Can anyone help me? Getting bad performance with AW 23" OptX
Hey Fellas,
Looking for some help, suggestions, or ideas. I was very excited to snag an Alienware 23" Optx for 2d gaming, and after a disasterous transaction with Dell, it finally arrived. My main question is, is my system good enough to power this beast @120Hz? Playing BFBC2, I get really bad FPS performance compared to my Dell 22" IPS panel.

System Specs:
i7 920 (not oc)
GTX 275 (not oc)
6GB
win7 64 Enterprise

I must say colors look great on the AW, I do get some minimal bleed at the top and bottom, but nothing that bothers me. I'm coming off a 19" CRT that I love (and still works), but I wanted to get something that offered a wider view and bought both the 22" 2209WA IPS and the AW to do some testing. I like the 2209WA, but I do get some motion blur. The AW, aside from the lower FPS and rough performance, my eyes are strained more and there seems to be some motion blur as well. I don't know, I don't get it. I was hoping this was going to be my jump to LCD from CRT, but I'm not impressed. Are there any other settings in the Nvidia Panel I should adjust? I'm about ready to send it back, but wanted to be sure I've tried everything before doing so.

Just to be clear, I'm not doing any 3d gaming, strictly hardcore 2d competitive gaming.

Help? /teehee.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':teehee:' />

-Arc
Hey Fellas,

Looking for some help, suggestions, or ideas. I was very excited to snag an Alienware 23" Optx for 2d gaming, and after a disasterous transaction with Dell, it finally arrived. My main question is, is my system good enough to power this beast @120Hz? Playing BFBC2, I get really bad FPS performance compared to my Dell 22" IPS panel.



System Specs:

i7 920 (not oc)

GTX 275 (not oc)

6GB

win7 64 Enterprise



I must say colors look great on the AW, I do get some minimal bleed at the top and bottom, but nothing that bothers me. I'm coming off a 19" CRT that I love (and still works), but I wanted to get something that offered a wider view and bought both the 22" 2209WA IPS and the AW to do some testing. I like the 2209WA, but I do get some motion blur. The AW, aside from the lower FPS and rough performance, my eyes are strained more and there seems to be some motion blur as well. I don't know, I don't get it. I was hoping this was going to be my jump to LCD from CRT, but I'm not impressed. Are there any other settings in the Nvidia Panel I should adjust? I'm about ready to send it back, but wanted to be sure I've tried everything before doing so.



Just to be clear, I'm not doing any 3d gaming, strictly hardcore 2d competitive gaming.



Help? /teehee.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':teehee:' />



-Arc

#1
Posted 03/20/2010 08:05 PM   
I dont personaly understand why u would get a bad fps with those specs /confused.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':confused:' />

mabye check the wire? are u using the duel link dvi?

And the eye straing could be anything lol not the screens fault, well i wouldent think so. Try decreasing the brightness and increasing Digital vibrence in the control panel.
I dont personaly understand why u would get a bad fps with those specs /confused.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':confused:' />



mabye check the wire? are u using the duel link dvi?



And the eye straing could be anything lol not the screens fault, well i wouldent think so. Try decreasing the brightness and increasing Digital vibrence in the control panel.

#2
Posted 03/20/2010 08:59 PM   
[quote name='Adz 3000' post='1023715' date='Mar 20 2010, 02:59 PM']I dont personaly understand why u would get a bad fps with those specs /confused.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':confused:' />

mabye check the wire? are u using the duel link dvi?

And the eye straing could be anything lol not the screens fault, well i wouldent think so. Try decreasing the brightness and increasing Digital vibrence in the control panel.[/quote]

Thanks Adz. As for the dual link dvi, I'm using a single connection dvi that says dual dvi link on it. Right? Its just one cable? Whether or not this is true, but I'm guessing my eyes are very sensitive. I could easily tell if a CRT was below 85Hz right away, but not sure if that is a good comparison or not if I have sensitive eyes.

I thought I had brightness down a bit, and will check the digital vib, not sure what that is. I need to hook up the AW again :)
[quote name='Adz 3000' post='1023715' date='Mar 20 2010, 02:59 PM']I dont personaly understand why u would get a bad fps with those specs /confused.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':confused:' />



mabye check the wire? are u using the duel link dvi?



And the eye straing could be anything lol not the screens fault, well i wouldent think so. Try decreasing the brightness and increasing Digital vibrence in the control panel.



