Getting bad performance with brand new MSI GTX 970 GPU

ianeian

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Jan 25, 2016
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My computer has been under-performing for a while now, so I finally decided to fix the problem. My GPU was under warranty with MicroCenter so I exchanged it for a brand new one. Unfortunately, things still are running dismally. For instance, in GTA V I have it set about mid range settings, and it only runs at 20-30 fps, with constant framerate drops, and texture pop-ins. If I drive too fast in game, there won't be any roads or buildings until I stop for a few seconds. I am starting to think it's CPU bottlenecking, even though everywhere I search says the i5-4670K should be more than efficient.
Is it possible my cpu is bad? Or is it something else?
All drivers are updated.

Specs:
OS: Windows 10
MOBO: Z97X-Gaming 7
Processor: i5-4690K CPU @ 3.50GHz (4 CPUs), ~3.5GHz
RAM: 2x4GB
GPU: GTX 970
 
Solution
Yeah, the stock heatsinks are pretty bad. And since you have a microcenter it'll be easy. Which one are you near? I can see what they have and recommend one.

kyzarvs

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Chack your hard drive usage. I'm having an issue similar to that at the moment and it appears to be down to many nVbackend.exe processes running, scanning my (admittedly) 3.5tb Steam drive. Waiting for textures to load can take ages.
 

ianeian

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Jan 25, 2016
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Sorry, I forgot PSU. I have a corsair CX600, and yes all external power connectors are in the GPU.
I ran Open Hardware Monitor while I drove around GTA and took a screen shot of the results.
http://imgur.com/7YyQ5f3
 

ianeian

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Jan 25, 2016
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How would I got about doing this? Ihave 120 GB SSD, that I mostly use for the OS and some files, and a 1TB that I have my Steam library saved on.
 

Cinderblox

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Jan 11, 2016
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Wrong readings i guess, to high temps on the CPU cores. Can you monitor in msi afterburner for cpu temps?
 

ianeian

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Jan 25, 2016
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Sorry It's taking me a while, I'm trying to figure out how I can post what I ran with msi afterburner, is there a log system?
 

ianeian

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Jan 25, 2016
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How's this?
http://imgur.com/nDfSmTL
 

cliffro

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If those temps are correct, THAT is the issue. Your CPU is seriously overheating. Stock cooler? Aftermarket? Make sure its seated properly.
 

ianeian

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Jan 25, 2016
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I have the stock cooler, and I double checked that it was seated properly when I put in the new GPU. So, I suppose I'll get some new thermal paste to put on there later today. Would it be in my best interest to get a new hea sink?

 

Benab3

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Your CPU is overheating very badly to the point of being dangerous.
You will find that it is throttling ( slowing itself down ) to use less power, and therefore create less heat and less performance. You are not very far away from a thermal shutdown.

Try re-mounting your cooler with new thermal paste, or possibly get an aftermarket CPU cooler.

EDIT: Oops, didn't see that the temperature issue had already been replied to, didn't refresh the page after you posted the imgur.

On a side note though, if you stock cooler is mounted correctly with the thermal paste on well, temps should be nowhere near 100 degrees, especially at stock clocks. If everything with your stock cooler is okay, your temperatures will not be decresed that drastically with an aftermarket cooler, and you may need to get a different CPU if you are under warranty.
 

cliffro

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Alright since I don't know your budget or your capabilities, I've used this cooler with several of my friends computers, running an FX6300 and 8370E respectively it will work way better than stock and aside from screwing the brackets onto the heatsink prior to installation, it's a pretty simple process. And the cooler is cheap. Just make sure those push pins are fully seated with no play.

http://www.microcenter.com/product/312368/Hyper_TX3_92mm_HP_CPU_Cooler

I personally like Cryorig's stuff for ease of installation, but alas Microcenter doesn't carry them.
 

Cinderblox

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Jan 11, 2016
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well checked late but indeed that cpu got some tanline by now :p And indeed that is a good cooler.