Low FPS in BF4 with high end PC

[jkteddy77]

I've been troubleshooting for 2 months now, and no one's been able to help, so short, sweet, and to the point:

8350 stock speed, R9 290 Tri-X 1000/1300, 850w Corsair, 8gb @ 1866mhz 9-10-9-28, Win 8.1 64bit

I'm getting 40-75 on DX11 on ultra preset, and like 50-100 with Mantle on. In both cases, my average framerate is generally around 55-75... should I not be running smoother and faster?
I want to eliminate my dips below 60, but there just doesn't seem to be a way...

When I say dips, I mean it will drop and MAINTAIN around 49-67fps in heavy maps...

What worries me the most, is that even when I turn down settings, only my Max FPS increases... I still get the same Min FPS as I did on Ultra... Yes, I resarted the game too, it just won't run smooth.
This happens most maps, but of course Altai Range, Guillen Peaks, Hainan Resort, Paracel Storm, and Shanghi all run the slowest.

I run all other games as fast as expected, and match most benchmarks of games. I'm not interested in OCing my 8350 that much, as even at 4.4ghz, I gained 2-3fps...

MY CPU is always about 60% and never over 53C on core
My GPU is always 90-100% usage, and its clocks never drop, never over 73C

I have so far:

-Clean installed drivers 13.12 through 14.3, all using DDU latest version.
-Installed latest Chipset drivers from AMD's site, 13-12 chipset, and my MOBO's latest chipset drivers.
-Unparked cores, did nothing for me as Windows 8.1 is already unparking my cores when I start the game...
-custom cfg settings change nothing
-perfoverlay.drawgraph shows my CPU usage slightly above my GPU, but not alarmingly higher... It spikes, but could it really be bottlenecking my 290? Already tried OC, didn't help.
-repaired BF4 and reinstalled PB
-Many other things I can't think of, to no gain or loss in FPS...
-and lastly, yes, I've gone as far as completely reinstalling a fresh copy of Windows 8.1 again...

After OCing my CPU and seeing little difference, I don't know what else to do. OCing GPU helps a bit, but only like 5 fps and I want my card at its stock OC

Please, I've spent hundreds of hours just troubleshooting this game... I built this PC with the games AMD optimization in mind...

Any Ideas? What is there left to do?

 

[bystander]

If that is the case, then all you can do is look for BF4 tweak guides, and possible drivers.

 

[jkteddy77]

If that is the case, then all you can do is look for BF4 tweak guides, and possible drivers.

Yes, but the fact that I see people posting gameplay RIGHT NOW on youtube with the same 8350/290, showing off their ultra preset settings and never dropping below 60fps, even while recording with fraps? It can't be unfixable. I have the latest drivers of everything, and BF4 is optimized the best for the 14.3, which I have right now...
I have to be doing something wrong, but everything I have points to normal? I don't know what it could be...


Here's my 3DMark, highest I've ever achieved (maybe drivers are becoming more optimized?)

http://www.3dmark.com/3dm/2805535?

#885/1629 results, and I'm only 50mhz above stock settings, stock CPU? I call that normal.
(I searched all results with 8350/r9 290 single gpu, and I'm right around where people start to OC their CPU/GPU)

RAM reading is false, Task manager and CPU-Z show me running at 1866mhz in dual channel... My BIOS for my MOBO were released 3-27-14, and #DMarks database was updated 3-7-14, so I guess that's it? I just installed it again today, as up to date as it'll be (trust me its at 1866)

I got the "Brawn achievement" meaning my CPU is holding back my GPU in the Firestrike benchmark, by as much as 1000 points. i7's/290 get 9000+ with this test... But I could care less about that, my 8350 should not be performing much differently than 5-8 fps than a 4770k stock in real world games (except picky ones)... I REALLY don't feel like paying $500 for a new CPU/MBO after building the rig 2 months later... and the CPU should be fine since, again, EVERYONE ELSE RUNS THIS CPU FINE BUT ME and all my data points to normal running conditions...

 

[bystander]

If that is the case, then all you can do is look for BF4 tweak guides, and possible drivers.

Yes, but the fact that I see people posting gameplay RIGHT NOW on youtube with the same 8350/290, showing off their ultra preset settings and never dropping below 60fps, even while recording with fraps? It can't be unfixable. I have the latest drivers of everything, and BF4 is optimized the best for the 14.3, which I have right now...
I have to be doing something wrong, but everything I have points to normal? I don't know what it could be...


Here's my 3DMark, highest I've ever achieved (maybe drivers are becoming more optimized?)

http://www.3dmark.com/3dm/2805535?

RAM reading is false, Task manager and CPU-Z show me running at 1866mhz in dual channel... Hmm... maybe this is a problem? Everyone else's seems to read their RAM right? MY bios have it set 1866 and 9-10-9-28.