Thanks Adz. As for the dual link dvi, I'm using a single connection dvi that says dual dvi link on it. Right? Its just one cable? Whether or not this is true, but I'm guessing my eyes are very sensitive. I could easily tell if a CRT was below 85Hz right away, but not sure if that is a good comparison or not if I have sensitive eyes.



I thought I had brightness down a bit, and will check the digital vib, not sure what that is. I need to hook up the AW again :)

#3
Posted 03/20/2010 09:08 PM   
You need to overclock your processor, first off. You should be able to hit at least 3.8 on an i7-920. If you have stock cooling, go for 3.6.

At 1920x1080, your video card will also become a bottleneck. Overclocking that will help a lot more than you'd think, if you're running that resolution.
You need to overclock your processor, first off. You should be able to hit at least 3.8 on an i7-920. If you have stock cooling, go for 3.6.



At 1920x1080, your video card will also become a bottleneck. Overclocking that will help a lot more than you'd think, if you're running that resolution.

#4
Posted 03/20/2010 11:06 PM   
[quote name='Arc.' post='1023720' date='Mar 20 2010, 09:08 PM']Thanks Adz. As for the dual link dvi, I'm using a single connection dvi that says dual dvi link on it. Right? Its just one cable? Whether or not this is true, but I'm guessing my eyes are very sensitive. I could easily tell if a CRT was below 85Hz right away, but not sure if that is a good comparison or not if I have sensitive eyes.

I thought I had brightness down a bit, and will check the digital vib, not sure what that is. I need to hook up the AW again :)[/quote]

Yeah it is just one cable, check the connectors to be sure... although im guesing that the cable you are using for it came with the Alienware screen? You need this in order to get the 120hz refresh rate.

Here is a pic, [url="http://www.theinquirer.net/img/10158/dual-link-dvi.jpg"]http://www.theinquirer.net/img/10158/dual-link-dvi.jpg[/url] its the top wire he is holding... should look like that /thumbsup.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':thumbsup:' />
[quote name='Arc.' post='1023720' date='Mar 20 2010, 09:08 PM']Thanks Adz. As for the dual link dvi, I'm using a single connection dvi that says dual dvi link on it. Right? Its just one cable? Whether or not this is true, but I'm guessing my eyes are very sensitive. I could easily tell if a CRT was below 85Hz right away, but not sure if that is a good comparison or not if I have sensitive eyes.



I thought I had brightness down a bit, and will check the digital vib, not sure what that is. I need to hook up the AW again :)



Yeah it is just one cable, check the connectors to be sure... although im guesing that the cable you are using for it came with the Alienware screen? You need this in order to get the 120hz refresh rate.



Here is a pic, http://www.theinquirer.net/img/10158/dual-link-dvi.jpg its the top wire he is holding... should look like that /thumbsup.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':thumbsup:' />

#5
Posted 03/20/2010 11:17 PM   
[quote name='Adz 3000' post='1023773' date='Mar 20 2010, 05:17 PM']Yeah it is just one cable, check the connectors to be sure... although im guesing that the cable you are using for it came with the Alienware screen? You need this in order to get the 120hz refresh rate.

Here is a pic, [url="http://www.theinquirer.net/img/10158/dual-link-dvi.jpg"]http://www.theinquirer.net/img/10158/dual-link-dvi.jpg[/url] its the top wire he is holding... should look like that /thumbsup.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':thumbsup:' />[/quote]

Thanks fellas,

I checked my cable and it looks like the top one, with all the small pins, and no gaps. So I'm gonna assume I got the correct one from Alienware. Is it known that they don't ship the right one?

I want to overclock my proc, but im a newb. I was able to set my ram timings to the specs at 7-7-7-24 so it is running at 1600. Man I feel embarrased saying this, but when I try to overclock it the ram goes about 1600 so I bailed and didn't do it. Not sure how to do it, and I do have an aftermarket cooler. lmao. I'm an idiot. I can oc the video card though, but will have to research how much more I can push my BFG card. I just bought it because it was less than $200. Argh. Even with some of the simple guides I get frustrated, I just don't want to fry anything.

So it is confirmed, you do need higher specs to push the 120Hz effectively?
[quote name='Adz 3000' post='1023773' date='Mar 20 2010, 05:17 PM']Yeah it is just one cable, check the connectors to be sure... although im guesing that the cable you are using for it came with the Alienware screen? You need this in order to get the 120hz refresh rate.



