Low Benchmark Scores, System Under Performing?

My system hasn't been as fast as I had hoped. It's a fairly new install of windows (within the last 4 months). I tried the geekbench program and I am only recording a score of 2741. Here's the link to that Alienware M17x - Geekbench Browser

As you can see there I am running the i7-820 QM CPU, along with 16 GB of RAM. I also have the dual 4870's crossfired.

I've seen much higher scores on worse computers than I'm running.

For 16 GB's of RAM it seems sluggish at times. CPU-z is showing that it is running in dual channel mode and does show the full 16 GB's in terms of size.

Any advice would definitely help. If you need anymore information please let me know.

It is also the m17x R2

 

The 820QM is (I think) clocked at 1.8Ghz and may be holding back your system's performance. Also the 4870m is now pretty out dated even in crossfire.
Upgrading to an i7 920xm or 940xm and overclocking using throttlestop will allow you to easily run at 3.0Ghz. Several users on this forum have also managed to run 7970m in crossfire on the R2 with excellent performance.
Even one 7970m in your system will perform significantly better than x2 4870m's.

Could be time for an upgrade.

 

I noticed a HUGE performance improvement going from dual 4870 to my dual 6970's. You'll definitely get more bang for your buck upgrading your GPU first, but if you have the budget I'd recommend a 920 (or 940)xm and either dual 6970's or a single 7970, depending on your preference.

Edit: have you verified that crossfire is enabled? Your scores shouldn't be that low I wouldn't think so worth a check. Good luck!!

 

Yes crossfire is enabled. I know my system is a little outdated, but I still should be getting a lot better performance I feel.

 

I thought the 820 ran at 1.7 with the ability to go into Turbo mode or something at 2.8?

 

Yes you're correct it ran at 1.73Ghz across four cores with one core able to turbo boost up to 3.0Ghz. The 920xm and 940xm can run the turbo speed and more across all four cores.
Significantly better performance if you have the cooling solution to go with it.

 

Have you monitored your CPU and GPU temps and clocks?

 

Temps are fine on the CPU staying mainly in the mid 40s peaking at about 70 under an extreme load. Clocks I don't remember off the top of my head, but nothing was out of the norm there.....I'm just amazed at the extremely poor performance given that this computer should have quite a bit of power even compared to today's normal computers. I wish I had money to blow on upgrades for it.

 

What would I need to do to properly cool those models?

 

Proper cooling can be achieved using good thermal paste such as ICD7 or ICD24 (same stuff just different size tubes) on the CPU as well as giving the heatsink grille a really good clean removing all dust.
Then elevating the back of the laptop to ensure optimum airflow to the intake fans and possibly a laptop cooling pad as well such as the coolermaster U3.

 

I already have the cooler master sf-19 or whatever its called so I'm all set there

 

I unfortunately haven't used this benchmark tool, so can't say for sure what you "should" be getting versus what you are. Have you tried running 3dmark11 or vantage and possibly posting those scores. Maybe will give us a better idea of the GPU or CPU performance is where it might be expected.

Just a thought.

 

I ran 3d Mark06 and I ended up with a score of 3210. Even the score sheet says my system should be performing better. Similar system scores show i should be in 12000-16000 range. What the hell could be holding back my system. I know for what I have regardless of the cards being a little outdated I should still score much higher.