8600 GT problem?!

[YD23]

Hi,
I have recently purchased this new video card, 8600 GT
(here's more info on the site I've bought it from)

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...598&CatId=1560

So, I was really excited to replace my old GeForce 6800. But after I have installed this new card, installed all the drivers, I notice almost no difference, it even seems to be slower.... 8600 GT is 2 generations older than 6800, how can it possiblly be slower than GeForce 6800?!? Or maybe there is somethings wrong with my Rig.

I hope you guys can tell me, if this new Graphics card just sucks, and I should have bought 8800.
Maybe there is something more I need to upgrade on My PC, like a processor or a new powersupply.
Or maybe i've installed the wrong drivers or something like that....
I'm pretty sure I shoud have received a total boost while playing games.
Please Help...


More info. on my comp:


Computer:
Computer Type ACPI x86-based PC
Operating System Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate Edition
DirectX DirectX 10.0
System memory: 2 gigs.





Motherboard:

CPU Type DualCore Intel Pentium D 830, 3000 MHz (15 x 200)

Motherboard Name

Dell XPS 600 (3 PCI, 1 PCI-E x1, 2 PCI-E x16, 4 DDR2 DIMM, Audio, Gigabit LAN,
IEEE-1394)

Motherboard Chipset nVIDIA nForce4 SLI X16 Intel Edition
System Memory [ TRIAL VERSION ]
BIOS Type Phoenix (09/27/06)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM1)

Display:
Video Adapter Standard VGA Graphics Adapter (256 MB)
Video Adapter Standard VGA Graphics Adapter (256 MB)
3D Accelerator nVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT
Monitor Dell 1905FP (Analog) [19" LCD] (T611655JAEXA)

Multimedia:
Audio Adapter Realtek ALC850 @ nVIDIA nForce4 SLI (CK8-04) - Audio Codec Interface

Storage:
IDE Controller Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller
Storage Controller Microsoft iSCSI Initiator
Storage Controller NVIDIA nForce RAID Controller
Storage Controller NVIDIA nForce RAID Device
Storage Controller NVIDIA nForce RAID Device
Storage Controller NVIDIA nForce Serial ATA Controller
Storage Controller NVIDIA nForce Serial ATA Controller
Storage Controller SCSI/RAID Host Controller
Disk Drive NVIDIA STRIPE 149.01G (149 GB)
Disk Drive NVIDIA STRIPE 149.01G (149 GB)
Disk Drive WD 1600JB External USB Device (149 GB, USB)
Optical Drive FT7548E JZU914I SCSI CdRom Device
Optical Drive FT7548E JZU914I SCSI CdRom Device
Optical Drive HL-DT-ST CD-RW GCE-8487B ATA Device
Optical Drive HL-DT-ST DVD+-RW GWA4164B ATA Device (DVD+R9:6x, DVD-R9:4x, DVD+RW:16x/8x, DVD-RW:16x/6x, DVD-ROM:16x, CD:40x/32x/40x DVD+RW/DVD-RW)
SMART Hard Disks Status Unknown

[Aristocrat]

Try running driver cleaner then install the newest nvidia drivers.

Also...you should of gone an 8800GTS, and you should dual core budget permitting.

And lastly...it's a dell, what do you expect, there may be tons of dell crap on your computer that are causing the issue.

[Incinerate_IV]

Have you used Driver Cleaner to clean your PC after uninstalling the old driver?

Also make sure to download the latest nVIDIA driver:
http://www.nvidia.com/content/drivers/drivers.asp

[Ibrahim]

Just to be sure and to start clean. Uninstall your video card drivers - the ones you have right now, and any possible old ones left over.

Use Driver Cleaner Pro in addition to removing via Control Panel.

Have you used Driver Cleaner to clean your PC after uninstalling the old driver?

Also make sure to download the latest nVIDIA driver:
http://www.nvidia.com/content/drivers/drivers.asp

You have to pay for that one? I thought Driver Cleaner used to be free.....

[spartan_phalanx]

The newest drivers were just released on May 2nd so try them.

[Incinerate_IV]

You have to pay for that one? I thought Driver Cleaner used to be free.....

There is a free version and paid version.

[YD23]

Thanks for your reply, I know that I have the newest drivers for the video card, but I am not sure about the mobo, may this be slowing me down, and is there any chance you could give me the link to download drivers for my motherboard?

