What should I do?

[Jhon]

Hello guys, and let’s begin:

I got this PC almost 8 months ago (November 15th 2008 to be exact), mainly thinking on my flight simulator performance, graphics, etc.

At the beginning it looked like a dream come true, but then I saw it wasn’t what I expected, the performance (comparing it with less powerful PCs) wasn’t good at all, it runs most of the games “ok” like San Andreas, GRID, PES, CoD, etc, but the simulator, which was the main reason I got the PC, lol, epic fail, even putting the settings on the lowest I still get around 25-50 FPS, but thing is it’s jumping all the time and it starts like warping…


Anyway, my point is, since I saw PCs with lower specs which get better performance than mine, I wanted to ask what should I do? 1. Should I upgrade once again? 2. Someone told me maybe the motherboard was bottlenecking the processor/videocard’s performance, since it’s very basic, so, should I change the Mobo? 3. Anything you can suggest.


Oh, and by the way, here are my specs (hope I didn’t miss anything):

Processor: Intel C2Q 6600 @ 2.4 GHz
Motherboard (this might be the problem): Intel DG31PR, too shitty indeed
RAM: Can’t remember the brand, all I know is it’s 2x2GB DDR2
Videocard: ATI 4870 512MB DDR5 (Assembled by MSI)
Power supply: OCZ Stealth X Stream (or something like that)  600W

Thanks for reading this, any help is appreciated!

[me=Jhon]points at cloakster[/me]

[cloakster]

There's obviously something wrong since your not getting the performance that you should be. I highly doubt it has anything to do with the hardware since that rig should be able to play most games on all high.

It has nothing to do with the hardware so past reformatting, i don't know what to suggest, sry.

[Sean3]

You sure its not the graphic card? So your graphic card is DDR5, maybe im guessing that might be a problem. Your saying that it runs most games OK including SA?? Try updating drivers and shit like that. But if u ask me, probably some hardware problem.

[Jhon]

Well thanks for at least replying guys, and @ Sean, the fact it's DDR5 shouldn't affect performance at all, by the contrary, should be faster than certain vcards, but that ain't the point, plus I check ATI page all the time to be up to date with the drivers, so I don't think it's a driver problem either... I'll look for some support around here, and try to do what several people has suggested (changing motherboard) and see what happens oll:

[cloakster]

You sure its not the graphic card? So your graphic card is DDR5, maybe im guessing that might be a problem. Your saying that it runs most games OK including SA?? Try updating drivers and shit like that. But if u ask me, probably some hardware problem.

The DDR5 is what should actually help the card alot, its much faster than the previous DDR4 that you see on less expensive cards.


@Jhon, i would try the options that won't cost you money before the ones that do

plus I check ATI page all the time to be up to date with the drivers, so I don't think it's a driver problem either...

Edit: Maybe this is the problem.....Are you properly uninstalling the old drivers before installing the new ones? (ie. uninstall, reboot into safe mode, use driver cleaner pro, reboot, install new drivers)

[Jhon]

Oh thanks for the idea, never did this before... Gonna do it and see how it works 

[Sean3]

Well cloakster (i put estroe instead of cloakster, sorry), all i did was install drivers for my 7900 GT when i purchased it, and i didnt need to uninstall the old drivers. It wasnt a problem, as long as my PC and Monitor is running on the 7900. But i suggest u try changing motherboard.

[cloakster]

Well estroe, all i did was install drivers for my 7900 GT when i purchased it, and i didnt need to uninstall the old drivers. It wasnt a problem, as long as my PC and Monitor is running on the 7900. But i suggest u try changing motherboard.

Well your lucky because it usually causes a conflict with the old drivers.


And the motherboard would probably not be it. Usually the main difference between the more expensive and the cheaper motherboards are the features it has. Better motherboards do perform better, but its gonna be something not so noticeable like 5 FPS.

[Shamrock]

Is your hard-drive consistent? Make sure your drive is in full working order. I'd suggest you reformat your PC.

Hard-drives are often overlooked with problems like these because they're not really significant anymore. I recall running into a problem a few years ago with a PC game. After reviewing the games manual, it had a simple statement along the lines of "Make sure your drive is in full working order." After reformatting and defragmenting my drive, I reached peek performance.

I doubt the hard-driver is the main problem, though. Drivers on ATI cards are a problem as stated. I know a friend who has a 4870. He installed the latest drivers for it, until he noted a severe decrease in performance when playing GTA IV. After researching the problem he found the old drivers worked best.

[Jhon]

Well, thanks again for the replies, and I'll try what you guys suggested.

Although, I don't think problem is the hard drive either, because I have formatted, with no exaggeration, over 20 times in the past 6 months, and it's always the same.

I'll try first defragmenting the hard disk, then do what cloakster said, using safe-mode boot and remove the videocard drivers, then reinstalling them (the old ones which came in the CD), and, as a last resource, chaning the mobo when possible... However, the way I see it, wether if I can solve the problem or not, I won't ever be using an ATI videocard again (according to my own experience)

P.S.: cloakster, I found in the page that the latest Driver Cleaner Pro is payware, so should I try with the free version? (1.5)