Why is my G400 Vanilla sooo slow!

[skeoch]

OK, my 3d mark is 2400 in 1024x768 in 32 bit(16bit z buffer&double frame buffer), on a p3 500, with 128mb pc100,soundblaster live value, 6.4gb samsung drive on a qdi brilliant 1 motherboard(latest bios), I have the matrox G400 vanilla, overclocked to 117%, I have done the test with and without the dual head on, with it off it adds 100 marks.

I have tried checking the busmastering,its OK. I have tried forcing the AGP to x2, no difference, tried shadowing the video bios, no difference on or off.

Now im not completely gutted because it still plays all my games happily, but like anybody I hate to think somebodys getting a better deal than me.

Can any body point out my mistake?

[Scytale]

Hmmm, 2400 is about 50% of what you should get...

Do you have multiple entries under 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Servi ces\Class\Display'?

[skeoch]

Im not by my pc but from memory i dont think so as i remember i only had 0000, but i will definely check if i do what would that indicate, and what should i be doing?

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John Skeoch

[motub]

I notice that SB Live!... check the various threads in MHW (Matrox Hardware, that is).. there have been many problems reported with that sound card and the G400... obviously you aren't having the lockups many had, but a slowdown seems quite possible, then...

I'd look it up for you, but I'm trying to get out of the office...

--------------
Holly

[Zwisch]

First thing to check when having slow performance are your IRQ's. If a card odes not have one or if it is sharing then yes, you will have much slower results since the card does not have proper access to the bus to hand out and receive the needed information.

[skeoch]

should i set the agp apature to 64 or 128?

[ALBPM]

Set it to 128 or 256.

Paul

[skeoch]

wont that stuff things up, I only have 128mb?

[paulcs]

Are you sure vsync is disabled?

Do you have the latest drivers for your SB Live? I'd try reinstalling them and the latest Matrox drivers.

Turn all shadowing off. You don't want to fix one problem and cause another. I've done this, and it's not fun.

Paul
paulcs@flashcom.net

[ALBPM]

With 128MB Ram it should run faster at 128 or even 256. It slows my system down to have the aperature set at 64.

Paul

[skeoch]

Right when I get home I am going to:
set the AGP aperature to 128 or even 256
Move the Matrox G400 to a high IRQ all on its own
Disable the Shadow Video Bios
Check that there isnt multiple entries in the registry

OK stupid question how do i disable vsync?
Once again many thanks for the help, nice 2 c people who help 4 the sake of it!

[skeoch]

If it makes any difference I also run a isdn terminal card, I will have to check what resources that uses.

If all else fails I will format my games drive and remove all the other cards and start from scratch, when I have a spare month

Thanks for the suggestions so far!

[skeoch]

Right, Thanks for the help.
No success, so far.
I have disabled the video shadowing, increased the agp value to 128mb.

No matter how I rig the PC(even moving PCI cards) I cant get the Matrox on an IRQ on its own

My PC:
P3 500
128Mb PC 100
Matrox G400 32Mb Dual Head
PCI slot 1 empty
Soundblaster Live Value in PCI slot 2
BT speedway ISDN in PCI slot 3
PCI slot 4 empty
Adaptec Card in bottom ISA slot* for Zip Drive

*This can only use IRQ 9,10,11

Didnt look at the reg yet.

Just to let you know no problem running any games ive tried yet, although I think they should be quite a bit quicker.

example the race in 3dmark99 runs at average 41 fps

[skeoch]

the IRQs:
00- System Timer
01- Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural Keyboard
02- Programmable interupt controller
03- ISDN Terminal adaptor
03- IRQ Holder for PCI Steering
04- COM3
05- Creative SB16 Emulation
06- Standard Floppy Disk Controller
07- ECP Printer Port (LPT1)
08- System CMOS/Real Time Clock
09- Intel 82371AB/EB PCI to USD Universal Host Controller
09- Adaptec (the one for the zip drive)
10- SB live card
10- IRQ Holder for PCI Steering
11- IRQ Holder for PCI Steering
11- Matrox AGP - English
11- IRQ Holder for PCI Steering
13- Numeric Data Processor
14- Intel 82371AB/EB PCI Bus Master IDE Controller
14- Primary IDE controller (Dual Fifo)
15- Intel 82371AB/EB PCI Bus Master IDE Controller
15- Secondary IDE controller (Dual Fifo)

feeble help, please help.....

[Gurm]

You've got TWO PCI Steering holders on IRQ 11, that can't be good. Remove them both, as well as the driver for the G400, and try again. Remember to use the Matrox uninstaller.

- Gurm

P.S. Also check, in the BIOS:

AGP Aperture @ 128/256
Video Shadow = OFF
Video Caching = OFF
System BIOS Shadow = ON

And make sure you have the latest BIOS for your mobo.

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G. U. R. M. It's not hard to spell, is it? Then don't screw it up!
The word "Gurm" is in no way Copyright 1999 Jorden van der Elst.