FPS Loss After CPU Upgrade

[MMich43]

Over the weekend, I had my cpu upgraded from the i5 4460 to the i7 4970k. After they installed it, I uppgraded my BIOs. Since, I am suffering a severe FPS drop in games. For example, I will start a game at around 120 FPS and about 15 minutes in, it will drop to between 50-60 and stay there. I have done the below troubleshooting and actions to isolate the issue to the CPU versus the GPU:

• Monitored and validated no bottleneck in CPU
• Monitored and validated that operating temps were ok
• Monitored and found no apparent trigger at the time of FPS drops (voltage, cpu usage, temp etc.) using both Intel tuning and MSI afterburner
• Swapped out the GPU and experienced same issue
• Rolled back then reinstalled current GPU drivers
• Cleaned registry
• Uninstalled GeForce experience
• Uninstalled EVGA Precision

Based on everything I have done and tried, I am pretty sure the issue is isolated to the CPU since that is when it started and I have been able to reproduce with different hardware.

Below are my specs:

• GTX 1080 SC (reproduced issue on GTX 980)
• 16GB DDR3 Corsair Dominatior RAM
• i7 4970K
• Samsung 850 pro SSD
• Tried both Windows 8.1/10 with same result
• Used both DX11 and 12 with same result
• ASRock H81M-HDS Motherboard
• 750W Antec Gaming PSU

Any suggestions of what else I can do would be greatly appreciated. I am truly lost at this point and have exhausted every troubleshooting attempt I could find online. When the FPS drops, the performance at the time is always about the same, the CPU stays fairly steady between 60-80% utilized and around 65C. No cores are parked.

Thanks!

[AlHill]

First, very nice write-up!

Also, I am sure you mean i7-4790k, correct?

I hate to ask this question, but do you know for certain if "they" installed a new i7-4790k?

I suspect the BIOS was already at the proper minimum level for this processor before the upgrade occurred (P1.60).

http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/H81M-HDS/?cat=CPU ASRock > H81M-HDS

I checked the stepping, and there is only C0:

http://ark.intel.com/products/80807/Intel-Core-i7-4790K-Processor-8M-Cache-up-to-4_40-GHz# @ordering Intel® Core™ i7-4790K Processor (8M Cache, up to 4.40 GHz) Specifications

Have you tried a clean boot?

• https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/929135 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/929135
• https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/331796 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/331796

Are you experiencing any problems with USB 2.0 or 3.0 ports?

Just ideas. Perhaps one of the Intel support staff can help with more suggestions.

Doc

[MMich43]

Thank you for your reply! Correct, the BIOs that was already installed (1.9) supported the processor. Updating it was just one of the troubleshooting steps I had taken. I purchased the CPU at Fry's and was there when they installed it with the new aftermarket heat sink (it is the one item I won't do myself!), so I am certain it is new. I am not having issues with the USB ports, most are filled with peripherals an operating as expected. I completed the clean boot as you suggested and used the GTX 980 as it was not the card in use when the issue presented. The same problem occurred, ran at the expected FPS for about 15 minutes then dropped by 50%. I am going to try a clean windows install now, will report back outcome and hope that solves it!

[idata]

Hello Armymdic00,

In regard to your concern, I would like to know if you were able to confirm if the technical specification match with the RAM requirements of your processor:Memory Types DDR3-1333/1600, DDR3L-1333/1600 @ 1.5VYou can confirm this details at the following link:http://ark.intel.com/products/80807/Intel-Core-i7-4790K-Processor-8M-Cache-up-to-4_40-GHz Intel® Core™ i7-4790K Processor Also,I was trying to confirm with ASRock which will be the RAM supported for your motherboard, but the website does not mention the specific size supported.http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/H81M-HDS/?cat=Specifications http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/H81M-HDS/?cat=SpecificationsIf the RAM that you are using it is not on a compatible size that was determined by ASRock there is a chance to have a negative affect.Please bear in mind that your equipment meats all the requirements for all the games that your are using.On this case, for you to be able to confirm the information with ASRock you can find the contacts at the following link:http://www.asrock.com/support/ http://www.asrock.com/support/Also, I would like to know if the issue that you are facing it is related with some games that you are playing, or if it is with every game?Also if you see this issue with other videos, not necessary games?Hope I can hear from you soon.Regards,Angie.

