HIS Radeon 4870 video lag now

[dnaeye]

I was initially happy with my new rig, but now I'm getting pretty bad video lag. I was getting a silky smooth 91fps in COD2 and 100+ fps in CS: Source at 1680x1050 resolution, but now it drops to half of those numbers. I think it may have to do with the two additional IDE hard drives (160 and 120GB) I've connected, but isn't the power draw from those minor? Here are my hardware specs:

* Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4 Ghz SLACR with G0 stepping
* Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel MOBO
* G.Skill 4GB Dual-Channel DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) SDRAM
* Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500GB 7200RPM Sata HDD
* HIS Hightech Radeon HD 4870 512MB GDDR5 PCI-E video card
* Antec Sonata III ATX-mid case with 500W Earthwatts 80 PLUS-Certified PSU
* Artic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler
* Acer x223Wbd 22" 5ms widescreen LCD
* Microsoft Vista Ultimate 64-bit

Btw, I built this system this past month (i.e., March 2009).

 

[coozie7]

The obvious test is to disconnect the drives and see what happens.
The next obvious check is to see how many processes are running, perhaps you`ve picked up a virus or worm that is taking up a lot of CPU time.

 

[dnaeye]

I was in denial that those two IDE HDDs were the culprits behind the video stuttering in my games, but it seems that you were right, coozie. After unplugging them, my comp is back to its greatness. I guess I need a bigger power supply. Now, how am I going to buy a new one without the wife knowing...

 

[ravenware]

Yes you do need a better psu.

At the very least you unit should of had 18a on the 12v rail and the 500w earthwatts only had 17a.

This should do.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

 

[mactronix]

I was in denial that those two IDE HDDs were the culprits behind the video stuttering in my games, but it seems that you were right, coozie. After unplugging them, my comp is back to its greatness. I guess I need a bigger power supply. Now, how am I going to buy a new one without the wife knowing...

Tell her its defective and has to go back then guess what ....that one isnt in stock but you can get a deal on this better one

Mactronix ( If my wife ever reads this im a dead man )

 

[dnaeye]

Tell her its defective and has to go back then guess what ....that one isnt in stock but you can get a deal on this better one

Mactronix ( If my wife ever reads this im a dead man )

Ohmigod...genius. You made my day.

 

[kurtyboh]

yeah that's some hella good advice there man!!! +++for mactronix

 

[kurtyboh]

yeah that's some hella good advice there man!!! +++for mactronix

 

[kurtyboh]

yeah that's some hella good advice there man!!! +++for mactronix