i5 2500k Is Bottlenecking SLI 780s in BF4. HELP!

[GT0060]

Hi all,

Need your input on the following, please see below:

I was running Windows 7 64-bit and was getting 80-90% CPU load (confirming with using task manager) with 40-55% GPU load (Using GPU-Z) in BF4 online in 64-player maps. Needless to say I wasn't happy as I just got SLI a-going with my 780s recently and that cost me a leg and a arm.

So, I did some researching and heard to plunge into Windows 8.1 to get better performance for SLI. I went ahead and made the plunge in Windows 8.1 Home 64-Bit. It was incredibly easy install and one of the smoothest I've done. So now, in GPU-Z I'm pulling up in BF with 100% CPU load all the time with 60-78% max GPU load. So definitely better than Windows 7, but is clear that my CPU is holding my GPUs back...


I'm running a i5 2500k overclocked to 4.8GHZ confirmed while running CPU-Z and task manager (performance tab). I'm using the Asrock Z77 Extreme4 board.

Any suggestions as to what I should do? Is it worth upgrading to Ivy since that what my board is made for? I got Sandy at the time because it was a great deal and from research I've seen is that the jump to Ivy is not super significant, but if I can get some feedback that it WOULD be for my SLI performance, then I'll do it. I'm quite surprised that my Sandy clocked at 4.8GHZ isn't holding up?

Thanks all.

 

[toddybody]

Hi all,

Need your input on the following, please see below:

I was running Windows 7 64-bit and was getting 80-90% CPU load (confirming with using task manager) with 40-55% GPU load (Using GPU-Z) in BF4 online in 64-player maps. Needless to say I wasn't happy as I just got SLI a-going with my 780s recently and that cost me a leg and a arm.

So, I did some researching and heard to plunge into Windows 8.1 to get better performance for SLI. I went ahead and made the plunge in Windows 8.1 Home 64-Bit. It was incredibly easy install and one of the smoothest I've done. So now, in GPU-Z I'm pulling up in BF with 100% CPU load all the time with 60-78% max GPU load. So definitely better than Windows 7, but is clear that my CPU is holding my GPUs back...


I'm running a i5 2500k overclocked to 4.8GHZ confirmed while running CPU-Z and task manager (performance tab). I'm using the Asrock Z77 Extreme4 board.

Any suggestions as to what I should do? Is it worth upgrading to Ivy since that what my board is made for? I got Sandy at the time because it was a great deal and from research I've seen is that the jump to Ivy is not super significant, but if I can get some feedback that it WOULD be for my SLI performance, then I'll do it. I'm quite surprised that my Sandy clocked at 4.8GHZ isn't holding up?

Thanks all.

For BF4, my understanding is that multiplayer is very CPU intensive...and would benefit from addition cores/HT. That said, I wouldnt extend the argument to say (holistically) that your i5 bottlenecks 780's in SLI.

 

[RobCrezz]

Im very surprised you are bottlenecking with a 2500k at 4.8 to be honest, but I wouldnt recommend Ivy, as the performance increase will be almost nothing, as you will likely not be able to overclock as far.

Have you considered Socket 2011 and Ivybridge-E like the 4930k? Would match well with SLI 780s.

 

[GT0060]

Hi all,

Need your input on the following, please see below:

I was running Windows 7 64-bit and was getting 80-90% CPU load (confirming with using task manager) with 40-55% GPU load (Using GPU-Z) in BF4 online in 64-player maps. Needless to say I wasn't happy as I just got SLI a-going with my 780s recently and that cost me a leg and a arm.

So, I did some researching and heard to plunge into Windows 8.1 to get better performance for SLI. I went ahead and made the plunge in Windows 8.1 Home 64-Bit. It was incredibly easy install and one of the smoothest I've done. So now, in GPU-Z I'm pulling up in BF with 100% CPU load all the time with 60-78% max GPU load. So definitely better than Windows 7, but is clear that my CPU is holding my GPUs back...


I'm running a i5 2500k overclocked to 4.8GHZ confirmed while running CPU-Z and task manager (performance tab). I'm using the Asrock Z77 Extreme4 board.

Any suggestions as to what I should do? Is it worth upgrading to Ivy since that what my board is made for? I got Sandy at the time because it was a great deal and from research I've seen is that the jump to Ivy is not super significant, but if I can get some feedback that it WOULD be for my SLI performance, then I'll do it. I'm quite surprised that my Sandy clocked at 4.8GHZ isn't holding up?

