Issue with graphics card slowness

Hey guys, I have an issue here that is really pissing me off. I have taken off drivers scrubbed and then put the newest one on but to no avail, the FPS rate i'm getting is NOT what it was, or should be. I am just using the CS: Source stress test as a benchmark here. When I first got the computer I updated my graphics driver and was getting 140 or so FPS's in the test. I have installed a ton of drivers since then, but I took them off properly and scrubbed and put the best set back on. Now when I run the test, every single time I run the test I get the same exact rate of 73.47. What is the problem? I have done everything I know how to do to get it back up to where it should be, but it refuses. My 3dmark also barely makes it through, as the tests go SO slow. My specs are in my signature. Please help.

 

Weird problem...

Which set of driver are you using?

Are you using Vista? If so, try checking the power plan setting, make sure it is set at "High Performance".

If it is XP, try reinstalling the driver one more time, this time in remove it in windows, reboot into safe mode and use Driver Cleaner Pro, then reinstall the driver in safe mode, reboot and see if it improves. Also, follow the have disk method when installing.

Just throwing it out there, for both OS, check you Nvidia control panel setting, see if any setting is "out of place", such as AA enabled in the global setting area.

 

3dmark does run slow, thats just how it works. same in game settings? is your computer in max performance mode in power settings? Out of curiosity what is your 3Dmark score?

 

Right now I am on the 169.04 driver set. As it says in my specs, I am using Vista. I don't see a global setting area in my Nvidia control panel either.

 

No I mean the FPS rate drops down to like 5-7 in the second set of tests. My 3dmark05 score is around 7350.

 

Did you check the heat levels? usually when a system overheats , is throttles, when it superoverheats,it shuts down...
Use Riva Tuner,HWMonitor ,or NHC to check them.

 

My graphics card after 2 hours of WoW was running at about 140 F which is more than reasonable. It doesn't matter whether I just boot up the computer or whether it's been on all day.

 

In the control panel, you have to change it yourself or it will just use the default.
Since you didn't know where to modify the setting, you can rule out the idea that the setting was switched on by accident.

Check you heat output per last poster's recommendation.

EDIT: what about your vista performance plan?

 

It's on high performance. I have made that mistake too many times to let it happen again.

 

You did a registry clean of it? ALso try the 171.16 drivers, after literally testing almost 10-12 drivers last couple of days they are indeed the best.

Like someone suggested watch temps and make sure your gpu is not throttling itself down because it is getting too hot.

 

I already said, it doesn't change no matter if I just boot the computer or it's been on all day. I'll go do a registry clean I guess.

 

During gaming, check temps. Norml usage doesn't change gpu temp much. Also maybe dust is clogged in your syste. Maybe time for some spring cleaning.

 

I have had it for 2 weeks and have already mentioned three times that the framerate is the same whether I just turn on the computer or it has been on all day.

 

It's a bit O.T. Bowlerguy, and maybe I'm missing something, but how have you got 3GB of Dual Channel Ram ???

 

Forerunner - Did you find 174.16 significantly better than 174.12 ? - If so, I might give it a try.

 

There is no 3 Gb dual channel.
174.16 is somewhat better than .12..but not by much.

 

Yeah, I thought so, but his sig says he has 3GIG of dual channel, maybe he has 2 sticks of 1.5 GIG

 

Not to be off topic but not 174.16, 171.16. THey offer much stabler framerates. the 174/173s are much more erratic. Having a lower fps and possibly a slightly higher mmax fps but you experience alot more stuttering due to the framerats jumping around. Its been a long 3-4day of testing.

 

Someone else made my signature, and on the Dell site they wrote it as 3 gigs of dual channel ram running at 667 Mhz.

 

I just ran 3DMark06 and got 3521 3DMarks. Seems a bit low.............

 

Ran it again with the 171.16 drivers as suggested and I got a nice improvement bringing me up to 3,938 3DMarks. Still not up to "quite" where I should be though.......

 

I installed DirectX10 and got back up to those 130 FPS's or so in the CS:Source stress test. My 3DMark is still only 4,000. I hear about people getting more than that with just stock drivers. What can I do to improve this test?

 

Is your 8600 overclocked? If not, your score is pretty much where it should be.