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Question

GPU and CPU issues

Aug 4, 2019 11:29PM PDT

Howdy! I'm submitting a question of my own after scouring the internet for information. I recently got a used custom gaming rig and have encountered a series of issues regarding CPU usage and GPU usage, especially in regards to game performance. I've done a litany of troubleshooting (including reaching out to the previous owner of the rig) and nothing has turned up. To give an idea of my problems, I'm going to try to be as thorough as possible.

So, a bit of background. I bought the following rig:
* H81M-C Motherboard
* Radeon XFX RX570 8GB Graphics Card
* Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4590 CPU @ 3.30GHz (4 CPUs), ~3.3GHz
* Corsair Vengeance DDR3 16 GB RAM
* 500 GB HDD

Okay, so that gives an idea of what I'm starting with. In addition, I purchased a 200~ GB SSD, onto which I installed Windows 10 (current build: 18362). Because the HDD had an inactivated copy of Windows installed, I wiped and formatted the hard drive. I also reset the BIOS and updated it to the H81M-C BIOS driver version 3602 (as well as installing the motherboard chipset driver Version 11.0.0.1172.

So, the problem:

When I run games, I suffer noticeable drops in fps rates. I first noticed it in Total War Warhammer, in which (on the lowest graphics settings) the game was operating at single-digit fps rates. In GTA V, the frame rate is consistently at or below 20 fps, and when I drive, game assets fail to load-- to the point where I fall below the map on straightaways. The game RUST has similar issues (which is the game that the guy I bought this rig from used as his benchmark, and he claimed he experienced no issues). Even in Chivalry Medival Warfare on lowest settings, my fps rapidly switch between 60 and just below 30.

So, using Radeon's monitoring software, I checked GPU and CPU util while I played these games, and I noticed something interesting: while Radeon reported that my GPU usage was jumping between 0% and 100% (while occasionally landing on middle numbers), my Windows Task Manager reported I was consistently using about 30% of my GPU (which is what I expected). However, GPU-Z's report aligned almost perfectly with Radeon's performance check. The GPU's temperature sat at a reasonable 70-80 C while running GTA V.

Meanwhile, according to Radeon, my CPU UTIL was staying firmly at just about 100% while playing any of these games, while according to Windows Task Manager, my CPU usage peaked at just over 30%. In fact, I've never seen my CPU usage go over the mid-thirties, according to Windows. Additionally, my CPU temperature sits around 97 C when playing games.

While gaming, my GPU PWR is a little erratic, mostly sitting around 40W, but jumping to 70W at the most. The Fan RPM sits consistently at just over 700 RPM.

I've updated all the drivers I can think of-- GPU, Motherboard, BIOS. I also installed the Intel Processor Diagnostic Tool x64. All tests came up clean.

By all standards and benchmarks, I should be able to run most games smoothly. Instead, I'm having this problem. Interestingly, the RAM UTIL measurement on radeon matches Windows' measurement. I've been sure to set Windows to High Power mode, and the CPU minimum and maximum usage to 100%. This issue also occurred when I was in balanced power mode.

Any suggestions and help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time!

Here's the URL for my Speccy: http://speccy.piriform.com/results/OJnds7zHV2qEcxy7ni17m0A

Post was last edited on August 5, 2019 2:43 PM PDT

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Run this
Aug 5, 2019 8:36AM PDT
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Answer
I'd pick over a speccy report too.
Aug 5, 2019 9:16AM PDT

But some of those observations are entirely normal. The fluttering about on power and usage is normal but upsetting to some. The SPECCY will show a lot of the usual issues if they are there like trying to drive the UHD 4k monitor or monitors, then iffy drives, torrents and my favorite "driver updaters" that automatically mess up a good PC.

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Added my Speccy URL
Aug 5, 2019 2:45PM PDT

Thank you for getting back to me. I know that not all of the information I included was indicative of a problem, but rather I included it to help rule out other potential issues. I'm not much of a hardware guy, so I'm not entirely certain what is and isn't useful information. I just included as much info as I could.

In any case, thank you for your willingness to help. I hope the information provided is useful.

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Answer
2 problems jump out
Aug 5, 2019 4:02PM PDT

Your cpu is too hot.
Your seagate hdd is junk.

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Both those items
Aug 5, 2019 5:00PM PDT

Cause the jumping around in the original complaint. I don't know about everyone else but the Seagate 01 and 07 findings have started to taper off. Can't tell why but maybe folk are getting the message now that there are thousands of discussions about it.

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Thanks for Getting Back To Me
Aug 5, 2019 11:53PM PDT

I'll see what I can do about the CPU temperature.

As for the Seagate, I'm not using it for any processes involved with my current issues. My OS is on my Kingston SSD, as are some of the games I'm running (including GTA V). Just to be sure, though, I can unplug my Seagate and see what happens.

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Answer
As noted by Bob__B
Aug 5, 2019 5:16PM PDT

1. CPU is way too hot at 85C.
Check if the heatsink fell off or the fan is not turning to other causes like lint, etc.
2. The Seagate 01 and 07 is in line for performance complaints. This drive can never be in a system that you don't want to see random lags and other issues.
3. VCORE MAY BE TOO HIGH ON THE CPU.
https://valid.x86.fr/zy0fdv and other finds it to be closer to 1.2V and Speccy calls out 1.752 Volts. Try CPU-Z to validate.
4. The BIOS is 3602 and current.
5. The CPU is on the list at https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/H81MC/HelpDesk_CPU/

So I agree with Bob__B as to issues, so figure out why Vcore is so high. Could be why the CPU is cooking.

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Will be looking at VCORE and CPU usage
Aug 5, 2019 11:59PM PDT

I'll be honest: I don't know what VCORE is at the moment. But I am very good at googling. I will try to figure out why it might be too high, and I'll look at the CPU. The fan is running, the heat sink seems to be in good condition. No noticeable dust or anything. And I've made sure to have a clear area round my tower.

My CPU Fan is sitting at just over 2000 RPM. I don't know what number I should be expecting, but if my CPU temp is too high, I'll see if I can't increase the fan speed. And of course, I'll be looking at the VCORE as you mentioned.

Thanks for the help.