Computer is running below expectations

[Zykaris]

Hi guys, I have a pretty beefy setup and have realised that for some reason, my computer is struggling in areas it shouldn't - like simple files in photoshop and while playing overwatch. Really fluctuating fps.

 

This is my setup:

 

CPU: Intel® Core™ i7 Six Core Processor i7-8700k (3.7GHz)

Mobo: Gigabyte Z370 AORUS Ultra Gaming: ATX

RAM: 32GB Corsair VENGEANCE RGB DDR4 3000MHz

GPU: 11GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1080 Ti

Storage: 500GB M.2 Samsung SSD, 2 Toshiba X300 6TB HDD

PSU: CORSAIR 550W VS SERIES™ VS-550 POWER SUPPLY

 

I'm running two monitors, one 144HZ and one 60 (both 1080p)

 

I ran UserBenchmark too and this is what it said:

Overall this PC is performing way below expectations (15th percentile). This means that out of 100 PCs with exactly the same components, 85 performed better. The overall PC percentile is the average of each of its individual components.

 

This is a screenshot of my temps. This is idle with a few background apps open (like spotify, discord etc). It's also really hot today so that might have an effect.

 

 

 

 

Any help you guys could give would be super appreciated, if you need anything else let me know. Thanks!

 

 

[Mnky313]

4 minutes ago, Zykaris said:

Hi guys, I have a pretty beefy setup and have realised that for some reason, my computer is struggling in areas it shouldn't - like simple files in photoshop and while playing overwatch. Really fluctuating fps.

 

This is my setup:

 

CPU: Intel® Core™ i7 Six Core Processor i7-8700k (3.7GHz)

Mobo: Gigabyte Z370 AORUS Ultra Gaming: ATX

RAM: 32GB Corsair VENGEANCE RGB DDR4 3000MHz

GPU: 11GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1080 Ti

Storage: 500GB M.2 Samsung SSD, 2 Toshiba X300 6TB HDD

PSU: CORSAIR 550W VS SERIES™ VS-550 POWER SUPPLY

 

I'm running two monitors, one 144HZ and one 60 (both 1080p)

 

I ran UserBenchmark too and this is what it said:

Overall this PC is performing way below expectations (15th percentile). This means that out of 100 PCs with exactly the same components, 85 performed better. The overall PC percentile is the average of each of its individual components.

 

This is a screenshot of my temps. This is idle with a few background apps open (like spotify, discord etc). It's also really hot today so that might have an effect.

 

 

 

 

Any help you guys could give would be super appreciated, if you need anything else let me know. Thanks!

 

 

55-60 degrees seems high for idle, what CPU cooler do you have? I would check what temps are under a sustained load (like Cpuburner or Aida64).

[Zykaris]

2 minutes ago, Mnky313 said:

55-60 degrees seems high for idle, what CPU cooler do you have? I would check what temps are under a sustained load (like Cpuburner or Aida64).

The cooler is a Titan Dragonfly.

 

I just ran Aida64 and this is what I got:

 

 

[Mnky313]

1 minute ago, Zykaris said:

The cooler is a Titan Dragonfly.

 

I just ran Aida64 and this is what I got:

 

 

90+ degrees is very hot for desktop CPUs.  This shouldn't lower performance unless it hits TJmax and thermal throttles, but it doesn't look like that's the case. I would try re applying thermal paste and if you haven't enable 'Multi Core Enhancement' or 'Sync All Cores' in BIOS.  What's the CPU clock speed under load?

[Dedayog]

Are you not applying the BIOS easy OC profile at least?  

 

Actually if this is your cooler, OCing won't be good and stock is probably not stellar as well.

 

https://www.techpowerup.com/review/titan-dragonfly-4/

 

Run Unigine Heaven or Cinebench and post your scores to get a more apples to apples comparison to similar rigs, such as mine for example.  

 

But yes, get a better cooler at the very least.

[Zykaris]

Hey guys thanks for your help

 

I hadn't messed with the BIOS apart from boot order so I didn't think that would be the issue. Enhanced Multi Core was on Auto so I Enabled it anyway (as per mnky313's suggestion), but after digging in the settings I found there was a setting called 'CPU Upgrade' which was somehow set to an i3 processor. I think this was the issue.

 

I set that to auto, and lo and behold my problems have gone. Who would've guessed?

 

Regardless, after doing a bit of research and after what you guys say I think my CPU still runs a bit too hot for my liking, and if the temperature in the UK is going to continue how it is I think I want to do something about it.

 

I had help building the PC because it was my first build and I didn't want to damage any of the (as you can see very expensive) parts, so I want to avoid redoing thermal paste if possible but I'm happy to replace the fan. Would only getting a replacement CPU fan have enough of an impact?

 

Also I've had a look online for some fans, would you guys have any specific recommendations?

 

Thanks again!

[Dedayog]

Odd that your OC profile was set to the i3.  You can also set that to the i7 8700K 5GHz as well, for an easy OC.

 

It makes the 8700K incredibly competitive against the 9700K, 9900K, 3700X and 3900X for gaming.  

 

If you're going to just leave the 8700K stock... you don't HAVE to replace the cooler, it'll handle things fine outside of benchmark/stress tests.  

 

If you want to OC the 8700K then most definitely get a much better cooler. Like the Dark Rock or Noctua offerings, or even a 360mm AIO.

[Zykaris]

Okay thats all food for thought. Thanks for all your help