CPU scores terribly low benchmarks

[scottj7]

I had no idea I may have computer issues until I decided to run some benchmarks recently. I'm getting results that are HALF of what's expected for my hardware. Running 3dmark Vantage showed me that my GPU scores are okay, but the CPU is ~50% what it should be. My computer has always ran very stable, but look at these results:

http://3dmark.com/3dmv/3382444

I even tried other cpu/gpu benchmarking software and got similarly low-for-my-hardware scores. I've spent the last week scouring forums and checking various settings to no avail.

Today, I decided to buy a new processor and swap it in. I swapped out my E8500 for a brand new E7500 and re-benchmarked. Same story... ~50% cpu performance compared to other, exact-same models.

Here's what I can tell you:

my gpu, motherboard, and other drivers are up to date
bios is flashed with the newest version and no bios settings look amiss (power throttling settings are disabled)
gpu-z looks right (clock speeds and pci 16x)
power settings are all max-performance (in windows and nvidia control panel)
temperatures are fine (55C or so under full load w/ the E8500, 50C w/ the E7500)
i don't have any other programs running and i've whittled my start-up programs to the bare minimum

I'm at a loss. Perhaps my motherboard is screwed? Anybody else have any ideas??

 

[scottj7]

It's in the link above, but in case it's helpful here:



**************
System Summary
**************
Windows 7 (64-bit)
Intel Core2 Duo E8500 @ 3.16GHz
4094 MB RAM
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 280
75GB HDD

System Information
System Name:
Operating System: Windows 7 (64-bit)
Motherboard Manufacturer: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
Motherboard Model: EP45-UD3P
Motherboard Version: x.x
BIOS Manufacturer: Award Software International, Inc.
BIOS Version: F10
BIOS Release Date: 02/05/2010

CPU Information
Manufacturer: GenuineIntel
Type: Intel Core2 Duo E8500 @ 3.16GHz
Number of CPU's: 1
Cores per CPU: 2
Hyperthreading: Not capable
Measured Speed: 3166.8 MHz
Multiplier: 10X
Bus Speed: 333Mhz
Front Side Bus Speed: 333Mhz
L1 Instruction Cache: 2 x 32 KB
L1 Data Cache: 2 x 32 KB
L2 Cache Size: 1 x 6 MB
L3 Cache: (N/A)

Memory Information
Total Physical Memory: 4094 MB RAM
Available Physical Memory: 2537 MB RAM
Slot 1: Unknown, 2048MB, 800MHz
Slot 2: Not populated
Slot 3: Unknown, 2048MB, 800MHz
Slot 4: Not populated
Virtual Memory: C:\pagefile.sys (4094 MB)

Disk Information
Drive Letter (Number): C (Physical drive 0)
Model Number: ST3802110A
Disk Size (Free space): 317.2 GBytes (78.3 GBytes)
Disk Cluster Size: 4 KBytes
File System: NTFS
Drive Letter (Number): D (Physical drive 0)
Model Number: ST3802110A
Disk Size (Free space): 74.5 GBytes (28.9 GBytes)
Disk Cluster Size: 4 KBytes
File System: NTFS
Drive Letter (Number): E (Physical drive 0)
Model Number: ST3802110A
Disk Size (Free space): 317.4 GBytes (50.0 GBytes)
Disk Cluster Size: 4 KBytes
File System: NTFS

Video Adapters
Description: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 280
Chip Type: GeForce GTX 280
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Memory: 1024MB
Video BIOS: Version 62.0.1c.0.80
Driver Provider: NVIDIA
Driver Version: 8.17.12.8026
Driver Date: 8-3-2011
Monitor 1: 1920x1080x32 60Hz (Primary monitor)

 

[Herr_Koos]

What's your power supply?

 

[scottj7]

My PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V v2.2

 

[Herr_Koos]

OK, so no shortage of power then. This is puzzling..

 

[scottj7]

I've gotta think it's broken hardware. I might try a new motherboard... but tonight, I'm going to reload Windows just in case it's a software issue. My Windows install is certainly not cluttered, but I guess it's worth a try.

 

[scottj7]

Windows reload was no help. Anybody?

 

[Herr_Koos]

See if you can borrow a S775 board from someone, and try again. You might as well, since you've reloaded Windows anyway.

 

[scottj7]

Will I need to reinstall windows when I swap in a new mobo? Your response makes it seem that way.




btw - I vacationed in South Africa this summer (I'm from the US). It was beautiful

 

[Herr_Koos]

Glad you enjoyed it! Hope you come back again soon.

 

[popatim]

This is interesting. My cousin has this same board and has complaints of poor processing power also. My initial suspicion was his 800Mhz ddr2 ram is forcing his FSB to 200 and therefor only giving him a 2Hgz processor speed. (200x10). I see yours is also running at 200Mhz. Is in fact your memory only 800mhz or could you up to 1333 aas a test?

 

[scottj7]

Where are you seeing that my FSB is only reading 200? I had discovered that my motherboard will force the cpu multiplier to be x6 (333x6=2.0ghz) unless I disable a thermal protection setting in the BIOS.. which is odd because my temps seem fine (~40C idle). With that setting disabled, the cpu multiplier stays at 9.5 like it should, and reads the correct 3.16 ghz in CPU-Z. The 3.6 value shown in the 3dmark score is with the FSB overclocked to 380. My memory defaults to 1333mhz but I manually changed the multiplier so it would be in a 1:1 ratio with the cpu FSB. Allowing the motherboard to automatically set the memory bus speed at 1333 does not fix the benchmarking issue.

 

[popatim]

Your memory is listed at 800Mhz.

Thanks for the update, it gives me something to look at whenever he brings his pc over! Can you vote yourself as Best Answer? LoL