[SOLVED] HELP!! New graphics card has not improved performance

[sba198789]

Hi all.

I have recently upgraded my graphics card from NVIDIA 1050 to a NVIDIA RTX 2060 Super. Performance has not improved and i am getting inconsistent fps - struggling to get even 50fps at 1080p. I should be managing this with absolujtely no problem with this card!

My RAM (2x8gb) is what i think might be causing the issue -the ram is in slots 1 and 3 (so next to each other and not in the same colour slots) but if i change it to the correct slots (as per mobo guide) it causes it to fail on boot. RAM is stuck on single channel so not sure how to change that?

Spec as follows:

CPU
Intel Core i5 4460 @ 3.20GHz

RAM
16.0GB Single-Channel DDR3 @ 666MHz - SHOULD THIS NOT BE DUAL CHANNEL IF THERE ARE 2 STICKS?

Motherboard
Gigabyte Technology Co. Ltd. Z97X-Gaming 3

Graphics
Intel HD Graphics 4600 (Gigabyte)
4095MB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER (Gigabyte)

Storage
1863GB Western Digital WDC WD20EFRX-68EUZN0 (SATA )
931GB SanDisk SSD PLUS 1000GB (SATA (SSD)

Any help, guidance or suggestions on how to improve performance would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[helpstar]

Update the motherboard's bios

Use ddu uninstaller

Check ram with memtest

 

[Crowii]

From what I can gather from 5 minutes of googling and 5 minutes of reading, a couple others have had the exact same issue from a very slightly bent pin in the CPU socket.

If what helpstar mentioned didn't help or give any more clues, then I'd suggest taking a good hard look at that.

 

[sizzling]

What game? The 4460 is fairly weak 4 thread cpu by today’s standards and the cpu will limit what FPS you can achieve. Once you hit the max FPS the cpu can deliver in a specific game upgrading the gpu won’t increase FPS.

 

[geofelt]

Likely, your games are cpu limited and not graphics limited.

CPU performance is lessened if you are running single channel.

Are both sticks from the same kit?
If not, there may be an incompatibility.

Run memtest86.
It boots from a usb stick and does not use windows.
You can download the free edition here:
https://www.memtest86.com/download.htm

Test each stick individually to verify that the sticks are good.
Then, test a known good stick in each channel to verify that the slots are ok.

If you can run a full pass with NO errors, your ram should be ok.

Ram will usually have a lifetime warranty. If memtest86 shows a bad stick, return the kit for replacement.

If all else fails, remove the cpu and check for a bent motherboard socket pin.
It is easy to bend a pin if you do not drop the cpu in cleanly.
Bent pins cause unpredictable problems, but dual channel operation is a frequent such problem.
You can try to straighten a bent pin with a needle.
On very rare occasions, the cpu itself can be defective.

 

[sba198789]

Thanks guys. So i updated the bios as it hadnt been done for quite some time. There were some memory compatibility updates included so thought that might resolve. Unfortunately it did not and i am still stuck on single channel. I have tested both sticks and the sticks seem to be ok. It only boots properly when either one or two sticks are in slots 1 and 3. If i put 1 stick in slots 2 or 4 it fails to boot even with just one stick but boots fine if those slots are not used. Thne mobo manual says dual channel is fine and should be in slots 1 and 2 but it doesnt like it

 

[justnopenope]

It's probably one of three things,
1. Faulty drivers (use DDU to reinstall them)
2.

My RAM (2x8gb) is what i think might be causing the issue -the ram is in slots 1 and 3 (so next to each other and not in the same colour slots) but if i change it to the correct slots (as per mobo guide) it causes it to fail on boot. RAM is stuck on single channel so not sure how to change that?

So if you put those two RAM sticks into the CORRECT slots, it doesn't boot? Get some other ram to put in there and see if it's really the RAM, or if your Motherboard is dying.
3. Bottlenecking. Your CPU is a bit weak by today's standards, so upgrading your GPU with a weak CPU will cause bottlenecks (and so will single channel memory).

 

[geofelt]

First of all, dual channel ram operation is important if you are using the integrated graphics.
With a discrete graphics card, like you are using, single vs. dual channel operation is not a biggie.
Here is a study with DDR4, but it is equally applicable to DDR4,

Skylake Memory Scaling with Kingston Predator DDR4-3000

Armed with a massive 32GB high-end Kingston HyperX Predator DDR4-3000 memory kit, we investigate how DDR4 frequencies and latencies affect real world performance on Intel’s latest mainstream desktop platform. October 13, 2015 by Lawrence Lee Product Kingston HyperX Predator DDR4-3000 32GB...

silentpcreview.com

If you want to pursue the dual vs. single channel issue, take the cpu out and examine the socket closely for a bent pin. Before you do, consider what your options are if you find a bent pin. If the pin can not be fixed, you are looking at a motherboard repair(perhaps $50) or replacement.

To your original issue, try to find out the issue with your cpu.
Run HWmonitor.
It will tell you the current, minimum and maximum cpu temperatures.
I would expect the minimum to be 10-15c, over ambient at idle.
Much more than this, and I suspect your cpu cooler has come loose and needs to be remounted.

Similarly, if you see a max of 100c. it means that your cpu has throttled or slowed down to protect itself.

In the event you need to remount your presumed stock cooler, here is my stock text on that:

----------------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.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[sba198789]

It's probably one of three things,
1. Faulty drivers (use DDU to reinstall them)
2.

So if you put those two RAM sticks into the CORRECT slots, it doesn't boot? Get some other ram to put in there and see if it's really the RAM, or if your Motherboard is dying.
3. Bottlenecking. Your CPU is a bit weak by today's standards, so upgrading your GPU with a weak CPU will cause bottlenecks (and so will single channel memory).

Thank you!

1. All drivers appear to be fine and up to date
2. Yes, if i put the ram in the correct slots it fails to boot - so strange! I think it might be the mobo - i wish their was just a switch to enable dual channel lol
3. I agree - this is next on the list for purchase, just need the time (and money!) to upgrade!

Cheers

 

[King_V]

I haven't seen any mention of what the monitor's specs are: what are the resolution and refresh rate?

And, what game is it that you're playing and got those FPS numbers from?