Unacceptable Performance

I'm starting to suspect there is something very, very very wrong with my system.

I purchased a Dell Inspiron 530 in the end of April of this year.

Specs:
Core 2 Quad Q6600 @ 2.4GHz
3GB DDR2 @ 667 MHz
Stock Dell Motherboard
XFX nVidia GeForce 8500 GT, 512MB DDR2

Nothing has been overclocked or modified.

This system has severe issues. I was running TF2 at medium settings and at my monitor's native 1920x1200 and I barely got 10 FPS. Running COD5 at low settings, 1920x1200 again got only around 5FPS. This is not normal.

I was running 3DMark Vantage and it would be an understatement to say I was disappointed to the score. You would think I would have gotten at least a 4000 or higher with my specs..

I'm not sure if it's an issue with the Dell that I purchased or the graphics card from XFX.

Message edited by deanshu on 11-15-2008 at 05:20:50 PM

Add a reply

Register or log in to remove.

LOL. It is very normal. The 8500 is a piece of crap. It works good for videos but it fails in gaming, especially at your resolution.

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to roadrunner197069

roadrunner197069 wrote :

LOL. It is very normal. The 8500 is a piece of crap. It works good for videos but it fails in gaming, especially at your resolution.

I think the new aluminum Macbook running via Bootcamp does better than this system and it's running an integrated card (9400m). I also heard it runs CS:S and TF2 at max settings, native rez perfectly fine at 40 FPS.

That's more than I can say for my system.

Reply to deanshu

And native res on a Macbook is not 1980x1200...

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to Grimble_Crumble

Grimble_Crumble wrote :

And native res on a Macbook is not 1980x1200...

Yeah, I know, it's 1280x800, I think, but I don't think my computer could handle max on everything except AA and AF at that resolution either.

Reply to deanshu

Ya lol, check the Macbook native resolution.

I had a 8500gt once. Never again. It was a piece of crap in games. I had it with a overclocked core 2 duo at 3.4 and my 3dmark06 score was right at 4000, most of the score was accredited to the high cpu score.

Your never gonna play those games at that rezsolution on that video card.

Dell is cheap because they use "OLD JUNKY PARTS!"

You need to upgrade your Video card, and that will require you to get a better power supply.

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to roadrunner197069

roadrunner197069 wrote :

Ya lol, check the Macbook native resolution.

I had a 8500gt once. Never again. It was a piece of crap in games. I had it with a overclocked core 2 duo at 3.4 and my 3dmark06 score was right at 4000, most of the score was accredited to the high cpu score.

Your never gonna play those games at that rezsolution on that video card.

Dell is cheap because they use "OLD JUNKY PARTS!"

You need to upgrade your Video card, and that will require you to get a better power supply.

Actually, I ashamed to say I bought that card for 60 USD after rebate back in April when I had no knowledge whatsoever about GPUs. Dell only had an integrated GPU ;D

XFX claims lifetime warranty. Can I return/exchange? I don't have the UPC because I cashed in on the rebate and Tigerdirect (I bought it from there) is a total bitch about RMAs. It's probably beyond the return period, plus the UPC is missing.

Reply to deanshu

The way they install 3gb in a system like that, your memory isn't running in dual channel mode either,so that's holding you back also, and check these out if you want.

http://www.evga.com/products/bstock.asp

Message edited by kg4icg on 11-15-2008 at 06:00:10 PM

Reply to kg4icg

+1 on the memory not in dual channel, but it wont hold back much.

Its way to late to get a different card. Sell it on Ebay for really cheap and read reviews before getting something else.

Remember, you get what you pay for.

At your resolution you need a card in the 300 range. And a new PSU in the $100 range read the reviews on those to or be sorry.

after you get a new GPU and PSU you be about what you payed for your Dell.

Reply to roadrunner197069

Does anyone know what PSU a stock Inspiron 530 has? Processor that came with the PC is a Q6600, so it should have a more powerful PSU than previous Insiprion 530s.

Also, would it be possible for me to get a refund for the Inspiron? I had no knowledge of PC hardware when I purchased it and I would like to return it and get a refund, using that to build a custom PC. There's 161 days left on the warranty. I used it once to get my keyboard replaced. (:

This sucks, I might have to sell my whole system.

Reply to deanshu

All you can do is sell it cheap and learn a lesson. The psu should say what the wattage is.

After you added a GPU you warranty is gone.

Reply to roadrunner197069

Or man, ATI does have the 4670 for 80 bucks on newegg.com, should be able to grab something like that without having to change the PSU. Should smack the 8500 around pretty good. Sell the 8500 on ebay. However, on GPU, if you buy the GPU through Dell, wouldn't they still honor the warranty perhaps?

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to ohiou_grad_06

ohiou_grad_06 wrote :

Or man, ATI does have the 4670 for 80 bucks on newegg.com, should be able to grab something like that without having to change the PSU. Should smack the 8500 around pretty good. Sell the 8500 on ebay. However, on GPU, if you buy the GPU through Dell, wouldn't they still honor the warranty perhaps?

I'd think that the warranty is still valid even though I installed a new GPU. Saying the warranty isn't honored if I simply installed a new GPU is like saying my warranty becomes void when I install new RAM (which I did) or a new HDD.

I got the 8500GT on Tigerdirect and overpaid obscenely. Like previously stated it was 60USD AR.

Reply to deanshu

Dell wont honor warranty after you crack the case open.

The 4670 is a sweet card for the $$. I,m using it right now and it plays Crysis and Cod5 2 1680x1050 real nice.