This Dell used 2 be a total monster 2 years ago. I had no problems with it what so ever, plus I have deleted everything that I don't need on this PC i'm 100% sure.
But I will try Driver Cleaner like you said.
Thanks again for your reply guys.

[YD23]

So does the Motherboard Drivers matter or not?

[Incinerate_IV]

So does the Motherboard Drivers matter or not?

Nope, although updating them won't hurt either.

[YD23]

Ok, well I've cleaned the system with Driver Cleaner Platinum Edition
Now i'm going to restart, and install new drivers for 8600 GT, again...
hope it works.
thanks guys

[sdjenkyn]

Whats your power supply rated?

[YD23]

^^^^^
I'm not very good with that stuff
I've tried to find out which one I have, but no luck
Tried to find the brand name and voltage inside the PC, but it's completely locked, so i'm going to have to take the whole mobo out, and other stuff, just to get to powersupply, so i'm not going to do that, unless you tell me the alternative....



"""EDIT"""
well, after I cleaned the drivers, installed new ones, it seems to be a little better than it was before. So thanks to all of you people who tried to help me!!!!
+rep to some of you guys.

[sdjenkyn]

hmmm, the writing is blocked? Instead of taking everything out pop out the psu....just disconnect all the cables and remove the 4 screws on the back of the case around the psu fan. Do it while the case is laid down or it will fall and might damage something.

[YD23]

hmmm, the writing is blocked? Instead of taking everything out pop out the psu....just disconnect all the cables and remove the 4 screws on the back of the case around the psu fan. Do it while the case is laid down or it will fall and might damage something.

It's 650 watts, so it should be better than fine, becuase the reccomendation for the friggen card is 400w.


EDIT

WOW
Weirdest thing just happened, from vista boot mode, I allowed drivers to load even if they are not digitally signed, and I noticed a great performance boost while playing games.... SWEET, SMOOTH, totally awesome, but vista sucks...cuz it won't let you do a lot of things....
Thanks a lot for your help guys!!

[Incinerate_IV]

WOW
Weirdest thing just happened, from vista boot mode, I allowed drivers to load even if they are not digitally signed, and I noticed a great performance boost while playing games.... SWEET, SMOOTH, totally awesome, but vista sucks...cuz it won't let you do a lot of things....
Thanks a lot for your help guys!!

Wow, I never knew Vista automatically blocks unsigned drivers without asking the user. That's too much security for me, that's just annoying.

So basically your 8600GT has been running on crappy Windows driver the whole time, no wonder it's not performing.

[spartan_phalanx]

If your running the 64-Vista then this might help...

http://www.techronical.com/2007/02/2...river-signing/

[Erik]

Wow, I never knew Vista automatically blocks unsigned drivers without asking the user. That's too much security for me, that's just annoying.

Yeah, that sucks.
It basically means Microsoft gets to decide which drivers you can and can't install.
And I don't think they will allow any 3rd party drivers.

What's next?
Microsoft not allowing you to install programs like Firefox because it "conflicts" with the OS?

Vista is looking worst and worst.

[YD23]

okay I will try that as soon as I get home, I'm at school right now

EDIT

from one of the stickies started by Incinirate_IV:

Bottlenecking - If you are going to choose components, I suggest make sure to choose all the components from the same segment. You can deviate a little but not too much. For example, if you choose a low end CPU with a high end video card, the video card is not going to perform to its maximum ability since its waiting on the CPU for information. In this case the CPU is your weakest link and games only perform as good as the worst component of your system.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I am thinking that this is my problem. Becuase in vista experience index my processor has the lowest score. (people who have vista know what index thingy I am talking about)
So most likely I need to buy a new Processor........

[Freddie]

A 6800 - Ultra or GT? T0 be honest an 8600 GT from a 6800 Ultra isn't that big an upgrade, so do some comparisons here with a 7600 GT and the two cards are virtually even.

As far as bottle necking is concerned I don't think a 3Ghz P4 dual core should be bottle necking your new video card, even if it is an older P4.

[Erik]

so do some comparisons here

First of all.

Tomshardware.CO.UK? WTF?
thgweb.DE right back at ya.

Secondly, the 8600 cards aren't on Tom's list yet.

But I agree the 8600 cards are, speed wise, not much of an upgrade from the 7xxx or even the 6xxx series.
I think it's because they only have a 128bit memory bus (where the 8800GTS has a 320bit bus)
It's such a shame because it means DX10 performance still isn't available on mid-ranges cards.