Performance being throttled

TerrorFirmer

Here's the deal...

COD4 and other games are running at sub standard FPS - they're still running smoothly and perfectly playable, just below expectations and far below pro reviews (my average framerate in the same level used for pro reviews is about 45-50% less than their figures i.e an average framerate of 45-ish vs 90). But now I'm baffled as to what it is, because I OC'd my E8600 to 4Ghz and 4890 to 950/1150, and the framerate remains the exact same - not the slightest increase, which seems bizarre - it's like I'm being limited by something.

I've tried different drivers and v-sync is definitely not on. Mildly perplexed. Any suggestions?

Specs: 8600, p5nd, 4890, 4gb ram, winxp..

cherryghost

TerrorFirmer wrote: »

Here's the deal...

COD4 and other games are running at sub standard FPS - they're still running smoothly and perfectly playable, just below expectations and far below pro reviews (my average framerate in the same level used for pro reviews is about 45-50% less than their figures i.e an average framerate of 45-ish vs 90). But now I'm baffled as to what it is, because I OC'd my E8600 to 4Ghz and 4890 to 950/1150, and the framerate remains the exact same - not the slightest increase, which seems bizarre - it's like I'm being limited by something.

I've tried different drivers and v-sync is definitely not on. Mildly perplexed. Any suggestions?

Specs: 8600, p5nd, 4890, 4gb ram, winxp..

did you try /com_maxfps xxx in the console?

TerrorFirmer

Yeah makes no difference. Also, if I turn off 4x AA and full AF, the framerate remains the exact same. It's just capped at 45fps and I can't figure why and it's bugging the heck out of me!

Blazer

Did you try changing to a different catalyst version for the 4890?

Also check your CPU fan...loads of people being caught out with crap fans or forgetting to plug the fan back in

Also monitor your CPU temps and your GPU temps/speeds to ensure it's going into 3d mode when a game starts.

TerrorFirmer

Yep drived all the drivers, cpu is at 4Ghz at 31 idle, gpu is at 950/1150 in 3d mode.

Blazer

TerrorFirmer wrote: »

Yep drived all the drivers, cpu is at 4Ghz at 31 idle, gpu is at 950/1150 in 3d mode.

And you cpu fan is speeding up under load? what's the cpu temps under load?
See if speedstep is enabled in the bios as well and disabled it.

TerrorFirmer

cpu fan is fine, temps are perfectly good - thermal management and speedstep are all disabled in bios. temps under load about 50.

Blazer

Well that's all the usual causes out of the way.
What are you getting on 3dmark06?
If it's way lower that the norm for this card I suggest you RMA it.
It could be a power issue with it..maybe the card not getting enough power.
There's loads of threads about issues with 4890 and low fps..most of them stupid things like game patches or the cpu fans not plugged back in when the user upgraded.

Solitaire

All games or just CoD4? All of CoD4 or just CoD4 in multiplayer? I heard some servers put 45fps or 90fps caps on...

Also, did you actually do a system nuke with the ATi driver-stripper utility before installing the latest Catalysts? CoD4 is known to have issues with slightly-borked driver installs (ATi or nVidia) causing weird performance and fps caps for no reason...

TerrorFirmer

3dMark is alright. 16,800. Its SP not MP...used DCP but maybe I'll give this driver-stripper lark a go.

Solitaire

Can't find the download anymore - used to be on AMD's website but now I get a 404...

And have you also checked your .NET installation, current vcredist and chipset drivers? All the above can screw with Catalyst...

Effluo

Are ye talkiing about somthin like this?


http://www.guru3d.com/category/driversweeper/

I've heard this is good

Blazer

Terrorfirmer..you came from Nvidia cards to a ATi card?
I think GTX260 in SLI?
The driver cleaner should work then.
Loads of people had issues coming from Nvidia to ATI and vica versa. Most of them ended up doing a clean reinstal. Myself included. (no issues but did it anyway)
If the driver cleaner doens't work and you haven't done an install since you switched cards , now might be a good time.
It sucks but it does fix any driver related issues with the switchover.


PS. Only use the driver cleaner for something like this..never for just upgrading drivers.
ATI have their cleaner built into Catalyst and recommend you do not use one for this purpose.

kfish2oo2

The console settings for SP and MP are different... They're essentially 2 games, so try the com_maxfps xxx thing in both SP and MP and see of it makes any diffferences.

What steps have you taken so far? Reinstalled the game? Patched to latest, drivers updated?