(Copy of Magicka 2 if you can help me!) -- Performance issue with almost ALL games...

SoulVision · Jun 2, 2015

I've always preferred PC gaming. I built a custom gaming 4 years ago (updated my video card about a year after that) using what was then considered near top of the line hardware, and loved it, but the past year or so I have noticed almost any game I try and run (AAA and even Indie titles) have terrible performance. I have to put almost all of them on low and even then I'm lucky to stay above 30 FPS.

I told myself it was just my hardware being outdated with the constant changing of 'Hot Products' so I started playing more and more PS4, but decided I want to get back into PC gaming so figured I would have to get some new hardware, but looking over the hierarchy charts here I'm wondering if it is my hardware being dated or if something is actually wrong. I'll link my hardware below so you guys can see if maybe I have a piece of hardware that got recalled or something haha.

Heres my specs:

CPU: Intel Core i7 950 (@3.07GHz, ~3.1GHz) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115211
(Watercooled CPU using CORSAIR Hydro Series H50 Liquid Cooler) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181010
PSU: ABS SL series SL1050 1050W Power Supply - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817814010
Motherboard: ASUS P6X58D-E LGA 1366 Intel X58 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131641
RAM: 16GB CORSAIR Vengeance DDR3 SDRAM 1600 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233246
GPU: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 OC 3GB 384-bit GDDR5 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102982 (Also oddly, despite this being a 3GB card it shows up as 4GB under my DXDIAG, not sure why...)
I also have a 1TB Hard Drive, a 120GB SSD, and a 60GB SSD hooked up.

I've tried reformatting and can confirm all drivers are up to date.

If someone can help me troubleshoot what exactly may be going on (Let me know if you want me to do a benchmark or any sort of tests, etc.), I will give you a copy of Magicka 2 via Steam!

Thanks guys!

DasHotShot · Jun 2, 2015

Could you give 1 or 2 specific examples of an AAA title performing terribly and an "indie" game? (also please mention your average or max fps)

Is this entirely a question of low fps or are other things occuring like stuttering or artifacts (little red dots or other colour dots etc)?

Have you done any overclocking or raised voltages?

Joseph DeGarmo · Jun 2, 2015

Check the CPU temps. It's possible that the thermal paste has worn out and causing high temps, thus leading to CPU throttling.

faalin · Jun 2, 2015

First off I would check your temps during gaming to make sure your not overheating, those 950's can get hot. Have one running under a custom loop at 4.8GHz. Im not sure if you ram might be an issue, I know the 1366 sockets like triple channel ram while your only running dual channel.

Also download HWmonitor http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/hwmonitor.html and make sure your voltages are ok, should be within 2-3% of the actual voltage.

SoulVision · Jun 2, 2015

DasHotShot :

Hey there, thanks for the response! Of course! Lately I've tried playing TERA ( was able to play with 'decent' FPS on low settings), but here's some recent games that have been literally unplayable (Subpar FPS even on low textures) -- 7 Days to Die, ARK: Survival Evolved, Reign of Kings, Divinity: Original Sin, Dungeons 2 (This was bad, like 2 FPS constantly on lowest), H1Z1 works on low but isn't the bast performance, some stuttering etc., Chilvalry, Life is Feudal: Your Own, Savage Lands, Rust works on lowest only , Total War: ATTILA wsa unplayable.

While I haven't noticed any dots, I will say in general graphics in all games seem -- I don't know, bad? Like, I'll watch someone stream a game and it looks pretty, then i'll install the same game and will notice its very low resolution and blocky textures for me.

Joseph DeGarmo :

Where should my CPU temps be? Keep in mind I'm using a liquid cooler, but while idle my tips are 42-44. I just checked with ARK: Survival Evolved which is a new released Early Access game so probably not the most optimized game. On absolutely lowest settings which looks terrible (Attaching screenshot below). On startup it shot up as high as like 65 C on a couple cores, but once it loaded i'm hovering around the 60 mark.

faalin :

I've download HWmonitor and I'm going to check it now and will post back here with results!

Thanks guys!

SoulVision · Jun 2, 2015

faalin can you help me with reading CPUID? Where should I look? :O Sorry -- is there a way to paste the info to make it easier for you experts to dissect?

DasHotShot · Jun 2, 2015

If you post a screengrab (use snipping tool and upload to imgur, then post the forum/message board version) we can see what is happening.

In general, this performance level sounds very off to what it should be. The processor is old, however not completely outdated, not by any stretch. The GPU is old too, however again...it is not like you are using a GT610 or anything.

The temp angle is a valid one and could go a long way to explaining why performance is throttled.

One way to isolate the problem to a specific component would be by eliminating the GPU from the equation. Can you insert it into a friend's PC and check it is performing right?

Can you go into task manager and look at the detailed view of how your system memory is being used and how it is running? If you share a screengrab there this could help too.

as much as heat could be a problem for the CPU, we could be dealing with a case of bad memory too.

