How On Earth!

[Die Auslese]

Alright, I'm gonna start this off by explaining the computer parts that arrived in mail. I got all these parts from Newegg.com (go figure), and built it for a friend, whom purchasad all the parts.

Case: Apevia X-Telstar S-Type
CPU: Intel E8400 3.0GHZ
GPU: Nvidia EVGA 9600GT
MOBO: Asus P5N-E nForce 650i
RAM: K-Byte PC6400 DDR2/800 Dual Channel Memory (1GB x2)
HDD: Western Digital - 320GB 7200RPM
EXTRA: Raidmax Maxcool Intel CPU Cooling Fan, 500W PSU, and 2x Sony 20X Double Layer Dual Format DVD+-R/+-RW + CD-R/RW Drive's

So first thing I thought would have been a good idea was to cut a 3.5inch or 76mm hole in the top, since there is no ventalation holes on top. So we did'nt measure (much), which we regret, and cut the hole. When we fit the PSu in the PSU covered a tiny tiny bit of the hole (maybe 1 or 2mm). Needless to say we can't put a fan there, lol. Installation when smooth, the BIO's for the ASUS bored were suprisingly easy, and it automaticly reconized the fact that a HDD was plugged into it, which made putting Windows XP Media, easy and effienct.

Anyway to the orginal reason I made this, we got the computer working, we ran a temp test by downloading all the games from steam, which took about 4 hours. The temps were cool, nothing reached higher than 42C (of course that its not under load). Then we download AOC:HD, and COD4. We first played AOC:HD and using fraps we measured out about 53 FPS at high setting at a resolution of 1280x768. Mind you we had,nt OCed yet. I thought was impressive, but then I though wait a min. So using my other screen we ran my computer, and his computer side by side. sure enough on IDENTICAL settings he was getting 8FPS better than me! Now my specs are listed down below. What I want to know is HOW THE HELL is that computer faster than mine! Cuase I know my Card would trounce his card by like 4 times! and my processer was running 200mhz, faster but had a 1066FSB, vs 1333? Anybody have a logical guess? I'll post out related specs for other games as well.

[hdantman]

You need to run the test at MUCH higher resolutions with FSAA to see a difference with your card. That's low rez, and you're probably CPU limited. His higher FSB could have something to do with it. What's the timing on both of your RAMs?

Are using the same drivers?

Remember Radiator's "microstuttering" issues, and assign affinities to the game and the OS. Test it again.

[hdantman]

He can OC the hell out of that 8400 btw--help him out.

[Die Auslese]

We both have 800mhz, ram and the highest res on our screeens (Should say screen) is 1680x1050, I guess I'll have to re run AoC:HA at that res and see what happans. However i get an average of 61FPS at med settings (with high sounds, game effects) at a res of 1280 x 1024 in crysis while he gets about 48, COD4 on max settings at 1024x 768 I get about 90FPS, while he gets about 77FPS for an average. So it tells me his computer might out do me on somethings, but its just the game, or the drivers for everything that might give him the edge. At least now we are gonna re run everything I guess since these are the test at 3GHZ, I think we can safley get that thing to 3.5ghz easy, if not 3.8ghz.

[hdantman]

It's your drivers. Set the affinity on your quad to allow windows one full core. Crysis is SLI supported, as well as multicore.

If you don't get that 8400 past 4.2Ghz, I'll come over there myself and beat you to death with a tube of thermal grease.

[Die Auslese]

Originally Posted by hdantman

It's your drivers. Set the affinity on your quad to allow windows one full core. Crysis is SLI supported, as well as multicore.

If you don't get that 8400 past 4.2Ghz, I'll come over there myself and beat you to death with a tube of thermal grease.

I don't think 4.2ghz is safe with the puny lil cooler we have on this thing, i mean its better than stock, but seriously i don't wanna fry that $180 piece of technology! And yes i have windows running on the 4th core, which is hardly ever used, I believe since i set it up that the first 2 cores are used for "visiable applications", the 3rd core is a back up, and the 4th core is doing all the OS work.

[-RK]

It should be quite safe on stock cooling.

The Wolfdale chips are amazing overclockers.

Just take it slow and stress test after every increment.

[aliquidparadigm]

FYI, you'll overvolt the 8400 before you overheat it.

I know from first-f'n-hand experience. I would sincerely caution even putting it 1.4v; I run 3.6GHz at 1.3625v every day, but can bump up to 4.0 without a hitch. Well, most of the times... it's very, very occasionally instable at that clock. The one I fried, I had up to 1.5v running stable at 4.3GHz... for a couple of days. Literally; two days.

[Die Auslese]

I'll go over to his place on my weekend (monday tues) and OC his CPU, and GPU. Just for giggles I'll see if i get it to 4.5GHZ, but I think I'll leave it at 3.6ghz (20% OC). I seriously have to re run the tests, I guess I built him a fairly good machine for less than $1000.

[aliquidparadigm]

Again, I cannot stress this heavily enough, you will over-volt that thing if you're not careful. It will stably boot at high voltage and frequency, but you'll fry the shit out of it after a few days if you put it to 4.5GHz. It won't even get hot, it'll just die.