Windows Exprience Score Low for CPU

[RB401]

Hi All,

I have just built a new computer.  I am running a 970A-DS3 motherboard with an Athlon II x 4, Box 640, i.e. 3 ghz cpu.  I have 4GB of 1600 mhz ram.  I have a 430 watt power supply.  I am running Vista.  When I run Windows Experience, I get a 5.9 processor score.  My dad has an HP computer that has the Athlon II, Box 635 (2.9 ghz) CPU and his Windows Experience processor score is 7.3.  His system also has 4 GB of ram (1333 mhz).  His system runs Windows 7.   My question is why is my score so much lower with essentially the same cpu?  I think my cpu is not running at its full capacity.  Is there anything in BIOS that I can change to boost the score?  I am running the default Gigabyte optimised settings.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Dave

[autotech]

Welcome to the gigabyte forum.

I think your main difference is the OS. Also with that power supply you really dont have any room for a stable overclock. Is vista fully updated i went from vista to windows 7 and actually got better scores with the same hardware. But there wasnt that much difference i gained .1 to .2 on the test not much as you are stating.

What you can try in bios is to turn off any powersaving features as in coolnquiet or ce1 support. Then rerun test and see if it helps.

[RB401]

Ok. I turned off Coolnquiet and c1e and no change in score.  Yes, Vista is up to date.  This motherboard seems to be working fine, but I am wondering if it somehow it could be throttling back the cpu?  I am primarily interested in just in having my system operate optimally.  The entire system appears to be working fine, but because my dad's HP computer using a slightly less capable cpu produces a higher Win. Exp. processor score, it makes me think that something is not right with my system.  Maybe Vista is choking the system and its time to upgrade to Win 8, but before I do that I want to further explore if there are any BIOS or other motherboard related issues. Maybe this motherboard (970a-ds3) has some sort of problem and I just don't know how to detect it.  I can still return the motherboard.

[RB401]

OK. I have done some online research for Win. Exp. scores and per the Wikipedia, the highest achievable Win. Exp. score for Vista is 5.9.  For Win 7, the scale goes up to 7.9 and for Win 8, the max score is 9.9. A few other sources agreed with the Wikipedia.  So, I have been worrying about nothing.  My Win Exp. processor score is 5.9 because that's the top of the scale for Vista. 

[autotech]

Has been so long since i used vista i forgot it only went to 5.9 is my bad sorry about that. Old men tend to forget simple things i guess...lol. Glad you got it figured