Is My CPU Holding Back My System?

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xtobymc

xtobymc

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Jan 5, 2013
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Yesterday morning I started playing the new release of Battlefield 4 on my PC, and I noticed something quite substantial. At the time of first running the game, I had been testing out my system when overclocked, with my i5 3570k OC'd from 3.4 to 4.0GHz. This is the first time I'd really attempted to overclock, so I was unaware of its effects. Anyhow, so when playing Battlefield 4 I was able to get 70-90fps on Ultra settings, which kind of threw me a bit, as I only own a Radeon HD 7950, which isn't the best card in the world. The problem was, my CPU temperature began exceeding 80 degrees, so I had to stop playing the game. I then decided to roll back to a 3.6GHz overclock just to test out temperatures, and now I can only run the game on medium settings in order to sustain 60fps. Also, it's only at my default clock speed or slightly overclocked that my temperatures will stay stable. I'm even using a Corsair H60 water cooler, but I have been having other issues with it which I won't get into (I'm going to be replacing the H60 with a new one soon as Corsair are sending me a replacement).

So my question is, is my CPU in some way holding back my system? It seemed crazy that I got a 20+fps boost just from an overclock, but when the CPU is at default speed or slightly overclocked it lacks so much performance? I'm also looking at getting a GTX 780 / GTX 780Ti in the near future, so do you think I should be getting a better CPU anyway?

System spec: Intel i5 3570k, Asrock Z77 Extreme4 Mobo, 8GB RAM, XFX Radeon HD 7950, OCZ ZT 650W PSU, Corsair H60 Liquid CPU Cooler, Fractal Design Define R4 case, Windows 8 Pro 64bit, 5 mounted silent fans, 1TB WD HDD, 1x standard optical drive
 
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JOOK-D

JOOK-D

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Aug 28, 2013
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I'm guessing you were playing multiplayer? If so the CPU is really important there so it is possible that you received such a great FPS boost from the OC.

As for the temps have you tried reapplying thermal paste?

The 3570k is very capable and shouldn't hold you back on any game.
 
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fatboytyler

fatboytyler

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Jan 29, 2012
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The 3570k and 7950 should never hold you back in this generation of gaming as JOOK-D said. Multiplayer is very CPU dependant, especially BF4 and putting 600MHz OC on could very well give you a substantial boost as long as its stable. Also, your comment about the 7950 not being the best card in the world is still a very powerful card capable of maxing pretty much every game on the market at 1080p
 
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O

oczdude8

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the i5 at STOCK should not be bottlenecking a game like BF4 with a 7950. There are other factors at play here. Don't underestimate your cpu. Also, it kinda weird that you did get 70-90 fps on ultra with a 7950 in the first place...... maybe try the OC to 4ghz again and see if you get the same thing
 
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xtobymc

xtobymc

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As soon as I get my replacement H60 cooler I will re-apply the thermal paste, I've read online that some people got 10 degrees lower temperatures just from changing their thermal paste with the cooler I have, so I'll give that a go.
 
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DukiNuki

DukiNuki

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NO . i5 3570k is not holding you back at all . & it wont hold back any other GPU you are planing to get ( its a great CPU for long run ) even if you are planing to SLI or Crossfire . overclocking = making your hardwares to work harder than they can . so results would be better in the cost of your hardware's lifespan . if there were no difference then OCing would be meaning less ! it just gives you more speed , it doesnt indicate that you are being bottlenecked !

best way to know if your cpu is holding you back is to run a game . max it out . if gpu usage is 99% & cpu is lower than 90 or 80 or 70 then your not getting any bottleneck ! ( no need to test, you are not being bottlenecked ;) )

by the way battlefield 4 has a strange high CPU usage . i think it will get fixed by future patches !

i ran the game on my gtx 760 + i5 3470 @ Ultra settings & i could get 60-90 FPS ! set the game effects on low . it boosts your FPS while it gives you almost 0% difference in quality . just a tip ;)
 
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xtobymc

xtobymc

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Ok thanks for the advice, I'll try turning down the effects to low, see how it goes :)
 
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