What could be causing these performance drops? In-game fps drops + stress testing

[thomasbing]

When I run a game or stress test my PC, my CPU utilization drops every 20-30 seconds (see picture)
http://imgur.com/gallery/9GNa6

My PC will behave normally before and after the drops but during the drops, I get 10-20 fps (normally 80) as well as my sound becoming weird during the drop.

I have disabled all the thermal throttling safety features in the BIOS. My temperatures are normal.

I have an AMD FX-8350 (with a CM Hyper 212X) with a Corsair VS550 and a MSI GTX660.

 

[n0ns3ns3]

I can't link since i have no idea what is the required size.
http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=254771
it can be like those http://forums.tweaktown.com/attachments/video-cards/3315-msi-n460gtx-hawk-1gb-overclocking-results-vrm-mosfet-heatsinks-6-models-jpg
but you need to measure the size and find the right ones on ebay. should be less than 10$.
If you can return the MB on warranty terms and get the money - do it and get the decent MB.
Still going to be much cheaper than switching platform.

 

[madmatt30]

Have no idea what your market or prices are like mate.

On a value basis (these should be the cheapest boards I could recommend)

Gigabyte 970a-ud3p
Gigabyte 970 gaming
Asus m5a97 r2 (not the le version)
MSI 970 gaming

Any of those will run an 8350 with no problems.

 

[madmatt30]

Vrm sinks or fans will make no difference - you will be wasting your money - I've been here a hundred times before!

 

[Faux_Grey]

The 8350 is still a decent CPU on the right board & running properly mate.
Certainly capable of pushing a much stronger gpu than your current 660.

Intel is always better for gaming but you're talking $300+

A new good quality board will cost you $70-90 max depending on your location??

I'm in South Africa. Which do you recommend?

I'm in JHB and buy all my stuff from Wootware too. (wootwoot)
You can easilly get an i3+motherboard combo for R3400, I've bought a few for people. Much better game performance than AMD.

AMD is a bit of a let down (until Zen), I wouldn't really recommend anyone ever upgrades to it

 

[madmatt30]

http://www.wootware.co.za/asus-m5a97-r2-0-amd-970-sb950-socket-am3-atx-desktop-motherboard.html

I wouldnt swap an 8350 for an i3 - ultimately pointless.

 

[n0ns3ns3]

yeah - at least i5

 

[thomasbing]

Have no idea what your market or prices are like mate.

On a value basis (these should be the cheapest boards I could recommend)

Gigabyte 970a-ud3p
Gigabyte 970 gaming
Asus m5a97 r2 (not the le version)
MSI 970 gaming

Any of those will run an 8350 with no problems.

I'll have a look at getting a new motherboard then. Hopefully it will solve the problem

 

[thomasbing]

The 8350 is still a decent CPU on the right board & running properly mate.
Certainly capable of pushing a much stronger gpu than your current 660.

Intel is always better for gaming but you're talking $300+

A new good quality board will cost you $70-90 max depending on your location??

I'm in South Africa. Which do you recommend?

I'm in JHB and buy all my stuff from Wootware too. (wootwoot)
You can easilly get an i3+motherboard combo for R3400, I've bought a few for people. Much better game performance than AMD.

AMD is a bit of a let down (until Zen), I wouldn't really recommend anyone ever upgrades to it

I don't want to get an i3. I'll look into getting a new motherboard or possibly upgrading in the future. Wootware is my favourite. I'm in cape town

 

[thomasbing]

http://www.wootware.co.za/asus-m5a97-r2-0-amd-970-sb950-socket-am3-atx-desktop-motherboard.html

I wouldnt swap an 8350 for an i3 - ultimately pointless.

Is this the motherboard you would recommend?

 

[madmatt30]

Its the cheapest motherboard I'd recommend on that site .
Its decent & will handle an 8350 fine.
I've built a dozen+ Rigs with this board in the past.
I solely use gigabyte boards now simply because in the UK they're cheaper & slightly better.
You will not go wrong with the Asus.

 

[thomasbing]

Its the cheapest motherboard I'd recommend on that site .
Its decent & will handle an 8350 fine.
I've built a dozen+ Rigs with this board in the past.
I solely use gigabyte boards now simply because in the UK they're cheaper & slightly better.
You will not go wrong with the Asus.

can you please give me your opinion on this board?
http://www.evetech.co.za/PC-Hardware/msi-970a-sli-krait-1143.aspx

 

[madmatt30]

No mate , fancy looking, fancy features , weak voltage regulation & will struggle with an 8 core.