[NIloufar Emporio]

Alright, I've had my new processor for about a month and a half or so now and I'm a little confused. My current system specs should be decent for right now, or so I thought. I'm using...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103645
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102854

...and 1 gig of ram, though it's a few years old and a weak link in my system. I'm about to upgrade to http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134117&Tpk=KVR800D2N5K2%2f2G My problem though is that my performance in games just doesn't seem as good as I was expecting. I can run Oblivion at highest settings no problem, a bit of hiccuping sometimes but I think that's an issue with my RAM. My real problem is Left 4 Dead 2. Load times are excruciating in this game, 6-8 minutes to load, and then it takes another minute or so once I join for it to be playable. During the load times the circle that rotates in the top right corner stops, and periodically continues as if it's jumping between loading and doing nothing. Are my expectations just too high for my system? I'm using windows XP, and I've heard it has issues with dual/multi core processors...

EDIT: And before you ask, I did update my BIOS and I also tried using AMD's dual core optimizer for XP.

Alright, so I after looking around trying to find it at tomshardware, looks like I made a mistake upgrading to this. The benchmarks for this processor were done with Call of Duty 2 and FEAR, not a good sign. Guess I'll be building a new computer this summer then.

[Suzie Dalziel]

Alright, so I after looking around trying to find it at tomshardware, looks like I made a mistake upgrading to this. The benchmarks for this processor were done with Call of Duty 2 and FEAR, not a good sign. Guess I'll be building a new computer this summer then.

Well, what resolution and settings are you trying to run your games? I mean the Radeon 4670 is surely a capable card to pull some high settings in those games at a modest resolution I would think...like 1600x1200 and below. Fear may be a bit CPU-heavy at times, but the 6000+ should well capable of running that game well with that GPU. Something is amiss here.

[LittleMiss]

Well, what resolution and settings are you trying to run your games? I mean the Radeon 4670 is surely a capable card to pull some high settings in those games at a modest resolution I would think...like 1600x1200 and below. Fear may be a bit CPU-heavy at times, but the 6000+ should well capable of running that game well with that GPU. Something is amiss here.

It's not those games I'm trying to run, though. Like I said, Left 4 Dead 2 and now Call of Duty World at War have terrible load times. With Left 4 Dead 2, I'm running with the lowest possible settings at 1440x900 and it takes up to 10 minutes to join a versus game at times. This could be a connection issue, but even in single player the load times are only a minute or so less. With World at War's single player I tried cranking the settings to the highest, and while gameplay is smooth (relatively, it hitches at checkpoints sometimes) my load times are very long. During them there are little videos, and the audio loops.

This isn't too big of a deal in singleplayer games, but it makes it darn near impossible to play Left 4 Dead 2. Even if I can join a game, 8 out of 10 times my team will kick me.

[Lory Da Costa]

Right, I have a question.

I've just run WinDirStat (Thanks Defron ) and I've cleaned up as much as possible from my Windows Partition. But it's still almost full (it's an 80GB partition).

Will it be safe to go into Disk Management (Windows) and shrink my 'Shared Storage' partition (750GB) and then extend my Windows partition? Will I need to Defrag first? How would you recommend I go about this?

I've done it both on XP, with Gparted, and W7 with it's own utility. I have had no issues personally,though there is always the risk. (More so with XP.) Just make sure anything important is backed up.

Once again, any help with this, guys? I've read the manual all the way and could find no answer, and their website doesn't have a troubleshooting section except on the forum, and couldn't find anything.

Have you tried using something like http://www.revouninstaller.com/ to remove, then reinstall everything? (Drivers/Software.)

[Prue]

What caused it when:
- BIOS showing corruption (green vertical lines)
- monitor loses signal upon on reaching login screen
- no problem using Safe Mode

Thanks.

[Lisa]

Is there a way I can test the performance of my GPU and compare it to what it should be?

I have a ATI 5850, and the more I play, the more I have the feeling that my 4870 was faster.

It's very frustrating.

EDIT : There are people with ATI 5770 that beat my 5850 in Inugine Heaven with same options, same resolution and same CPU..

