Low CPU Usage when playing games (low fps)

[Elias Ziska]

Hi, I'm having issues with my previously fine cpu usage, when playing games such as: Battlefield 1, Battlefield 4 and Garry's mod. The CPU usage varies but never exceeds 60%.

I have checked the power setting, it's set to high performance and maximum/minimum usage is set to 100%, cooling to active.

I have ran Prime95 and OCCT and CPU usage goes to a 100% and stays there, but whenever i enter a game the usage drops, causing low fps and stuttering.

The temperature's are fine, I have a dual radiator CPU Cooling system, so temperature's are about 54 degrees Celsius on full load.

The CPU cores are all unparked.

I don't know what to try next, i used to be able to play all games as good as maxed out at around 70fps but now i can't even play gmod at more than 32fps.

P.S. I have just reinstalled Windows 7 Ultimate as i thought that may fix the issue, but it did nothing.


My System:

GPU: AMD RX480 (stock cooler running 1300MHz, temps around 80C)
CPU: i5-4690k (liquid cooled, running 4.5GHz temps around 54C)
RAM: Corsair DDR3 XMS3 (running 1600MHz)
SSD: Samsung 850 EVO 250GB
HDD: WD 1TB 5400rpm
PSU: Cooler Master G650M
Mobo: MSI Z97-G43

 

[RARRAF]

only a thought but how old is the Cooler Master 600w because the rest of your system looks quite good

 

[DEEPESH MANI]

U r playing in hdd or SSD that games

 

[Elias Ziska]

only a thought but how old is the Cooler Master 600w because the rest of your system looks quite good

I would say about 2 years

I just took a look in the case to see exactly what PSU it is, it's actually a 650w Cooler Master G650M

 

[DEEPESH MANI]

R u playing in ssd or hdd

 

[Elias Ziska]

R u playing in ssd or hdd

I have Windows and essential programs only on the ssd and a seperate hdd for games and other software

 

[DEEPESH MANI]

Ur HDD is underperforming for ur PC. 5400rpm speed is not fit for games. U have high end PC but HDD is low performs and ur game is in low Fps

https://elitegamingcomputers.com/the-best-gaming-hard-drives/

See the four paragraph
If it HDD is not able to text a game properly u should have a good HDD

 

[DEEPESH MANI]

Bcz of the underperformance CPU is usage is 100%. When ur playing a game HDD is the thing to locate and quality text of the game and ur HDD is too old I think so. So it get sick the CPU to 100%

 

[DEEPESH MANI]

Bcz of the underperformance CPU is usage is 100%. When ur playing a game HDD is the thing to locate and quality text of the game and ur HDD is too old I think so. So it get sick the CPU to 100%

 

[Elias Ziska]

Ur HDD is underperforming for ur PC. 5400rpm speed is not fit for games. U have high end PC but HDD is low performs and ur game is in low Fps

https://elitegamingcomputers.com/the-best-gaming-hard-drives/

See the four paragraph
If it HDD is not able to text a game properly u should have a good HDD

I tried moving battlefield 1 and gmod over to the ssd and there was no difference what so ever. Also I have another 7200rpm 1TB HDD that my Origin games are on, and there's no difference there either

I did however mess around with the GPU, and it does seem to underclock itself while gaming, but not due to thermals the maximum temperature I hit was 81C with an overclock of 1340MHz.
So I i reset the settings to test with stock settings, and I got the same exact result as with the overclock.
I then tried manually underclocking and undervolting the card, and there was no difference, i underclocked to 1150MHz.

The GPU had an average of 880MHz while playing GMod, with a maximum of 1090MHz, and a minimum of 665MHz.
This was with the stock settings.

On another note, if I watch a youtube video on my second monitor while gaming or running benchmarks, there's usually an impact of about 8-15fps

If the GPU isn't working as it should couldn't it theoretically bottleneck the CPU? because i've run some test on the CPU as well and it seems 100% stable and performs perfect.

So the question is, is the GPU defective, or is there some simple and weird explanation.

 

[Elias Ziska]

Hi again, quick update to let people know I've figured it out.

The reason of my performance loss, was due to the thermal paste not being up to snuff.
I took the GPU totally apart and re-applied thermal paste (Arctic MX-4) to the processor, and cleaned and dusted it out.

After that everything returned to normal, not sure if I can say it's completely normal, since the performance drop was due to heat, but at least as far as i can see, no lasting damage has occured.

Thanks for all the help

-Elias Z.