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Weird performance when CPU goes to ~40% usage or more

1K views 47 replies 8 participants last post by  mihai21ro 
#1 ·
As the title says, my CPU starts lagging when it's usage passes 40% or more. I can feel the lag/stuttering even on desktop or while browsing. Scrolling up/down fast on an internet page (such as this one) increases my CPU usage by 10-20% and it feels laggy.

Also, I get fps drops in League of Legends after ~20 minutes of playing. MSI Afterburner shows around 15 to 20% cpu usage in the beginning of the match (when it's smooth and stable 144 fps), and after 20 minutes CPU usage is around 35-40% and fps never goes above 100. It also feels pretty bad, I won't say those are 100 real fps. My temps are fine, I'm using a thermaltake after-market cooler and the CPU never goes below 30 C (I tried OC'ing it but I see no improvement, except in fps. Tearing is still there).

Another example - CS GO smaller maps run perfectly smooth and the CPU usage is around 20%. When I go in big, normal maps such as dust2 my CPU usage goes at around 40-50% and I can feel the game stuttering/I get screen tearing. Also things look blurry sometimes, especially the text.

Opening any kind of menu makes my fps drop by 30-40 (main menu, buy menu in LoL, console and scoreboard in CS GO).

My screen also looks blurry sometimes on random parts of the screen. For example in League of Legends loading screen, sometimes the summoner spells look blurry (red circle - summoner spell: http://i.imgur.com/tD64wMv.jpg - you see how clear they look. In my loading screen sometimes they looks as good as in the picture, and sometimes some of them look blurry, not all, and never in the same order. The bluriness is just random). Not a game problem since I get a similar problem in CS GO but mostly with the font which looks blurry and when I move/put the cursor above it or click it, the bluriness changes a bit (it doesn't dissapear).

So my question is: can the CPU be responsible for those things or should I test the PSU as well? I tested the RAM with memtest86 and it passed 5 tests.

I changed: GPU (replaced my GTX 660 with GTX 1050 Ti), MOBO (replaced an ASRock with a GA-970A-UD3P) and also my monitor (replaced BENQ VW2245 with BENQ XL2411Z). No difference.
 
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#2 ·
It could be because one of your CPU cores has reached its peak or your cores are parked

Ram too?
Ssd

Or virus
 
#3 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by MerkageTurk View Post

It could be because one of your CPU cores has reached its peak or your cores are parked

Ram too?
Ssd

Or virus
I'm using W10 so cores should be unparked. RAM tested with memtest86 and it passed, so it should be good. CS GO doesn't use HDD after loading map so I doubt it's the problem.. I also tested it with HDTune.

And I also get sound cracks in CS GO, not that sure about LoL.
 
#5 ·
What CPU?
What settings?

Overclocked?
 
#6 ·
CPU: FX-6300

Temps are fine, I have an aftermarket cooler. Stock settings but I OC'ed it just for testing and the peformance was the same, except the fps were higher.

I ordered another FX-6300 a few days ago and hopefully this one will do it's job. Didn't want to get an fx-8320 or higher since they perform almost the same, at least in CS GO and LoL. I'll let you know if the CPU was the problem or not.
 
#7 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by mihai21ro View Post

CPU: FX-6300

Temps are fine, I have an aftermarket cooler. Stock settings but I OC'ed it just for testing and the peformance was the same, except the fps were higher.

I ordered another FX-6300 a few days ago and hopefully this one will do it's job. Didn't want to get an fx-8320 or higher since they perform almost the same, at least in CS GO and LoL. I'll let you know if the CPU was the problem or not.
What temps, fine isn't a real indicator? Under 65 should be fine for sure.

The lag and stutter could be casued by a faulty PSU. But massive FPS drops and blurry screen issues could also be GPU related.

Do these problems persist when you try it on a different GPU?
 
#8 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1337LutZ View Post

What temps, fine isn't a real indicator? Under 65 should be fine for sure.

The lag and stutter could be casued by a faulty PSU. But massive FPS drops and blurry screen issues could also be GPU related.

Do these problems persist when you try it on a different GPU?
Fine means around 30C in load.

I just changed my GPU so that's not the problem (went from GTX 660 to 1050 Ti). But since my PSU could run 130W GTX 660, shouldn't it run better on the 1050 Ti since it only consumes 75W? I guess there's more power to give from the PSU now to other components.
 
#9 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by mihai21ro View Post

Fine means around 30C in load.

I just changed my GPU so that's not the problem (went from GTX 660 to 1050 Ti). But since my PSU could run 130W GTX 660, shouldn't it run good on the 1050 Ti since it only consumes 75W if the PSU wasn't giving enough power to the components?
30C under full load? or whilst gaming, because 30C is really low.

So you had this problem before with your GTX 660 aswell?

What PSU do you have (brand and Wattage?)

And next to that, the fact that your PSU should be able to run it, doesn't mean it's not broken. If possible try to test your system with another PSU (400W should be fine) if possible.
 