SoulVision · Jun 2, 2015

DasHotShot :

Thank you for the response! I've posted a screengrab of CPUID below, both while Idle and then while Actively 'running' ARK. That is also my believe, whlie I have some dated hardware, I should not be having performance loss near as bad as this.

IDLE:

ACTIVE:

Sadly I have no local gaming friends that are PC gamers, only console, and I don't have a spare PC nearby that I could test the card in -- is there an alternative to this?

Lastly, I've attached a screengrab of Resource Monitor and Task Manager on my system memory while running the game.

It's a bit foreign to me to read, but hopefully you guys can analyze it better!

Thanks again!

DasHotShot · Jun 2, 2015

Look at your GPU usage...55% average and a 63% max.

Something VERY off there. Seems to be the problem in this case.

Would my colleagues concur?

SoulVision · Jun 2, 2015

DasHotShot :

One thing to note is this is while I was on low settings. I just went back in and put the settings at high, and while I ran at ~9 FPS for about 15 seconds (before the game essentially locked up), I was at ~75% value and 85% max on the GPU via CPUID.

DasHotShot · Jun 2, 2015

Noted

faalin · Jun 2, 2015

Your voltages are way to low. Your 12v is running at 11.48 and maxing out at 11.6v you should be at around 11.76v min to 12.24v max.

As for you cpu it looks like your running stock and should be idling somewhere in the min to low 30's. Your max is fine, I would try and keep it under 75*c. Temp wise the cpu is fine, for stock I would like to see them a lot lower, but you are still within temp specs so your fine.

Im looking more at the PSU not being able to feed enough power to the computer that is giving you issues. it is most likely throttling things since they cant get enough power.

DasHotShot · Jun 2, 2015

If you have the cash flow, I would almost recommend ordering a new GPU, not tampering with it, trying it out to see what happens with performance and then send it back if it works perfectly (or keep it lol).

This is a dramatic way to identify your GPU as the culprit.

Other methods will be tougher...I personally wouldn't know what to do next, having discovered your CPU temps are fine.

faalin · Jun 2, 2015

SoulVision :

This really pushes me more to the PSU, going from low settings to high makes the card draw more power, which the PSU cant give since its already giving low voltage to begin with. Try an barrow a PSU for a friend to see if you get better voltages and stabilize the computer.

SoulVision · Jun 2, 2015

faalin :

SoulVision :

This really pushes me more to the PSU, going from low settings to high makes the card draw more power, which the PSU cant give since its already giving low voltage to begin with. Try an barrow a PSU for a friend to see if you get better voltages and stabilize the computer.

What wattage of PSU do you recommend for my system?

faalin · Jun 2, 2015

its not the wattage that is the issue its that you PSU is not putting out the voltage it should. A good 700-800 watt PSU will be perfectly fine for your system. I would look at corsair, XFX, EVGA, Silverstone, and sea sonic PSU's, somewhere on tom's is a PSU chart that will tell you in each tier what PSU is good.

I would look at something like this https://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-power-supply-120g10750xr

SoulVision · Jun 2, 2015

I just ran over to best but and bought this:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/corsair-cx-series-modular-cx750m-750w-atx-power-supply-black/8324202.p?id=1218872214205&ref=199&loc=8BacdVP0GFs&acampID=1&siteID=8BacdVP0GFs-6pVFBu1sM7EaUNBl9.qGzA

Swapping it in now and will post back here with results!

SoulVision · Jun 2, 2015

Soooo I think I messed something up? My pc won't turn on and the red power button on the motherboard is red?

SoulVision · Jun 2, 2015

Doh. Forgot to plug in the cpu, which I fixed, but now I get no picture to either monitor? Also were no beeps

SoulVision · Jun 2, 2015

faalin, you are a genius. A god among men. After fixing my stupid mistakes of hooking this new power supply up, it appears all issues are fixed. I'm running all previously mentioned games just fine, at least the three I've tested so far. I really appreciate it dude, do you have some way I can get in touch with you to send you this copy of Magicka 2 (It's a Steam copy) -- Thanks so much man. Also, for reference, does this mean by 1050w PSU is dead? Should I just toss it or is it something that can be fixed? And should this 750W Corsair due just fine for my current hardware? THANKS AGAIN!

faalin · Jun 3, 2015

I would just pitch it if I were you. Its not giving out the right 12v so its not really good for anything but tinkering around with.

Now that your computer is squared away, go back and check your temps on the cpu. While your temps are still within specs they seem high for being stock. Once you check your temps if they are still the same as before try replacing your thermal paste or adding a second fan to the radiator of the H50.

As for the CX750 it will get the job done, its not the best out there but also not the worst. Its a middle ground everyday worker, I would treat it as a 650watt unit instead of the 750watt it is sold as. If you keep that in mind it will do its job and do it well. Some things to note on that PSU they had some bad quality control on some of them, since yours is working out of the box id say your 95% in the clear. They also don't like heat very much, if you treat it like a 650watt PSU it will keep the load down which will cause less heat. And last the have a few so-so capacitors, once again keep the load and heat down and you will be ok.

(Copy of Magicka 2 if you can help me!) -- Performance issue with almost ALL games...

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