Whats wrong with my system?

[Nox55]

Hi,

I'm a long time lurker first time poster.
I have a relatively new system. But it doesn't perform as good as it should. I mainly use it for gaming. I figure I should be able to run all the new games at max settings. But some times I need to lower certain settings to maintain 60fps.

Here are my specs

Motherboard: Asrock x79 extreme 4 http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/X79%20Extreme4
CPU: Intel i7 3820 http://ark.intel.com/products/63698/Intel-Core-i7-3820-Processor-10M-Cache-up-to-3_80-GHz
Ram: 8GB Patriot PSD34G13332 Signature 4GB PC10600 DDR3 Desktop Memory Upgrade - 1333MHz, 1x4096MB, CL9, Non-ECC, Unbuffered http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6662293
Power Supply Corsair HX750W http://www.corsair.com/us/power-supply-units/hx-series-power-supply-units/hx-series-hx750-power-supply-750-watt-80-plus-gold-certified-modular-psu.html
Graphic Card: EVGA Nvidia Geforce GTX660ti SC http://www.evga.com/Products/Product.aspx?pn=02G-P4-3662-KR

I'm relatively new to the PC gaming so maybe there is something I overlooked that would hamper my performance.
I would appreciate any help you guys could provide. Let me know if I left out any other important information

Thank you

 

[macleody]

What resolution? How many screens? Do you want to OC at all?

 

[Nox55]

I use 1 screen at 1920x1080.
My monitor is the Acer H274HL http://www.amazon.ca/Acer-H274HL-BMID-27-inch-Monitor/dp/B0052DHFX0
I don't really want to OC. But I'm not completely against it. I figured I really wouldn't have to with my specs. I realize they are not the absolute best parts, but I thought they were pretty good.

 

[macleody]

It might be your GPU. The graphics card only has a 192-bit memory bus compared to some other cards which means that it takes longer to send data (like textures in games and your playing with max textures). It MIGHT be it though, I'm not sure.

 

[weaselman]

A tip, make sure V-sync is turned of in the graphics options of the game you are playing because it limits the frame rate to 60Fps.

 

[Nox55]

I find when I have V-sync disabled, I get quite a bit of screen tearing. But I will try it again with V-sync. Thank you for the quick replies.

 

[Scott_D_Bowen]

You need a GeForce GTX670, or AMD/ATI equiv., or greater to get 60fps constant at 1920x1080/1200 in Battlefield 3.

 

[Outlander_04]

More graphics power required

more cpu power not required for games like BF3

 

[Nox55]

I was testing my performance with Borderlands 2. Without V-sync I am able to achieve ~ 140fps. However I have to keep my physx to low.
If I put physx to high the fps drops to between 30 - 45. It's frustrating because this was the graphic card for borderlands 2.
I would expect it to be able to use physx on high.

From what I'm reading here, my cpu and memory are both fine, but my graphic card is whats holding me back? Is this true?

 

[Nox55]

Just did another test with BF3.

With V-sync disabled, if I am just standing still the fps will be between 70 - 90, once I saw jump past 100,
During an action sequence, it drops to between 30 - 45.

 

[macleody]

As I said before, the 192-bit memory bus is what is making all of that happen. You would be better off with a GTX 660 that the 660 Ti. Are you looking to get a new card? If so, what is your budget?

 

[Nox55]

Not looking for a new card. I got the 660ti about a month or two ago. I replaced the Radeon HD7770 that came with my system.
I gotta say, I'm a little disappointed that a this year graphic card can't be used at max settings, especially for a game that it was apparently designed for.

 

[macleody]

Well then there are a couple things you can do to help. Download GameBooster 3 (Just do a google search). What this does is it kills all of your background processes and speeds it all up a little. You can also look into over-clocking the 660 Ti, but be careful because if you don't do it right it can damage the card. Other than that, I can't think of a lot to do. Next time though browse the forums about you card and look at reviews before you buy, because for the same price you could have gotten the Radeon 7950 which is much better than the 660 Ti.