Unsure where hardware bottleneck is...

Skysearer · Jan 26, 2014

Hi and thanks for reading the thread,

I have been using this hardware setup on windows 7 32 bit for years but I have been unable to replace anything for a very long time now due to belt tightening financially.

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System Information
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Time of this report: 1/27/2014, 02:57:33
Machine name: ALEXROOM
Operating System: Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.130828-1532)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: XFX
System Model: MB-750I-72P9
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.4GHz
Memory: 4096MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 3072MB RAM
Page File: 1720MB used, 4418MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
Sound Tab 3: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (retail)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (retail)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (retail)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
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Card name: AMD Radeon HD 5800 Series
Manufacturer: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
Chip type: AMD Radeon Graphics Processor (0x6898)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_6898&SUBSYS_29601682&REV_00
Display Memory: 2298 MB
Dedicated Memory: 1018 MB
Shared Memory: 1279 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Model: HD-572i
Monitor Id: PTS2515
Native Mode: unknown
Output Type: DVI
Driver Name: aticfx32.dll,aticfx32.dll,aticfx32.dll,atiumdag.dll,atidxx32.dll,atiumdva.cap
Driver File Version: 8.17.0010.1230 (English)
Driver Version: 13.152.1.8000
DDI Version: 11
Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 10/8/2013 14:00:58, 1030128 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp:
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-2BD8-11CF-FC71-6A09BEC2C535}
Vendor ID: 0x1002
Device ID: 0x6898
SubSys ID: 0x29601682
Revision ID: 0x0000
Driver Strong Name: oem42.inf:ATI.Mfg.NTx86.6.1:ati2mtag_Evergreen:13.152.1.8000

ci\ven_1002&dev_6898
Rank Of Driver: 00E62001
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C
Deinterlace Caps: {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
{6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{3C5323C1-6FB7-44F5-9081-056BF2EE449D}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{552C0DAD-CCBC-420B-83C8-74943CF9F1A6}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC2,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC3,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC4,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(S340,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(S342,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
D3D9 Overlay: Not Supported
DXVA-HD: Not Supported
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled

For A VERY long time now I have experienced issues where I will be playing a game or doing any other intensive task and my computer will suddenly hang for a few seconds, before catching up with itself. I've been able to live with it because i've had to for a very long time but i'd like to fix it now if at all possible and i've only really got enough money for one shot!

I'm not sure whether my bottleneck is the RAM (though unless I got 62 bit my only upgrade is DDR3 and would that likely be the problem?), the video card (which was good for its time but may have trouble running things even on the lowest settings now?), or my hard drive (which always comes up clean when I check its consistency but could just be so slow its literally affecting performance?)

I don't know loads about the more technical side of these things, but basically this occurs on all games that use anything more than 2D rendering. It occurs on League of Legends and Dota2, Hitman Absolution, Skyrim, Chivalry: Deadliest Warrior, and basically any other game I have tried even when I run them on the lowest graphics settings.

Things tend to be at their worst at periods of highest intensity (with a lot of spells and abilities and other stuff occuring somewhere on Dota, or when I'm in a large melee on chivalry). I've tried minimising graphics settings as noted and even totally removed ragdolls, blood effects and anything else that would cause slowdown but it still seems to persist! I hope one of you knowledgeable folks has heard of an issue like this before and knows where I can best apply my money for the best chance of resolving this issue.

I place my hopes humbly in your wise hands.

Conlan · Jan 26, 2014

Looking over your specs, I don't notice any specific bottleneck. It just looks like your computer's hardware is just getting older and less able to handle today's more graphically demanding games.

Skysearer · Jan 26, 2014

Interesting and thanks for the advice, I think you're definitely right and i'm well due an upgrade, but when I refer to DOTA I mean the old Warcraft 3 Mod, which as a game I believe predates the quad core and CPU by some way? I'd be pretty surprised to find it wasn't capable of handling that! It could be you're right anyway though, or just that my parts are getting old (I haven't overclocked anything and I remove the dust from the unit regularly). So is there anything in particular you would recommend me upgrading as a start point? If I can be sure there isn't a bottleneck in what I have i'd be more than willing to start changing things very until I reach an acceptable level again as its been years since i've enjoyed quality gaming now. Even at the risk of introducing a new bottleneck.

Edit: I meant to put both DotA and DotA 2 in the original post but I didn't

sorry.

chrisso · Jan 26, 2014

That is a 'GREAT cpu, but I cant make out the motherboard against the clutter of that info.
It should be overclockable by 35 to 50 % which would make a massive difference on that architecture cpu.
A transparent specs sheet would be groovy.

chrisso · Jan 26, 2014

With 667 meg or 800 meg ddr 2 ram, all that was necessary to clock a q6600 from 2.4 gig to 3 gig per core was to alter the front side bus from
266 mhz to 300. 25% more juice just for asking.
333 fsb was posible with a little vcore boost. 50 % more power..
Getting giddy just thinking about it. . .

Skysearer · Jan 26, 2014

O.k sorry about the confusing Post it was mostly right out of DX Diag...

The motherboard in use is http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813141016
(xfx mb-750i-72p9)

I'd love to attach a proper sheet... is there any way to add attachments to posts on this forum?

