Need PC performance suggestion

[aggie97]

So, I am not a huge Gamer but sometimes play left for dead 4 with my stepson. I may play more later but I am getting frustrated.

I built this PC not too long ago:

i7 2600 chip 3.4mhz
Intel DP67BG motherboard
samsung Pro SSD
8gb of ram
Invidia GeForce GTX260...given to me by a friend.

Running Win 7 home 64 bit and not a whole lot loaded on it. Fresh install from MS disc, not a Brand Name bloated setup. I am running Norton virus protection which in the past has slowed things some, but not much.

I frequently get to points in games and some intensive video where the FPS goes to 2.1 and the game gets jumpy, locks and shuts down. This usually happens when there is 40+ Zombies on screen. Otherwise works flawless and very smooth if there isn't a lot going on.

I ran a 3DMark test today and it's showing AWESOME graphics scores, but absolutely terrible physics scores. Where is my bottleneck at this point? I do have a processor widget up on my second screen during the game and the CPU rarely goes over 50%and there is always plenty of free ram. Are the two screens killing the card even with the second screen blank?

Help!

Thanks!

[racrguy]

I'd upgrade the video card. I've seen some testing done that shows as long as you've got a decent multi-cored processor the video card is the biggest bottleneck.

[aggie97]

Just ran a passmark 8.0 test and it's showing my CPU performance at almost half of a core2 Duo E8400.

also similar overall rating of crap.

Graphics middle of the road. HD is top!

Memory shows not much better than 4GB Kingston PC2-6400.

Sort of flummoxed. Seems like the CPU, board and memory aren't working well together.

[Nash B.]

what memory?

[mustang_revival]

SSD drive - edit NM i just saw you got good HD scores..

How is your internet speed test

[Tx Redneck]

Make sure the power scheme isn't set to power save.

[aggie97]

All power save has been off.

Memory is G Skill F3-12800CL9-4GBXL ....2ea, 4GB simms in two slots.

It's just weird that the Passmark benchmarking is showing the CPU to be slower than an old Core2duo processor.

Looking in task manager and not finding anything that is taking up more than 1 or 2% of the processor or large amounts of memory.

Wonder if the memory has gone bad or just need to upgrade to 16GB.

I feel inadequate when my stepson's i3 built machine has no lag...

internet speed is 1.5gb up and 17gb down but is wireless as if that should matter.

[Tx Redneck]

In IE as Admin, go to pcpitstop.com/betapit and run the test, post the link in your response.

[mustang_revival]

I ran a 3DMark test today and it's showing AWESOME graphics scores, but absolutely terrible physics scores. Where is my bottleneck at this point?

I read physics scores are correlated to CPU. Is your CPU getting too hot and freaking out while attempting throttling back maybe?

[aggie97]

I read physics scores are correlated to CPU. Is your CPU getting too hot and freaking out while attempting throttling back maybe?

well summbitch. I downloaded a CPU temp monitor and sure enough. CPU was hitting 98 degree C. intel CPU fan was loaded to hell with dust. I had a HUGE heat pipe fan that came with the build but never installed so I put it on. heat grease was all dried up and flaking.

Anyway, I never paid attention to the speed degradation because it stays on 24/7. having let it cool down and installed the new heatsink, cores are running at 36-41 C. maybe that was the issue?

I'm going to fire it up and see what happens with some stress on it. Previous intense physics test went from 2.1 fps to 22.3 fps. heat sucks.


Thanks for the help.