VisionTek Radeon 6950 - BAD 3DMark11 Scores - ~2500!

[splendorlex]

I just popped a Radeon 6950 2GB into my system, and ran 3DMark11. It did horribly. P2601, Graphics score of 2500, physics of 3303 and combined of 2568. My processor isn't amazing, but it's a Phenom II X4 B55 at 3.3. My PSU is a Corsair 600W, I have an SSD and a standard HDD, and a single optical drive. That's it.

So, should I be worried? What are some things I could look at? Is this maybe a CPU bottleneck, that seems awfully low, and it's not a screaming new CPU but it isn't 5 years old either. What are your recommendations?

 

[popatim]

do you have it an an pcie x16 lot? is the slot pcie 2?

 

[Earnie]

what motherboard?whats a B55?955,965?And if it is one of these CPU's,they will not bottleneck a 6950.What drivers?what GPU did you have in before?It should score around low 5000's.

 

[splendorlex]

Ok, here's some additional info. The slot is a PCIe 2.0 x16 slot. The mobo is a Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3. The CPU is actually a AMD Athlon II X3 455 Rana 3.3GHz where I unlocked the 4th core in the BIOS, which it is then recognized as a Phenom II X4 B55.

Now, I did find one problem in that the card wasn't quite seated right. I made sure everything was connected and seated properly and ran it again, I did get better scores, but still nowhere near 5000. My graphics score was 4005, my physics score 3048, and my combined 2653.

I also noticed I'm getting temps of over 100 during the 3dMark11 test.

 

[Earnie]

Ok, here's some additional info. The slot is a PCIe 2.0 x16 slot. The mobo is a Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3. The CPU is actually a AMD Athlon II X3 455 Rana 3.3GHz where I unlocked the 4th core in the BIOS, which it is then recognized as a Phenom II X4 B55.

Now, I did find one problem in that the card wasn't quite seated right. I made sure everything was connected and seated properly and ran it again, I did get better scores, but still nowhere near 5000. My graphics score was 4005, my physics score 3048, and my combined 2653.

I also noticed I'm getting temps of over 100 during the 3dMark11 test.

in that case,it may very well be the CPU holding you back.the temps are quite high,my 6950's dont go anywhere past 70 while benchmarking or gaming(BF3) .And I'm using an 1100T@4.0Ghz.

 

[splendorlex]

I just returned a 6870 that was giving me heat problems as well. My 4830 before that had no issues. I have a Rosewill challenger case, it has 2 120mm fans and 1 140mm fan. I have 2 open spots for more 120mm fans and I just ordered a few more from NewEgg. It's not especially dusty or anything, and my computer is actually in one of the coldest rooms in my house. Maybe those 2 additional fans will solve my issues.

 

[splendorlex]

Here's a bit of an update. After getting some slightly more respectable scores (at least in the 5k range), my temps were still really high, peaking over 100 during the testing. I just put in 2 more 120mm fans, and ran the tests again. It did have a decent impact, where my temps topped out during testing at 91. Is that acceptable, or still too high? The vid card has plenty of open space below the fans, and I now have every fan spot occupied in the case, 4 120mm fans and one 140mm. 4 of the fans are set to push air out, only one pulling air in (front of the case.) Should I turn around one of the other fans? The 140 is on top of the case, a 120 in the bottom front, a 120 in the back on the top side, and 2 120s on the side of the case, same side.

 

[popatim]

the two side fans should be blowing in. Hopefully one will be blowing right onto the GPU.

 

[splendorlex]

Well, the fans on the 6950 blow straight DOWN into my case, they don't blow out the back. If I turn those two around, one will be blowing nearly right on the GPU.

 

[popatim]

the fans on the 6950 should be blowing into the card not down.
Having one of the side fans blowing toward the gpu = PERFECT!

 

[splendorlex]

Ok, one last update. I did switch the two new fans to blow in. It also seems my temps are much better now. The GPU is around 35 degrees idle, and under the heavy loads of the 3dMark tests, maxes out around 92 degrees or so, and never for very long. Seems much more acceptable.

I also upgraded my CPU to an FX-6300, and saw FAR better scores overall, my first test was a 5107. Now time to go play some GAMES!

 

[popatim]

Grats!