GTX 660 bad fps on gta iv???

[otsoloffufgus]

Hi,
So i just got gta iv for my pc and right away i noticed bad framerates..
I have had it on the high preset, and it stays around 25-35 fps with drops to around 5-13 fps once in a while..
This doesn't seem right at all, even if i lower all settings it stays at 60 fps but still has the major stutters.
I'm thinking it may be a cpu bottleneck but i have read that my cpu is'nt a bottleneck even for a 660ti? (i have a intel core i3 2100)
It runs very well with far cry 3, around 40-60 fps with barely any stutter on very high preset.
My other specs:
intel core i3 2100 @3.10 ghz
Asus gtx 660
12gb g.skills ram
1tb HDD
Please give me your thoughts on this, is it normal?
Thanks in advance!

 

[bigshootr8]

Its quite possible that because you have a dual core that your i3 is holding you back in GTA IV I'm looking around for CPU benchmarks and that is my thought I found this link and it leads me to believe that its your CPU holding you back.

http://www.pcgameshardware.com/aid,669595/GTA-4-PC-CPU-benchmark-review-with-13-processors/Reviews/?page=2

Also found this link.

http://blog.tune-up.com/news/the-essential-grand-theft-auto-iv-tuning-guide-get-the-latest-look-and-resolve-choppy-performance-issues/

GTA IV is just one of those weird ports that draws a lot of resources. Far Cry 3 has received more attention on the graphic end.

 

[ASHISH65]

There is something wrong.your cpu is good as even in gta 4 i get 40 fps at max with my dual core.but i agree that with gtx 660 your cpu might will behind.

 

[otsoloffufgus]

So i shouldn't worry about it then?

 

[bigshootr8]

I mean in the future if you wanted to you could upgrade your processor and maybe that would solve some of your performance issues with GTA IV and other games. But Sandy Bridge i5's are becoming more rare and I'm not sure what motherboard you are currently using.

 

[otsoloffufgus]

I mean in the future if you wanted to you could upgrade your processor and maybe that would solve some of your performance issues with GTA IV and other games. But Sandy Bridge i5's are becoming more rare and I'm not sure what motherboard you are currently using.

Ya im definetly getting a new processor soon, i was thinking either an i5 2400 or 3570k, now that im thinking about it, how much difference is there between the two, because for the 2400, i could keep my motherboard, but for the 3570k, i'd have to get a new one..

 

[bigshootr8]

Well why don't you link the motherboard you have and maybe there is a flash for your bios that would enable you to use a 3570k chances are there is one

 

[ASHISH65]

What is your cpu and gpu usage while playing gta 4?

 

[otsoloffufgus]

Well why don't you link the motherboard you have and maybe there is a flash for your bios that would enable you to use a 3570k chances are there is one

It's a Acer M3920 motherboard :/ it wont give me any model #'s
This is what cpu-z sais:
Manufacturer : Acer
Model : Aspire M3920
Chipset : intel, sandybridge, Rev. : 09
Southbridge : Intel, H67, Rev. :B3
LPCIO : ITE, IT8728
Bios:
Brand : american megatrends inc.
Version : P01-A3
Date : 12/18/2011
Graphics interface:
Version : PCI-Express
Link width : x16, Max supported : x16
I dont really know what all this means
But if thats possible than that would be awesome!!!

 

[bigshootr8]

K well it uses a H67 chipset so you can purchase any of these as it says on this link.
Intel® Core™ i7-2600 processor
Intel® Core™ i5-2500 processor
Intel® Core™ i5-2400 processor
Intel® Core™ i5-2300 processor
Intel® Core™ i3-2120 processor
Intel® Core™ i3-2100 processor

http://support.acer.com/acerpanam/desktop/2011/acer/aspire/AspireM3920/AspireM3920sp2.shtml

So if you can find a i5 for a price that suites you that could be a option for you otherwise you could change out your board and your processor and do it that way as well.
Intel i5 2500 (they are no longer producing these so these may become more rare over time.)
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80623i52500

 

[otsoloffufgus]

What is your cpu and gpu usage while playing gta 4?

Gpu usage is around 50% and cpu is around 80%

 

[bigshootr8]

Yea its a uncommon game that will use up quite a bit of your CPU I have a i5 2500k and I get amazing frames on my GTX670 howver yea my CPU usage is normally quite high.

