p4 3.2 sucks

[neoren]

Im running a
p4 3.2 on an asus p5gd1
ATI Radeon x800 XL 256
2 gigs 2700 ram (not that good)
80g sata hd
onboard sound and networking

I can barely play most games without it being very choppy. There is something wrong. This has been going on for a while. Ive tried reinstalling windows and nothing workings. I just noticed that my "System Idle Process" says its using 99% of the cpu all the time. All new drivers are installed, ect. I cant figure out what it could be. I dont think its the video card, I returned my geforce 6800 and got this one. But the choppiness continues.

[Matt_Smi]

Well it’s not system idle process, that SHOULD be using around 99% of your CPU when your computer is idle, its job is to calculate un-used processor resources, it is not a true process, therefore it is not really using any of your processor power. That system should play games fine so I am not really sure what your problem could be, but just wanted to let you know you could rule out the system idle process as a possible cause.

[sdkfz]

How many things are you running in the background? I see on some peoples screen prints task bars chock full of open apps all running in the back ground.

Have you checked for the virii, spyware etc that could be using your machine as a zombie etc.?

Are you running a supported resolution or one that is really high?

Is this online play or not?

What games?

[blue60007]

It *might* be the PC2700 RAM you have, you need PC3200 RAM for there to be no bottlenecks between RAM and the CPU. Otherwise the CPU has to chalk down to meet the RAM. First though, see if you could borrow some PC3200 RAM first...

[Hi Ho]

Having PC2700 RAM wouldn't cause the huge performance detriment he seems to have.

I'd point towards background programs. Too many can slow any system to a crawl. My system tray has a total of four items. Each use less than 1 MB of RAM. I have seen people with 20+ items using almost all of their RAM and bringing their system to a standstill.

[blue60007]

RIght, it should slow down some, but not unbareably slow.

As usual, run virus and anti-spyware scans. Could be something hogging resources. But if you've reinstalled windows... Next, I would try and disable onboard sound and see what happens. (Look around in BIOS)

[neoren]

I have scanned for viruses and spyware, I am using two really good apps I paid for. Remember that this problem continues _after_ a fresh install, so I doubt it could be viruses or spyware. I am running NO programs in the backround. The only thing on my taskbar is the sound Icon. Theres usually under 21 things running and with a few internet explorer windows open im using 279mb/3945mb. Every game is choppy, but surprisingly the least choppy game I have is FEAR. I can't even play quake 4 in 640x480 with all settings on low. When I first built this piece of junk back in 2004 I had an
x600 radeon in it. Doom 3 ran smooth in a resolution of 1024x768. That card would consistantly crash after 10 mins of play though and I had to return it, and then this problem started. I dont have another computer to swap components with to see which one it is, is there any other way>?

[kram 2.0]

Welcome to PC Mech forums :)

Check your CPU clockspeed. Is it at 3200 Mhz? Or 2132 Mhz? Or much lower?

kram

[Trent Steel]

What antivirus software are you using? I had some problems with McAffee taking up huge chunks of resourses, going to AVG noticably sped things up.

[neoren]

I use eTrust EZ Amor Anti - Virus, and Spyware Doctor. My clock speed is 3200mhz. Its getting on my nerves!:mad: :mad: :mad:

[Louds3]

If you can check out the operating temps of your computer, do so. If for some reason you are overheating (maybe poor ventilation or dust clogged heatsinks/fans) you processor would slow down in order to generate less heat. granted this is usually only in pretty extreme situations, it's worth a look.

Steve

[glc]

When you reinstalled Windows, did you reinstall ALL the motherboard/chipset drivers? Then you install video card drivers, then you reinstall DirectX.

[neoren]

Wow.. I just installed asus PC probe and to my great surprise the temperature reading on my CPU, while I was installed the proram, was 93C. The probe says it should be between 30C-80C. Right after I installed the probe it started alerting me of the problem. Ive been experiencing poor performance for about 8 months now. I feel like a total idiot! I should have known. What are some suggestions?

[faulkner132]

You might want to check what kind of thermal paste you applied to the processor. Reapplying it (or getting a different kind) might not be a bad idea.

[glc]

This is a very common problem with Socket 775. The heatsink retention pins aren't properly seated. Pull the motherboard out of the case, set it on a piece of cardboard, and relatch them. It can take considerable force to get the pins seated.

http://www.msicomputer.com/product/images/CPU_installation.pdf

The pins have to be fully snapped into the holes in the board before you turn the locks.

[neoren]

Im so happy, it looks like ive resolved this problem. I did as you said and removed the processor, but to my surprise it was in the correct position. I instpected further and noticed that the top of my CPU heatsink, which is covered by the CPU fan, was completely caked in thick black dust. I removed all the dust and put everything back together. Instantly my CPU was running at 58C instead of 93C. I pulled up quake 4 and changed the resolution from 640x480 ( which was barely playable before ) to 1024x768 with all options on full. I started up a saved game and i didnt even get as much as a stutter!!!. I knew it had to be my CPU, and it was! It looks like these p4s run extremely hot!

[neoren]

You meant the heatsink had a problem, and I thought you meant my cpu wasnt properly aligned. Looks like i didnt need to unmate the processor. Oh well.

One of my heatsink clamps are broken, so only 3 are in.. But it looks secure.

[blue60007]

Oh, there ye are! I'm really surprised the mobo or CPU didn't shut itself down at that temperature to protect itself. After about 70C the CPU will do whats called thermal throttling. It slows its self down and down to try stay cool. That explains the really slow performance.

[glc]

Intel will send you replacement retention pins if that's a stock retail Intel HSF - and you do need to do that.