#10 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1337LutZ View Post

30C under full load? or whilst gaming, because 30C is really low.

So you had this problem before with your GTX 660 aswell?

What PSU do you have (brand and Wattage?)

And next to that, the fact that your PSU should be able to run it, doesn't mean it's not broken. If possible try to test your system with another PSU (400W should be fine) if possible.
At least in CS GO/League of Legends it never goes below 30C.

PSU: Super Flower Atlas AT-530P12HE 530W

I don't have other PSU to test, though if the actual CPU is fine, I will return the CPU I just bought and consider buying a new PSU. Voltages seem normal in AIDA64.

Bios reads:
http://imgur.com/1rL8hRR
 
#11 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by mihai21ro View Post

At least in CS GO/League of Legends it never goes below 30C.

PSU: Super Flower Atlas AT-530P12HE 530W

I don't have other PSU to test, though if the actual CPU is fine, I will return the CPU I just bought and consider buying a new PSU. Voltages seem normal in AIDA64.

Bios reads:
http://imgur.com/1rL8hRR
Well if you still have the issue after replacing your CPU i would consider testing with a different PSU. I mean you can always send them back within your return period? If the PSU is the only thing that you haven't replaced i would start there.

What kind of storage are you running? SSD/HDD + brand/series?
 
#12 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1337LutZ View Post

Well if you still have the issue after replacing your CPU i would consider testing with a different PSU. I mean you can always send them back within your return period? If the PSU is the only thing that you haven't replaced i would start there.

What kind of storage are you running? SSD/HDD + brand/series?
I replaced GPU, monitor and MOBO already. Yeah I can return it 14 days after purchase but I am pretty sure they won't instantly give me the money back, which is a problem.

HDD: WD Blue 1TB SATA-III 7200 RPM 64MB

A while ago I tested my HDD using HDTune and I got those results:

http://i.imgur.com/TsLjGQE.png - start of the test
http://i.imgur.com/AfGawhM.png - after 2 hours of scanning (notice how the speed dropped)
http://i.imgur.com/nmsh8nk.png - ~1 minute benchmark

HDDLife Pro says it's in "excellent" status.
 
#13 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by mihai21ro View Post

I replaced GPU, monitor and MOBO already. Yeah I can return it 14 days after purchase but I am pretty sure they won't instantly give me the money back, which is a problem.

HDD: WD Blue 1TB SATA-III 7200 RPM 64MB

A while ago I tested my HDD using HDTune and I got those results:

http://i.imgur.com/TsLjGQE.png - start of the test
http://i.imgur.com/AfGawhM.png - after 2 hours of scanning (notice how the speed dropped)
http://i.imgur.com/nmsh8nk.png - ~1 minute benchmark

HDDLife Pro says it's in "excellent" status.
Yea this is normal on HDD's.

At the start the reading head is closest to the center, however whilst reading blocks further away from the center, the speeds go down drastically. Before you upgrade anything else I would test with another PSU and see if it's the problem.

Regardless of your issue i highly recommend getting an SSD to improve your overall system experience. Once you go SSD, you never go back.
 
#14 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1337LutZ View Post

Yea this is normal on HDD's.

At the start the reading head is closest to the center, however whilst reading blocks further away from the center, the speeds go down drastically. Before you upgrade anything else I would test with another PSU and see if it's the problem.

Regardless of your issue i highly recommend getting an SSD to improve your overall system experience. Once you go SSD, you never go back.
I bet so, but right now I need a playable game
smile.gif


I guess it's the PSU if the CPU works fine. I tested RAM with memtest86 and it passed 5 tests, so I guess it's fine.
 
#15 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by mihai21ro View Post

I bet so, but right now I need a playable game
smile.gif


I guess it's the PSU if the CPU works fine. I tested RAM with memtest86 and it passed 5 tests, so I guess it's fine.
Memtest doesn't always show what real life scenarios do so thats a bit tricky. But your best bet is to just go and check off all components for their functionality.
 
#16 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1337LutZ View Post

Memtest doesn't always show what real life scenarios do so thats a bit tricky. But your best bet is to just go and check off all components for their functionality.
While waiting for the CPU to arrive, I remembered I had a weird blue screen a few months ago. I still have the imgur pic: http://i.imgur.com/Q60UBS3.jpg . This was before changing the GPU. It looks weird so maybe you can relate it to a hardware problem. I got this when trying to put the PC in sleep mode (it wasn't working, I was getting a blue screen. No idea if it works now or if it was just a W10 issue).
 
#18 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1337LutZ View Post

Did you do a DDU uninstall? http://www.wagnardmobile.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=700

This uninstalls all your GPU drivers in safe mode. After that you reinstall the driver. Maybe see if this fixes your issues.
I did. The pic is old, but I guess it was not a GPU issue, since the old GPU was running fine. Maybe something wrong with the Windows, I remember many people had that problem back then.
 
