Yet another problem/problems

[bertschkid]

Ok first thing my computer is a:
p4 2.0 o/c to 2.2 FSB 420
MSI 865PE neo 2 mobo
Samsung dvd/cd blah blah
Sapphire Radeon 9800 Pro 128mb
PMI pc3200 400mhz 2 512mb sticks
blah
blah

OK wee see a fairly good computer here right?

Well first problem i installed 3200 ram and go into bios right?

I then go to page wher u do the o/c i go to the ram setting and it says 266mhz. (This should be 400 right)

OK, so i boot up WinXP and i load up Sis Software Sandra and run a memory bench mark test. Well my resaults were around 2123.
the other reference score was set for a 865 and pc3200 and what was its score? 4997 there something wrong with the ram?


OK, second problem. I just bought a Sapphire Radeon 9800 Pro right. Ok so i install it and since i see this tiny fan i touch it to see how hot it is and WOW if i hold by hand on it it almost burns it. I was wondering if this was normal.


OK, Third problem. I load up NBA Live 2003 with the video card on low tectures and no anstrop? and that other one on and start a game and low and behold what do i GET? The game doesn't even run at a playable framerate! And my 5600 had it at a playable framerate!!! So anyway i pause the game and go to the video settings.... What do i see? It is set at 640x48016bit and everything else is at maximum. I know that it should go fast since i play Return of the King with the video card settings on 4x 16x and it has playable framrates.

SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME AND REPLY BACK AS SOON AS POSABLE!!!!!

[rpertusio]

Originally posted by bertschkid
OK wee see a fairly good computer here right?

Indeed! looks good

I then go to page wher u do the o/c i go to the ram setting and it says 266mhz. (This should be 400 right)

I believe if you set it to [Auto], or 400mhz, it should work fine.

Well my resaults were around 2123. [...] there something wrong with the ram?

Are there any memory 'timing' settings in the BIOS? maybe you can lower them to more aggressive settings (CAS latency, etc)

if i hold by hand on it it almost burns it. I was wondering if this was normal.

Yes, rather normal. You could get a 3rd party gfx cooler to help keep it cool, but it isn't really necessary. They get very hot by nature. If you get into overclocking your video card, alternate cooling would likely help.

The game doesn't even run at a playable framerate!

Do you have the Latest drivers for your motherboard? Do you have the latest Catalyst drivers for your ATI 9800?


Hopefully those are some starting points that we can help solve the issue.
- rp

[bertschkid]

then go to page wher u do the o/c i go to the ram setting and it says 266mhz. (This should be 400 right)

Ok, lets see here. Its set at auto and the only other option is 266mhz. (so thats out of the picture)

Well my resaults were around 2123. [...] there something wrong with the ram?

i havn't tried it yet and will do so

Yes, rather normal. You could get a 3rd party gfx cooler to help keep it cool, but it isn't really necessary. They get very hot by nature. If you get into overclocking your video card, alternate cooling would likely help.

i may just do that

The game doesn't even run at a playable framerate!

yes i have the lastest drivers as of october so i wull check for new ones and yes i have the latest Catalyst drivers

EDIT: Yes the motherboard drivers are the latest and are the
Nov. 10 2003 version

[rpertusio]

From various reviews around the web, your memory speeds are supposed to allow the following settings: Auto, 266, 320, 400, 500, 532 MHz

Is there an option in the bios to choose 'custom' memory speeds? (as in, override the 'suggested' values and use custom speeds like 400mhz)

3rd party graphics card coolers are somewhat of a trick to install if you've never done it before. just to forewarn ya

How about the BIOS version of the motherboard? Is it the latest?

- rp

[bertschkid]

YEP, yer in the process of helping me on aim HAHA

[rpertusio]

Indeed. I spoke with bertschkid on AIM to help narrow down the issue.

I had him run CPU-z to help identify the cpu/motherboard/memory timings and speeds. All motherboard/memory/CPU settings appeared fine, EXCEPT that the RAM was at a lower frequency than would be expected. As noted above, the speed was not configurable above 266mhz for the memory, but the manual suggested that it could allow those higher memory speeds.

He has the latest BIOS for the motherboard.

After some investigation, there is a reason why this is happening. I checked out the manual and had a few questions.

The RAM speeds of "333, 354" are available with a Pentium running at 533fsb, and the "400, 500, 532" RAM speeds are only available with a Pentium running at 800 FSB. For YOUR processor (P4 2.0ghz at 400fsb) there is no option for faster RAM speeds, that I am aware of. (Check page 3-28 where I got this information.)


What slots are your RAM modules in? You can run it in 'dual-channel' mode by putting them in slots 1 & 3 (or 2 & 4). If you have two RAM modules, you could gain some performance by ensuring the modules are NOT placed directly next to each other (on the same channel).

I also suggested to bertschkid to make sure the AGP 8X setting was enabled.

Hopefully that helps to determine the cause of the problems. As for a solution.. that may be up to someone else to help determine.

- rp

[bertschkid]

ok, thanks ill try that