[MMich43]

I did a clean install of Windows 8.1 this morning, formatted the drive, and have not been able to replicate the issue yet today. Have given it about an hour without experiencing the drop. I know my RAM is right for my mobo, but unsure about the processor. Below is the RAM installed:

https://www.google.com/shopping/product/3288103469835143962/specs?q=cmd16gx3m2a1866c10&oq=cmd16gx3m2a&rlz=1C1NHXL_enUS716US716&ie=UTF-8&aqs=chrome.5.0j69i57j0l4.20282j0j4&sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&bav=on.2,or.&bvm=bv.136811127,d.cGw&biw=2560&bih=1334&dpr=1&tch=1&ech=1&psi=jLITWPaDBOuZ0wK21Lq4BA.1477685901295.3&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiHgfiCqf7PA... Corsair Dominator Platinum - DIMM 240-pin

[AlHill]

You can view the processor memory specs here:

http://ark.intel.com/products/80807/Intel-Core-i7-4790K-Processor-8M-Cache-up-to-4_40-GHz# @specifications Intel® Core™ i7-4790K Processor (8M Cache, up to 4.40 GHz) Specifications

Doc

[MMich43]

So is the RAM I have ok? Not familiar with RAM types. I know it was ok for mono and the i5.

[idata]

Hello Armymdic00,

I would like to confirm some details with you.Since you have mentioned that you perform an upgrade of the CPU, I will like to refer you to directly confirm with http://www.asrock.com/support/ ASRock Support if the processor upgrade was compatible with your current device.Also, at my end to do a deeper research on your case I would like to confirm if done any kind of software update. And please let me know if any of the updates or installation that you made, they were from Intel, ASRock or from any other manufacturer?Regards,Angie.

[idata]

Hello Armymdic00,

I would like to know if there has been any update on your concern and also if you were able to confirm the information suggested on the previous post:**Since you have mentioned that you perform an upgrade of the CPU, I will like to refer you to directly confirm with http://www.asrock.com/support/ ASRock Support if the processor upgrade was compatible with your current device.Also, at my end to do a deeper research on your case I would like to confirm if done any kind of software update. And please let me know if any of the updates or installation that you made, they were from Intel, ASRock or from any other manufacturer?Hope I can hear from you soon.Regards,Angie

[AJana1]

Hello Armymdic00,

http://ark.intel.com/products/80817/Intel-Core-i5-4460-Processor-6M-Cache-up-to-3_40-GHz Intel® Core™ i5-4460 Processor (6M Cache, up to 3.40 GHz) Specifications

http://ark.intel.com/products/80807/Intel-Core-i7-4790K-Processor-8M-Cache-up-to-4_40-GHz# @specifications Intel® Core™ i7-4790K Processor (8M Cache, up to 4.40 GHz) Specifications

One could find the information of mentioned processors from the above links

http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/H81M-HDS/?cat=CPU ASRock > H81M-HDS

Those two processors are supported by ASRock H81M-HDS per the above link.

After comparing both processors, the difference obviously to be found is the Hyper-Threading. Would you have to spend sometime have another try when turning on or turning off this feature? In my own opinion, the only thing that I would not suggest you is to stick this mobo, which put bottlenecks towards both processors and graphics card, for it supports PCI-E only up to 2.0, where the latter two are designed for working under PCI-E 3.0. I suggest you updated the firmware of mobo to the latest, clear the data onto the CMOS, disable the integrated GPU and try again!

I am glad to hear your replies. Good luck!

Best Regards,

Aaron Janagewen