Quake 4 low performance

[dslprog]

Hi,
I've just bougth a "brand" new computer,
Processor AMD Athlon X2 4200+,
Motherboard Gigabyte K8NF-9
Graphics card ATI Radeon X850XT 256MB PCI-E
RAM 2GB DDR400 Dual channel
HD Seagate Serial ATA 7200rpm

I think this configuration matches the minimum system requirements for Quake 4. Well my problem is that I get 12 fps if I set everything to high (not ultra) 2xAA, AF, 1280x1024 resolution. why?!!
I've installed the latest drivers for the Motherboard, the 6.1 Catalyst drivers for the ATI Radeon, I've even installed the 1.0.5 Beta 2 Patch for dual core processors wich is supossed to improve the game performance up to 85%, but the game still sucks!
I've got the same low rates with other games like FEAR, I don't know what to do now, please help!!

thanks in advance.

[Nyghtfall]

I think this configuration matches the minimum system requirements for Quake 4. I've got the same low rates with other games like FEAR, I don't know what to do now, please help!!

I'd offer some advice, but you've already answered your own question with three little words:

Minimum... System... Requirements...

If you want better performance in games, your system needs to meet or exceed the recommended specs.

[dslprog]

minimum Athlon XP 2000+, I've got a X2 4200+ (x2 better)
minimum 512MB RAM, I've got 2GB (x4 better)
minimum 64MB Video RAM, I've got 256MB (x4 better)

I think my PC should move Quake 4 fluently with the maximum quality.

I have just read that Windows XP SP2 has a bug that affects the dual core processors's performance. I don't know if it's the case (there's not much information about it).

[draco7891]

It would seem as though it's linked to the processor, as I have an analogous setup (A64 3500, same mobo, x800XL), and get ~40FPS at those settings.

I assume you've updated to the latest BIOS, as a matter of course, right?

Have you tried the A64 X2 drivers available on the AMD website?

http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/TechnicalResources/0,,30_182_871_13118,00.html

Also, Microsoft seems to be aware of a problem in the way the ACPI controller handles multiple processors (or rather, that it can't, and incorrectly throttles down the whole processor when only one core is in use). Links to the article:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;896256

Apparently, you'll have to contact them to get the hotfix. Try those out.

Draco

[Torsion]

hmm. Your computer rocks and should dominate quake 4. Check your settings and make sure aa and af are set on application preference. Also, make sure your monitor can support that resolution. Try changing the resolution and see what happens.

[OldsterHolster]

Something must be wrong, because my little 2.6gig P-4, 1gig Ram, 6600GT, computer played both Quake 4 and F.E.A.R. pretty darned well. In fact, I was surprised at how smoothly the games played, even though I didn't have everything turned way up, of course. Edward.

[dslprog]

I'm afraid it's about the windows xp bug (I've installed the latest drivers).
I'll wait until the next Windows SP.

Thanks for your help.

[Domicinator]

Have you downloaded the patch from Activision for Quake 4? It deals specifically with dual core performance and issues. I would try that before you do anything drastic. I have a very similar configuration to yours and it blazes on Quake 4 without a problem.

[0x64657200 0x6A61636B616C00]

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=983781