All AMD X2 owners should read this. Game performance issues.

[Voodoo128]

After suffering with my system for 3 weeks and going through every swap out imaginable, I finally concluded that the processor is the culprit in my Gaming performance issues. After installing an AMD 3500+ all my problems went away. So I was about to RMA my processor back to the vendor today (OEM CPU) when I decided to call AMD before I do.

 

A link to my previous post asking for help.

 

http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22397

 

According to them, they have had more and more reports on the X2 suffering gaming performance on games. The problem can be characterized as either the game slowing down to a halt or speeding up as if it's a speed hack. I personally have experienced mostly the slowing down on multiple games, BF2, Psychonauts, Republic Commando, Dungeon Siege II, with the speed up only noticed in GTA: San Andreas.

 

Then I find this information linked below on the web where people are more and more complaining about X2 performance with games.

 

http://www.anandtech.com/weblog/default.aspx?bid=242

http://forums.amd.com/index.php?showtopic=53288&st=0

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cf...hreadid=1677248

 

It seems the problem is related to a combination of Cool'n'Quiet or games that have to have their affinity set to use one processor. The actual AMD solution that I got from the tech is the affinity solution. I have C'n'Q disabled on my system and still suffered this problem. Some people claim installing the AMD X2 driver solved their issue, others say it did nothing for them.

 

I am going to test with a fresh install of windows when I get back home to see if it makes a difference before I RMA the CPU back. But I would like to you bring it to the attention of all the X2 owners out there in case you are experiencing similar issues.

 

Please post your if you have similar issues or if you have found a workarounds not mentioned here.

 

 

Edit: I should add the AMD tech said they've only seen this problem with DirectX 8 games which is clearly not the case.

[Voodoo128]

Here is the email I received from AMD as to what should be done to resolve or at least try to resolve the issue.

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

AMD Support to me

More options 1:31 pm (1½ hours ago)

 

Dear **************,

 

Please do not reply to this message. It is for informational purposes only.

 

 

 

To set a program's affinity to a particular core:

1) Run the game you wish to play; then minimize the window

2) Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to access Windows Task Manager

3) Under the 'Applications' tab, Right Click the game's icon and select 'Go To

Process'

Doing so will take you to the 'Processes' tab.

4) You will notice that the game's process has been highlighted for you. Right

Click the process and select 'Set Affinity'

5) Assign the game's affinity to CPU0 as this is the default CPU core.

Doing so will allow windows to prioritize the game to a single core instead of

trying to distribute the load across both cores.

 

Hope this helps. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to

contact the Technical Support Center 408.749.3060

 

 

The contents of this message are provided for informational purposes only.

AMD makes no representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy of

the contents of the information provided, and reserves the right to change

such information at any time, with or without notice.

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------

[repoman]

I noticed on the AMD forum they were talking about AMD releasing a new rev. X2 to fix the issues. Could these be the E6 revisions? I noticed the one guy that said that was running an E4.

[faheyd]

After suffering with my system for 3 weeks and going through every swap out imaginable, I finally concluded that the processor is the culprit in my Gaming performance issues. After installing an AMD 3500+ all my problems went away. So I was about to RMA my processor back to the vendor today (OEM CPU) when I decided to call AMD before I do.

 

A link to my previous post asking for help.

 

http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22397

 

According to them, they have had more and more reports on the X2 suffering gaming performance on games. The problem can be characterized as either the game slowing down to a halt or speeding up as if it's a speed hack. I personally have experienced mostly the slowing down on multiple games, BF2, Psychonauts, Republic Commando, Dungeon Siege II, with the speed up only noticed in GTA: San Andreas.

 

Then I find this information linked below on the web where people are more and more complaining about X2 performance with games.

 

http://www.anandtech.com/weblog/default.aspx?bid=242

http://forums.amd.com/index.php?showtopic=53288&st=0

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cf...hreadid=1677248

 

It seems the problem is related to a combination of Cool'n'Quiet or games that have to have their affinity set to use one processor. The actual AMD solution that I got from the tech is the affinity solution. I have C'n'Q disabled on my system and still suffered this problem. Some people claim installing the AMD X2 driver solved their issue, others say it did nothing for them.

 

I am going to test with a fresh install of windows when I get back home to see if it makes a difference before I RMA the CPU back. But I would like to you bring it to the attention of all the X2 owners out there in case you are experiencing similar issues.

 

Please post your if you have similar issues or if you have found a workarounds not mentioned here.

 

 

Edit: I should add the AMD tech said they've only seen this problem with DirectX 8 games which is clearly not the case.

 

 

I have the 4400 X2 Rev JH-E6 , and I have no problems with CS:S and BF2. What was your Rev?

 

Note/Edit: I did install the AMD CPU drivers last week. Now my MBM does not 'on start-up' always detect the CPU speed correctly now. Oh well, live and learn. I'm not using the C&Q, but had read that the driver needed to be installed (not here, somewheres else, don't remember).

[repoman]

It would be nice to get some more people with E4 rev processors to post their gaming experiences

 

I have an E6 and have not had any problems.

[Greenbarr0n]

I have an E6 as well. I have had no problems with BF2. No speeding up or slowing down issues at all.

[rise4310]

repo and green, did you install the x2 drivers?

[Angry_Games]

http://www.angrygames.com/ocdb/angry/2x1gb...water_2gb-1.jpg

 

strange that cpu-z doesn't show the revision of my X2 4400+....but I would assume mine is an original since we got them right after AMD started producing them (benefit of working for a motherboard mfg lol)

 

I'll hook that rig back up and try to sit down on it and game a bit, but I never had any problem with Doom3 and BF2 in the few short times I have had some time to sit on it and play

[peanutplanters]

I had this problem with warcraft 3, after i installed the AMD drivers, it completly went away.

[Greenbarr0n]

I have not installed the proc drivers.

[sleepingAwake]

I have an E4 4200+ X2.

I've noticed some lag while playing The Matrix Online. It's on my end. Not server side.

 

After doing a complete format and reinstall I just got my system running stable.

Or at least I think it is. I'm still waiting for that random lockup.

 

I don't currently have the AMD processor driver installed yet. I'm hesitant to do so since I'm still not sure what was causing all the problems I've had since I got this board a month ago.

 

Also I've noticed that the cpu never really seems to get stressed out when running Prime95. I'm running it according to Angry's instructions in the forums. And yes I set it up correctly.

 

Maybe I'll give it a shot and install the driver. If it screws me up I know what is causing it.

Kinda makes me sore to know theres a revised core that may be better than mine.

[repoman]

I have not installed the proc drivers.

 

Same here- great right out of the box

 

Edit: you guys with the (supposedly bad) E4 rev's could try RMAing your CPU like the threadstarter- not sure what AMD's exchange policy is, but if your CPU can't clock right and crashes in games at stock, then they should replace it. Though we need more E4 users to make sure that's really the problem