Am I being bottlenecked?

eleptyx

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I am having some issues after upgrading to the new GTX 970 card...I just want to make sure my CPU isn't bottlenecking.

I have an i5-3450 3.1 ghz now paired with the 970.

Other specs:
ASrocks extreme4 z87 lga 1155 Mobo
8 gigs of ram
600W PSU
 
Solution


Yes, you should clean off the thermal paste and re-apply every time you re-seat the heatsink.

You'll need some isopropyl alcohol to remove the thermal paste. Put some on a microfiber cloth or use a coffee filter to remove it.

frag06

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We're going to need much more information to help you with your problem. What exactly is the issue?


 

eleptyx

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It seems I can do basic tasks just fine, but as soon as I enter into a game it either skips and lags (audio and visual) or it just turns the computer off completely. What other information should I provide?

Also the Mobo is a z77 not 87.


I have only tested this with League of Legends and Tomb Raider so far since they are the two games my bf wants to play most.
 

eleptyx

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When I initially posted this I hadn't had it shut off yet. Now I am thinking it may be overheating or the PSU. I just wanted to ensure that an i5-3450 wouldn't bottleneck a 970.
 
i5 will be fine for a 970.

If temps are in the 60s at idle or browsing the web use then you might be overheating when game playing. Start a game and see what the temps get to.

How did you put on the heatsink? Do you have an aftermarket cooler or the intel one? What case do you have and how many fans?

Have you installed the newest Nvidia driver from thier website?
 

eleptyx

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Okay. Thats great news since I didn't want to upgrade my CPU yet.

Its the basic intel one that came with it. I hadn't had issues using it prior to upgrading to the 970 so I figured it'd be fine. I just twisted the little pieces in the corners, popped it in while the mobo was sitting on its box and then twisted them shut so they popped and locked in the back.

As for the case it is a corsair graphite 230T. It has 4 fans in it currently not including the heatsink.

I am currently running driver number 344.16 I think that is the newest driver? It is the one that came up when I went to the website.

Let me run a game real fast and I will get you the temp with that.
 

eleptyx

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Its getting to about 90C. So its probably overheating, yes?

Since it was working prior to the change could I have possibly needed to apply more thermal paste when I moved things around?
 

frag06

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Yes, 90C is too hot. Did you take off the cooler and re-do the thermal paste?
 

eleptyx

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I didn't redo the thermal as it looked like it was okay, but I will look for my paste today and reapply tonight when I get home and let you guys know if that worked.

Should I clean off what is left on there currently? And how would I do that?

Also should the PSU have been adequate for this system? Do I need more fans? I have a few extra lying around.
 

frag06

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Yes, you should clean off the thermal paste and re-apply every time you re-seat the heatsink.

You'll need some isopropyl alcohol to remove the thermal paste. Put some on a microfiber cloth or use a coffee filter to remove it.

 
Solution