My graphics card performance seems to be seriously degraded after installing a CPU that is twice as fast. How can that happen? That does not make any sense to me.
My system before the upgrade:
CPU: E7200 (2 core, 2.5 ghz)
OS: Windows 8
Graphics Card: Geforce GT 240
Power Supply: 630 Watt
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I upgraded my CPU to a Q9550 (4 cores, 2.8 ghz). Now 3 different graphics tests show that my graphics performance is much worse. The CPU performance is actually exactly what I expected it to be.
***Windows 8 Experience Index (with E7200)***
Processor: 6.2
Memory: 6.2
Graphics: 6.7
Gaming Graphics: 6.7
***Windows 8 Experience Index (with Q9550)***
Processor: 7.3
Memory: 7.3
Graphics: 6.2
Gaming Graphics: 6.2
***3DMark06 (with E7200)***
SM2.0 Score: 3801
HDR/SM3.0 Score 3897
CPU Score: 2257
Total Score: 8702
***3DMark06(with Q9550)***
SM2.0 Score: 2438
HDR/SMS3.0 Score: 2305
CPU Score: 4343
Total Score: 6363
Standing in a specific location in World of Warcraft with E7200 gave me a frame rate of approximately 45 fps.
Standing in the same location in World of Warcraft with Q9550 gave me a frame rate of approximately 27 fps.
Let me make it clear that I did not upgrade my graphics card. It is still a Geforce 240 GT and I did not change my graphics card drivers.
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The best answer to this question is from my own reply (see below). I accidently selected the wrong answer.
My system before the upgrade:
CPU: E7200 (2 core, 2.5 ghz)
OS: Windows 8
Graphics Card: Geforce GT 240
Power Supply: 630 Watt
-------
I upgraded my CPU to a Q9550 (4 cores, 2.8 ghz). Now 3 different graphics tests show that my graphics performance is much worse. The CPU performance is actually exactly what I expected it to be.
***Windows 8 Experience Index (with E7200)***
Processor: 6.2
Memory: 6.2
Graphics: 6.7
Gaming Graphics: 6.7
***Windows 8 Experience Index (with Q9550)***
Processor: 7.3
Memory: 7.3
Graphics: 6.2
Gaming Graphics: 6.2
***3DMark06 (with E7200)***
SM2.0 Score: 3801
HDR/SM3.0 Score 3897
CPU Score: 2257
Total Score: 8702
***3DMark06(with Q9550)***
SM2.0 Score: 2438
HDR/SMS3.0 Score: 2305
CPU Score: 4343
Total Score: 6363
Standing in a specific location in World of Warcraft with E7200 gave me a frame rate of approximately 45 fps.
Standing in the same location in World of Warcraft with Q9550 gave me a frame rate of approximately 27 fps.
Let me make it clear that I did not upgrade my graphics card. It is still a Geforce 240 GT and I did not change my graphics card drivers.
---------------------------------------
The best answer to this question is from my own reply (see below). I accidently selected the wrong answer.