I've got an 8800 GTS and some games played beter with a Radeon 2900. WTF?!

I've got an HP BlackBird 002 that came with an ATI Radeon 2900, then I decided to get an Nvidia 8800 GTS. I've aso got a Intel Quad Core so the games shuold play well. My screen has an 19 inch width or so. What I don't get is why I can run CoD 4 with the maximum quality but Portal plays all messy when I put everything at the max. Also when I played Crisys with the ATI it played a lot better (I think that's because the ATI runs faster with this Intel processor) When I played CoD 4 with the ATI I also could play it at the Max, but it sounds a bit better with the Nvidia. Anyways, isn't the 8800 much better? Then how come it gets worst at Crysis and I can't play portal in MAX quality?

So... WHY DOES THE ATI WORK BETTTER THEN AN 8800 GTS 512?!

I downloaded and installed the drivers via the Nivida ooficial website. The processor is a Quad Core, could it have someting to do with the ATI being the default video card? the PC has about 2GB of RAM.

Ok, Here are all the details I found so far.

Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 @ 2.40 GHz 2.40 GHz

Memory Ram: 2046 MB

System Type: 32 Bit Operating System

I downloaded and installed the drivers via the Nivida ooficial website. The processor is a Quad Core, could it have someting to do with the ATI being the default video card? the PC has about 2GB of RAM.

Ok, Here are all the details I found so far.

Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 @ 2.40 GHz 2.40 GHz

Memory Ram: 2046 MB

System Type: 32 Bit Operating System

AnonymousDX

Vista? XP? What type of RAM? I can say that I have 2046MB of ram, with a 64 bit operating system, and no one would know what I'm talking about. Make sure you delete the old drivers from the ATI card.

It's Vista Ultimate. I have already deleted the old drivers. I have ageia PhysX v 7 or so. Anything else?AnonymousDX

Crysis is a system killer, accept that no matter what graphics card you have. As for portal it might have bugs or problems that nobody knows. Best bet it just go back to play normal games, like TF2 or CSS. Does your card have 320MB or 512MB of VRAM?

If it has 320MB of VRAM, that could be the cause.

I havnt checked Benchmarks for those cards but in some cases ATI cards are faster then nvidia cards in Source games unless your maxing AA. Your issue sounds more driver related as well. Make sure your getting rid of your old drivers then installing the latest drivers.

Are these the only games you can report where this difference is noticable?

512. And what do you mean Crysis is a System Killer?AnonymousDX

mean that very few people can Max Crysis and still get a playable framerate. You having an 8800 GTS means no maxing for you. (on high resolutions anyway)

And as someone mentioned, check who manufactured your Ram. Since you got a pre-built system, its possible they used OEM isntead of retail parts.

2900xt is about the same as a 8800gts 640mb on average give or take a few percent, some games will run better on 8800, and some on the 2900

@ The_PC_Gamer: What's the big differnce between reatil parts and OEM?

@OoSuperMarioO: For now it is. I'm going to try LOTRO now. CoD 4 is not a Source game and does not run with steam and it runs at MAX.

@ The_PC_Gamer: What's the big differnce between reatil parts and OEM?

AnonymousDX

OEM parts are cheaper, and are usually refurbished. And retail parts are straight out of the box, new and retail. There isnt any major difference, except sometimes companies will rip you off by pretending to sell you retail parts while actually giving you manufacturer's refurbished ones.

[QUOTE="AnonymousDX"]

@ The_PC_Gamer: What's the big differnce between reatil parts and OEM?

The_PC_Gamer

OEM parts are cheaper, and are usually refurbished. And retail parts are straight out of the box, new and retail. There isnt any major difference, except sometimes companies will rip you off by pretending to sell you retail parts while actually giving you manufacturer's refurbished ones.

So I should check that out..... How can I even check that?

I'm curious: why'd you buy the 8800 GTS when you already had a Radeon HD 2900? It's not much of an upgrade in terms of performance.Einhanderkiller

.

[QUOTE="Einhanderkiller"]I'm curious: why'd you buy the 8800 GTS when you already had a Radeon HD 2900? It's not much of an upgrade in terms of performance.OoSuperMarioO

.

sure, but only on some supported games will it make any real difference.

