Intel Core i5-3570K CPU @ 3.40GHz overclocking or upgrading? if overclocking, how?

K Mulders · May 13, 2016

Hello!

During games like The Culling im getting low fps, like 20. I already set all graphic settings to the lowest amount possible. And when I was checking the performance with task manager while playing The Culling (with Skype running in the background) I saw my CPU was constantly between 80 and 100% which result to framerate drops.

I know I can overclock my CPU but I don't know how to do it and how far I can go.
And what would be a wiser decision, overclocking or upgrading?

These are my specs:
- Intel Core i5-3570K CPU
- AMD XFX Radeon HD 7870 Double Dissipation GPU
- XFX Pro550W Core Edition PSU (80 Plus Bronze)
- ASRock Z77 Pro3 Motherboard
- Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250GB (C drive)
- Samsung HE103UJ 1TB (D drive)
- Ethernet Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller
- Medium Tower Case
- 1 Extra fan cooler on the backside
- 2x AG Neovo L-W24 monitors

I don't know anything about overclocking so please keep that in mind

Thanks in advance!

Regards,
K Mulders

metathias · May 13, 2016

It would seem your more than likely GPU bound. The 7870 Is getting a little long in the tooth. I'd prepare to upgrade your video card. If you can afford to wait for the nvidia 1070 to release it will be a significantly better performer in the price/performance ratio than ever before. Even if you cant afford a new 1070 or better. Thats ok. All GPU prices will have to come down significantly to better match the price to performance ratio of these new boards. So expect lots of great deal coming soon.

Update: After google the culling performance. Its pretty to see that there are a great many people complaining about the games recent performance. Obviously a better setup would enable you to weather the poor performance optimizations in the game, But is seems to be pretty clear that the developers of that game have quite a bit of optimizing to do. So be warned it appears that no amount of money spend to upgrade your hardware might make this game what i would call playable. At the moment.

K Mulders · May 13, 2016

metathias :

Wow really? But why would the CPU be heavy loaded as well?

Didn't heard much about the nvidia 1070, but now that i read about it, it looks great! And for a price of $379 or €333, wow! Thanks for the tip!

But would it still be a good idea to overclock my CPU?
And how long can I continue using this CPU when trying to keep up with the new games, like Fallout 4 and Battlefield 1?

Thanks in advance!

metathias · May 13, 2016

Indeed overclocking your CPU is one way to significantly enhance, and lengthen the useful performance lifetime of your hardware. Lets face it, Stock clocked CPU last longer, But with a performance metric that wanes with every passing year, Its hard to argue that OCing a CPU for up to 25% higher clocks than stock, And performance that pretty much scales in lockstep with that increase is a bad idea. I've owned 2 i7's, The i7-920, and the i7-4970k, Both i overclocked the day i bought em. And never once clocked them back down. The 920 came stock at 2.66ghz, Which i managed to overclock to a stable 4ghz =D Almost doubling my performance from the CPU, and owned it for over 8 years. My 4790k, Is not quite such the overclocking champ the 920 was, But i still managed to take it from a 4.4ghz turbo boosted cpu, To a full time 4.8ghz CPU with lower heat than stock.

If your going to overclock just make sure you get a reasonaly good cooler, Does'nt have to be too much. Spent $70 bucks on a coolermaster v8 almost a decade ago, And still have it today. Only just recently put a all in one water cooler on my 4790k.

K Mulders · May 13, 2016

metathias :

Indeed overclocking your CPU is one way to significantly enhance, and lengthen the useful performance lifetime of your hardware. Lets face it, Stock clocked CPU last longer, But with a performance metric that wanes with every passing year, Its hard to argue that OCing a CPU for up to 25% higher clocks than stock, And performance that pretty much scales in lockstep with that increase is a bad idea. I've owned 2 i7's, The i7-920, and the i7-4970k, Both i overclocked the day i bought em. And never once clocked them back down. The 920 came stock at 2.66ghz, Which i managed to overclock to a stable 4ghz =D Almost doubling my performance from the CPU, and owned it for over 8 years. My 4790k, Is not quite such the overclocking champ the 920 was, But i still managed to take it from a 4.4ghz turbo boosted cpu, To a full time 4.8ghz CPU with lower heat than stock.

If your going to overclock just make sure you get a reasonaly good cooler, Does'nt have to be too much. Spent $70 bucks on a coolermaster v8 almost a decade ago, And still have it today. Only just recently put a all in one water cooler on my 4790k.

So I guess the standard cooler that I have at the moment won't do the trick?

Thinh Le · May 15, 2016

Woa, i think your CPU still good enough tho. 4 cores are enough for gaming today. I think just OC a little bit to 4-4.2Ghz with turbo off so you are good to go.
Your VGA seem too old, but still fine i think when i read the requirement system for your game The Culling, cause i dont play it.
If you OC to 4-4.2Ghz, but game still low fps, so checking your system tho, it have some problem i think, check the PSU also.
With my i7-960 @4.2Ghz, i have no CPU bottle neck at all with GTX-970 in all of games tho

K Mulders · May 15, 2016

Thinh Le :

Thanks for the reply!

So if I OC my CPU to 4 - 4.2 Ghz with turbo off, will i need a stronger cooler to keep it from overheating?
And what do you mean with VGA? Because as far as I know it's the cable, but i guess that isn't what you mean

Thanks in advance

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