Terrible Performance with Nvidia GT240 1GB DDR5 :(

[gtd2000]

I recently installed a GT240 into my GF's PC for a bit of gaming - mainly via Steam.

I normally play CS:S, TF2 and L4D 1&2.

I'd read that the GT240 was a reasonable performer (for the price) but in this instance I can honestly say it performs like a dog....

I did briefly have a 9600GT installed which was better but not anything to brag about...

When playing TF2 it takes forever to get into the game then as soon as you encounter a bit of action the whole game turns into a slide-show - it's awful.

I thought I'd try CS:S today and turned everything down to the minimum - when you start the level with the whole team in the same location - it's slide-show time once again! I've never played CS ever as such slow levels of frame rates - my old Nvidia TNT from the last millennium would have kicked its ass I'm sure!!!

Let me give you my GF's System specs:

ACER Aspire T180
AMD Athlon 64 3500+ (2.20 Ghz)
1.5GB Ram
Vista 32-bit (not sure why not 64?)
Windows Experience Rating of 4.2

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance

 

[happy medium]

9600GT=GT240. You should have asks us before you bought it.

You running a Athlon 3500? If so thats your problem.
A faster video card probrobly will not help.

DId you install the latest drivers for the gt240 on the Nvidia website?

http://www.nvidia.com/object/win7-winvista-32bit-260.99-whql-driver.html

 

[gtd2000]

Surely it's more than enough of a CPU to play basic games like CS:S though?

I'm just cheesed off with the GT240 as it really doesn't perform as well as the 9600GT, which I expected at the very least, with a bit of marginal improvement into the bargain.

 

[happy medium]

install the drivers I linked above

 

[God Mode]

1.5gb of ram is very low especially if she has a lot of stuff installed and running in the background.

The cpu is also weak and IMO the likely culprit. A single core 2.2ghz athlon 64 may play older generation games but the games you mentioned depend a lot on cpu power. I think its time to retire that system if you really want to play those steam games smoothly.

http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_lookup.php?cpu=AMD+Athlon+64+3500%2B Passmark but it gives you a relative idea on where your cpu stands.

 

[happy medium]

1.5gb of ram is very low especially if she has a lot of stuff installed and running in the background.

The cpu is also weak and IMO the likely culprit. A single core 2.2ghz athlon 64 may play older generation games but the games you mentioned depend a lot on cpu power. I think its time to retire that system if you really want to play those steam games smoothly.

http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_lookup.php?cpu=AMD+Athlon+64+3500%2B Passmark but it gives you a relative idea on where your cpu stands.

If the 9600gt played them then the gt240 should also.

 

[gtd2000]

OK going to try the driver that you linked above - it seems I'm using a driver dated from last year at present.

I normally close all applications - even tried closing AVG and Spybot but doesn't really appear to make any difference.

Will report back once the new driver is installed.

 

[happy medium]

OK going to try the driver that you linked above - it seems I'm using a driver dated from last year at present.

I normally close all applications - even tried closing AVG and Spybot but doesn't really appear to make any difference.

Will report back once the new driver is installed.

the gt240 was not out then, thats the problem. Yes use the driver i linked .

 

[notty22]

The 9600gt benched faster than the gt240 here at Anands, and it was gddr5 gt240. The 240 was a ok card if got on sale for 70.00.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/2906/10

 

[gtd2000]

Well I just went through the installation and I get an error message telling that it has failed.. "Install Failed" and a nice big red X

Perhaps need to delete the card and start again?

 

[happy medium]

try driversweeper for Nvidia drivers and reinstall the drivers i linked.


http://www.guru3d.com/category/driversweeper/

 

[cusideabelincoln]

Surely it's more than enough of a CPU to play basic games like CS:S though?

I'm just cheesed off with the GT240 as it really doesn't perform as well as the 9600GT, which I expected at the very least, with a bit of marginal improvement into the bargain.