@ nutcrackr: You sure? I've been reading everywhere on the web that th real ATI rival to the 8800 is still to be released wich is the 3820.AnonymousDX

3870? Yeah thats out, and its a bit faster than the 2900xt I think, and yes I am sure that the 2900xt is about the same performance wise, it does depend on what games you are playing.

Oh and just about every game released nowadays is a nVidia title, they even have the Source engine now. ATI has virtually nothing, Guild Wars? A few other minor games maybe. They just don't have the money to buy out game devs like nvidia does.

[QUOTE="OoSuperMarioO"]

[QUOTE="Einhanderkiller"]I'm curious: why'd you buy the 8800 GTS when you already had a Radeon HD 2900? It's not much of an upgrade in terms of performance.The_PC_Gamer

.

sure, but only on some supported games will it make any real difference.

By some I take it you mean most. Come on, most good games have this. Hitman: Blood Money, Crysis. Should I go on?

[QUOTE="AnonymousDX"]@ nutcrackr: You sure? I've been reading everywhere on the web that th real ATI rival to the 8800 is still to be released wich is the 3820.nutcrackr

3870? Yeah thats out, and its a bit faster than the 2900xt I think, and yes I am sure that the 2900xt is about the same performance wise, it does depend on what games you are playing.

Oh and just about every game released nowadays is a nVidia title, they even have the Source engine now. ATI has virtually nothing, Guild Wars? A few other minor games maybe. They just don't have the money to buy out game devs like nvidia does.

So I guess I'm better off with Nvidia. Still how do I check that OEM thing?

I usually explicitly ask for Kingston branded DDR2, I know it isn't OEM. (After some internet research) It's more expensive than the OEM stuff, but I get better performance.

You can't really tell the difference in the store, or at least the ones near me, they hide them behind the counter and you can't get a good look at them.

The non oem's usually have boxes with the brand name on them, where as the OEM's don't, they're usually packed in anti-static bubble wrap or similar... At least in my area...

What's the point of upgrading from 2900 to 8800? RK-Mara

We've discussed that before here. If you want to know why then go to the top of this page. I'm not about to write it again.

Right. Should I put two video cards?

BTW, when I went to do that Micrift rating thing they gave me a 5 out of 10.AnonymousDX

If your taking about Vista's rating system the max score is 5.9 not 10.

Almost 90% of the time the problem is due to software, not hardware. Make sure you uninstalled the ati drivers and installed the nvidia drivers. If you did that, try newer AND older drivers.

An 8800GTS can max Portal with 16x AF and 16x AA with over 60 FPS. You didn't properly install the drivers, or remove the last drivers. Also could have something to do with your processor or RAM.GodLovesDead

http://www.computerbase.de/artikel/hardware/grafikkarten/2008/test_ati_radeon_hd_3870_x2/8/#abschnitt_anno_1701

Heres a link to the 8800 Ultra 2/3x SLI tests, they dont show the 3870x2 in them, but if you look at the link above you can compare them and see in some situations a 3870X2 that costs 1/6th the price of 3 8800 Ultras wins sometimes at 8xAA and actually usually wins vs 2 8800 ultras at 1/4th the cost and olbiterates the 8800 Ultra on its own that costs twice as much.

http://www.computerbase.de/artikel/hardware/grafikkarten/2008/test_nvidia_3-way-sli_triple-sli/8/#abschnitt_anno_1701

Almost 90% of the time the problem is due to software, not hardware. Make sure you uninstalled the ati drivers and installed the nvidia drivers. If you did that, try newer AND older drivers.

greatmax1

I told you all I have left of the old drivers is the Installer. The old drivers are gone, and what's the point in installing older drivers?

[QUOTE="AnonymousDX"]BTW, when I went to do that Micrift rating thing they gave me a 5 out of 10.stevev87

If your taking about Vista's rating system the max score is 5.9 not 10.

ROFL! My bad.