Is there a program that can test all the Stream Processors (all the 1440 of them) of my 5850? (Texture fill rate I think) I've searched on the web and 3DMark06 seems to do it, but looks like a feature for the $$ version.

[Courtney Foren]

Have you tried using something like http://www.revouninstaller.com/ to remove, then reinstall everything? (Drivers/Software.)

I just realized I didn't have the drivers installed, so I used the program that comes on the disk to install them (which is also stupid, because it uses window's terrible New Hardware Wizard to install the drivers). I installed all 3 (Magic Mouse, Magic Keyboard, and Macro Somethingortheother).

It still doesn't let me use the keys. I loaded up my profile with keyboard commands set to the keys, went into notepad...nothing.

This is really starting to piss me off.

[Syaza Ramali]

Is there a program that can test all the Stream Processors (all the 1440 of them) of my 5850? (Texture fill rate I think) I've searched on the web and 3DMark06 seems to do it, but looks like a feature for the $$ version.

This is a bit old, but it should do:
http://3d.rightmark.org/

Delete all the tests from the batch and then choose the "Pixel Filling" test, add it to the batch and click run.
Here's my results (HD4890) with the default settings of that test:

FPS: 6306.58
Fillrate: 2018106880.00
Texel fillrate: 2018106880.00

I have no idea if they're correct, though.

[Natasha Biss]

I've done it both on XP, with Gparted, and W7 with it's own utility. I have had no issues personally,though there is always the risk. (More so with XP.) Just make sure anything important is backed up.

Ok then, cheers. I'll run MyDefrag first, then set about it

[Joey Bel]

Quick question, I have a 140 GB harddrive(small I know...) and only 23 GB left.

The thing is, I looked through my program files, and everything. Whered the other 100 GB go? I run Vista but does the OS really take up almost 100 GB of space?

I had to uninstall Oblivion, Spellforce 2, and a host of other games to regain some space(had 7.x GB before) to install X3, now I don't even know if it will be able to fit.

[Everardo Montano]

This is a bit old, but it should do:
http://3d.rightmark.org/

Delete all the tests from the batch and then choose the "Pixel Filling" test, add it to the batch and click run.
Here's my results (HD4890) with the default settings of that test:

FPS: 6306.58
Fillrate: 2018106880.00
Texel fillrate: 2018106880.00

I have no idea if they're correct, though.

I did the Pixel filling test with my HD5850.

FPS: 7349.85
Fillrate: 2351950848
Texel fillrate: 2351950848

Wow... a 16% increase. I've though the 5850 would be faster. Probably a problem with the card after all... I'll have to test with the $ version of 3DMark06 I think.

[katsomaya Sanchez]

I have a question about the Phenom II X2 550. I hear it can be unlocked to a quad core, but how difficult is this and would that lead to stability issues? Also, if anyone has experience with it would it run too hot with stock cooling?

[Marina Leigh]

I have a question about the Phenom II X2 550. I hear it can be unlocked to a quad core, but how difficult is this and would that lead to stability issues? Also, if anyone has experience with it would it run too hot with stock cooling?

It's not difficult at all if you have a motherboard that will unlock the cores. If your BIOS has an "Advanced Clock Calibration" (ACC) setting, it's as simple as turning that on. If your motherboard does not, you're SOL.

Here's a description: http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/phenom-athlon-ii-x2_15.html

However, it is also likely that the unlocked CPU will be less than fully stable, especially if you try to overclock it. These CPUs are sold as dual core for the good cruel reason that two of the cores will not function at full specification. You may have to overvoltage or underclock it to get it stable, or it may not stabilize no matter what you do.

The stock cooler is fine, especially if you are not planning to overclock significantly.

[Christie Mitchell]

Quick question, I have a 140 GB harddrive(small I know...) and only 23 GB left.

The thing is, I looked through my program files, and everything. Whered the other 100 GB go? I run Vista but does the OS really take up almost 100 GB of space?