Here is a pic, http://www.theinquirer.net/img/10158/dual-link-dvi.jpg its the top wire he is holding... should look like that /thumbsup.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':thumbsup:' />



Thanks fellas,



I checked my cable and it looks like the top one, with all the small pins, and no gaps. So I'm gonna assume I got the correct one from Alienware. Is it known that they don't ship the right one?



I want to overclock my proc, but im a newb. I was able to set my ram timings to the specs at 7-7-7-24 so it is running at 1600. Man I feel embarrased saying this, but when I try to overclock it the ram goes about 1600 so I bailed and didn't do it. Not sure how to do it, and I do have an aftermarket cooler. lmao. I'm an idiot. I can oc the video card though, but will have to research how much more I can push my BFG card. I just bought it because it was less than $200. Argh. Even with some of the simple guides I get frustrated, I just don't want to fry anything.



So it is confirmed, you do need higher specs to push the 120Hz effectively?

#6
Posted 03/21/2010 01:37 AM   
[quote name='Arc.' post='1023838' date='Mar 20 2010, 09:37 PM']So it is confirmed, you do need higher specs to push the 120Hz effectively?[/quote]
Depends on how high you crank up the other graphics settings.
Unlike EVGA, I don't believe BFG Tech will cover overclocked hardware with their warranty..
[quote name='Arc.' post='1023838' date='Mar 20 2010, 09:37 PM']So it is confirmed, you do need higher specs to push the 120Hz effectively?

Depends on how high you crank up the other graphics settings.

Unlike EVGA, I don't believe BFG Tech will cover overclocked hardware with their warranty..

#7
Posted 03/21/2010 04:26 AM   
[quote name='Arc.' post='1023838' date='Mar 21 2010, 01:37 AM']Thanks fellas,

I checked my cable and it looks like the top one, with all the small pins, and no gaps. So I'm gonna assume I got the correct one from Alienware. Is it known that they don't ship the right one?

I want to overclock my proc, but im a newb. I was able to set my ram timings to the specs at 7-7-7-24 so it is running at 1600. Man I feel embarrased saying this, but when I try to overclock it the ram goes about 1600 so I bailed and didn't do it. Not sure how to do it, and I do have an aftermarket cooler. lmao. I'm an idiot. I can oc the video card though, but will have to research how much more I can push my BFG card. I just bought it because it was less than $200. Argh. Even with some of the simple guides I get frustrated, I just don't want to fry anything.

So it is confirmed, you do need higher specs to push the 120Hz effectively?[/quote]

Don't worry, you won't fry anything. The only way you can fry stuff is to raise the memory voltage past 1.65, which motherboards these days do not allow, or raise the cpu voltage to 1.6 or so. You're not gonna be doing that stuff at all, so go ahead - loosen up those ram timings, raise those clocks! You may need to reset the bios if everything fails on you, but even THAT is basically automatic these days. Absolute worse case scenario is you'll need to move your "reset cmos" jumper over, and then move it back, and then restart.
[quote name='Arc.' post='1023838' date='Mar 21 2010, 01:37 AM']Thanks fellas,



I checked my cable and it looks like the top one, with all the small pins, and no gaps. So I'm gonna assume I got the correct one from Alienware. Is it known that they don't ship the right one?



I want to overclock my proc, but im a newb. I was able to set my ram timings to the specs at 7-7-7-24 so it is running at 1600. Man I feel embarrased saying this, but when I try to overclock it the ram goes about 1600 so I bailed and didn't do it. Not sure how to do it, and I do have an aftermarket cooler. lmao. I'm an idiot. I can oc the video card though, but will have to research how much more I can push my BFG card. I just bought it because it was less than $200. Argh. Even with some of the simple guides I get frustrated, I just don't want to fry anything.



So it is confirmed, you do need higher specs to push the 120Hz effectively?



Don't worry, you won't fry anything. The only way you can fry stuff is to raise the memory voltage past 1.65, which motherboards these days do not allow, or raise the cpu voltage to 1.6 or so. You're not gonna be doing that stuff at all, so go ahead - loosen up those ram timings, raise those clocks! You may need to reset the bios if everything fails on you, but even THAT is basically automatic these days. Absolute worse case scenario is you'll need to move your "reset cmos" jumper over, and then move it back, and then restart.

