System Slow = hardware problems?

[jimmy9pints]

Hi,
Just come back to Linux Mint after a long time away. Would really appreciate some help from the community!!!

I've just purchased a new computer with what I thought was pretty good hardware. However, since getting Mint up and running I've noticed it to be a bit jumpy unsmooth graphics wise. This has especially been the case when running:

• Screenlets
  Docky
  Compiz effects
  VLC player on full screen playback

If it's down to hardware problems (I am doubting that) I have a couple more days to get it back to the shop.

Here's my hardware specs:

-Computer-
Processor : 6x AMD Phenom(tm) II X6 1055T Processor
Memory : 4057MB (945MB used) (G.Skill 2X2G 1066)
Motherboard: ASUS M4N98TD EVO NVIDIA nForce 980a/Socket AM3



-Display-
Resolution : 1920x1200 pixels
OpenGL Renderer : GeForce GT 430/PCI/SSE2 (GIGABYTE GV-N430OC-1GL 730/1800 1024M/128 DDR3 PCI-E)
X11 Vendor : The X.Org Foundation

-Multimedia-
Audio Adapter : HDA-Intel - HDA NVidia

-SCSI Disks-
ATA ST31000525SV (Hardware RAID 1)
ATA ST31000525SV
(a little concerned that it lists two disks here, I thought that the OS would be "blind" to there being two disks since it's a hardware raid)

Concerns:

Under Mint's system information (which I love by the way) there's a few things that concern me. Firstly, under Devices >Processor, I see:
-Processors-
AMD Phenom(tm) II X6 1055T Processor : 800.00MHz
AMD Phenom(tm) II X6 1055T Processor : 800.00MHz
AMD Phenom(tm) II X6 1055T Processor : 800.00MHz
AMD Phenom(tm) II X6 1055T Processor : 800.00MHz
AMD Phenom(tm) II X6 1055T Processor : 800.00MHz
AMD Phenom(tm) II X6 1055T Processor : 800.00MHz

Now, this may be a dumb question, but why is it clocked at 800MHz. I thought they were 2.8GHz cores. Or does it not work like that?

Then, under benchmarks>FPU Tracing, I get these results:
-FPU Raytracing-
<big><b>This Machine</b></big> 800 MHz 12.809
Intel(R) Celeron(R) M processor 1.50GHz (null) 40.8816714
PowerPC 740/750 (280.00MHz) (null) 161.312647

Is something weird going on?

[jimmy9pints]

I am back - moments later - because writing that post reminded me that there was a little "Core Unlocking" switch on the mobo.

Turned off the machine and switched that, now the benchmark gives:

-FPU Raytracing-
<big><b>This Machine</b></big> 2800 MHz 12.870
Intel(R) Celeron(R) M processor 1.50GHz (null) 40.8816714
PowerPC 740/750 (280.00MHz) (null) 161.312647

At least the CPU is running at the right speed, even though the performance still isn't that good.

[nunol]

Your CPU is supposed to lower the speed when not using 100% so it saves energy and lowers the working temperature, thats why it was not at full speed before. You can check more information here: http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/ ... tures.aspx

I don't know how your CPU is supposed to perform (it should be very fast) but you can check here: http://openbenchmarking.org/

You can test with: http://www.phoronix-test-suite.com/

[Aging Technogeek]

Please do not double post. It does not substantially improve response time and it clutters the forum with extra posts. I have deleted your other post on this subject as this one has been responded to.

[jimmy9pints]

Please do not double post. It does not substantially improve response time and it clutters the forum with extra posts. I have deleted your other post on this subject as this one has been responded to.

Not intentional.

Your CPU is supposed to lower the speed when not using 100% so it saves energy and lowers the working temperature, thats why it was not at full speed before. You can check more information here: http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/ ... tures.aspx

I don't know how your CPU is supposed to perform (it should be very fast) but you can check here: http://openbenchmarking.org/

You can test with: http://www.phoronix-test-suite.com/

Thanks for your response. I have downloaded and started to use the Phoronix test suite.

I am really unsatisfied with the speed of the new computer!!

To give you another example, when I was transfering files from my Eeepc, with a little Atom processor, through the network to the new computer, it was the NEW COMPUTER that was struggling! The Eeepc was running fine!

Baffled and disappointed.

Any more pointers or diagnostic tools appreciated.

[nunol]

When you compare your computer results with ones with the same CPU you can verify that your computer has a problem.

It could be a problem with with the installation, so check if in live mode it feels faster and take into consideration testing Mint 11 RC to see if the same happens or if it feels faster.

Also, take into consideration that one of your computer components may be faulty or not properly installed.

[jimmy9pints]

When you compare your computer results with ones with the same CPU you can verify that your computer has a problem.

It could be a problem with with the installation, so check if in live mode it feels faster and take into consideration testing Mint 11 RC to see if the same happens or if it feels faster.

Also, take into consideration that one of your computer components may be faulty or not properly installed.

Thank you for your help!

Buying a new computer and finding it slow is really frustrating!

I will try to diagnose it.

Thanks,
Jimmy

[nunol]

Have been there before...

Besides drivers problems or a bad installation most hardware problems were hot CPU's throttling back, a bad BIOS config or a bad overclock. If you use System Monitor or top you can try to pinpoint the problem, you should also check your computer temperatures.