#19 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by mihai21ro View Post

I did. The pic is old, but I guess it was not a GPU issue, since the old GPU was running fine. Maybe something wrong with the Windows, I remember many people had that problem back then.
Yea it was most likely driver related. But you don't have this issue now do you?
 
#22 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1337LutZ View Post

Okay good. Let me know when you get to test the PSU (maybe a friend?)
I don't think it's needed anymore. Got my new CPU and the games are way smoother than before. The only weird thing I see is that the frequency drops sometimes (which happened with the old CPU as well): http://prntscr.com/dg5rb2 , is it normal?

Currently using the stock cooler, that's why the temps are so high.
 
#23 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by mihai21ro View Post

I don't think it's needed anymore. Got my new CPU and the games are way smoother than before. The only weird thing I see is that the frequency drops sometimes (which happened with the old CPU as well): http://prntscr.com/dg5rb2 , is it normal?

Currently using the stock cooler, that's why the temps are so high.
Temps look fine either way
smile.gif
Also those drops dont look that big so i wouldnt worry.

Are all your issues fixed now?
 
#24 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1337LutZ View Post

Temps look fine either way
smile.gif
Also those drops dont look that big so i wouldnt worry.

Are all your issues fixed now?
I guess so. Thanks for all the help
smile.gif


LE: actually I think I still have the blurry effect, I need to test a bit more. Will edit later/tomorrow.

LE2: looks like it dropped a lot this time, I just let it open a few minutes, the CPU wasn't on load that much, I was just surfing the internet. - http://prntscr.com/dg66yh ; I have cool and quiet disabled in bios so that's weird. Power options set to high performance. Turbo doesn't seem to work at all.

LE3: Did a bios reset, only disabled Cool and Quiet this time. Now turbo works but it's really unstable it seems, also I got a new tab in HWMonitor on the CPU tab - "Package", it's really unstable as well, it goes from 28 to 40, then 35 and so on http://prntscr.com/dg6d5a . Bluriness is almost gone as well now. FPS is higher but game doesn't feel smoother, it's actually kinda laggy again.

Forgot to mention sometimes my keyboard shuts down for a second and then it turns back on. Thought it's a problem with the keyboard but now it shut down and it didn't turn on again until I plugged it out and then back on. My Wi-Fi adapter also doesn't work that good anymore after turning turbo on.

Guess it's the PSU after all? Or maybe the RAM since I get the fps drops in time in League of Legends and the blurry screen problem (not tested League of Legends yet, but I guess the problem is still there)?
 
#25 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by mihai21ro View Post

I guess so. Thanks for all the help
smile.gif


LE: actually I think I still have the blurry effect, I need to test a bit more. Will edit later/tomorrow.

LE2: looks like it dropped a lot this time, I just let it open a few minutes, the CPU wasn't on load that much, I was just surfing the internet. - http://prntscr.com/dg66yh ; I have cool and quiet disabled in bios so that's weird. Power options set to high performance. Turbo doesn't seem to work at all.

LE3: Did a bios reset, only disabled Cool and Quiet this time. Now turbo works but it's really unstable it seems, also I got a new tab in HWMonitor on the CPU tab - "Package", it's really unstable as well, it goes from 28 to 40, then 35 and so on http://prntscr.com/dg6d5a . Bluriness is almost gone as well now. FPS is higher but game doesn't feel smoother, it's actually kinda laggy again.

Forgot to mention sometimes my keyboard shuts down for a second and then it turns back on. Thought it's a problem with the keyboard but now it shut down and it didn't turn on again until I plugged it out and then back on. My Wi-Fi adapter also doesn't work that good anymore after turning turbo on.

Guess it's the PSU after all? Or maybe the RAM since I get the fps drops in time in League of Legends and the blurry screen problem (not tested League of Legends yet, but I guess the problem is still there)?
Hmmmm.... that's very odd to see. The temperatures together with turbo are quite normal, your temps are fine right? I think its not CPU but System temp you should look at.

The issues your having all point more towards a motherboard problem, since multiple peripherals are failing... You had this issue before your motherboard swap? Else ram/PSU swaps to test your issues might be your next best option.

EDIT: Did you try a fresh windows install by the way?
 
#26 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1337LutZ View Post

Hmmmm.... that's very odd to see. The temperatures together with turbo are quite normal, your temps are fine right? I think its not CPU but System temp you should look at.

The issues your having all point more towards a motherboard problem, since multiple peripherals are failing... You had this issue before your motherboard swap? Else ram/PSU swaps to test your issues might be your next best option.

EDIT: Did you try a fresh windows install by the way?
But I just changed my MOBO.. I am also thinking this is something related to the mobo but since I just changed it, the chances are very low. And yes I had this lag issue before the motherboard swap (changing my MOBO was because I thought my CPU was throttling, and I was wrong). Can the PSU cause screen bluriness though? I will try to borrow a RAM stick from a friend and I'll see how it goes. If it's fine I'll buy a new PSU. Any suggestions?
 
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