I got the "Brawn achievement" meaning my CPU is holding back my GPU in the Firestrike benchmark, by as much as 1000 points. i7's/290 get 9000+ with this test... But I could care less about that, my 8350 should not be performing much differently than 5-8 fps than a 4770k stock in real world games (except picky ones)... I REALLY don't feel like paying $500 for a new CPU/MBO after building the rig 2 months later... and the CPU should be fine since, again, EVERYONE ELSE RUNS THIS CPU FINE BUT ME and all my data points to normal running conditions...

Is the game not smooth enough to play? I'm betting it is. Those are not bad FPS. Then I'd suggest you turn off Fraps and play the game.

If it really bothers you that much, I'd advise you pick up an i7 system. All these underperforming threads with CPU bottlenecks are full of 8150 and 8350's. I don't know what is up with them, but they seem to bring out the worst in some games.

 

[jkteddy77]

If that is the case, then all you can do is look for BF4 tweak guides, and possible drivers.

Yes, but the fact that I see people posting gameplay RIGHT NOW on youtube with the same 8350/290, showing off their ultra preset settings and never dropping below 60fps, even while recording with fraps? It can't be unfixable. I have the latest drivers of everything, and BF4 is optimized the best for the 14.3, which I have right now...
I have to be doing something wrong, but everything I have points to normal? I don't know what it could be...


Here's my 3DMark, highest I've ever achieved (maybe drivers are becoming more optimized?)

http://www.3dmark.com/3dm/2805535?

RAM reading is false, Task manager and CPU-Z show me running at 1866mhz in dual channel... Hmm... maybe this is a problem? Everyone else's seems to read their RAM right? MY bios have it set 1866 and 9-10-9-28.

I got the "Brawn achievement" meaning my CPU is holding back my GPU in the Firestrike benchmark, by as much as 1000 points. i7's/290 get 9000+ with this test... But I could care less about that, my 8350 should not be performing much differently than 5-8 fps than a 4770k stock in real world games (except picky ones)... I REALLY don't feel like paying $500 for a new CPU/MBO after building the rig 2 months later... and the CPU should be fine since, again, EVERYONE ELSE RUNS THIS CPU FINE BUT ME and all my data points to normal running conditions...

Is the game not smooth enough to play? I'm betting it is. Those are not bad FPS. Then I'd suggest you turn off Fraps and play the game.

If it really bothers you that much, I'd advise you pick up an i7 system. All these underperforming threads with CPU bottlenecks are full of 8150 and 8350's. I don't know what is up with them, but they seem to bring out the worst in some games.

Yes, but 80% of people run them fine... I want to be in that 80%.... SOMETHING is set wrong, it has to be. I'm not upset that it dips below 60 on ultra as much as I am that turning down settings does nothing for me... I hear of people with 8350/7950 running on medium fine, never going below 90fps... averaging 105fps... O n medium, I'm still 55-178fps... There is a problem, and its a BIG problem if I plan on 1440p.

 

[bystander]

At this point you are a broken record. You've done all that can be done here. Look up a tweak guide. There may be 1 setting unknown to you, that makes all the difference. Maybe something is wrong in the CCC, or perhaps you have something in the background stealing resources. That's about it.

You found there is no issues playing the game at Ultra, I do not think this is worth all the anguish and effort you'd put into it for 1 game's FPS reading. It plays well, stop looking at the FPS and enjoy it.

 

[jkteddy77]

At this point you are a broken record. You've done all that can be done here. Look up a tweak guide. There may be 1 setting unknown to you, that makes all the difference. Maybe something is wrong in the CCC, or perhaps you have something in the background stealing resources. That's about it.

You found there is no issues playing the game at Ultra, I do not think this is worth all the anguish and effort you'd put into it for 1 game's FPS reading. It plays well, stop looking at the FPS and enjoy it.

Yes, but I still find it odd that I get less FPS with AA off than I do with it on (I was near 55-65 far more with AA off)... Guess I live with it and hope it eventually sorts itself out?

 

[DonQuixoteMC]

I've checked before, and landed smack dab in the middle of 8350/290 combos, and I was even testing with 3 monitors in. I'll test with one this time, and we'll soon see how it is. I'm telling you though, I am getting the right benches in EVERY game but BF4 and extremely single core games like Crysis 2 ( i get 45-60 in crysis 2 max). This isn't as much of a "My system is underperforming thread" as it is a "How can I get this unoptimized code to run on my boss ass system" (not to brag, lol...)

This was incredibly diagnostic though. It proves you don't have bad hardware. And having the other monitors plugged in doesn't matter as long as nothing is rendered on them.

I still don't think you can compare one system to another unless they have the exact same build with the exact same software. Which is not the case.

 

[jkteddy77]

I've checked before, and landed smack dab in the middle of 8350/290 combos, and I was even testing with 3 monitors in. I'll test with one this time, and we'll soon see how it is. I'm telling you though, I am getting the right benches in EVERY game but BF4 and extremely single core games like Crysis 2 ( i get 45-60 in crysis 2 max). This isn't as much of a "My system is underperforming thread" as it is a "How can I get this unoptimized code to run on my boss ass system" (not to brag, lol...)

This was incredibly diagnostic though. It proves you don't have bad hardware. And having the other monitors plugged in doesn't matter as long as nothing is rendered on them.