 

[otsoloffufgus]

K well it uses a H67 chipset so you can purchase any of these as it says on this link.
Intel® Core™ i7-2600 processor
Intel® Core™ i5-2500 processor
Intel® Core™ i5-2400 processor
Intel® Core™ i5-2300 processor
Intel® Core™ i3-2120 processor
Intel® Core™ i3-2100 processor

http://support.acer.com/acerpanam/desktop/2011/acer/aspire/AspireM3920/AspireM3920sp2.shtml

So if you can find a i5 for a price that suites you that could be a option for you otherwise you could change out your board and your processor and do it that way as well.
Intel i5 2500 (they are no longer producing these so these may become more rare over time.)
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80623i52500

Hmmmm.... that i7 2600 looks pretty nice, a bit expensive but still.... so you're sure all these cpu's compatible?
Also, if I get a new motherboard, would i need to buy a new version of windows? because i read that if you buy a full computer like I did then the operating system is on the motherboard or something?

 

[ASHISH65]

I donot think it is bottleneck in gta 4 because in far cry 3 you are getting 40-50fps then why gta 4 low fps.try to set vsync to off and see.

 

[ASHISH65]

This can solve your problem patch gta 4 to 1.0.0.4.

 

[bigshootr8]

Hmmmm.... that i7 2600 looks pretty nice, a bit expensive but still.... so you're sure all these cpu's compatible?

I can't say for sure man. I would say that those are the ones that they say are compatible with your setup. Since its not a motherboard produced from a major manufacture ASUS, ASROCK, MSI, GIGABYTE its likely they haven't updated the bios which would lead me to believe that you wouldn't be able to. There are quite a few Z68 motherboards that do have ivy bridge support which would open things up quite a bit for you but yea I would say to be safe I would stick to those on the list.

Also, it just seem clear that it is probably a cpu bottleneck thing. Because maybe in Far Cry 3 there is more focus directed towards Graphics which would make sense because your 660 is more then capable to play the game on acceptable settings.

 

[otsoloffufgus]

Ok well i have made up my mind!
I've decided to get this cpu http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504
This case http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233
and for the motherboard, im not sure yet... Could you guys suggest a motherboard that is VERRY cheap (60-90$) that has overclocking and sli please? if thats even possible...

 

[bigshootr8]

Hmm, I'm unsure you can get a motherboard for that cheap I will try and report back.

 

[goldsauce]

yeah 2nd generation i3's arnt the best but I am running a 3rd generation i3 and GTA 4 runs as smooth as butter although 3rd generation i3s perform much better than 2nd gen.

 

[bigshootr8]

For reference you can cross reference this page for z77 chipset boards.
http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/motherboard/#s=8&c=52&sort=a6

You want to check the pci-express lanes to see if they are crossfire/sli compatible. You ideally want 16x16 or 8x8.


This one is in your price range however does not have SLi its 16x/4x not optimal. You get overclocking with this board however.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157297&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

This one has 8x/8x which is perfectly find for SLi and overclocking.

 

[otsoloffufgus]

For reference you can cross reference this page for z77 chipset boards.
http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/motherboard/#s=8&c=52&sort=a6

You want to check the pci-express lanes to see if they are crossfire/sli compatible. You ideally want 16x16 or 8x8.


This one is in your price range however does not have SLi its 16x/4x not optimal. You get overclocking with this board however.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157297&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

This one has 8x/8x which is perfectly find for SLi and overclocking.

Ok sorry, so, this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157297&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=
has overclocking AND sli?

 

[bigshootr8]

It has overclocking but no sli. Which I wouldn't have that worry you normally if you are someone who just games on one screen a single top end card will suffice so its up to you. I wouldn't go running into a situation where you combined two cards unless you really needed the horsepower to do what you wanted to do. I don't think its limiting you in the least.

 

[otsoloffufgus]

It has overclocking but no sli. Which I wouldn't have that worry you normally if you are someone who just games on one screen a single top end card will suffice so its up to you. I wouldn't go running into a situation where you combined two cards unless you really needed the horsepower to do what you wanted to do. I don't think its limiting you in the least.

Ya you'r probably right, i was just thinking about the future (3-4 years) I might need more power but then i would probably need to upgrade my mobo again anyways, thanks for the answers anyways! I think I know what my plan is now

 

[otsoloffufgus]

Best answer selected by otsoloffufgus.

 

[bigshootr8]

I'm glad I hope the final product ends up being what you want from it