I7-3820 Performing very poorly.

[Guest]

My i7-3820 is performing very poorly, I would like to know why. I can provide any extra details you guys need to help me out.

The CPU is new, september 2012, and it is currently at base clock settings. I did have it overclocked for a short while, for about a month in January 2013.

Example of its performance, is when I log on. I open task manager, and CPU usage spikes sometimes to 40% for no reason. Task manager can sometimes use as much as 10%.

 

[ThermalV]

I also get usage spikes when I open Task Manager but that is common on almost every device as far as I am aware? Define poor performance? Is general usage stuttery or is it simply a case of low CPU utilization e.g not going above 80%?

 

[Guest]

It;s basically my CPU can't handle everything sometimes. Example, I am playing music and surfing the web. The music will be cutting in and out because for some reason the load is just too much for it to handle, which is ridiculous.

 

[ThermalV]

It;s basically my CPU can't handle everything sometimes. Example, I am playing music and surfing the web. The music will be cutting in and out because for some reason the load is just too much for it to handle, which is ridiculous.

When you stopped overclocking did you change the voltages at all? Also what temps are you getting? It sounds like its thermal throttling.

 

[Guest]

I didn't touch voltages. I didn't take it up that much. (from 3.6 - 3.8). Thermal throttling? My cpu does run quite hot, I do know that.

 

[Guest]

Right now my temps are low 40s (40-42)

 

[beanoslim]

It;s basically my CPU can't handle everything sometimes. Example, I am playing music and surfing the web. The music will be cutting in and out because for some reason the load is just too much for it to handle, which is ridiculous.

Have you checked the speed and load with something like Coretemp?

Are you talking about playing music thats stored on your computer or something like uTube?

Do you have speedstep enabled?

 

[Guest]

Downloading core temp. I used RealTemp, and SpeedFan before.

I am talking about playing music on windows media player, stored on C:

I believe I may have it enabled, but I have to check.

 

[Guest]

Speed step is enabled, current frequency is at 1.2 ghz. I forgot I had that

 

[beanoslim]

I'm just wondering if your cpu is boosting to full speed when needed.

Try opening up coretemp and Realtemp and running P95 or OCCT and check speed and load under stress?

 

[Guest]

I ran Prime 95 and it clocked up to 3.7 instantly. What I have noticed is that my CPU is very inconsistent. Sometimes it will perform like intended, and then sometimes, it will find something like windows media player to be the most intensive software, for no apparent reason.

 

[beanoslim]

Thats a good start What were the temps like?

Do you have anything else running in the background that could be using cpu power, i.e. auto scans, anti virus etc.

Also have you checked to see if your board has any bios updates?

Also Also, have you done a Windows update recently?

 

[Guest]

Okay, I have trend micro titanium internet security, and malwarebytes pro running all the time. Malwarebytes catches incoming and outgoing connections really well where trendmicro does an amzing job of real time scanning. That's why I use two.

The temps were in the 60s, but thats on prime 95. (60-62). I have not checked for BIOS updates because I didn't know there were such things and I don't know how to, but I'll try.

I windows updated yesterday.

 

[beanoslim]

Temps are good then.

This is yours I think http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4288#bios

BIOS flashing is a lot more straight forward than it used to be, check your BIOS version in CPU-z or in the bios and see if it needs updating. Its usually just a case of downloading the file, running the .exe then when prompted to do so reboot.

I'd suggest turning off all your auto scan options in your security or next time you notice the PC struggling check to see if anything is scanning or updating in the background.

 

[Guest]

That is my board. I checked my BIOS version in the BIOS and it is the latest non beta version that has been released. This is straight from the Gigabyte website. I don't know if it's worth it to use a beta BIOS.

Thanks for the tip on security scanning.

 

[phyco126]

What hard drive are you using? My music used to cut in and out, but it wasn't the processor - it was the hard drive that was unable to keep up.

 

[beanoslim]

Hi sig says 1TB Sata III 7200rpm, that shouldn't be an issue unless it has problems.

You could try running check disk W7 - http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows7/check-a-drive-for-errors

And giving your HDD a defrag http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows7/improve-performance-by-defragmenting-your-hard-disk

 

[Guest]

I wouldn't think my HDD was the issue, but I ran the disk check, and I already have a weekly defrag scheduled. For now, I am having no issue. My music is playing, my web browser is working. I think beanoslim, that you were right that it was the updating process of my security softwares. As the the stutterring wouldn't continue after a while of usage.

 

[beanoslim]

Well defragging will also cause problems.

I suggest doing all your scanning/updating and defragging manually and see how it goes.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for your time. I appreciate the new knowledge on my BIOS and coretemp I'll be sure to defrag and such manually and see how it goes. Right now, everything is good.

 

[beanoslim]

No problem