Bottleneck in 3DMark?

[EarlGrey]

I have just had issues with the PC over the last couple of days, and having remounted the CPU with a Scythe Ninja was doing some benchmarking to test stuff. All was fine, and stable under Prime95, and 3DMark was giving the same numbers as before. Phew

However, I noticed whilst running the 3Dmark05 CPU test, my CPU does not max out. I mean, if you run TaskManager in the background (which doesn't change framerate before you ask) and stop the test mid way, all four cores of the q6600 are being used, but only 40-60% each. Why would a CPU benchmark not max out the cores? Or to put it another way - what do you think might be the bottleneck?

Edit: I don't have the graphics card listed in 'My System' anymore, it has a Geforce 8400GS, which has just struck me as the likely issue, but can the graphics card bottleneck a CPU test to the extent the cores aren't being used fully?

[Blitzen]

The card, unfortunately is a MAJOR bottleneck within your system. The 780GTX in your specs avatar is actually way better).

With an 8400 card i would be amazed if you would get anything over 1200 points (if the benchmark completes at all).

[EarlGrey]

You missed the point entirely.

I am not after a 'score' I am stress testing. Read the post again.

Can the graphics card limit a CPU test - when all calculations should be done on CPU - not on graphics card. The graphics card should just be used to write the frame buffer to screen.

To be more specific I am talking about the two 'CPU tests' within the suite of benchmarks contained in 3Dmark 05.

[daza]

Most likley when it was coded it wasnt designed for quad core systems maybe dual cores which is why it wont max out the system.

When I run 3d mark 05 at 3.8ghz I still only get 1~2fps on the cpu stress test so I wouldnt worry about it tbh.

[Zak33]

You missed the point entirely.

I am not after a 'score' I am stress testing. Read the post again.

Can the graphics card limit a CPU test - when all calculations should be done on CPU - not on graphics card. The graphics card should just be used to write the frame buffer to screen.

To be more specific I am talking about the two 'CPU tests' within the suite of benchmarks contained in 3Dmark 05.

pls be a tad more polite, though Blitz did miss the point, he's not a bad guy.

That is an old test.... it wont use all the cores. Sorry bud. You'll need something else.

[streetster]

if you want to max out the cores, run two copies of Orthos.

I'm not sure if 3DMark06 is better optimised for Quad Cores...

I'll run 3dmark06 on my rig with taskmanager in the background and see what happens... (tho ive only got dualcore)

[e!]

CPU Test Run in 3DMark06. Click below for the screen shot of my task manager:




Try downloading/running 3dmark06 and see if it maxes out your quadcore...