Is my CPU causing large FPS drops?

[FrancisQ]

I just got a new video card a few weeks ago and i hoped that my games would run great with high graphics and fps, but that hope was soon destroyed by my guess the cpu. Here is the issue when i run my game, for example bf3 it runs smoothly at about 60-80 fps on high settings and starts to drop with time, but not significantly. The real problem though is when i look at a large area with alot of mehses and textures it drops to about 35-45 fps which is really frustrating. I replaced the very old thermal paste from my cpu and cooler and it improved (I had issues with my cpu temp) but the large drop still prevailed and i checked the task manager which said that my cpu is on about 90 to 98 % of load which is I doubt bad, and my ram is on about 60 to 70 % load and i belive that teh cpu is the issue but im not sure.

My specs:
CPU: AMD Phenom II x4 955 Black Edition 3.2Ghz
GPU: XFX AMD Radeon HD 7790 Black Edition
RAM: 2x2GB DDR3 Kingston
PSU: Cooler Master B500W
HDD: Seagate Baracuda 500GB
MOBO: Gigabyte GA-770T-D3L AM3

I belive these are decent system specs but if i am wrong please tell me.

Also i have run malwarebytes multiple times, i have also run HD Tune to check my hdd and i run prime95 for my cpu and it all holds up no issues were found. I have also updated my drivers to the newest ones. If you have any recommendation please reply and if you need any more info just say so. Thanks in advance.

 

[aznricepuff]

That CPU is indeed outdated. I wouldn't be surprised if it is bottlenecking your GPU, especially in bf3, which is known to be quite a CPU-intensive game. You could also benefit from getting some more RAM (to 8 GB), but your most pressing issue is likely the CPU.

 

[ko888]

If you're constantly reaching 90% - 98% CPU utilization on BF3 you've encountered a CPU bottleneck.

 

[FrancisQ]

That CPU is indeed outdated. I wouldn't be surprised if it is bottlenecking your GPU, especially in bf3, which is known to be quite a CPU-intensive game. You could also benefit from getting some more RAM (to 8 GB), but your most pressing issue is likely the CPU.

Thanks for the fast reply, and yes that is indeed what i was worried about, would you have any advice for which kind of cpu should i get to go with my gpu as a recommendation?

 

[FrancisQ]

If you're constantly reaching 90% - 98% CPU utilization on BF3 you've encountered a CPU bottleneck.

Thanks for the reply, but should a quad cpu with 3.2Ghz be enough for the gpu? Or is there something else that is bottlenecking my gpu.

 

[ko888]

Thanks for the reply, but should a quad cpu with 3.2Ghz be enough for the gpu? Or is there something else that is bottlenecking my gpu.

AMD Phenom II X4 processors usually have a CPU utilization of around 70% with BF3.

What other tasks do you have running that may be adding to the CPU processing load?

 

[aznricepuff]

What is your budget?

 

[FrancisQ]

Thanks for the reply, but should a quad cpu with 3.2Ghz be enough for the gpu? Or is there something else that is bottlenecking my gpu.

AMD Phenom II X4 processors usually have a CPU utilization of around 70% with BF3.

What other tasks do you have running that may be adding to the CPU processing load?

Im runing firefox cause it is requiered for battlelog, skype, origin, overwolf that are mostly all the programs that require more ram.

 

[FrancisQ]

What is your budget?

I don't really plan on buying a new CPU now but as a recommendation for my gpu can you advise something. Thanks for the reply.

Oh and the budget would be around 150 to 200 dollars.

 

[maddogfargo]

The 955 is decent if you overclock it.

Minimum I'd recommend for an upgrade is:

- A new AM3+ board with a 970 chipset, 990FX if you can afford it
- 8GB of 1600-1866 DDR3 RAM
- FX 6300 CPU with plans to clock it to 4.4-4.5
- Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO CPU cooler

I've used the FX6300 in a recent build and it runs very well at 4.4-4.5GHz and that cooler keeps it in the 54-56c range under full load, provided you have good case ventilation of course.

 

[FrancisQ]

The 955 is decent if you overclock it.

Minimum I'd recommend for an upgrade is:

- A new AM3+ board with a 970 chipset, 990FX if you can afford it
- 8GB of 1600-1866 DDR3 RAM
- FX 6300 CPU with plans to clock it to 4.4-4.5
- Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO CPU cooler

I've used the FX6300 in a recent build and it runs very well at 4.4-4.5GHz and that cooler keeps it in the 54-56c range under full load, provided you have good case ventilation of course.

It does sound very good but it all depends on the pricing of a good cooler and the CPU itself. If you can list that id appreciate it. Thanks in advance.

Also to what extent could i oc the 955 and what kind of cooler sould i get for that. My case is not that big but i have installed additional fans to make the air flow better and it is good.

 

[FrancisQ]

Cloud a problem also be in the windows cause i noticed that when i reinstall windows an improvment in fps happenes.

 

[LordHolmezy]

If you're constantly reaching 90% - 98% CPU utilization on BF3 you've encountered a CPU bottleneck.

Thanks for the reply, but should a quad cpu with 3.2Ghz be enough for the gpu? Or is there something else that is bottlenecking my gpu.

you should get a ryzen 5 1600 or 1600x depending on your budget

 

[LordHolmezy]

What is your budget?

I don't really plan on buying a new CPU now but as a recommendation for my gpu can you advise something. Thanks for the reply.

Oh and the budget would be around 150 to 200 dollars.

you should get a ryzen 5 1500x, they handle games very well