the tech did was done without the second GPU firing. Let's hope I will be okay...

do your own thermal testing ... use CCC to "auto tune" and just keep an eye on the temps displayed ... it will set a very conservative OC you can fine-tune

 

[UltimaBoB]

I don't plan to do any OCing other than the factory overclocks on my GPUs.

The guy who built my machine originally kinda suicked and:

*didn't wire the PSU fan properly so it malfunctioned
*put in the special CPU fan that is only for water cooling when I don't watercool
*didn't suggest a 3rd party CPU heat sink or thermal paste
*had no cable management and cables were obstructing airflow
*sanwiched the soundcard BETWEEN the two GPUs

I don't know much about comps and knew even less then. In Oct. 2006 mine was a seriously high-end machine and I didn't know that heat would be an issue especially in a mid-sized case.

So the mobo malfunctioned, the soundcard got fried, and as stuff got dusty heat was a huge issue.

I waranteed mobo and soundcard this week using a tech who knows his stuff. I got a copper heat sink with good fan. Redid all the cable management. Put the sound card under the 2ned, cooler, GPU. Cleaned everything. Took out the mini-fan that was disrupting airflow. Applied thermal compound.

But after his thermal testing we decided the AntecP180 case was enough since I didn't have many drived - just HDD and DVD. And we didn't add an extra front drive bay fan or any additional cooling.

Unfortunately, all his testing must have been done with only ONE GPU firing. So now I'm a bit worried.

Can I trust this Everest Ultimate Edition program he used to monitor temps? Or do I need to go into the BIOS?

 

[apoppin]

Do you want to learn how to do it yourself?

First of all ... do what i suggested ... go into CCC and monitor your temps ... "auto tune" sets a "safe" *approved* OC ... you don't have to keep the OC'd settings ... but you will know what your temps are like under load and can take action if they are too hot.

Also, keep your case clean and free of dust buildup.

 

[taltamir]

delete