[QUOTE="GodLovesDead"]An 8800GTS can max Portal with 16x AF and 16x AA with over 60 FPS. You didn't properly install the drivers, or remove the last drivers. Also could have something to do with your processor or RAM.zipozal

http://www.computerbase.de/artikel/hardware/grafikkarten/2008/test_ati_radeon_hd_3870_x2/8/#abschnitt_anno_1701

Heres a link to the 8800 Ultra 2/3x SLI tests, they dont show the 3870x2 in them, but if you look at the link above you can compare them and see in some situations a 3870X2 that costs 1/6th the price of 3 8800 Ultras wins sometimes at 8xAA and actually usually wins vs 2 8800 ultras at 1/4th the cost and olbiterates the 8800 Ultra on its own that costs twice as much.

http://www.computerbase.de/artikel/hardware/grafikkarten/2008/test_nvidia_3-way-sli_triple-sli/8/#abschnitt_anno_1701

Still there is a situation with my Video Crad. Even if the 3870 is better the 2900 was running Crysis better, and though it would run faster with the Quad Core I own it would never make that big a diference. And should I use two 8800 GTS 512 at the same time or not?

Maybe you don't have a good enough PSU? What powersupply is it? How many Watts?

This is because the card auto decreases performance if it is not receiving enough power

Maybe you don't have a good enough PSU? What powersupply is it? How many Watts?

This is because the card auto decreases performance if it is not receiving enough power

Drklght

I think the power suplly is 250 Watts 12A. I'm not exactly sure.

The point in installing older drivers is that the newest version doesnt always work properly with the rest of your configuration. So its always good to try multiple drivers when you are encountering problems.greatmax1

I might try that then.

Shuold I put two video crads or not?!

Nobody ansewred to my question about OEM so I take it it's not that relevant.

[QUOTE="Drklght"]

Maybe you don't have a good enough PSU? What powersupply is it? How many Watts?

This is because the card auto decreases performance if it is not receiving enough power

AnonymousDX

I think the power suplly is 250 Watts 12A. I'm not exactly sure.

That's an extremely lousy power supply. That could easily be your problem.

[QUOTE="GodLovesDead"]An 8800GTS can max Portal with 16x AF and 16x AA with over 60 FPS. You didn't properly install the drivers, or remove the last drivers. Also could have something to do with your processor or RAM.zipozal

http://www.computerbase.de/artikel/hardware/grafikkarten/2008/test_ati_radeon_hd_3870_x2/8/#abschnitt_anno_1701

Heres a link to the 8800 Ultra 2/3x SLI tests, they dont show the 3870x2 in them, but if you look at the link above you can compare them and see in some situations a 3870X2 that costs 1/6th the price of 3 8800 Ultras wins sometimes at 8xAA and actually usually wins vs 2 8800 ultras at 1/4th the cost and olbiterates the 8800 Ultra on its own that costs twice as much.

http://www.computerbase.de/artikel/hardware/grafikkarten/2008/test_nvidia_3-way-sli_triple-sli/8/#abschnitt_anno_1701

I always play TF2 with 16x AA and it never dips under 60FPS at 1680x1050. I don't even have the refreshed 8800GTS, which is *loads* better than my 8800GTS. The difference between 4x AA and 16x AA on my framerates is miniscule. I don't really care about benchmarks or anything considering I have the card, and I have 8x+ AA on nearly every game I play with blazing framerates.

[QUOTE="Drklght"]

Maybe you don't have a good enough PSU? What powersupply is it? How many Watts?

This is because the card auto decreases performance if it is not receiving enough power

AnonymousDX

I think the power suplly is 250 Watts 12A. I'm not exactly sure.

The point in installing older drivers is that the newest version doesnt always work properly with the rest of your configuration. So its always good to try multiple drivers when you are encountering problems.greatmax1

I might try that then.

The PSU is definately your problem. The minimum recommended PSU is of 400Watts. Read the manual lol. Also there is no use getting two video cards if you don't even have enough power to run one properly. Get a 500Watt PSU and you'll be running Crysis beautifully with your card.

About OEM, its totally irrelevant. The is no difference between OEM and the retail appart from the fact that retail comes with a fancy box and manuals. OEM is just the hardware therefore is cheaper than the retail version.