Reply to roadrunner197069

When you opened the case, I assume you noticed the warranty sticker that you removed/broke?

You cant open any manufacturer case or gaming console for that matter without voiding the warranty.

The inside components are so vunerable, and they dont just allow noobs to poke around in there so they can break something or give it a static charge. Use a little common sense.

If you dont believe me, call and ask them if it will void your warranty.

The warranty dont mean jack anyhow, because nothing is broken, and a warranty dont mean you can give it back for a refund becuase you want something better.

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by roadrunner197069 on 11-15-2008 at 06:20:42 PM

Reply to roadrunner197069

roadrunner197069 wrote :

When you opened the case, I assume you noticed the warranty sticker that you removed/broke?

You cant open any manufacturer case or gaming console for that matter without voiding the warranty.

The inside components are so vunerable, and they dont just allow noobs to poke around in there so they can break something or give it a static charge. Use a little common sense.

If you dont believe me, call and ask them if it will void your warranty.

The warranty dont mean jack anyhow, because nothing is broken, and a warranty dont mean you can give it back for a refund becuase you want something better.

Hmm, that's curious. You're the veteran poster so you should probably be correct. However, I've been hearing conflicting views on the subject, and I think the general consensus is that opening the case is fine as long as no parts or damaged, and if the reason for failure is not related to the upgraded components or in the vicinity. Plus, it would kinda make sense how they actually provide detailed directions on how to upgrade components on their website, and would do so willingly over the phone. Kinda weird if they're encouraging people to do something that voids the warranty, but then again, they're saving money by doing so.

Reply to deanshu

Like I said, the warranty dont mean jack. It dont cover "Oh, I'm a noob and I want a better PC now, give me a refund."

Reply to roadrunner197069

IMO, best thing you can do is rip that 8500 off your PC, grab a sledgehammer and give it a good whack.

After that's done, go to newegg.com and order any of these depending on your budget (and your PSU, you should crack your case open and check it).

(No PSU change needed)

POWERCOLOR AX4670 512MD3-P Radeon HD 4670 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814131122

(Possible PSU change needed)

SAPPHIRE 100265L Radeon HD 4830 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102803

(Possible PSU change needed)

SAPPHIRE 100245L Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102770

(PSU change required)

ASUS EAH4870/HTDI/512M/A Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814121276

Message quoted 1 times

------------------------------ Anxiously awaiting the Hydra 100 and the Hydra Engine...
www.lucidlogix.com
Reply to emp

emp wrote :

IMO, best thing you can do is rip that 8500 off your PC, grab a sledgehammer and give it a good whack.

After that's done, go to newegg.com and order any of these depending on your budget (and your PSU, you should crack your case open and check it).

(No PSU change needed)

POWERCOLOR AX4670 512MD3-P Radeon HD 4670 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814131122

(Possible PSU change needed)

SAPPHIRE 100265L Radeon HD 4830 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102803

(Possible PSU change needed)

SAPPHIRE 100245L Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102770

(PSU change required)

ASUS EAH4870/HTDI/512M/A Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814121276

Will these fit in my case? Some of them seem rather large and the Inspiron is only a midtower form factor.

Reply to deanshu

Theyll fit, and also allow you to game like youve never before. Since youve opened the case, see if the psu listings are on the side, youd be looking for wattage or amps on the 12 volt rail(s). Or look it up. If its anywheres near 400 watts, a 4830 or a 4670 will work, anything more MAY need a new psu

------------------------------ I went drifting, thru the capitols of tin, where men cant walk and cant freely talk, and sons turn their fathers in
Reply to jaydeejohn

I'd go for the 4670 - it'll do great, and won't require anything else to be changed.

Reply to cjl

Okay, I've pretty much given up on getting a new PSU and I'm OK playing at a lower resolution because I'll only be using this computer for two more years and I'm not sure how much I'd game.

I'm thinking of getting HD4850. Does anyone know the power requirements? It doesn't say in the detailed info part on newegg's site: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102770

EMP mentioned I would need a new PSU. How powerful would it have to be?

138 AR. Doing some research under the hardware tab here it'd score around 15K paired with my Core 2 Quad.

I'm also not sure if it'd fit; there are no dimensions on newegg's site either.

Reply to deanshu

Youll want something pushing about 19 amps per rail on the 12 volt rails. Do some research so you know what youre looking for. 19 amps is about 211 watts per rail. That should do you fine The card is I believe 9"s long, so measure from the back plate/slot towards the front, if you have 9" youll be fine

Message edited by jaydeejohn on 11-16-2008 at 09:54:02 PM

------------------------------ I went drifting, thru the capitols of tin, where men cant walk and cant freely talk, and sons turn their fathers in
Reply to jaydeejohn

The cards I linked you to are custom-PCB HD 4830 and HD 4850, shorter in size. I haven't measured it yet (I have the HD 4850 one), but I remember reading that this particular Sapphire card is 8" long.

This is an excellent PSU for the price (one of the very few good sub $70 units), it has up to 34A on the combined 12V rails and can probably power up most setups in the market, with the *possible* exception of dual GPU cards.

Antec earthwatts EA500 500W ATX12V v2.0 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371007

Message edited by emp on 11-16-2008 at 10:07:20 PM

------------------------------ Anxiously awaiting the Hydra 100 and the Hydra Engine...
www.lucidlogix.com
Reply to emp

Forum Graphic & Displays : Nvidia - Unacceptable Performance

Please mind

Focus On

Unacceptable Performance

Forum Graphic & Displays : Nvidia - Unacceptable Performance

Please mind