Question Did my mobo cause CPU/GPU degrading performance.

Dec 15, 2019
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I put the following together a few weeks ago.

Asus Maximus Hero Xi (wifi)
9700k with Be Quiet Dark Rock Pro 4
Gigabyte 2070 Super Windforce OC
Samsung 970 Evo
Corsair RM750 750 W PSU
2 8 gb DDR4 Gskill Ripjaws DIMMS rated at 3200.

I've noticed that the CPU has started running hotter with equivalent benchmarks and settings. Originally I could run Prime 95's small FFT test and only get 64 C. Now it'll hit over 90 so I don't even dare run it. Instead I tried to checking temps with Intel's Extreme Tuning Utility. Using that benchmark I first saw 64C as my highest temp. Today it reached 84. Everything is set to stock except for the XMP profile to get my RAM up to speed.

Additionally, I've noticed a big drop in GPU performance. Down to 2% in Userbenchmark and my max FPS cut in half down to 55 FPS in Red Dead Redemption 2's benchmark. I was able to duplicate all of this even after reseating the video card, CPU Cooler with reapplied thermal paste, and a clean install of Windows.

I'm a bit of an impulsive idiot, so I already ordered a new mobo and GPU (I realized that I really wanted a 2080 super to run at 1440p and keep 144 fps). But I realized that I didn't want to put everything together only to go through this all over again.

I'm going with this board: MSI Z270 GAMING PLUS LGA 1151 Intel Z270 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.1 ATX Intel Motherboard.

Anyway, I guess I'm looking for some confirmation that the board was at fault and want to be sure the CPU is still usable. I never let it get too hot for long, but I'm guessing the increased temps were a byproduct of the motherboard increasing the voltage to maintain Intel's turbo step. If that's the case, is the CPU still any good?

I won't be able to reply to any advice until tomorrow evening, but I appreciate any advice/chastisement.
 
Well, you won't be able to use a Z270 board with a 9700k, so not off to a good decision.

100 and 200 series boards are intended for 6th and 7th gen CPUs. 300 series are intended for 8th and 9th gen CPUs.

Certainly a downgrade in board cost/quality as well. So not entirely sure I understand the decision regardless.

Doesn't really sound like much troubleshooting was done before buying replacement components. A simple BIOS reset, or possibly BIOS update could solve most of these problems. But generally, when purchasing such high end hardware, there is some expectation of setting things manually. Out of the box the voltage is usually high on such platforms, and can be adjusted down or the CPU overclocked, etc. I suggest looking at some overclocking guides for advice there.

Not entirely sure about the drop in GPU performance, but if the CPU was really overheating and throttling, that would explain a lot.

CPU will throttle to protect itself, only a serious failed installation of a cooler is really dangerous, CPU can sometimes heat up faster than it can lower the voltage and frequency effectively.

  1. Check your CPU cooler installation, could have come loose.
  2. Try resetting the BIOS (Or updating it)
  3. Download the latest drivers for the board
  4. Make sure Windows is up to date

As there have been many changes going on security wise between Intel and Microsoft, anything could have happened. They are pushing out CPU microcode in Windows to mitigate some of these recently discovered exploits, and there are minimum requirements. Also been some issues with Intel Rapid Storage Technology drivers needing to be a minimum level.
 

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