Question Low Performance with a new 4090 setup

[Frostybd]

Hey everyone,

I bought a prebuilt PC a few weeks ago with an MSI 4090 and have been noticing low performance on most games, 70-100 FPS on Tarkov, 100ish FPS on Stalker GAMMA, 80-120 FPS on Cyberpunk with Raytracing set to low and I just did a benchmark test on Black Myth Wukong where my average FPS was 139.

My specs are:

• CPU: Intel Core i9 14900KF 8 P-Core, 16 E-Core, 32-Thread
• GPU: MSI GeForce RTX 4090 24GB Gaming X Trio with support for DLSS 3.5 - AI-Powered Performance
• Motherboard: Gigabyte Z790 UD-AC
• RAM: TeamGroup Delta RGB 32GB DDR5 6000 MHz (2x16GB)
• SSD: SAMSUNG 990 PRO M.2 2280 4TB PCI-Express Gen 4.0 x4, NVMe 2.0 V7 V-NAND 3bit MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) MZ-V9P4T0CW. W/Heatsink
• CPU Cooler: EKWB 360MM Liquid Cooler
• PSU: ABS Cyclops 1000W Gold ATX 3.0
• Fresh Windows 11 install

When checking Task Manager my GPU usage hovers between 20-50% whereas my CPU doesn't go above 20% usage.

 

[Eximo]

What resolution?

Did you try any standard benchmarks?

Are you monitoring temperatures? Is your chassis covered in tempered glass?

 

[Frostybd]

Running on 2560 x 1440 Res, I have not tried any standard benchmarks yet. Any recommendations on which one to use?

I think my chassis is covered in tempered glass but not sure, this is what I bought https://www.newegg.ca/abs-ta14900kf4090-2-tempest-aqua/p/N82E16883360488?Item=N82E16883360488 (replaced the SSD with a 4TB one)

Temps are fine with the gpu and cpu hovering at 50C

 

[Eximo]

It sure is. Not sure why they spec such high end systems with no airflow. As a quick test, try removing the front panel to increase airfow.

HWInfo 64 can tell you all about the temperatures. You will want to fire up a game or benchmark and see if any thermal throttling is occurring. PerfCap limit on the GPU will tell you why the GPU may be throttling.

Install CPU-Z and GPU-Z.

Post the screenshots of your CPU-Z memory tabs so we can confirm that ABS set the memory up correctly.

Can you confirm the BIOS version? This is something you should update immediately regardless. Intel has released fixes for voltage spikes that directly lead to CPU failure.

3D Mark Fire Strike and Time Spy are still free on Steam. That will let you compare your results to others and see if anything is off.

2560x1440 I would expect quite excellent frame rates with that system. Double check that there aren't any universal settings in the Nvidia control panel overriding game settings. G-Sync or V-Sync will cap your max frame rate to the refresh rate of your monitor. G-Sync enabled is desirable as it leads to no frame tearing, but it is up to you if you want maximum frame rate or a smooth experience.

 

[Frostybd]

Nothing out of the ordinary in the Nvidia control panel

My bios version was last updated on 02-05-2024 should probably update it

Here's my CPU-Z memory tab

 

[Eximo]

Your memory is not set up correctly either. A common failing amongst OEM boutique builders.

DDR5 6000 should be running at 3000Mhz. Update the BIOS, then enable XMP. (Details are under the SPD tab for available profiles)

 

[Frostybd]

Did see a slight improvement of around 20 FPS after enabling XMP but still not what it should be.

Can't update my BIOS atm getting an OEMID mismatch, after a bit of research it looks like I need to get the BIOS update directly from ABS which will probably take a while 🙁

 

[Eximo]

So they used a custom SKU, not sure I like the sound of that.

https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/Z790-UD-AC-rev-1x/support#support-dl-bios

20FPS at 1440p is not a small increase. Remember the CPU sets the max frame rate, the GPU sets the maximum visual quality. If you reduce graphics settings and see no improvement, that would be quite telling that something is wrong.

Have you checked the CPU and GPU temperatures? This computer was shipped to you assembled, no guarantee it arrived with the CPU cooler still properly mounted. The front panel AIO being right up against glass may not be helping much. And the GPU may be cooking itself with little airflow, since it relies on the front intake through the CPU radiator.

 

[Frostybd]

Here are my temps while running Cyberpunk on Ultra with Raytracing enabled.

Lowering the graphics does indeed improve performance.

The BIOS link you posted is the one I tried and gives OEMID mismatch.

 

[Eximo]

Speccy only shows live, we really need to see max and mins to get a clear picture.

I wouldn't expect a CPU to get too warm while gaming with a 360mm AIO, but the GPU should be hitting at least the mid 60s to low 70s on air if it is pushed.

 

[emitfudd]

Speccy only shows live, we really need to see max and mins to get a clear picture.

I wouldn't expect a CPU to get too warm while gaming with a 360mm AIO, but the GPU should be hitting at least the mid 60s to low 70s on air if it is pushed.

I have the same GPU and my max temp recorded by Afterburner is 60C. I have been playing Horizon Forbidden West on Ultra with all the eye candy maxed out. From my experience with my MSI 3080 it ran cool too. They do a pretty good job with their cooling. And on the same game my CPU temps are normally 60C with spikes up to 85C due to whatever issues plague the game. 360mm AIO.

 

[Eximo]

Always good to have direct experience with the card. I know most of the 4090 have overkill cooling that is for sure.