Programs open slowly on Opetron/Dual Core CPU

I have just assembeled a computer with the following specs for one of my clients:
AMD Athlon 4200+ X2 64 bit
ASUS A8N SLI
2 x 1 GB Kingston 400 DDR RAM
ASUS 6600 GT SLI Card
160 GB SATA 2 hard disk

Now he complains that the system is SLOW. When he opens 3ds max it takes about 10 seconds to draw the windows and return the control back to him. This does not happen on any of his other systems (all AMD Athlon 3200+ XP 64 bit).

Earlier I had assembeled a dual cpu Opetron for him, and on this he is facing the same problem.

Can anybody help?

 

The identifying sources you have mentioned are dual processors and SLI graphics. I would start by checking the BIOS settings related to running those. Check the motherboard (and graphics card) manufacturer's website for any FAQs related to those.

Are the processors being recognised by the BIOS correctly? Use the processor identification utilities (they are available at both AMD and Intel). Check if there are BIOS upgrades related to CPU identification. See what Everest or Sandra can identify about the system.

Check the FAQs at nVidia regarding SLI.

Check for updated motherboard/chipset drivers. If any hardware related to graphics are using Windows standard drivers instead of manufacturer's specific drivers it may be the reason.

Is the slowness only related to the 3D program? Is it generally slow? Check the program's "system requirements ". Is the latest version of DirectX installed? Open dxdiag at startup and run the Direct 3D test, is it slow?

Matt

 

I have already done it. Would check it again.

Yes. In BIOS as well as Windows XP.

Already downloaded the latest drivers & patches for WinXP. No deal.

Since the client is using only 3d max, he is not very concerned with other programs. DirectX ver. is 9c & the test is not slow.

 

I can't think of any other areas. For me it would be a matter of running the system and the software until I could identify a possible cause, then use tools or utilities to discover the source.

If the system runs OK until a particular program is opened (or type of program as in ones that utilise 3D) then maybe backup, uninstall and reinstall the program.

It may relate to SP2 and you need to remove and reinstall drivers so that they will operate with SP2.

Search the forums at AMD and nVidia (Edit: I'm not certain there are forums at AMD, they may rely on those at the chipset manufacturer's websites).

Matt
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