I'd consider the processor you have about the minimum to run TF2 and CS:S at playable settings. TF2 is really a CPU hog, and multi-cores as well as pure speed make a difference in TF2 since Valve updated the game. Also the number of players in the server will make a huge difference. Anything over 24 players you should expect on the verge of unplayable framerates with that processor. But under 24 players in a map the game should be reasonably playable.

L4D on the other hand is a different story. Your system should be able to play them both smoothly at minimum details and these games shouldn't become a slideshow like TF2 does. They won't be running at 60 fps, but they should stay above 30 most of the time.

The 9600gt benched faster than the gt240 here at Anands, and it was gddr5 gt240. The 240 was a ok card if got on sale for 70.00.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/2906/10

Let's step back and look at the overall picture. The GT240 is, for all intents and purposes, equivalent to a 9600GT. Your selected benchmark even shows that with a measely 1 framerate difference. No one would be able to tell the difference in performance between these cards, and the single core processor is holding back either card.

the gt240 was not out then, thats the problem. Yes use the driver i linked .

Uh you can't say that for certain since he never stated the specific date of his drivers. The GT 240 did indeed launch over a year ago...

 

[happy medium]

I'd consider the processor you have about the minimum to run TF2 and CS:S at playable settings. TF2 is really a CPU hog, and multi-cores as well as pure speed make a difference in TF2 since Valve updated the game. Also the number of players in the server will make a huge difference. Anything over 24 players you should expect on the verge of unplayable framerates with that processor. But under 24 players in a map the game should be reasonably playable.

L4D on the other hand is a different story. Your system should be able to play them both smoothly at minimum details and these games shouldn't become a slideshow like TF2 does. They won't be running at 60 fps, but they should stay above 30 most of the time.


Let's step back and look at the overall picture. The GT240 is, for all intents and purposes, equivalent to a 9600GT. Your selected benchmark even shows that with a measely 1 framerate difference. No one would be able to tell the difference in performance between these cards, and the single core processor is holding back either card.

He was using a year old 9600gt driver , thats gota be the problem.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

He was using a year old 9600gt driver , thats gota be the problem.

Uh you can't say that for certain since he never stated the specific date of his drivers. The GT 240 did indeed launch over a year ago...

And have you even played TF2, L4D, and CS:S? I've put hours into these games, and the most with TF2. I am familiar with how this game performs, and it is CPU-heavy.

Between a 9600GT and GT 240 in his system, he should be getting identical framerates in Source games. Now if his framerate is worse, then that would certainly be a driver bug. However drivers aren't going to make CS:S and TF2 run any more smoothly for him than they did before.

 

[notty22]

I'd consider the processor you have about the minimum to run TF2 and CS:S at playable settings. TF2 is really a CPU hog, and multi-cores as well as pure speed make a difference in TF2 since Valve updated the game. Also the number of players in the server will make a huge difference. Anything over 24 players you should expect on the verge of unplayable framerates with that processor. But under 24 players in a map the game should be reasonably playable.

L4D on the other hand is a different story. Your system should be able to play them both smoothly at minimum details and these games shouldn't become a slideshow like TF2 does. They won't be running at 60 fps, but they should stay above 30 most of the time.


Let's step back and look at the overall picture. The GT240 is, for all intents and purposes, equivalent to a 9600GT. Your selected benchmark even shows that with a measely 1 framerate difference. No one would be able to tell the difference in performance between these cards, and the single core processor is holding back either card.



Uh you can't say that for certain since he never stated the specific date of his drivers. The GT 240 did indeed launch over a year ago...

I did briefly have a 9600GT installed which was better but not anything to brag about...

Thanks for the color commentary, but thats what I was showing with my post. He tried a 9600 previously , and at best the 240 would give him similar performance, or worse as I showed. Because reviews of new cards show best case, using I7's to eliminate cpu bottlenecks.