Skysearer · Jan 26, 2014

I'm also more than willing to overclock now I have something like 5 years of use out of this CPU I feel I wouldn't be too robbed if I killed it

but I wouldn't know where to start with it, are there any particularly good tutorials or guides out there?

Beezy · Jan 26, 2014

you might benefit from a good disk defrag

Skysearer · Jan 26, 2014

... I have just discovered i'm using an AMI BIOS on a XFX motherboard if i'm not mistaken...

Well this is embarrassing

http://www42.zippyshare.com/v/97576600/file.html
Above is system info.. I guess i'll try my hand at a BIOS update if anyone else agrees that's what it looks like... looks like it might be i've been struggling for years just because I was an idiot when I changed my motherboard... xD

Skysearer · Jan 26, 2014

Hi Beezy,

I currently let the windows defrag program run every Wednesday at 01:00AM, is that enough or do I need to be looking into doing more in terms of defragmentation maintenance? Is the windows 7 software not good enough as has been the case before? I always thought that was enough but again this could be an obvious solution to my problem!

Beezy · Jan 26, 2014

Skysearer :

no no im just teasing, a weekly defrag is great, im sure the BIOS update will help quite a bit. also in the BIOS make sure the RAM is running the fastest it can!

Skysearer · Jan 26, 2014

Haha sorry to miss the humour

its easy to take things too seriously when there's a problem with my PC I guess! xD

For the record... If I had TOTALLY the wrong BIOS installed, which is how it would appear in the system information file... would I have a display at all? I mean obviously i'm just puzzled as to how i've missed that for so long and would have thought something like that would be much more obvious... Ofc, I could just be worrying too much. But better safe than sorry when getting a BIOS update wrong could brick my PC forever

.

Heroesneverquit · Jan 26, 2014

You wouldnt have the wrong bios. Just an older one.

As far as speeding up your pc goes. You can also download CCleaner and clean out your registry as well. Could help things a bit since your computer is so old. Should also do a disc cleanup as well since you may have a lot of temporary files laying around unless you have already done that

Skysearer · Jan 27, 2014

Thanks for the advice

I've already tried the latter not the former which i'll get done in a moment. So why would it the BIOSbe labelled like it is then? Its listed as below...

Motherboard: xfx mb-750i-72p9)

BIOS: American Megatrends Inc V1.4B1, (04/02/2009)

Shouldn't the BIOS be listed as XFX too? Or are the BIOS' put together externally by other companies? Or do I have the right bios by the wrong name? I'm terribly confused!

Heroesneverquit · Jan 27, 2014

Think about it like this sky searer. Just because sony makes the PS4 doesnt mean they make cpu chips.

It could be the xfx just made the mobos then sold them to american megatrends.

chrisso · Jan 27, 2014

What the pants is all this about defragg?
what memory are you running?

Skysearer · Jan 27, 2014

Right, thanks, with you, well its still worth doing even if it isn't the likely cause I guess given i'm on a 2009 BIOS! Though XFX require me to take my PC apart to get a serial number before I can access any files so I guess i'll have to do that tomorrow, the registry clean found over 1000 lose ends in my registry though

but hasn't stopped the issue cropping up sadly so I guess i'm down to learning to overclock my CPU to 35% until I can get inside to get them their number so I can have my bios update! Best get researching... Thanks everyone for the help so far, i'll stay with this thread and advise if I get anything conclusive, but great advice and brilliant things to try thus far.

Skysearer · Jan 27, 2014

Ram is 4GB (3 effectively because of 32 bit) oldschool DDR2 or MAYBE 3. It was so long ago I can't remember off the top of my head.

Used CPU-Z to confirm DDR2 333.3 MHz

chrisso · Jan 27, 2014

American megatrends is the brand name of almost every bios system on pc's until recently, ye nooobs.
Start from scratch; run cpuz and tell me what stepping it says your cpu is.

Skysearer · Jan 27, 2014

I think this may be the code/number you're after?

Core Stepping G0

EDIT: SORRY
Stepping: B
Revision G0

chrisso · Jan 27, 2014

You will need an aftermarket cooler to overclock, or you will be smacked down by heat build up. Are you running one? If not Ebay should present an adequate cooler for a few beenz. More importantly is you download cpuz and run it.
I need to know what stepping your chip is. Is it B3 or G0?
It matters

Skysearer · Jan 27, 2014

Thanks for bearing with me, I'm currently running an additional fan, though it isn't all that and my case is cack

I could always look into getting another to slap on the fittings to the outside if there are good budget options out there given I really don't care what my box looks like

chrisso · Jan 27, 2014

OK, you have a G0 stepping cpu. This was re figured by intel to counter the original Phenom chips, as they didnt know they were actually shit.
Intel re stepped and configured them to overclock like the knackers, and make them more attractive than phenoms to enthusiasts.
You can safely change the front side bus setting of your cpu in bios to
333 mhz. But I would stick to 310 for now, and leave everything else (all the ram timings) on auto. It mite be called cpu internal clock or something.

chrisso · Jan 27, 2014

the manic clocking cpu is a G0 SLACR.

chrisso · Jan 27, 2014

If it isnt, we could probly get 15 % more, its not like it costs.

Unsure where hardware bottleneck is...

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