I need a CPU/Motherboard upgrade (I think?)

[Cyril_M]

Hello!

 

I've acquired a computer built in Q1 of 2017 which to me as a weird combo CPU/GPU (probably due to the fact that no CPU were "better and affordable" in early 2017).

Also the motherboard is maybe not well fitting with the RAM.

 

I'm trying to think about what to upgrade but I wonder how much it could cost and what will really benefit of a change.

My main use of this computer is to play "demanding" games in high settings and still high amount of FPS (oftenly trying to use supersampling).
(So please, feel free to give your opinion there an if you guys think it's for the best, I can wait and don't change anything!)

 

Here is the lilboi

CPU : Intel 7 - 7700K 4.4 GHz

GPU : Nvidia GTX 1080 TI (MSI X 11G)

RAM : 16 GO - Corsair LPX Black DDR4 2 x 8 Go 3200 MHz CAS 16

Motherboard : MSI Z270 GAMING M5

Storage : Samsung M.2 Serie 960 EVO 500G

Power : Corsair HX750i - 750W

 

cpu cooler : Cooler Master MasterLiquid 240

monitor : Gsync 1080p 144Hz

 

I think:

The CPU is a bit too weak for the GPU.

The motherboard won't support the RAM to it's "full" potential (even if that's probably just not important) and won't support a large span of better CPU.

 

So!

What do you think needs an upgrade for it to be really noticable? (And if possible, tell me what existing component would do a the job)

Thanks a lot for your help!!

 

 

[Spotty]

1 minute ago, Cyril_M said:

Here is the lilboi

CPU : Intel 7 - 7700K 4.4 GHz

GPU : Nvidia GTX 1080 TI (MSI X 11G)

RAM : 16 GO - Corsair LPX Black DDR4 2 x 8 Go 3200 MHz CAS 16

Motherboard : MSI Z270 GAMING M5

Storage : Samsung M.2 Serie 960 EVO 500G

Power : Corsair HX750i - 750W

 

cpu cooler : Cooler Master MasterLiquid 240

monitor : Gsync 1080p 144Hz

Looks like a pretty decent system to me

If you want more out of the CPU try overclocking.

 

2 minutes ago, Cyril_M said:

The motherboard won't support the RAM to it's "full" potential (even if that's probably just not important) and won't support a large span of better CPU.

Shouldn't have any issues with RAM. Enable XMP or manually dial in the memory clock and timings you want.

[Cyril_M]

Thanks for your answer!

 

My issue with the motherboard is that the ram is stuck at 1600 MHz and XMP isn't working

It's most probably me which sk somewhere but then it's not an upgrade topic anymore.

 

but for the CPU, I oftenly find myself stuck quickly at 100% usage in games where the GPU tend to stay much lower (and I thought it should be at a 100% for the GPU most of the time).

Could this come from the fact that when I open the taskmanager, the GPU use isn't "properly updating because of "tab changes" or something?

 

In anycase, if there isn't a problem on the spec but on my param somwhere, you helped me not wasting my money on something useless so thanks !! 

though it means i'll have to bother understanding wtf is happening then

[Xenift]

Honestly think you would benefit most from more storage ._.

how on earth did you survive 2 years and 1 quarter with 500gbs

[Cyril_M]

haha yes ^^

I actually have more, i just wanted to give the "main" OS/Game one to show i'm not running on an HDD x)

Another 500G SSD for less important game and more stuff on an 1TB HDD are there

[Xenift]

4 minutes ago, Cyril_M said:

haha yes ^^

I actually have more, i just wanted to give the "main" OS/Game one to show i'm not running on an HDD x)

Another 500G SSD for less important game and more stuff on an 1TB HDD are there

Ahh, then you can look towards replacing the HDD with SSD fully. Works wonders for games with long loading times, thinking about doing that for myself sometime soon.

[Spotty]

2 hours ago, Cyril_M said:

My issue with the motherboard is that the ram is stuck at 1600 MHz and XMP isn't working

That's correct. DDR = Double Data Rate. 1600MHz = 3200MHz. Depends on what software/tool you're using to check the frequency as to what it will show.

 

2 hours ago, Cyril_M said:

but for the CPU, I oftenly find myself stuck quickly at 100% usage in games where the GPU tend to stay much lower (and I thought it should be at a 100% for the GPU most of the time).

Could this come from the fact that when I open the taskmanager, the GPU use isn't "properly updating because of "tab changes" or something?

You're playing at 1080p. A GTX1080Ti doesn't need to work very hard at 1080p. Increase the graphics settings to Ultra and enjoy it.

Are you getting >144FPS in games?

[Cyril_M]

19 hours ago, Spotty said:

That's correct. DDR = Double Data Rate. 1600MHz = 3200MHz. Depends on what software/tool you're using to check the frequency as to what it will show.

Haha! The problem then was indeed between the keyboard and the chair. Thanks anyway!

 

19 hours ago, Spotty said:

You're playing at 1080p. A GTX1080Ti doesn't need to work very hard at 1080p. Increase the graphics settings to Ultra and enjoy it.

Are you getting >144FPS in games?

Unfortunately, I found myself quite "low fps" in most games... (reason why I started this)
Kingdom Come deliverance = average 70fps on ultra settings with drops at 30 near city

And most other games like Hunt Showdown I'm happy if I hit an unstable 120FPS (excluding the inevitable drops at 60fps when too much is going around)

 

The fact that my screen is a bit useless because I never get 144FPS (not even close and quite unstable anyway) is probably the sadest part...

but it's maybe the games I play which makes things hard

 

Do you have an idea of what I could try to see what can be wrong?

Changing some nvidia param?

Or trying to push the CPU clock? (in which case I've never done that so I'll have to folow detailed a tutorial somewhere)

Maybe specific "in game param" that could help me figuring out something? (though i'm kind of trying to always put things at maximum settings..)

 

[Spotty]

23 minutes ago, Cyril_M said:

And most other games like Hunt Showdown I'm happy if I hit an unstable 120FPS (excluding the inevitable drops at 60fps when too much is going around)

They must have optimised Hunt:Showdown a bit since I last played it. Last I played (Early Access) it was about 30-40FPS max with huge stutters.

 

23 minutes ago, Cyril_M said:

The fact that my screen is a bit useless because I never get 144FPS (not even close and quite unstable anyway) is probably the sadest part...

but it's maybe the games I play which makes things hard

Try a benchmark like 3DMark Timespy and see what score you get. What about in other games?

[trevb0t]

I agree with @Spotty. There is not much to swap out a 7700K to that would be an upgrade, and certainly none currently that would be affordable.

I would be very surprised if it can't handle a 1080ti at stock settings.

A good CPU cooler is the best bet, so you can get a good OC out of it! (Though the ML240 should give you decent headroom...)

Perhaps a Dark Rock Pro 4 if it would fit your case.