 

[God Mode]

If that computer uses an AM2 socket, any compatible AM2 dualcore should make things night and day different. Used chips can be had cheap. The plus here is that the GT240 puts less stress on the PSU. If I were OP on a strict budget, I would sell the 512mb ram+9600GT and look for a cheap 1gb stick and am2 dualcore on the forum.

 

[Avalon]

A 3500+ is probably s939

 

[happy medium]

And have you even played TF2, L4D, and CS:S? I've put hours into these games, and the most with TF2. I am familiar with how this game performs, and it is CPU-heavy.

Between a 9600GT and GT 240 in his system, he should be getting identical framerates in Source games. Now if his framerate is worse, then that would certainly be a driver bug. However drivers aren't going to make CS:S and TF2 run any more smoothly for him than they did before.

yes I played them with my pent 4 @ 3.2 and a overclocked 7800gs, it was never a slide show as the op said he's getting.
If it wasn't a slide show with a 9600gt then it should not be a slide show with a gt240. Thats what I was saying.

Thats why I suggested it was his year old 9600gt drivers. The gt240 (i dont think) was out yet back then.

 

[MentalIlness]

A 3500+ is probably s939

Agreed !

 

[cusideabelincoln]

Thanks for the color commentary, but thats what I was showing with my post. He tried a 9600 previously , and at best the 240 would give him similar performance, or worse as I showed. Because reviews of new cards show best case, using I7's to eliminate cpu bottlenecks.

You can't ignore that he's not using an i7. He's using a single core processor. Performance will be absolutely identical since 1) The cards are, for all intents and purposes, equal as the graph you show puts them close enough to be considered margin of error and 2) the processor will significantly, not just a little, hold back either card.

yes I played them with my pent 4 @ 3.2 and a overclocked 7800gs, it was never a slide show as the op said he's getting.

Valve has updated the game since you last played it, then. It performs worse than it did, so I don't think your anecdotal evidence holds up today.

I've played TF2 on a single core, and it's not a fun experience. In big maps the game does indeed turn into a slideshow, getting well-well below 25 fps. Even with my dual core rig the game will dip below 30 in heavy action.

If it wasn't a slide show with a 9600gt then it should not be a slide show with a gt240. Thats what I was saying.

That's a fine and dandy claim, but you don't explain why it's true. I did explain why.

Thats why I suggested it was his year old 9600gt drivers. The gt240 (i dont think) was out yet back then.

You should check your dates... seriously. The GT 240 came out a year ago.

I never stated drivers weren't the issue. They probably are. I was simply clarifying he shouldn't expect a magic performance boost that puts the GT240 past a 9600GT, unless of course there was something holding the 9600GT. Like, oh perhaps, his hard drive is badly fragmented.

In fact after he installs the drivers he definitely needs to defrag. I'm pretty sure TF2 and CS:S will reset the video options when it detects a different video card installed, and the new files from the new drivers will be all over the hard drive.

 

[happy medium]

You can't ignore that he's not using an i7. He's using a single core processor. Performance will be absolutely identical since 1) The cards are, for all intents and purposes, equal as the graph you show puts them close enough to be considered margin of error and 2) the processor will significantly, not just a little, hold back either card.


Valve has updated the game since you last played it, then. It performs worse than it did, so I don't think your anecdotal evidence holds up today.

I've played TF2 on a single core, and it's not a fun experience. In big maps the game does indeed turn into a slideshow, getting well-well below 25 fps. Even with my dual core rig the game will dip below 30 in heavy action.

That's a fine and dandy claim, but you don't explain why it's true. I did explain why.


You should check your dates... seriously. The GT 240 came out a year ago.

I never stated drivers weren't the issue. They probably are. I was simply clarifying he shouldn't expect a magic performance boost that puts the GT240 past a 9600GT, unless of course there was something holding the 9600GT. Like, oh perhaps, his hard drive is badly fragmented.

In fact after he installs the drivers he definitely needs to defrag. I'm pretty sure TF2 and CS:S will reset the video options when it detects a different video card installed, and the new files from the new drivers will be all over the hard drive.