The PSU is crucial component which people often leave out. A bad PSU can even damage your hardware. Invest a little more on a decent PSU to ensure optimum performance

[QUOTE="zipozal"]

[QUOTE="GodLovesDead"]An 8800GTS can max Portal with 16x AF and 16x AA with over 60 FPS. You didn't properly install the drivers, or remove the last drivers. Also could have something to do with your processor or RAM.GodLovesDead

http://www.computerbase.de/artikel/hardware/grafikkarten/2008/test_ati_radeon_hd_3870_x2/8/#abschnitt_anno_1701

Heres a link to the 8800 Ultra 2/3x SLI tests, they dont show the 3870x2 in them, but if you look at the link above you can compare them and see in some situations a 3870X2 that costs 1/6th the price of 3 8800 Ultras wins sometimes at 8xAA and actually usually wins vs 2 8800 ultras at 1/4th the cost and olbiterates the 8800 Ultra on its own that costs twice as much.

http://www.computerbase.de/artikel/hardware/grafikkarten/2008/test_nvidia_3-way-sli_triple-sli/8/#abschnitt_anno_1701

I always play TF2 with 16x AA and it never dips under 60FPS at 1680x1050. I don't even have the refreshed 8800GTS, which is *loads* better than my 8800GTS. The difference between 4x AA and 16x AA on my framerates is miniscule. I don't really care about benchmarks or anything considering I have the card, and I have 8x+ AA on nearly every game I play with blazing framerates.

I bought this Video Card because I wanted it to play great, but it doesn't. TADAA! I got the part that everyone else that ownes one can play great but I can't. So TADAA again.

[QUOTE="AnonymousDX"][QUOTE="Drklght"]

Maybe you don't have a good enough PSU? What powersupply is it? How many Watts?

This is because the card auto decreases performance if it is not receiving enough power

JP_Russell

I think the power suplly is 250 Watts 12A. I'm not exactly sure.

That's an extremely lousy power supply. That could easily be your problem.

LOL. Not Watts, it says V there for Vaults. Not w. sorry my bad. And trust me the pwoer supply os not the problem. I've talked to some people that studied programing and some professionals and the problem must be that I have touched with my hands on that chip or sonething part of the Video card. So I'll buy a new one and run them both at the same time. Though I'm not sure that'll work..... Some help here? Should I combine one messed up 8800 GTS 512 with another one but brand new? The PC has lots of Video Card slots, about 5 I think.

[QUOTE="GodLovesDead"][QUOTE="zipozal"]

[QUOTE="GodLovesDead"]An 8800GTS can max Portal with 16x AF and 16x AA with over 60 FPS. You didn't properly install the drivers, or remove the last drivers. Also could have something to do with your processor or RAM.AnonymousDX

http://www.computerbase.de/artikel/hardware/grafikkarten/2008/test_ati_radeon_hd_3870_x2/8/#abschnitt_anno_1701

Heres a link to the 8800 Ultra 2/3x SLI tests, they dont show the 3870x2 in them, but if you look at the link above you can compare them and see in some situations a 3870X2 that costs 1/6th the price of 3 8800 Ultras wins sometimes at 8xAA and actually usually wins vs 2 8800 ultras at 1/4th the cost and olbiterates the 8800 Ultra on its own that costs twice as much.

http://www.computerbase.de/artikel/hardware/grafikkarten/2008/test_nvidia_3-way-sli_triple-sli/8/#abschnitt_anno_1701

I always play TF2 with 16x AA and it never dips under 60FPS at 1680x1050. I don't even have the refreshed 8800GTS, which is *loads* better than my 8800GTS. The difference between 4x AA and 16x AA on my framerates is miniscule. I don't really care about benchmarks or anything considering I have the card, and I have 8x+ AA on nearly every game I play with blazing framerates.

I bought this Video Card because I wanted it to play great, but it doesn't. TADAA! I got the part that everyone else that ownes one can play great but I can't. So TADAA again.

[QUOTE="AnonymousDX"][QUOTE="Drklght"]

Maybe you don't have a good enough PSU? What powersupply is it? How many Watts?