I had to uninstall Oblivion, Spellforce 2, and a host of other games to regain some space(had 7.x GB before) to install X3, now I don't even know if it will be able to fit.

Start -> Control Panel -> Classic View (upper left corner) -> Programs and Features

Use that to uninstall stuff that you don't need.

Also, do a disk clean up. That'll help get rid of temporary files that, over time, can take up a lot of space. I had 1.5 gigs sitting around in temp files one time.

Maybe run http://www.ccleaner.com/ as well.

[Sarah Edmunds]

Quick question, I have a 140 GB harddrive(small I know...) and only 23 GB left.

The thing is, I looked through my program files, and everything. Whered the other 100 GB go? I run Vista but does the OS really take up almost 100 GB of space?

I had to uninstall Oblivion, Spellforce 2, and a host of other games to regain some space(had 7.x GB before) to install X3, now I don't even know if it will be able to fit.

Right click on your drive or partition and click properties>disk clean up. I just cleared up about 10 gigs from one of my partitions and 5 from the other, so its worth a go. (Most of the space was taken up from error reports from bethesda games BTW...)

[hannaH]

It's not difficult at all if you have a motherboard that will unlock the cores. If your BIOS has an "Advanced Clock Calibration" (ACC) setting, it's as simple as turning that on. If your motherboard does not, you're SOL.

Here's a description: http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/phenom-athlon-ii-x2_15.html

However, it is also likely that the unlocked CPU will be less than fully stable, especially if you try to overclock it. These CPUs are sold as dual core for the good cruel reason that two of the cores will not function at full specification. You may have to overvoltage or underclock it to get it stable, or it may not stabilize no matter what you do.

The stock cooler is fine, especially if you are not planning to overclock significantly.

Well with my luck, it would probably best to fork over the extra 60 bucks to get a guaranteed quad core instead of doing that. Not to mention I stand a good chance of screwing it up if I were to do it on my own.

EDIT: Ok, big issue just popped up with my computer. I have a 150GB hard drive, so space is an issue. Yesterday I had ~50 gigs of free space on it, then I installed Call of Duty World At War. Now I have 13 MB free. Where did all my space go?!? I certainly didn't have enough time to download 40 gigs of anything!

EDIT2: I've found the issue, my "Temp" folder is 57.5 GB, but when I go into the folder only ~70MB of files are in there, but the folder still says it contains 57.5 GB worth of data.

EDIT3: Alrighty, I found it and deleted the file. I guess World At War created it, because when I googled that's all that came up...

[Leilene Nessel]

Quick question.

I have a maximum download speed of 180kb/s and a maximum upload rate of around 15kb/s. Any way to tell what kind of connection I have with that?
I know I have Verizon as the provider, but not much else. My uncle's the one with the subscription in the house and I want him to upgrade to whatever the next step up is and pay him the difference monthly. He's a procrastinator and he keeps saying, "I'm not even sure of what we have now, I'll look into it.".


Ravin

[Big Homie]

Quick question.

I have a maximum download speed of 180kb/s and a maximum upload rate of around 15kb/s. Any way to tell what kind of connection I have with that?
I know I have Verizon as the provider, but not much else. My uncle's the one with the subscription in the house and I want him to upgrade to whatever the next step up is and pay him the difference monthly. He's a procrastinator and he keeps saying, "I'm not even sure of what we have now, I'll look into it.".


Ravin

Its a connection with a download speed of 180kb/s and an upload of 15kb/s...
I'm not sure what you're asking, but the only way to find out what plan you're on is by calling your isp and asking.

[Rinceoir]

Its a connection with a download speed of 180kb/s and an upload of 15kb/s...
I'm not sure what you're asking, but the only way to find out what plan you're on is by calling your isp and asking.

I meant how many megabits. And I just found out that it's 1.5Mb/s.

Ravin

[josh evans]

So it's time for me to finally buy the full version of Windows 7. (Been using the RC this whole time)

Any reason that I should get a version higher than home premium? Money's a bit tight, and it's the cheapest.