Check you bad attitude at the door. Please.

If it wasn't a slide show with his 9600gt then why is it a slide show with his gt240?

I'll give you a hint , its not his cpu.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

If it wasn't a slide show with his 9600gt then why is it a slide show with his gt240?

LOL, you are obviously missing the point of my posts.

But I can play the game...:
He never really said the 9600GT wasn't a slideshow, now did he?

And calling you out is bad attitude? Correcting your mistakes is... bad? :rolls eyes:

 

[happy medium]

Correcting your mistakes

What mistakes? Its his drivers and I said it was his drivers.

He said "I did briefly have a 9600GT installed which was better but not anything to brag about..."

How would his 9600gt be better then a gt240?
Mabe his year old drivers?

 

[Lonyo]

Check you bad attitude at the door. Please.

If it wasn't a slide show with his 9600gt then why is it a slide show with his gt240?

I'll give you a hint , its not his cpu.

Because of the game?

I had a system, TF2 ran fine.
Then I changed a setting or two in the in-game options, game started being completely unplayable. All I did was change in-game settings, no driver changes etc. The game started dropping to single digit FPS. No matter what setting I changed in game, I even deleted everything and reinstalled it. From everything on low to everything on max, same performance. Still performed like crap. Even with freshly installed/updated drivers it didn't change.
I think it's because I switched between multi and single core, which wouldn't be the OPs problem, but the game can randomly crap out.

When I upgraded CPU and GPU, it suddenly got better again.
The game can just be totally erratic and randomly tank in performance, which could be the OPs problem.

Like you say though, he presumably played it fine with the GT9600 (I think, from his OP), and the GT240 should be about the same level, so there shouldn't be a massive drop in performance, since the CPU is the same.

But, it could be the game having a fit and not the drivers, and I honestly have no idea what he can do if that is the issue.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

Ok now you're kidding me, right? Right?

The gt240 (i dont think) was out yet back then.

the gt240 was not out then, thats the problem. Yes use the driver i linked .

You didn't even know when the GT 240 released.

We don't even know exactly which drivers he's using.

You make a claim as fact. I'm going to tell you something: Your conclusion is not fact and it isn't 100% certain because he hasn't given enough information. And the information he has given hasn't been as clear as it could have been.

Are drivers most likely? Yes, but don't tell the user "thats the problem". Say "that's the most likely problem". There could be other possible causes:

-Clockspeed problems. This could be related to drivers, but it doesn't necessarily mean he's using the wrong drivers. It could mean his current drivers are just confused when making the switch from a 9600GT to a GT240.

-A faulty card.

-Fragmented files, specifically driver and game files.

And if you only quote parts of this post, instead of the entire post, or you only pick at certain parts of this post, then don't even bother replying. You've already done one red herring; don't do anymore. I think you've missed the point I've made in all of my posts.

Because of the game?

I had a system, TF2 ran fine.
Then I changed a setting or two in the in-game options, game started being completely unplayable. All I did was change in-game settings, no driver changes etc. The game started dropping to single digit FPS. No matter what setting I changed in game, I even deleted everything and reinstalled it. From everything on low to everything on max, same performance. Still performed like crap. Even with freshly installed/updated drivers it didn't change.
I think it's because I switched between multi and single core, which wouldn't be the OPs problem, but the game can randomly crap out.

When I upgraded CPU and GPU, it suddenly got better again.
The game can just be totally erratic and randomly tank in performance, which could be the OPs problem.

Like you say though, he presumably played it fine with the GT9600 (I think, from his OP), and the GT240 should be about the same level, so there shouldn't be a massive drop in performance, since the CPU is the same.

But, it could be the game having a fit and not the drivers, and I honestly have no idea what he can do if that is the issue.

Yes this could be another issue, as well. Source games like to reset video options and it can be a pain to get performance back to normal, without resorting to messing with configs. Like I said before, if you really payed attention to my posts happy, TF2 and CS:S will reset video options when it detects a different video card installed.