Computer has sub-par benchmarks

All the components are straight from dell. I'm getting 11,000 or so 3DMark06 points when i should be getting much more. This bad (fine, it's good but not perfect, right?) performance is repeated in other applications too.

 

For comparison, here's a benchmark from the benchmark thread.

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/2885/17202312.png

 

i am not sure where you got that benchmark from but already the specs on that machine is a 920xm and if i am not mistake 3dmarks is extremely CPU dependent so the 920xm Overclocked will spank the 820qm all day long. Also i am not sure if that person Overclocked there video cards as well. I would run a 3dmark vantage and see how it comes back and try to compare apples to apples

 

He should be able to get atleast 16k without struggling... I was getting about the same (12k) on my m15x with the i7 720QM and ATi 5850m without over clocking the CPU or GPU.

 

Yeah all other benchmarks even from review sites which run stock speeds get at least 15k

 

Run a GPU-Z and ThrottleStop log file while benching so you can go back and make sure your CPU and GPU are running at their rated speed without any throttling issues. What resolution did you test at? That can make a significant difference.

foolfromhell: If other review sites are running 15K then post a link so we can compare results.

GPU-Z 0.4.8
http://www.techpowerup.com/downloads/1898/TechPowerUp_GPU-Z_v0.4.8.html

 

Alright so I did what you asked.

Here's a Review with two 4870s instead of 5870s (like I have). It's pulling 15151 points.

Attached are my log files for 3dMark06

 

your GPU-Z log looks mainly empty just one line of data at stock clocks. Can you make sure it has logging options checked and that you save the file as a new name each time. The throttle stop looks good and your temps look good as well.

 

I have an identical system to yours - except I have CF 4870's, but the are overclocked to 650mhz. CF 5870's are probably 10% stronger at the most. I kept my cpu at stock clocks and ran 06.

I got just over 13k.

With my cpu overclocked to 2.12ghz I got just under 14k.

If most systems are getting over 15k, then there is something def wrong with your system, and I'm wondering if there is something wrong with mine too. hmm - everything was running at the prescribed clocks, there were no background tasks, I wonder what's up.

Driver version 10.11.

 

The first gpu log didnt get everything it seems. here's another one.

 

It seems the GPU Core Clock didnt go above 300 MHz and the GPU Memory clock didnt go over 400 MHz even though GPU-Z's main page says mine can do 700MHz for Core and 1000MHz for Memory. Perhaps thats the problem?

 

Aha! So since the clocks seemed slow, I thought the answer may have been in the Catalyst Control Center. Bingo! PowerPlay was set to Maximize Performance even when plugged in. Now I'm getting 700MHz Core and 1000 MHz Memory. Running another 3DMark.

edit: don't want to post AGAIN but I'm getting 15688 3DMarks now. All is well! Thanks everyone for your help!

 

you can manually set your clocks so they do not ramp up or down and then you can restore after you are done gaming.

AMD GPU Clock Tool v0.9.26.0 For HD 5870 download from Guru3D.com

Most of us use that software to overclock the video card and like you said stock is 700/1000 i normally game at 850/1050 but try different combination but keep an eye on your temps, stability and artifacts. Use GPU-z to keep a track of temps when Overclocked and Stock.

 

Is there a guide? i don't want any conflicts between AMD GPU Clock and PowerPlay/other throttling tools that might fry my card.

 

"Aha! So since the clocks seemed slow, I thought the answer may have been in the Catalyst Control Center. Bingo! PowerPlay was set to Maximize Performance even when plugged in. Now I'm getting 700MHz Core and 1000 MHz Memory. Running another 3DMark"

It was set to maximum performance even when plugged in, what did you change it to then afterwards to get performance??

 

Sorry, I meant maximum battery. Words fail me.

 

faiz23:
i only can overclock 1 card. 2nd card doesnt want to be overclocked. gives out an error message. "check ur configuration blah blah"

and my stock gpu0 temps goto 110-114C with furmark...following behind 2nd gpu1 at @ 100C. the 2nd card is always 10-15C behind 1st gpu0. they are never the same temps.
jesus christ...this is a brand new china made m17x r2 aswell (@1-2weeks old)

but if i leave everything as it is, stock 840qm cpu, stock gpu, then its all fine at 15k-16k in 3dmarks06

driver 10.11

in gpuz it detects ATI MOBILITY 5800 series
doesnt seem to detect ATI 5780

 

/\ You need to be using riva tuner and set ATIMulitGpuOverclocking to 1.

 

Also your temps are high and could benefit greatly from a paste job and thermal pad replacement. If you plan to overclock i would do those two on both video cards to ensure safe overclocking. For now i would just set it to stock or leave it on power-play and try to keep an eye on temps.

 

FYI Kenny, we got pretty similar specs by the sounds of it....i have benched mine with 3dmark06 and i get 16500ish on a stock system.

Im running 10.11's too.....

Also, my temps while running Furmark MultiGPU in extreme burn at 1920x1200 8xaa are max 90c on card 0 and about 87on card 1.....i do use a cooler (notepal u3) ...the system fans havent gone over 4000rpm during tests which i ran for apx 5-7mins of furmark hell....(as reported by hwinfo32)

Regards to gpuz identifying as 5800 - thats normal - its the 5800 series of gpu....if your on dell 8.763 drivers, it shows then as 5870....your fine with 5800 as ID.
Hope thats of use...

 

yeah stevie pretty much the same.

thanks guys, i managed to overclock to 850core,1080mem...on both cards using rivatuner method. but i don't see any real benefits. have to do more gaming i guess

cheers.