Games not using my 7770's full load

[DemonicSoul]

Hello everyone, I've recently installed a new copy of windows 7 and bought a Gigabyte 7770OC, but the card just doesn't act right for most games, I started out with Arkham City and it seemed to struggle to run so I switched to DX9 and things got a lot better (not perfect though.) Now I'm Witcher 2 and the GPU seems to run all settings of the game at 60+ framerates, then after a few mins of playing it drops to 15-30FPS, it doesn't matter if I switch to low or ulta settings, my framerate doesn't significantly change. I ran GPU-Z in the background and the game isn't even using 50% of the GPU's load and the temps are barely reaching over 55C. Now I thought my CPU (Q6600 quad core @2.4GHz) might be bottlenecking it so I tried the last game I have which was Prince of Persia, which runs on almost all GPUs out there, I started out with also 60-80 FPS then after a few mins of roaming it dropped to 30-40. It seems like the card is throttling every game I have, I barely reach temps of over 55C and my GPU load spikes up and down like a heartbeat monitor but barely goes over 60%. Is there something wrong with my settings? My GPU drivers are up to date.

A test through Furmark uses 99% of my GPU and takes the card's temperature to over 70C

Here's my specs:
4GB RAM
Gigabyte 7770-OC
Q6600 Quad Core @2.4 GHz (Stock clock)
Windows 7 32 bit

Thanks for the help in advance!

 

[kajabla]

How's your CPU temperature?

 

[4745454b]

Assuming CPU temps are ok, my next guess would be to OC the CPU. Many games don't use more then 2 cores, and two Core 2 cores at 2.4GHz isn't going to be alot. Try to get it to 3.0GHz and try gaming again.

 

[geekapproved]

I'm amazed no one asked the most important question.....what is your monitors resolution?

 

[kajabla]

^ SMART

 

[Deemo13]

I'm amazed no one asked the most important question.....what is your monitors resolution?

Brilliant

 

[DemonicSoul]

Sorry for not including that info in the first place, my monitor runs at 1680x1050 and my CPU temps roam in the 80C area when I'm playing The Witcher 2

 

[Sunius]

That is serious overheating for your CPU.

http://download.intel.com/design/processor/datashts/31559205.pdf

I'd suggest cleaning dust out of it. If it doesn't help, you'll need to reseat the heatsink and reapply the thermal paste.

 

[DemonicSoul]

Well the fact that I've opened only my case only once in 3 years to replace my 9600Gt with a 7700 might be a major factor in the dust thing. How many degrees should a quad core be running at? And could that be the reason why my GPU is running at half its power?

 

[Sunius]

Yes, the CPU is throttling whole system so it doesn't start a fire.

It shouldn't get higher than 55°C.

 

[kajabla]

^Make that 60C.

 

[Sunius]

Fair enough .

 

[Deemo13]

Like they said, that is ridiculously hot for a CPU. I would say 55C to 60C is the limit.

 

[kajabla]

So what you need, if cleaning out doesn't do it on its own, is a third-party heatsink. The $20 Xigmatek Loki SD963 and $35 Hyper 212 EVO are good choices.

 

[DemonicSoul]

Going to buy some thermal paste then post the results, will I need a can of compressed air or will a vaccum/brush be enough for the cleaning process, sorry as I'm not familiar with anything involving cleaning.

 

[paddys09]

Don't use a vacuum or brush as they generate static. Definitely grab a can of compressed air though.

 

[kajabla]

Do you mean you have no thermal paste on your heatsink right now? That would certainly explain your temperatures. If you're getting a new heatsink, though, it'll come with satisfactory thermal paste of its own.

 

[Deemo13]

I think he was just going to replace it, but if he doesnt have it it would for sure explain the issue.

 

[DemonicSoul]

No I'm just going to replace it since it hasn't been touched since 2009, would getting a new heatsink be a better idea? It's running at stock clocks and I don't imagine it needs a stronger heatsink than the stock one currently installed, then again I don't know much about CPUs.