Slow computer, good specs

[ColorPast]

I recently replaced my power supply and graphics card, and for some reason my computer still isn't running as fast as I wanted, yes all the newest drivers are installed for my graphics card.

My specs:

CPU: Intel Core i5 4460 3.20 GHz Quad Core
GPU: Sapphire AMD R9 290 TRI-X OC
RAM: 8GB DDR3
PSU: Corsair 750 watt
Motherboard: Hewlett-Packard 2AF7

My guess is the motherboard, seeming though it was not made for gaming. When I play minecraft with shaders I get around 36 fps..

I tried overclocking it a little but I just got a black screen, so I had to restart my computer and reset the settings.

 

[geofelt]

I5-4460 is a very good cpu.
It should not have any issue running minecraft, even if minecraft is single threaded and cpu bound.

Do you have any problem running minecraft w/o shaders?
If not, then I suspect that your new graphics card is the issue.
The R9 290 cards seem to have issues.

The i5 is really not overclockable to any extent, perhaps 2% which is not worth it.

 

[NiCoM]

Well if you're using shaders, you're probably also using Optifine, that can be a good thing for FPS, but also a bad one. You can easily end up with some settings in Optifine that will run even worse that standard minecraft would (because of added features compared to standard). Etc. if you're using Far + something in render distance, chances are your fps will be pretty low.

And you can't overclock that CPU, the motherboard is H87 (needs to be Z87 to overclock), and the CPU is a non-k version, only the "K" versions can overclock. The motherboard is according to HP a gaming type motherboard, might not include all the fancy software that you'll get with a ASUS or MSI gaming motherboard, but it will run games as good as any other motherboard.

I see this as you've enabled too many settings in optifine maybe, or you're using a render distance longer than "Far". The shaders are very GPU heavy, which isn't a problem, but pretty much the rest of Minecraft is CPU heavy. Your i5 is good but it won't run any super high settings in minecraft because of how CPU dependent that game is.

I'm using a i5-4670K and a R9 290 from ASUS, playing Minecraft with ShadersMod and i too can end up with alot of lag on the wrong settings/too high settings.

Hope this helped you

 

[littleleo]

Perhaps you got something loading in your start up that is slowing every thing down I use two malware programs Malware Bytes and Spybot search & destroy. And a good anti-v that does hog the resources I use ESET Nod 32. If they find nothing you can down load CCleaner and check your system that way if you don't want to lose you browser cookies leave it open and ignore the warnings. You can also check you startup and see if anything is loading you don't need to load at startup. Then you can use the tools and check the registry to see if that needs to be cleaned up.

 

[ColorPast]

Actually without shaders I usually get no lower than 60fps.

 

[ColorPast]

NiCom thanks for your reply. I am not using Optifine, shaders is the only mod in my mods folder. My render distance is at 12, is that slowing me down? So what hardware would I have to change in order to get a stable 40 or 50 fps?

 

[NiCoM]

NiCom thanks for your reply. I am not using Optifine, shaders is the only mod in my mods folder. My render distance is at 12, is that slowing me down? So what hardware would I have to change in order to get a stable 40 or 50 fps?

Hmm sure? I think Optifine is included with ShadersMod, or it's just an alternative to install that too maybe...
Defently install Optifine then, it will help your FPS alot on the right settings (just don't enable too much extra features, most are disabled as standard anyways)

This is the Optifine Mod's Website with all the different versions:
http://optifine.net/downloads

Though you can also find a page for the mod on the minecraft forums (would use this one):
http://www.minecraftforum.net/forums/mapping-and-modding/minecraft-mods/1272953-1-8-1-optifine-hd-b5-fps-boost-hd-textures-aa-af


EDIT: I think you're able to change the fullscreen resolution in standard minecraft launcher, setting it to something lower than your screens resolution will also help your fps, haven't tried it myself, though I've tried to play fullscreen minecraft on my old low res monitor, where i seemed to get a much better fps. Don't know how it will look, should be in the launchers settings somewhere. :S

 

[ColorPast]

Optifine has increased fps but I'm thinking about other games where your graphic customizations are limited, although this is my first powerful(ish) PC so I don't have any next generation games yet, but do you think I could run Battlefield 4 and Far Cry 4?

 

[NiCoM]

Optifine has increased fps but I'm thinking about other games where your graphic customizations are limited, although this is my first powerful(ish) PC so I don't have any next generation games yet, but do you think I could run Battlefield 4 and Far Cry 4?

Yes, i think you'll be able to run Battlefield 4 on Ultra and FarCry 4 on High with some fps drops in FarCry 4 when there's alot going on in the game. Played both games myself.

 

[ColorPast]

I have awarded you best answer, but what component must I upgrade to get more fps?

 

[NiCoM]

I have awarded you best answer, but what component must I upgrade to get more fps?

CPU, but i wouldn't really upgrade if i where you, Minecraft is one of the only games that it will actually give you low fps. Your CPU is pretty good, but you'll need an even faster CPU to run Minecraft Shaders + Optifine on some of the higher settings.
But at the same time, your motherboard isn't a "Z" version (etc. Z87, Z97), which means you can't overclock. So spending alot on a fast i7-4770K or i5-4670K won't do you as much good as if you could overclock them. I've played minecraft both overclocked and at stock speed, there was a pretty big jump in fps.

So DON'T go out and spend up to $350 on a CPU, just to play one game at settings a little higher. Your CPU is fine for any other game.

 

[geofelt]

If the motherboard supports a i5, I suspect it will support a i7.
Possibly a bios update might be needed.
A i7-4790K will run at stock 4.0 with 4.4 turbo. No need to overclock.