#8
Posted 03/21/2010 05:10 AM   
I can play BC2 on my PC at native res on that monitor with settings at medium and I have a really old setup.

core 2 duo E8400 @3.8ghz
Geforce 8800GTS
4gig ram
Windows Vista.

You shouldnt need to overclock.
I can play BC2 on my PC at native res on that monitor with settings at medium and I have a really old setup.



core 2 duo E8400 @3.8ghz

Geforce 8800GTS

4gig ram

Windows Vista.



You shouldnt need to overclock.

#9
Posted 03/21/2010 09:25 AM   
[url="http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=1804"]http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=1804[/url]

That guide is old but it was really helpful. I have another one I was taught using and it's even better, ill post if I find it. It's not as hard as you think. Because I wasnt massively confidant I just overclocked my CPU until my Ram was holding me back and then stopped.
http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=1804



That guide is old but it was really helpful. I have another one I was taught using and it's even better, ill post if I find it. It's not as hard as you think. Because I wasnt massively confidant I just overclocked my CPU until my Ram was holding me back and then stopped.

#10
Posted 03/21/2010 09:28 AM   
[quote name='Arc.' post='1023838' date='Mar 21 2010, 01:37 AM']So it is confirmed, you do need higher specs to push the 120Hz effectively?[/quote]


Well if you want to push 120 frames per second all the time then yes, other than that it would have no prefomrance hit at all. Its just simply means the moniter can display 120 frames every second.

The only preformance hit a screen can have is the resalution it runs. The hz of the screen has no effect what so ever on preformance, As im aware of anyway.
[quote name='Arc.' post='1023838' date='Mar 21 2010, 01:37 AM']So it is confirmed, you do need higher specs to push the 120Hz effectively?





Well if you want to push 120 frames per second all the time then yes, other than that it would have no prefomrance hit at all. Its just simply means the moniter can display 120 frames every second.



The only preformance hit a screen can have is the resalution it runs. The hz of the screen has no effect what so ever on preformance, As im aware of anyway.

#11
Posted 03/21/2010 05:01 PM   
[quote name='Adz 3000' post='1024150' date='Mar 21 2010, 11:01 AM']Well if you want to push 120 frames per second all the time then yes, other than that it would have no prefomrance hit at all. Its just simply means the moniter can display 120 frames every second.

The only preformance hit a screen can have is the resalution it runs. The hz of the screen has no effect what so ever on preformance, As im aware of anyway.[/quote]

Thanks for the feedback everyone!! With your help I resolved some of the issues. I still think my system is a little underpowered, but I'm able to run all settings on high and achieve 50-70 FPS most of the time, but does dip down under 50 alot with tons of action. With the insite you guys gave me, I got the latest AW drivers from dell, installed those, overclocked my vid card, and after alot of research my cpu has been running at 3.2Ghz :) I'm assuming somewhere along the way, that all helped quite a bit!

So my last question, is it worth keeping a $450 monitor if I'm only running at 50-70 FPS? If and when the Fermi cards are reasonably priced I will upgrade then.

My choices are:
AW 23" 1920x1080 (TN) $450
or
2209WA 22" 1680x1050 (IPS) 5ms $212
[quote name='Adz 3000' post='1024150' date='Mar 21 2010, 11:01 AM']Well if you want to push 120 frames per second all the time then yes, other than that it would have no prefomrance hit at all. Its just simply means the moniter can display 120 frames every second.



The only preformance hit a screen can have is the resalution it runs. The hz of the screen has no effect what so ever on preformance, As im aware of anyway.



Thanks for the feedback everyone!! With your help I resolved some of the issues. I still think my system is a little underpowered, but I'm able to run all settings on high and achieve 50-70 FPS most of the time, but does dip down under 50 alot with tons of action. With the insite you guys gave me, I got the latest AW drivers from dell, installed those, overclocked my vid card, and after alot of research my cpu has been running at 3.2Ghz :) I'm assuming somewhere along the way, that all helped quite a bit!



So my last question, is it worth keeping a $450 monitor if I'm only running at 50-70 FPS? If and when the Fermi cards are reasonably priced I will upgrade then.



