CPU Might be Bottlenecking GPU

[dhlk1]

I have noticed lately that in Battlefield 4 I have been getting low FPS for my GPU, which is a GTX 970. I have been dropping to the 40's in the game when things get really hectic (like a big group of people and tanks shooting at each other) and the FPS gets to be around there. I ran rivatuner and I saw that my GPU was getting to be around 50% usage in those kind of fights. My CPU however, is maxing out almost all the time. My CPU is an i5 4430 @ 3.00 GHz. The weird thing is that when I turn my character away from all the action in BF4 (or like being in an empty server) my GPU maxes out most of the time. I also see my CPU usage being higher than the GPU in TF2, CS:GO, Borderlands 2, and Planetside 2. I also ran the Unigine Valley benchmark and my GPU was maxed out almost all the time, and I got the average score of what a GTX 970 is supposed to get. And in Far Cry 4 my GPU is always maxed out and so is my CPU, so no problem there. So if anyone can give me an answer it would be appreciated.

 

[dhlk1]

This is I believe, quite common in battlefield 4 on big number of player maps.
Your cpu is maxed out with the load causing a bottleneck.
If you try it with a lower number of players and the problem drops this will confirm there is not much you could do about it except buy a faster cpu,which would not make a vast difference.
I do not know if the 8 threaded xeon would help but I have a feeling it would be the answer, when you are feeling flush.

I was thinking of upgrading to an i7 4790k, and my mobo, which is a MSI B85M-G43, and my PSU, which is 500w, and my RAM, which is some cheap 8gb RAM. Would you think that this would help?

 

[dhlk1]

its expensive,but its the best option. The cpu mark will nearly double..
Its stock clock is 33% higher at 4 gig per core. Add HT and its 11000 cpu marks vs 6500.
The xeon is a better bangs per buck option but is only clocked at 3.3 gig.That would get near 60 i suspect.
If you have a clocking bios set up on that board you might want to get a 4690k.
Check the power phases, I heard its 6 on that board which is enough for longevity with a good o/c.
Check out these graphs. ;
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=battlefield+4+cpu+fps&espv=2&biw=1280&bih=624&tbm=isch&imgil=q56qYFKYtmfkAM%253A%253BuiIH3clVMwlGoM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.tomshardware.co.uk%25252Fbattlefield-4-graphics-card-performance%25252Creview-32798-10.html&source=iu&pf=m&fir=q56qYFKYtmfkAM%253A%252CuiIH3clVMwlGoM%252C_&usg=__9c3Fa6DRXE1rbOmn6htKWUG8mRY%3D&dpr=1.5&ved=0CD8Qyjc&ei=0Sv6VIuENYGuUdWogIgH#imgdii=_&imgrc=q56qYFKYtmfkAM%253A%3BuiIH3clVMwlGoM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fmedia.bestofmicro.com%252FL%252FB%252F403823%252Foriginal%252FCPU.png%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.tomshardware.co.uk%252Fbattlefield-4-graphics-card-performance%252Creview-32798-10.html%3B451%3B517
If you notice tho these are on the beta, boosting clocks OR threads pushes the fps up to the 60's mark.
I think there was a patch this week that has made things worse so that might be changed .I dont actually play the game,tho I have the 4430 as well.
(when i bought it i knew it was limited for these games, but i dont play, so. . )
A quick note, if you have any turbo adjustment set up in bios, turn it off. Anything m.s.i. that tries to boost the four core(locked together) turbo to 32x.
It will slow the cpu down by a small % age.
To sum up; a 4690 at 4 gig will do. a 4790 at stock will do. A xeon stock will do.
Also set your u.e.f.i. setting to performance if it has one.. The voltage enhancement actually increases cpu mark by a teeny 200 points. Every little helps.
Wait for the patch to be fixed before you buy anything.

Thank you so much for your help, I appreciate it.