Question CPU BOTTLENECK? I need help.

Mar 2, 2020
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Hey, I bought gigabyte rtx 2060 super gaming oc 8gb 3 days ago. When I try to play any game my procesor in task bar gets up to even 100% utilization sometimes when graphic card is on almost 0%. My CPU is i5-8400 and i also have 24GB of ram. I really don't know what to do right now since I paid 500€ for that graphics card... Here is also userbenchmark of my PC: https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/25041705
If anyone could help in anyway I would very appreciate it. Thanks.
 

Stef Pro

Commendable
Dec 15, 2019
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Yes, I think it's a bottleneck. Your cpu can boost up to 4 ghz, but with that cooler it probably stays at 2.8 ghz. Check your cpu's frequency while you are playing games. I think upgrading your cooler might solve this problem. But still, there will be 10 - 20% of bottleneck.
 
You're likely running your ram in single channel mode since you have two different capacities. Using a kit of 2x8gb or so will run in dual channel, providing a notable increase in performance.

Your psu isnt even 80+ certified and only has a two year warranty, if you spent $500 for a gpu, at least spend a bit more for a quality name brand psu.
 
Mar 2, 2020
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So what do you suggest? If i want to change my processor I need to change motherboard, CPU cooler and also PSU. I have 1 * 16GB and 1* 8GB of ram...

Are u sure that if I give in 28GB or 2 16GB will it really help. I think buying a new CPU is the only way of fixing that...
 
http://prntscr.com/raj7fx even if frequency goes to 3.8 GHZ graphics card still won"t do anything... 0-5%
The GPU usage is low because you are alt-tabbed out of the game. More likely you are using somewhere around 50-60% GPU if playing at 1080p resolution. You could setup MSI Afterburner to display an overlay in game to show the actual usage.

Your CPU looks like it's probably thermal throttling either do to poor case ventilation with not enough fans or more likely the CPU cooler needs to be upgraded to something like a Deepcool GAMMAXX 400 (may be easier to install) 120mm tower cooler or Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo if these will fit in your case. What is the system case model? Is it a prebuilt system and if so what model?
https://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Hyper-Direct-Contact/dp/B005O65JXI

You also have only single channel memory mode right now with a 16GB and 8GB module which will make games slower and you could or should replace one or both with same sized modules to enable dual channel mode. Your CPU and motherboard can handle up to 2666Mhz ram so you might be better off buying a 2666Mhz CL 15 or CL16 2x8GB kit. Here is a selection of 2666Mhz kits. https://www.newegg.com/p/pl?N=100007611 600561671 8000 600006072 600521526 600528730. If you don't need 24GB, get a second 8GB 2400Mhz module or for a bit more than double the price you could get a 2x8GB 2666Mhz CL16 kit and then sell the modules you have now.
 
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What is your temperature at idle?
If you are seeing more than 10-15c. over ambient. your cooler is not mounted well or the fan is not functioning.
The cooler you linked is no better than the stock intel cooler that comes with a i3-8400.
Pushpin coolers are difficult to mount if you have never done it before.
See my tutorial on that at the end of this post.
If your processor runs too hot, it might be throttling.
That will lower the multiplier and will drive up the cpu utilization.
That could explain your symptoms.
The stock intel cooler is normally just fine for a non overclockable processor.

What is the make/model of your case?
How is the intake airflow into your case?
Any pc case needs a decent supply of fresh air to let the cpu and gpu coolers perform properly.
Usually, this is two 120/140mm front intake fans.
If you take the case covers off and direct a house fan at the innards, does that help?

Your psu is unknown to me. If it is of poor quality, it may not be delivering advertised power to your graphics card.

Mismatched ram often does not work properly.
Run memtest86.
You should be able to complete a full pass with NO errors.
Intel ram controllers have a "flex" mode where the matching 8gb in each channel will operate in dual channel mode and the odd 8gb will run in single channel mode.
Using a discrete graphics card, there should be minimal impact on performance.
Think 2%

----------------how to mount the stock Intel cooler--------------

The stock Intel cooler can be tricky to install.
A poor installation will result in higher cpu temperatures.
If properly mounted, you should expect temperatures at idle to be 10-15c. over ambient.

To mount the Intel stock cooler properly, place the motherboard on top of the foam or cardboard backing that was packed with the motherboard.
The stock cooler will come with paste pre applied, it looks like three grey strips.
The 4 push pins should come in the proper position for installation, that is with the pins rotated in the opposite direction of the arrow,(clockwise)
and pulled up as far as they can go.
Take the time to play with the pushpin mechanism until you know how they work.

Orient the 4 pins so that they are exactly over the motherboard holes.
If one is out of place, you will damage the pins which are delicate.
Push down on a DIAGONAL pair of pins at the same time. Then the other pair.

When you push down on the top black pins, it expands the white plastic pins to fix the cooler in place.

If you do them one at a time, you will not get the cooler on straight.
Lastly, look at the back of the motherboard to verify that all 4 pins are equally through the motherboard, and that the cooler is on firmly.
This last step must be done, which is why the motherboard should be out of the case to do the job. Or you need a case with a opening that lets you see the pins.
It is possible to mount the cooler with the motherboard mounted in the case, but you can then never be certain that the push pins are inserted properly
unless you can verify that the pins are through the motherboard and locked.

