Test Bad Motherboard?

[ErrADDict]

I recently got a new CPU and I'm really disappointed in it's performance, specifically with Guild Wars 2. I have the following:
i7 3770K(OC 4.3GHz)
16GB Ram
AMD HD 7950
Games installed on an SSD
Win 8.1 OS on a separate SSD.

In a near empty area I average 30-40fps and in large cities I get 10, regardless of what graphics settings I use. Here's a of what I see in resource manager

I'm using the latest AMD Omega drivers, updated my Mobo, not sure what else to check for. Is there a way to stress test the actual motherboard? I do know that my main PCI-e slot is dead, when I plug in my video card in that slot, I get crazy artifacting, specifically with Guild Wars 2. It's currently running on the secondary PCI-e slot. The GPU runs close to max when gaming.

None of the CPUs are parked, as many people suggested I try to get better performance in this game. CPU usage averages <15 on all cores, is that normal?

 

[VicVega1]

First of all - is there a HD4950? Did you mean 4850? If so then I would say your problem would be the graphics card. That is a pretty old piece of hardware, only 512MB of DDR3 memory, and you won't get where you want just by changing the CPU, because it's being limited by that 4850. The GPU is actually more important in gaming, so you'd benefit a lot from buying a new graphics card.

 

[ErrADDict]

First of all - is there a HD4950? Did you mean 4850? If so then I would say your problem would be the graphics card. That is a pretty old piece of hardware, only 512MB of DDR3 memory, and you won't get where you want just by changing the CPU, because it's being limited by that 4850. The GPU is actually more important in gaming, so you'd benefit a lot from buying a new graphics card.

Sorry, I meant HD 7950. I don't know what I was thinking

Also, I don't know how your post got selected as the best answer, lol

 

[VicVega1]

Unselected
What I said stand - I don't know what CPU did you have before upgrading, but usually you benefit more from a GPU upgrade. What CPU did you have?
What are your GPU load and temps while gaming?

 

[cin19]

Hi ErrADDict,
From one review, your i7 + hd 7950 will play the Guild Wars 2 well. http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/guild-wars-2-performance-benchmark,3268.html

Because you said you have problem with the MB, I recommend to
1) Update the chipset, because it comes with the pcie controller driver, it may help. https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?DwnldID=20775
2) Usin the DDU http://www.guru3d.com/files-details/display-driver-uninstaller-download.html to clear the GPU driver, either try the old version one or reinstall the Omega driver
3) Using the HWMonitor to check the cpu or GPU temp. http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/hwmonitor.html because maybe the overheat to slow down the game. Or maybe you need the new MB because you said it runs close to max when gaming in the 2nd pcie slot
4) Try update the BIOS or chipset driver, if the hd7950 still has problem in the 1st pcie slot, and that slot may has problem.

 

[ErrADDict]

Managed to get Asus to RMA my motherboard for me. I'm still running into issues with Black Screen at startup, but that's for another post.