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    Dumb question - new 1520

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by LikeTheSearchEngine, Oct 31, 2007.

  1. LikeTheSearchEngine

    LikeTheSearchEngine Notebook Enthusiast

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    I ran 3dmark05 on my new inspiron (specs below)...and I got 1421...

    That's pretty darned low, and I am wondering if you have any ideas of why it is so low?

    Thanks.
     
  2. adinu

    adinu I pwn teh n00bs.

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    Update your drivers. Make sure that your cpu and gpu are not being downclocked and you are running on AC power.
     
  3. jetstar

    jetstar Notebook Deity

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    Remove/delete any unwanted/unneeded processes.
     
  4. daniel_g

    daniel_g Notebook Consultant

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    What resolution are you using for the test?
    I'm sure 1860x1050 will perform really poor on the 8600M
     
  5. adinu

    adinu I pwn teh n00bs.

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    Yeah, make sure you run the test at the default resolution of 1024*768.
     
  6. LikeTheSearchEngine

    LikeTheSearchEngine Notebook Enthusiast

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    I just immediately clicked run, no settings changes. I did a bunch of the vista tweaks, so I don't think I have too many unnecessary processes.
     
  7. daniel_g

    daniel_g Notebook Consultant

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  8. StoryR

    StoryR Notebook Geek

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    not to thread hijack, but it is common to be underclocked while running on AC power?
     
  9. adinu

    adinu I pwn teh n00bs.

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    CPUs at least usually get downclocked even on AC power by default. GPUs not as much, but we can't be sure of his settings, so we had to start from the very beginning trying to diagnose his problem and make sure his system is running correctly.
     
  10. StoryR

    StoryR Notebook Geek

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    Oh I completely understand that ;)

    I am just a huge desktop enthusiast and just got my first notebook (ever) last week. I know hardware pretty well but there are obviously differences in notebook vs desktop. I am trying to get the best performance out of my new notebook and game a little bit on it, I want to make sure it is preforming it's best while I'm gaming (and plugged in on AC power).

    EDIT: After rereading your post I must have misunderstood what you said originally, I thought you were saying one of the things that might be underclocking his CPU is the fact that it is plugged into AC power.
     
  11. LikeTheSearchEngine

    LikeTheSearchEngine Notebook Enthusiast

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    Here are the results:

    GPU-z: 475, 400, 950 - GPU clock, memory, shader

    CPU-z: 2100 roughlt, with 12x multiplier, but now and then down to 1100x6
    bus speed: ~200, rated FSB ~790

    Memory is clocked at 264, wtf? It is rated for 533.
     
  12. StoryR

    StoryR Notebook Geek

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    DDR2 ram = 2x
    so it should be running at 266....close enough.
     
  13. LikeTheSearchEngine

    LikeTheSearchEngine Notebook Enthusiast

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    ty story, makes sense.

    Can anyone point me at something which would tell me how a top-specced inspiron SHOULD perform on 3dmark05 and 06?

    Edit: also, I rebooted, tweaked, rebooted, and reran 3dmark 05 and 06.

    05:6028
    06:3164

    So, I'm having trouble checking to see if those are in the ballpark. I just knew the old 05 result was way low.
     
  14. StoryR

    StoryR Notebook Geek

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    I think the best thing you could do is look for reviews on the 1520 itself. Usually in depth reviews do a 3dmark 05 and 06 test.

    http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=3846&review=Dell+Inspiron+1520

    that is the review from here, but I am sure a google search would yield more results to compare/contrast.
     
  15. daniel_g

    daniel_g Notebook Consultant

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    yeah, I'm getting 3210 on 3dmark06, so that's good.