If you should need to remove the cooler, turn the pins counter clockwise to unlock them.
You will need to clean off the old paste and reapply new if you ever take the cooler off.
Clean off old paste with alcohol and a lint free paper like a coffee filter.
Apply new paste sparingly. A small rice sized drop in the center will spread our under heat and pressure.
Too much paste is bad, it will act as an insulator.
It is hard to use too little.

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Mar 2, 2020
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The GPU usage is low because you are alt-tabbed out of the game. More likely you are using somewhere around 50-60% GPU if playing at 1080p resolution. You could setup MSI Afterburner to display an overlay in game to show the actual usage.

Your CPU looks like it's probably thermal throttling either do to poor case ventilation with not enough fans or more likely the CPU cooler needs to be upgraded to something like a Deepcool GAMMAXX 400 (may be easier to install) 120mm tower cooler or Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo if these will fit in your case. What is the system case model? Is it a prebuilt system and if so what model?
https://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Hyper-Direct-Contact/dp/B005O65JXI

You also have only single channel memory mode right now with a 16GB and 8GB module which will make games slower and you could or should replace one or both with same sized modules to enable dual channel mode. Your CPU and motherboard can handle up to 2666Mhz ram so you might be better off buying a 2666Mhz CL 15 or CL16 2x8GB kit. Here is a selection of 2666Mhz kits. https://www.newegg.com/p/pl?N=100007611 600561671 8000 600006072 600521526 600528730. If you don't need 24GB, get a second 8GB 2400Mhz module or for a bit more than double the price you could get a 2x8GB 2666Mhz CL16 kit and then sell the modules you have now.
So yeah I downloaded msi afterburner and my GPU had around 50-60% as u said. I also have 2 monitors and i took screenshot when I was tabbed on main one. I will also look forward to upgrading rams to dual channel (selling ones i have rn and buying new probably 2*8 GB, but im not sure what is better single channel 24GB or 16GB dual channel)
Case im currently having have 4 fans: https://www.lc-power.com/en/product/pc-cases/atx-gaming-cases/gaming-988b-red-typhoon/
 
Mar 2, 2020
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Is there an actual issue with frame rates (way below those expected for an 8400, either in miimum or average FPS, or, are you simply determined to fix high cpu usage? (high CPU usage is pretty much just a fact of life when gaming with only 6 threads)
I have a lot of frame drops that"s the main reason the second is high cpu usage... I wouldn"t even care if I wouldn"t get frame drops... I almost have same FPS like i had with previous graphics card gtx1050, I mean its a lil better but not a huge difference.
 
Adding to what other said already, 2x4GB (8 GB in total) of dual channel memory will be better than 24GB of RAM. So yeah, 2x8GB will be even better for intensive usage RAM games.

Also pay atention to what Third-Eye and geofelt. Keep an eye on CPU temp.

If all core frecuency is around 4.0GHz and CPU temp while gaming is below 75°C then thats not the cause of your issues.

Then again thats only a 6 cores CPU, with no HT (hyperthreading) so is not wierd to see it at 100% while gaming, and fornite is a a game that will tax your cpu a lot and make it near 100% usage very often.

In short, I would really check at the temps in real time using MSI afterburner, and make sure that while gaming the CPU statys around 75°C as MAX, and all core frecuency jumps to around 4,0GHz very often.

One thing is a game that task your CPU at 100% all the time while fercuency is at around 4.0GHz (in this case you will be wanting fixing the memory and probably getting a new CPU, with more cores and/or HT enable -> i7 8700), and a diferent scenario is the same game taxing your CPU at 100% but fecuency never going beyong 3.0 GHz (if the temps are really high, over 80 or more, then you will want a new cooler first, and the memory should be fixed too).

If temps become an issue then maybe a budget tower cooler that can fit inside your case can fix it (like other said already: DC Gammaxx 400, CM Hyper 212 Evo, Arctic Freezer 34 esport/esport DUO, etc.).

Cheers
 
Mar 2, 2020
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So what should I do next? I can first try buying dual channel RAMs, next I can follow CPU temperature, if it would be to hot i could upgrade CPU cooler.. I could also try upgrading PSU(currently 620W) but the last thing I can do is buy a new processor like ryzen 7 2700x.. but they I would need to change motherboard...
 
I wold first check the CPU temp while gaming and the Max frecuency it can reach and how long does it stay there, no need to buy anything for doing that.

After that, whatever the result, having a pair of matching stick of RAM, or a dual kit it is always a welcome adition.
 
Mar 2, 2020
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When im in game my CPU usually gets up to 75c max...
Idk what is the best to do right now.. buying a new cpu and all stuff or something idk
 
Your CPU is not running nearly aswell as it should, just a little thing to try on top of all the good advice given here is download CCleaner and just run the REGISTARY cleaner.

If you have been installing, unistalling, deleteing photos etc and never done it a ton of rubbish gets left behind that can really bog down an i5.

My work partner has a Laptop with an i5 in it, ran sooo slowly, she was told the HDD may be dying etc. I ran CCleaner, it had over 500 issues and within 5 mins it's running like a robbers dog once again.
 
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Mar 2, 2020
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Problem is when i try to play e.g Fortnite i get fps drops i can"t even have 144fps without having drops. GPU is using some usage now in task bar but CPU usage is always around 80-100% i think thats the main problem... If i would want to change CPU I would need to pay additional 500€ for new CPU(200€ - ryzen 7 2700x have 0% bottleneck, new motherboard 100€ and new PSU-almost 100€)...