Also, OEM or retail? The OEM is $75 cheaper and from what I've read, the only negative is that if you change motherboards, it says your activation code is invalid. So then you just call microsoft and it can get worked out.



And while I'm here. Would you guys recommend the G15 keyboard? It's a hefty price, and it seems that the only thing you really get is a LED backlight, and the programmable G-Keys. So I'm in between getting it or just saving my money and continuing to use my $5 keyboard I have now.

[Shae Munro]

Its a connection with a download speed of 180kb/s and an upload of 15kb/s...
I'm not sure what you're asking, but the only way to find out what plan you're on is by calling your isp and asking.

180 kbyte/sec downstream, 16 kbyte/sec upstream is a typical entry-level residential ADSL service. If you get that consistently, well, you're getting what your uncle paid for. You may be able to get higher speed (probably twice that), though that depends on whether you are close enough to the local office and whether the wiring to your house is in good condition -- and on whether he is willing to pay for it.

You can get up to 1 Mbyte/sec service if your provider offers it and, as one engineer put it, "when the wind is right, and the earth's magnetic field is just so, and the gods accept my burnt offerings?"

So it's time for me to finally buy the full version of Windows 7. (Been using the RC this whole time)

Any reason that I should get a version higher than home premium? Money's a bit tight, and it's the cheapest.

Also, OEM or retail? The OEM is $75 cheaper and from what I've read, the only negative is that if you change motherboards, it says your activation code is invalid. So then you just call microsoft and it can get worked out.



And while I'm here. Would you guys recommend the G15 keyboard? It's a hefty price, and it seems that the only thing you really get is a LED backlight, and the programmable G-Keys. So I'm in between getting it or just saving my money and continuing to use my $5 keyboard I have now.

OEM is for one install only. It is licensed only for the computer you first install on. You can reinstall, but only on that hardware.

Retail is for users who want to be able to move the OS to a different computer (different motherboard or NIC, or changing a large number of parts).

[Lindsay Dunn]

OEM is for one install only. It is licensed only for the computer you first install on. You can reinstall, but only on that hardware.

Retail is for users who want to be able to move the OS to a different computer (different motherboard or NIC, or changing a large number of parts).

Hm. I guess I have to buy the retail then. I will be changing my hardware through the years.

Thanks

[Jessie Rae Brouillette]

180 kbyte/sec downstream, 16 kbyte/sec upstream is a typical entry-level residential ADSL service. If you get that consistently, well, you're getting what your uncle paid for. You may be able to get higher speed (probably twice that), though that depends on whether you are close enough to the local office and whether the wiring to your house is in good condition -- and on whether he is willing to pay for it.

You can get up to 1 Mbyte/sec service if your provider offers it and, as one engineer put it, "when the wind is right, and the earth's magnetic field is just so, and the gods accept my burnt offerings…"

Just figured out that he's paying $19.99 a month for it and to double it, it'll only be $10 more. I'm going to see if he'll upgrade it if I give him $10 a month.

Ravin

[Annika Marziniak]

OEM is for one install only. It is licensed only for the computer you first install on. You can reinstall, but only on that hardware.

Retail is for users who want to be able to move the OS to a different computer (different motherboard or NIC, or changing a large number of parts).

I have a question about this too. My brother bought some form of windows 7 with a student discount from his university to put on his laptop that had vista before. How does that work? Is the student version a retail, OEM, or is it just like buying it normally but just at a discount? And if his is retail, is it ok to install it on multiple computers at once, or is it just one install at a time?

[remi lasisi]

Hm. I guess I have to buy the retail then. I will be changing my hardware through the years.

Thanks

Usually there is no issues using a OEM version and perform some upgrades on the computer. The only thing that puts up a red flag is changing the motherboard. If the automatic activation system doesn't work, you just have to call Microsoft [India]. In the agreement you can use another motherboard if the original one breaks and the replacement is a direct replacement or similar.

Casual upgrading doesn't warrant a Retail version. The only reason to get a Retail version is if you want better tech support from Microsoft [cough].

@Ninja Monkey: Retail version is still only one computer at a time.