The cost of progress

[whoblitzell]

As discussed in previous threads, my computer is underperforming similar AMDs (not much of a surprise) and also similar Intel processors by a significant (5-7%) margin on a lot of benchmarking utilities. I have debated the reasons for this among myself, with those reasons falling into two categories: hardware and not hardware.

After attempting to remove numerous fluff programs Gateway packed on (via formatting and reinstall Windows), I noticed a small spike in performance. After upgrading to 2 GB of RAM last month from 1GB (pc3200, ddr400(I think that's DDRII..?), I noticed almost no real change. This left me stumped. Was my processor a piece of crap? According to you people, that isn't so. I do have a Gateway provided motherboard, or so it seems, running an Intel D915GSE based chipset.

My latest pet theory is that my motherboard is a generic piece of crap. Given that motherboards cost relatively little (versus the 450 to 900 dollar mega-bloated processor I was thinking about purchasing) at around 145 dollars local for the D925 I had my eye on.

So, am I making potatos out of "potatoes" or should I go buy a new motherboard? Will the upgrade nerf0rize any of my current hardware (PCI-Express based network, video card and LGA775 processor) ?

As usual, thanks all for your time.

 

[Logical_1]

The new motherboard may buy you some performance, but I wouldn't expect miracles. Also, what are you comparing it against? Do the systems use DDR2 memory (DDR400/PC3200 is not DDR2)? Do they have different video cards? How much memory do they have (benchmarks of normal activity will not care about 1GB or 2GB)? What exactly is being benchmarked? Which benchmarks are you using? I'll run some on my comp and see if it performs up to the level they say it should to see if it is just the systems being optimized for the benchmarks or if your system specifically is underperforming.

 

[whoblitzell]

The benchmark I tried specifically was PCMark2004 and what I compared it against was a figure found here:

<<Also, what are you comparing it against? Do the systems use DDR2 memory (DDR400/PC3200 is not DDR2)?>>

Yes and here here

<<Do they have different video cards?>>

Yes but it is a processor benchmark so it shouldn't matter.

<< How much memory do they have (benchmarks of normal activity will not care about 1GB or 2GB)?>>

Same and I am using PCMark 2004. I believe the difference might be that their comp is using DDR2 memory. Can you tell me if my computer is compatible with DDR2 memory(D915GSE motherboard)?

 

[Logical_1]

The chipset may be compatible, but unless there are slots on the board for DDRII memory, then you can't use it. Unless you have two different types of slots on your board (one for DDR and one for DDRII), then you likely can't use the DDRII. I'll run the benchmark when I get home and see how my system does.

 

[MnkyOf[-]ate]

Most people (majority not all) who use the benchmarking programs have custom built computers, with nothing generic in them.

Are you using normal ram like apacer or kingston?
or are you using performance ram, like kingston hyperX, OCz, corsair, etc.
That can impact performance quite a bit. Plus the fact it isn't DDR II.

Also look for a program called wcpuid and ensure your clock speeds are where they should be at for your processor (reply if you need help with this)

The motherboard is probably another slight setback. Most places that build computers try to get the parts as cheap as possible so they can make the most profit, which results in lower quality standards.

The video card you have can in fact affect your processor benchmark. If you are using onboard video it will most likely drain memory and utilize the processor to help process video. If you are using an agp card then it wont have as much effect on the cpu benchmark because it offloads most of the video processing from the cpu to the gpu on your video card.

When I used to work at a small computer repair shop they were paying $35 a motherboard imported from china, and charging up to $150 for them.

 

[whoblitzell]

The chipset may be compatible, but unless there are slots on the board for DDRII memory, then you can't use it. Unless you have two different types of slots on your board (one for DDR and one for DDRII), then you likely can't use the DDRII. I'll run the benchmark when I get home and see how my system does.

How can I tell if my motherboard supports DDR2 memory? I know the chipset does because it says as much at the Intel website. How can I even tell if I have DDR2 memory?

Thanks

 

[Logical_1]

Email the computer manufacturer. There is no real way besides asking them if the motherboard is proprietary.

BTW, what are your scores in PCMark 04?

 

[whoblitzell]

PCMark 2004 scores:

Overall/"System" score: 4785
CPU score: 5168
Memory score: 5163
Graphics score: 2642
HDD score: 4285

So you don't have to ask, the hardware, respectively:

CPU: Pentium4 model 550 3.4 clockspeed L2 cache 1MB
Memory: 2GB Pc3200/DDR400 (DDR1 memory not DDR2)
Video card: Geforce 6600 256MB (not the 'GT' one)
Hard drive: 250GB WD2500J (first generation SATA)

What's the biggest bottleneck, or should I even be worried?

Thanks for all of your help so far

 

[whoblitzell]

Are you using normal ram like apacer or kingston?
or are you using performance ram, like kingston hyperX, OCz, corsair, etc.
That can impact performance quite a bit. Plus the fact it isn't DDR II.

Also look for a program called wcpuid and ensure your clock speeds are where they should be at for your processor (reply if you need help with this)

The motherboard is probably another slight setback.

I am using Nanya in two slots and Memorypro in the other two (2gb total speed is pc3200/ddr400). I'm unsure if this classifies as "normal" RAM or not, as I'm not an expert in brands.

It seems to be floating just above 3400MHz for processor and 200 for the "system".

Captured image here

Thanks for your help too.