I still don't think you can compare one system to another unless they have the exact same build with the exact same software. Which is not the case.

Yes, I know, I've gone to the end of the earth and back trying to "fix" this but god... Game runs so bad and I built the rig for this game... (scratch that, I mean "worse than expected)

I understand all the little factors that can ruin fps, but this PC is only 2 months old, ALL I have on it is like skype, spotify, BF4, and steam games. I doubt a fresh PC could be losing 20fps caue of those, and everyone has those anyway.

I've tried closing all background apps, nothing. background programs all added up only use like 3% of CPU TOTAL.

 

[bystander]

Yes, but 80% of people run them fine... I want to be in that 80%.... SOMETHING is set wrong, it has to be. I'm not upset that it dips below 60 on ultra as much as I am that turning down settings does nothing for me... I hear of people with 8350/7950 running on medium fine, never going below 90fps... averaging 105fps... O n medium, I'm still 55-178fps... There is a problem, and its a BIG problem if I plan on 1440p.

No, this will be a non-issue once you move to 1440p. Higher resolutions do not affect your CPU load. They only affect your GPU load. Your problem is not with the GPU, but the CPU, so no, 1440p will not make things worse. The only performance loss will be on the average and high end, not the low end.

 

[DonQuixoteMC]

No, this will be a non-issue once you move to 1440p. Higher resolutions do not affect your CPU load. They only affect your GPU load. Your problem is not with the GPU, but the CPU, so no, 1440p will not make things worse. The only performance loss will be on the average and high end, not the low end.

Well said. You beat me to it 😛

You might have max frames drop to 80 fps instead of 100+ or whatever. But that's totally fine because you probably have a 60Hz monitor anyway. You won't get lower minimums.

 

[jkteddy77]

No, this will be a non-issue once you move to 1440p. Higher resolutions do not affect your CPU load. They only affect your GPU load. Your problem is not with the GPU, but the CPU, so no, 1440p will not make things worse. The only performance loss will be on the average and high end, not the low end.

Well said. You beat me to it 😛

You might have max frames drop to 80 fps instead of 100+ or whatever. But that's totally fine because you probably have a 60Hz monitor anyway. You won't get lower minimums.

Hmm. Very interesting. REALLY considering 1440p if I can get past the minor FPS drops. I know ?I talked to a guy with an 8150 and 290 running 70fps with just msaa off, everything else ultra.

 

[jkteddy77]

So as much as I hate to post here again... I'm still getting low fps, and found something else interesting... In DirectX11, I was getting weird FPS drops to 45-50fps in every match. THE SAME DROPS paitjsu sadff said he was getting with his 8320/780... He said he updated his chipset drivers and turned off his CPU power saving functions, but he may have done more. Whatever it is he did, it might be my solution... I already updated all of my driver as far as possible, and all powersaving options of my CPU are off, Windows power profile is set to high performance.

I can't figure it out, but it has to be a bad driver or something right? what else could I do? I need paitjsu sadff back here for help...

 

[paitjsu sadff]

well...the other thing i did was update from windows 7 to a pirated copy of windows 8 found in torrentz, i also run the game from an ssd drive, i play on only 1 screen at 1080p, i capped my fps at 65 using the command in bf4 console (you can edit cfg file for that so you dont have to do it everytime you play) other then that i have my cpu clocked @ 4.4 ghz and gpu at a boost clock of 1200mhz or so, i have 8gb of corsair vengeancr running @ 1866 mhz, i have an hyper 212 cpu cooler and temps in bf4 hoover around 47c...what else an i say?...driver are up to date in nvidia experience, direct x 11 is up to date, chipset driver is up to date, sound chipst and land driver are the one on my mobo cd...bf3 run like crap i havent tried to reinstall it i dont play, bf4 runs fine and is up to date installed on an ssd drive

 

[jkteddy77]

well...the other thing i did was update from windows 7 to a pirated copy of windows 8 found in torrentz, i also run the game from an ssd drive, i play on only 1 screen at 1080p, i capped my fps at 65 using the command in bf4 console (you can edit cfg file for that so you dont have to do it everytime you play) other then that i have my cpu clocked @ 4.4 ghz and gpu at a boost clock of 1200mhz or so, i have 8gb of corsair vengeancr running @ 1866 mhz, i have an hyper 212 cpu cooler and temps in bf4 hoover around 47c...what else an i say?...driver are up to date in nvidia experience, direct x 11 is up to date, chipset driver is up to date, sound chipst and land driver are the one on my mobo cd...bf3 run like crap i havent tried to reinstall it i dont play, bf4 runs fine and is up to date installed on an ssd drive

Yes, these are all things you've told me, I'm up to date. The problem is I've done everything there except OC, and you said you don't get much worse FPs with them clocked at 4ghz and GPU stock... (at least the low FPS)

I'm getting the 45-50fps in DirectX you talked about in your very first post, and I've tried all you've reccommended, and I still get the problem that you must have solved... I'm almost entirely convinced its an FX-CPU driver/settings optin at this point in time. It has to be, I've tried everything else...