What Is My Gaming Bottleneck?

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ItsRapidDave

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Okay, so usually I'm quite a smartass with computers but this has me stumped. To start off, here are my system specs.

OS: Windows 10 64-bit
Processor: AMD FX-8350 (8 cores, 4.0 GHz)
GPU: Radeon R9 390 (Not the 390X)
RAM: 32GB DDR3
Storage: 2x 120GB SSD (One for OS and one for games) and 2x 1TB HDD (One for less demanding games and the other for files)
Display: 1080p

So all online I'm seeing reviews and stuff that say that the R9 390 is an amazing card and will easily play any game at 1080p. What I'm noticing is that most games don't really run that well, Fallout 4 is around 50FPS (In open environments, away from the city) on average at medium settings. Dying light is around 30FPS on the lowest possible settings. These are the only two games I really play but it's annoying me that everyone says the 390 is overkill on a 1080p screen when it's performance is poor on my computer.

Any sort of help or feedback will be HIGHLY appreciated.

Thanks.
 
Solution
Rogue Leader


Ok so heres the thing, yes that board supports the 8350 technically, however high power FX processors because it has a 4+1 phase VRM. It literally is not giving your processor enough power at high usage. Good for regular use, but in gaming it will stumble. This is a common issue with 125watt FX processors, there are a lot of motherboards that "Support" them, but when it comes down to it, they don't support them properly.



There are few reviews of this PSU, however ATNG is the OEM for many "ok" PSU's. I wouldn't call it bad, but the reality is the R9 390 calls for a 650w PSU, so a...
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Eliasand

Eliasand

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Nov 8, 2015
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Download a third party software, like HWMonitor or MSI Afterburner, and check your GPU temps while gaming. Also look at the clock speeds, and see if they're running at their normal values.

You can also take a look at CPU temps, but i doubt that's your problem.

Also, what exact PSU do you have?
 
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Hlsgsz

Hlsgsz

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You are obviously being bottlenecked by your cpu, witch may either be thermal throtteling or you have a poor MB that is unable to feed it it's full 125W TDP. Check your MB to see if by any chance you have one of those that can only do 95W.
 
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ItsRapidDave

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My GPU used to overheat quite a lot, which again is another thing I've heard about the r9 390, I've since installed 2 new fans into my rig and that's helped the system a lot.

It won't be my CPU that's overheating, that baby is water cooled and runs at fairly low temperature.

I have Speccy, so I'll take a look at the temps next time I'm gaming.

Not 100% sure of the brand of my PSU but i know it's a 550w.

Just a side question, would that be enough to run an additional r9 390? I don't think it is.
 
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Hlsgsz

Hlsgsz

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550w is definitely not enough for 390 crossfire. also, to benefit from a second 390 you would need to change your platform as the 8350 will simply not be able to feed those two beasts. This is i7 territory.

 
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ItsRapidDave

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I have a Gigabyte 970A-DS3P, not sure if that is unable to feed 125W or not, too tired to research it myself.
 
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ItsRapidDave

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I have an Atng ATM-550FB-B
 
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Rogue Leader

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Ok so heres the thing, yes that board supports the 8350 technically, however high power FX processors because it has a 4+1 phase VRM. It literally is not giving your processor enough power at high usage. Good for regular use, but in gaming it will stumble. This is a common issue with 125watt FX processors, there are a lot of motherboards that "Support" them, but when it comes down to it, they don't support them properly.



There are few reviews of this PSU, however ATNG is the OEM for many "ok" PSU's. I wouldn't call it bad, but the reality is the R9 390 calls for a 650w PSU, so a medium quality 550w PSU probably isn't giving it everything it wants. THe voltage issue with your board and this coupled together are likely dragging the system down.
 
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Solution
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dudeman509

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Jan 23, 2015
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4+1 power phase - it is probably thermal throttling the 8350 due to the voltage regulator modules on the motherboard overheating when pushed hard.

Crossfiring is pointless on a 970 board. One slot will run at 4x; the other at 16x.

Never heard of that PSU either.
 
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ItsRapidDave

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So would you recommend getting a new board? OR a new PSU? Or both? Cause with a job that pays £100 a week isn't getting me that stuff any time soon ;-;
 
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ItsRapidDave

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You guys have been really helpful, i appreciate it loaaadddsss. Any chance somebody could get a motherboard and PSU posted here cause I really don't have the time to go searching for one myself? Again, thanks guys!

EDIT: And a possible external cooler for my R9 390? Whilst playing games it typically goes to around 60-65C which is quite hot and it makes a lot of noise.
 
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Rogue Leader

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For a value board the ASUS M5A99FX will do the job for you

http://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/M5A99FX_PRO_R20/

http://www.newegg.com/global/uk/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131851&cm_re=m5a99fx-_-13-131-851-_-Product

For power supply this is a little bit overkill but a great price:

http://www.newegg.com/global/uk/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438028&ignorebbr=1&cm_re=evga_power_supply-_-17-438-025-_-Product

As for cooling your 390, maybe try it out with the new setup first before deciding on upgrading the cooling on it.
 
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I

ItsRapidDave

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You sir, have saved me a lot of time and money. But i have one more question, would these new components reduce the temperature of my GPU at all?
 
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Rogue Leader

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In of themselves no. But in theory with the GPU receiving the full power it needs, and the processor running up to snuff the GPU may run cooler. It may not, but better to see how it works first before spending more money.
 
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ItsRapidDave

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Just because I like to plan ahead, can you get external cooling for a graphics card? I haven't seen of it but I'm sure it's been done.
 
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ItsRapidDave

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Would this be compatible with the R9 390? Oh and I've got a 750W PSU now, it's an Ace A-750BR, literally installed it minutes ago, got everything wired up again (Got that PSU from my dad btw) Tried to run Dying Light a second ago and my PC just went off and wouldn't come back on until i flicked the power on and off again.

Is this a bad sign or does this happen occasionally?
 
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Rogue Leader

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It is compatible with the R9 390. Again complete and total waste of money unless you are overclocking the hell out of it.

That PSU is junk, it went off because the PSU failed to provide the power it needed. You need to get the one I recommended, or I can find you something similar.

 
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ItsRapidDave

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Would it be possible to get a cheaper one? Cause I really don't have a lot of money and I'm stingy as fuck.
 
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Rogue Leader

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There really is nothing cheaper. There are some around the same price but the one I showed you is a really good deal and higher powered than the ones that are the same price.

If you have the money for an expensive fancy GPU you need to have the money to power it properly. You can ignore my advice but all you will do is continue to have problems, and then... well what is the point may as well buy a PS4.
 
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I

ItsRapidDave

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Alright, thanks, I really appreciate your help with this and I hope i didn't sound rude at any point, for now I'll stick with my 550W power supply as that never blew and I never had any problems with it.

Thanks again!
 
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Rogue Leader

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Not at all, PSU's are just a touchy subject because nobody ever wants to spend any money on them, yet a good power supply is the solution to 90% of problems. And people argue with us about it!

As mentioned 550w is not really enough for an R9 390. It may work for now, but the one you have is mid range, and under heavy gaming it will not put out enough power. You really need a PSU upgrade.
 
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