Random lag spikes in every game I play?

[DylanCamps]

Okay, so this never used to happen, but when I play a game on PC I get very good FPS from it for about 30 seconds - 2 minutes, and then the FPS will drop to like 15-20, then go back to good FPS, then 30 secs - 2 mins later it does the same thing. This isn't because the game is demanding because it happens with simple games and when I'm standing still. This cannot be internet either because it happens when I'm not connected to the internet too.

I recently fit a new 8 core processor, and I'm not sure if I applied the thermal paste correctly, could that have anything to do with the problem?

I have also done a full virus scan with Windows Defender, and I have found no viruses, lag still occurs.

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PC Specs:

GPU: HD Radeon 7870 GHz Edition
CPU: AMD FX 8320 8 Core Processor Black Edition
PSU: Corsair 750W
RAM: 8GB DDR3
HDD: 500GB + 1TB
Motherboard: Biostar A960D+
CPU Cooler: Stock AMD FX 8320 Heatsink
OS: Windows 8.1 Pro 64 Bit

Please someone tell me the problem. I'm getting the Hyper 212 Evo cooler soon, because I heard that the CPU cools itself down when it gets too hot, causing lag in the game until it cools. Is that true or not??

So yeah I hope someone knows the answer to my problem.

Thanks!

 

[Rune Olsen]

Try this one http://www.alcpu.com/CoreTemp/

Run it on some load and see what you end up on in temperatures

 

[buzzrattie]

What kind of games are you playing, online or single player offline mode?

 

[DylanCamps]

Try this one http://www.alcpu.com/CoreTemp/

Run it on some load and see what you end up on in temperatures

I tried that, and here were my results:

Tj. Max: 70C

CPU #0: 43C

Min: 17C
Max: 47C

I noticed that when the lag spike occurred, the CPU had cooled down to 28C, and when the lag stopped, it went back to about 37-43C.

Does that show anything?

 

[Rune Olsen]

Hmm, not that skilled on AMD these days, but it might seem that you have some option enabled in bios or drivers?
I guess you'll get answers from some other members here, temps look great.

You have the latest drivers for GPU and so on yes? I always hate to ask that

 

[DylanCamps]

Hmm, not that skilled on AMD these days, but it might seem that you have some option enabled in bios or drivers?
I guess you'll get answers from some other members here, temps look great.

You have the latest drivers for GPU and so on yes? I always hate to ask that

Hm, I'll have a look at the BIOS soon, and yep I have the latest drivers, I tried that. So you dont think its the thermal paste problem then?

 

[Rune Olsen]

Not at all with 47c as peak

 

[DylanCamps]

Not at all with 47c as peak

Been through the BIOS, nothing has changed from what I can see - I took my RAM out and put it back in but by the looks of my temps going down when the lag happens, I'm guessing its something to do with the CPU.

 

[DylanCamps]

What kind of games are you playing, online or single player offline mode?

Usually online, but it happens offline too.

 

[plaintuts]

one question, did the problem began immediately after you install you new cpu or a couple of weeks passed before it happened?

 

[Rune Olsen]

Try to run this, see if it fails http://files.extremeoverclocking.com/file.php?f=205

 

[Mitchelljpatato]

It could possibly be a RAM because when you run low on RAM your system will start swapping data (using your HDD kinda as RAM) and it will decrease performance significantly, if not that it could be the AMD turbo thing in some of the newer CPUs, try disabling it because with some games the change in clock speed lags applications.

 

[DylanCamps]

Try to run this, see if it fails http://files.extremeoverclocking.com/file.php?f=205

Ran fine, no errors with maximum stress test.

 

[DylanCamps]

one question, did the problem began immediately after you install you new cpu or a couple of weeks passed before it happened?

I'm sure it started happening a couple of weeks after I had installed it.

 

[DylanCamps]

It could possibly be a RAM because when you run low on RAM your system will start swapping data (using your HDD kinda as RAM) and it will decrease performance significantly, if not that it could be the AMD turbo thing in some of the newer CPUs, try disabling it because with some games the change in clock speed lags applications.

Alright, how am I meant to disable it?

 

[Mitchelljpatato]

To disable the turbo boost mode you need to enter your BIOS by pressing whatever key your motherboard uses to get it into the BIOS (you can Google your model although it should show on the boot logo at POST) then you go into advanced settings (or look through it all) and when you find something like Turbo Core disable it, all motherboards are different so it may be some work, just explore through the BIOS.

 

[Mitchelljpatato]

If you can't seem to find it just remember, Google is your friend

 

[DylanCamps]

To disable the turbo boost mode you need to enter your BIOS by pressing whatever key your motherboard uses to get it into the BIOS (you can Google your model although it should show on the boot logo at POST) then you go into advanced settings (or look through it all) and when you find something like Turbo Core disable it, all motherboards are different so it may be some work, just explore through the BIOS.

Alright I'll try that now - thank you

 

[plaintuts]

your cpu temps are still fine, so i dont think it's throttling/down clocking to cool down.

how about the temps on the GPU?

 

[DylanCamps]

To disable the turbo boost mode you need to enter your BIOS by pressing whatever key your motherboard uses to get it into the BIOS (you can Google your model although it should show on the boot logo at POST) then you go into advanced settings (or look through it all) and when you find something like Turbo Core disable it, all motherboards are different so it may be some work, just explore through the BIOS.

It was already off :/

 

[DylanCamps]

your cpu temps are still fine, so i dont think it's throttling/down clocking to cool down.

how about the temps on the GPU?

According to AMD Catalyst Control Center:
Fan Speed: 39%
Temperature: 44C

 

[Mitchelljpatato]

Have you got any antivirus programs running? When playing games sometimes they can significantly affect performance.

 

[plaintuts]

your cpu temps are still fine, so i dont think it's throttling/down clocking to cool down.

how about the temps on the GPU?

According to AMD Catalyst Control Center:
Fan Speed: 39%
Temperature: 44C

under load? thats a bit low.

 

[DylanCamps]

Have you got any antivirus programs running? When playing games sometimes they can significantly affect performance.

Nope, I just use Windows Defender (aka Microsoft Security Essentials) which is free with Windows.

 

[Mitchelljpatato]

You may possibly have some viruses eating up your hardware resources slowing down your games.