Thanks all.

For BF4, my understanding is that multiplayer is very CPU intensive...and would benefit from addition cores/HT. That said, I wouldnt extend the argument to say (holistically) that your i5 bottlenecks 780's in SLI.

Yeah, seems to be...

 

[GT0060]

Im very surprised you are bottlenecking with a 2500k at 4.8 to be honest, but I wouldnt recommend Ivy, as the performance increase will be almost nothing, as you will likely not be able to overclock as far.

Have you considered Socket 2011 and Ivybridge-E like the 4930k? Would match well with SLI 780s.

Thanks for the reply. I haven't considered Socket 2011 and the 4930k, but I'll do some research on them. I really want to stay with my board as I've spent a lot of $$$ but if it makes me future proof, I may make the squeeze..

 

[RobCrezz]

Hi all,

Need your input on the following, please see below:

I was running Windows 7 64-bit and was getting 80-90% CPU load (confirming with using task manager) with 40-55% GPU load (Using GPU-Z) in BF4 online in 64-player maps. Needless to say I wasn't happy as I just got SLI a-going with my 780s recently and that cost me a leg and a arm.

So, I did some researching and heard to plunge into Windows 8.1 to get better performance for SLI. I went ahead and made the plunge in Windows 8.1 Home 64-Bit. It was incredibly easy install and one of the smoothest I've done. So now, in GPU-Z I'm pulling up in BF with 100% CPU load all the time with 60-78% max GPU load. So definitely better than Windows 7, but is clear that my CPU is holding my GPUs back...


I'm running a i5 2500k overclocked to 4.8GHZ confirmed while running CPU-Z and task manager (performance tab). I'm using the Asrock Z77 Extreme4 board.

Any suggestions as to what I should do? Is it worth upgrading to Ivy since that what my board is made for? I got Sandy at the time because it was a great deal and from research I've seen is that the jump to Ivy is not super significant, but if I can get some feedback that it WOULD be for my SLI performance, then I'll do it. I'm quite surprised that my Sandy clocked at 4.8GHZ isn't holding up?

Thanks all.

For BF4, my understanding is that multiplayer is very CPU intensive...and would benefit from addition cores/HT. That said, I wouldnt extend the argument to say (holistically) that your i5 bottlenecks 780's in SLI.

Yeah, seems to be...

Have you checked temps in game, incase the CPU is throttling?

 

[GT0060]

Hi all,

Need your input on the following, please see below:

I was running Windows 7 64-bit and was getting 80-90% CPU load (confirming with using task manager) with 40-55% GPU load (Using GPU-Z) in BF4 online in 64-player maps. Needless to say I wasn't happy as I just got SLI a-going with my 780s recently and that cost me a leg and a arm.

So, I did some researching and heard to plunge into Windows 8.1 to get better performance for SLI. I went ahead and made the plunge in Windows 8.1 Home 64-Bit. It was incredibly easy install and one of the smoothest I've done. So now, in GPU-Z I'm pulling up in BF with 100% CPU load all the time with 60-78% max GPU load. So definitely better than Windows 7, but is clear that my CPU is holding my GPUs back...


I'm running a i5 2500k overclocked to 4.8GHZ confirmed while running CPU-Z and task manager (performance tab). I'm using the Asrock Z77 Extreme4 board.

Any suggestions as to what I should do? Is it worth upgrading to Ivy since that what my board is made for? I got Sandy at the time because it was a great deal and from research I've seen is that the jump to Ivy is not super significant, but if I can get some feedback that it WOULD be for my SLI performance, then I'll do it. I'm quite surprised that my Sandy clocked at 4.8GHZ isn't holding up?

Thanks all.

For BF4, my understanding is that multiplayer is very CPU intensive...and would benefit from addition cores/HT. That said, I wouldnt extend the argument to say (holistically) that your i5 bottlenecks 780's in SLI.

Yeah, seems to be...

Have you checked temps in game, incase the CPU is throttling?

So far in HW Monitor, I'm seeing temps in the 60 range while playing BF4. If I'm running a benchmark to stress the cores in Prime95 I'll see it jump to low to mid 70s. I'm using a Hyper 212+ with one fan to cool and have had no problems.

 

[CompuTronix]

If you want to stay with your motherboard, you may want to consider upgrading to the i7 3770K in order to take advantage of Hyperthreading.

 

[GT0060]

If you want to stay with your motherboard, you may want to consider upgrading to the i7 3770K in order to take advantage of Hyperthreading.