This is because the card auto decreases performance if it is not receiving enough power

JP_Russell

I think the power suplly is 250 Watts 12A. I'm not exactly sure.

That's an extremely lousy power supply. That could easily be your problem.

LOL. Not Watts, it says V there for Vaults. Not w. sorry my bad. And trust me the pwoer supply os not the problem. I've talked to some people that studied programing and some professionals and the problem must be that I have touched with my hands on that chip or sonething part of the Video card. So I'll buy a new one and run them both at the same time. Though I'm not sure that'll work..... Some help here? Should I combine one messed up 8800 GTS 512 with another one but brand new? The PC has lots of Video Card slots, about 5 I think.

Don't do anything unless someone here tells you to. It's evident that you clearly know just about nothing about PCs (no offense).

[QUOTE="AnonymousDX"][QUOTE="GodLovesDead"][QUOTE="zipozal"]

[QUOTE="GodLovesDead"]An 8800GTS can max Portal with 16x AF and 16x AA with over 60 FPS. You didn't properly install the drivers, or remove the last drivers. Also could have something to do with your processor or RAM.GodLovesDead

http://www.computerbase.de/artikel/hardware/grafikkarten/2008/test_ati_radeon_hd_3870_x2/8/#abschnitt_anno_1701

Heres a link to the 8800 Ultra 2/3x SLI tests, they dont show the 3870x2 in them, but if you look at the link above you can compare them and see in some situations a 3870X2 that costs 1/6th the price of 3 8800 Ultras wins sometimes at 8xAA and actually usually wins vs 2 8800 ultras at 1/4th the cost and olbiterates the 8800 Ultra on its own that costs twice as much.

http://www.computerbase.de/artikel/hardware/grafikkarten/2008/test_nvidia_3-way-sli_triple-sli/8/#abschnitt_anno_1701

I always play TF2 with 16x AA and it never dips under 60FPS at 1680x1050. I don't even have the refreshed 8800GTS, which is *loads* better than my 8800GTS. The difference between 4x AA and 16x AA on my framerates is miniscule. I don't really care about benchmarks or anything considering I have the card, and I have 8x+ AA on nearly every game I play with blazing framerates.

I bought this Video Card because I wanted it to play great, but it doesn't. TADAA! I got the part that everyone else that ownes one can play great but I can't. So TADAA again.

[QUOTE="AnonymousDX"][QUOTE="Drklght"]

Maybe you don't have a good enough PSU? What powersupply is it? How many Watts?

This is because the card auto decreases performance if it is not receiving enough power

JP_Russell

I think the power suplly is 250 Watts 12A. I'm not exactly sure.

That's an extremely lousy power supply. That could easily be your problem.

LOL. Not Watts, it says V there for Vaults. Not w. sorry my bad. And trust me the pwoer supply os not the problem. I've talked to some people that studied programing and some professionals and the problem must be that I have touched with my hands on that chip or sonething part of the Video card. So I'll buy a new one and run them both at the same time. Though I'm not sure that'll work..... Some help here? Should I combine one messed up 8800 GTS 512 with another one but brand new? The PC has lots of Video Card slots, about 5 I think.

Don't do anything unless someone here tells you to. It's evident that you clearly know just about nothing about PCs (no offense).

Not taken. It's not that I don't know a thing, but when it coms to Hardware count me off. If I knew I wouldn't have made this thread right? But I'll be in contact with professionals. Thanks aanyways and opinions are still being taken into consideration )if they are not stupid). For those who seemed interested in dicussing wether the Nvidia was better or not there is a thread about that in PC Hardware.

you had a pretty good card and then you replaced it with a card that performs about the same and now you're wondering why it's not running faster? O_ofireandcloud

I'm wondering why it runs slower. I replaced it because I wanted the ATI in another PC.

[QUOTE="fireandcloud"]you had a pretty good card and then you replaced it with a card that performs about the same and now you're wondering why it's not running faster? O_oAnonymousDX

I'm wondering why it runs slower. I replaced it because I wanted the ATI in another PC.

well, i'm sure the 8800gts will perform better on some games and the 2900xt will run better on other games. they're about the same in terms of overall performance, so you shouldn't expect better performance necessarily.