6200TC lower than expected performance!!Why??

Hi everyone

I wonder if anyone can answer this for me!!

I have just installed a 6200TC in my work computer as an upgrade from the GMA900(its a Dell computer). The integrated garphics were struggling with some of the software I was running.

It is the 128mb DDR2 version which can address another 128mb system RAM. I noticed that it has a 32 bit memory bus which is a limitation I know. The standard clocks are 300mhz(I think!) for the core and 275mhz for the memory

Even though this card is not for gaming I just had to run 3Dmark to check! The results were very dissapointing to be mild!!

3DMark2001SE only registered around 5000 points!! Even the GMA900 score 5500!! 3DMark2003 was only around 1280 points!!

I thought the GPU maybe overheating as it was passively cooled. So reapplied some Artic Silver Ceramique and added a PCI cooler fan. I managed to oveclock both the core and memory to 400mhz and tested for artefacts with ATI tool. 3Dmark scores were 7900 for 01 and 2400 for 03.

Looking at the reviews for the 32bit 6200 cards these scores still seem a bit weak considering that the card is overclocked!!

I am running the latest drivers too! My computer is a 3.6ghz P4 with 1.5gb pf pc3200 RAM and a SATA HDD.

Dunno, these TC cards are a bit hard to judge, since when the TC kicks in it depends on the rest of the system a lot. Personally I think they're a load of rubbish and not worth buying unless you really don't care about 3d (in which case the integrated gfx would be fine).

Hi

I would have put in a better card but I am uncertain that a Dell GX280 could take something better anyhow?? The additional problem is that it is a BTX design and hence it does not have many fans too.This is good for making the system quiet but not good for airflow!!

I opted for something that did not consume much power and produce too much heat!

It only cost me 15 quid anyway!

However why should it need more memory when the 128mb onboard should be enough for the benchmarks??

mm.. i dont know what to tell you, its stripped-down version of a stripped-down version of a bottom of the range (6200's). ranther than running 3Dmarks 0X it should pop up a windows saying "your joking right?". if it does what want in 2d then thats great butit isnt worth fussing over a few thousand marks when there too low to be meaningful in the best case.

How would a X300SE 128mb compare?? I have one lying about too! I know that they are not gaming cards but the integrated graphics seem more than a match for these cards at default settings! What is the point then??

BTW I do use a 6800 series card on my home computer so I do appreciate what you are saying!!