Or would it be better to consider the 4930k suggested in previous post? Thanks.

 

[RobCrezz]

If you want to stay with your motherboard, you may want to consider upgrading to the i7 3770K in order to take advantage of Hyperthreading.

Or would it be better to consider the 4930k suggested in previous post? Thanks.

Better, but considerably more expensive. Although it is a high end setup.

 

[GT0060]

Are there any tweaks to further make sure that I can get SLI functioning better in BF4?

 

[toddybody]

Are there any tweaks to further make sure that I can get SLI functioning better in BF4?

Im confident your issue is not the graphics...if it were under full load and you had forced AA/etc on you could make adjustments in the nVidia Control Panel.

Your CPU is great IMO, and at a really fast frequency. Your only option now is to go with an i7 2700K to gain Hyper Threading: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115095
OR
Upgrade to a new motherboard and CPU (1155,1150, 2011). This option will be the most expensive, but would be my personal option, as youll be gaining an entirely new platform...and not throwing money at a marginally better, but previous gen replacement to your i5.

My 2cents, either stick with the 2500K (which again is great)...or upgrade to 1150 (4770K) or 2011 (4930K):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116901
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116939

 

[jghaverty]

Just curious, have you tried turning down ambient occlusion and AA a bit? Im ASSuming you're maxing everything? Lowering those will give your CPU some breathing room, especially the AO.

 

[CompuTronix]

There are only three "K" series i7 processors that are compatible with your Socket 1155 ASRock Z77 Extreme4 motherboard:

i7 2600K
i7 2700K
i7 3770K

 

[GT0060]

Thanks for the posts and help! Just wanted to input an update. I've been messing around with the resolution scale in game and notice I can get up to 90ish GPU utlization on both cards when I up the scale to 150-200. A good sign that my i5 2500k is holding its own? I notice an FPS drop but I'm at least able to see both cards running higher. No matter what graphics setting, my CPU is always at 100% Load but when I especially crank the resolution scale (SSAA), it definitely hits the cards harder.

 

[RobCrezz]

Yeah sounds fine. I just realised you didn't mention fps in the op. If you aren't stressing the cards with 1440p or up, then with a GPU setup that powerful it will nearly always bottleneck at the CPU as the GPUs just aren't getting stressed.

 

[GT0060]

Yeah sounds fine. I just realised you didn't mention fps in the op. If you aren't stressing the cards with 1440p or up, then with a GPU setup that powerful it will nearly always bottleneck at the CPU as the GPUs just aren't getting stressed.

Some interesting things to note:

On Windows 7 with one 780, I was getting CPU load 87% and GPU load MAXED on Ultra.
On Windows 8 with one 780, I was getting CPU load 100% with GPU load MAXED on Ultra.

Now on Windows 8 with SLI 780s, I used Enhance Application settings in NVidia Control Panel (8x SSAA, 32X CSAA etc.). This is able to push both cards to 80%+ load when playing Battlefield 4 on Ultra. Crazy stuff!

Lastly, would you know if G-SYNC would benefit me much with this setup? I have a 144hz 1080p monitor capable of using it. Would it provide better FPS accuracy on screen?

 

[RobCrezz]

I have only heard brilliant things about G-sync. Makes frame rate dips pretty much imperceptible from what ive heard. It basically synchronizes your monitors refresh rate constantly to your FPS generated by your GPU(s).

 

[GT0060]

I have only heard brilliant things about G-sync. Makes frame rate dips pretty much imperceptible from what ive heard. It basically synchronizes your monitors refresh rate constantly to your FPS generated by your GPU(s).

Yeah. I think I'm going to make the plunge into getting it. I'm very tempted to get a 1400p monitor but don't want to have to gamble to get 120hz on a Korean screen and the Overload ones are out of stock atm and $500+. I think 1080p will suffice for now and with this gsync chip, sounds like its worth it especially till they release 1400p gsync monitors!

Thanks again for your help.

 

[klepp0906]

Not worth an upgrade. Much of your problem is due to inferior nvidia software. I won't get too far into it, you can search my most recent posts for a better explanation. Let's just say I randomly hit 100% load on it which makes my framerates faceplant from 120 to about 20. This is due to the cpu usually loading around 30% until it "bugs out" due to the drivers.

Google - everyone using nvidia has this issue if they use more than 1 gpu and or monitor.

Basically I would venture to guess that if u changed to amd or one card or even generic drivers, your CPU load wouldn't pass 50.