My choices are:

AW 23" 1920x1080 (TN) $450

or

2209WA 22" 1680x1050 (IPS) 5ms $212

#12
Posted 03/21/2010 06:33 PM   
I wouldent say ocing an i7 on air stock to 3.6 was at all doable.. belive me ive tried in a coolermaster HAF case. I run my 920 at 4.2ghz now with an air cooler overclocking the i7's is probaly the best way u will get an easy fps boost. i run BF2 BC2 on a 4.2ghz i7 with 2x gtx260 and i still drop to 40fps in some places on that game. Sli up and overclock that i7 some ull see a big performance increase :P
I wouldent say ocing an i7 on air stock to 3.6 was at all doable.. belive me ive tried in a coolermaster HAF case. I run my 920 at 4.2ghz now with an air cooler overclocking the i7's is probaly the best way u will get an easy fps boost. i run BF2 BC2 on a 4.2ghz i7 with 2x gtx260 and i still drop to 40fps in some places on that game. Sli up and overclock that i7 some ull see a big performance increase :P

2x gtx480 sli
gigabyte ex58-UD5
i7 920 @4.2ghz on air
6gb ocz reaper 1866mhz
2x Vertex 2 50gb SSD's raid 0
1500w Xigmatek Psu
Acer GD24HQ 24" 1080p 120hz 3D.
3D Vision

#13
Posted 03/21/2010 06:45 PM   
[quote name='Stevewhitt' post='1024254' date='Mar 21 2010, 12:45 PM']I wouldent say ocing an i7 on air stock to 3.6 was at all doable.. belive me ive tried in a coolermaster HAF case. I run my 920 at 4.2ghz now with an air cooler overclocking the i7's is probaly the best way u will get an easy fps boost. i run BF2 BC2 on a 4.2ghz i7 with 2x gtx260 and i still drop to 40fps in some places on that game. Sli up and overclock that i7 some ull see a big performance increase :P[/quote]

I do plan on going a little futher. I acutally have a Zalman CNPs9900 cooler, guess its time to put it to use :) I am tempted to go sli, especially if I can snag another GTX275 for sup $200!
[quote name='Stevewhitt' post='1024254' date='Mar 21 2010, 12:45 PM']I wouldent say ocing an i7 on air stock to 3.6 was at all doable.. belive me ive tried in a coolermaster HAF case. I run my 920 at 4.2ghz now with an air cooler overclocking the i7's is probaly the best way u will get an easy fps boost. i run BF2 BC2 on a 4.2ghz i7 with 2x gtx260 and i still drop to 40fps in some places on that game. Sli up and overclock that i7 some ull see a big performance increase :P



I do plan on going a little futher. I acutally have a Zalman CNPs9900 cooler, guess its time to put it to use :) I am tempted to go sli, especially if I can snag another GTX275 for sup $200!

#14
Posted 03/21/2010 06:49 PM   
[quote name='Arc.' post='1024244' date='Mar 21 2010, 06:33 PM']So my last question, is it worth keeping a $450 monitor if I'm only running at 50-70 FPS? If and when the Fermi cards are reasonably priced I will upgrade then.

My choices are:
AW 23" 1920x1080 (TN) $450
or
2209WA 22" 1680x1050 (IPS) 5ms $212[/quote]

I'd vouch for keeping the alienware if your really into your gaming even if your fps is not taking advantage of the 120hz. Although saying that ive never seen the 2209WA so carnt fairly comment. /teehee.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':teehee:' />

I'd look at it like this....

The TN tech the alienware uses will be a lot better for gaming and input lag as well at things like moution blur.

And the Ips will be better for colour acuracy... so photo edditing film watching(mabye)
[quote name='Arc.' post='1024244' date='Mar 21 2010, 06:33 PM']So my last question, is it worth keeping a $450 monitor if I'm only running at 50-70 FPS? If and when the Fermi cards are reasonably priced I will upgrade then.



My choices are:

AW 23" 1920x1080 (TN) $450

or

2209WA 22" 1680x1050 (IPS) 5ms $212



I'd vouch for keeping the alienware if your really into your gaming even if your fps is not taking advantage of the 120hz. Although saying that ive never seen the 2209WA so carnt fairly comment. /teehee.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':teehee:' />



I'd look at it like this....



The TN tech the alienware uses will be a lot better for gaming and input lag as well at things like moution blur.



And the Ips will be better for colour acuracy... so photo edditing film watching(mabye)

#15
Posted 03/21/2010 08:16 PM   
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