Need troubleshooting help. New CPU upgrade running slow

A

arkaeldz

n00b
Joined
Jan 8, 2012
Messages
4
I just upgraded my X2 255 to a Phenom X4 275 BE. I expected big fps jumps but my computer runs like crap now. I get strange fps spikes down to ~5 fps for 5-6 seconds at a time in any game I try to play. Seems unrelated to what is going on onscreen. I don't really notice any issues outside of games. The rest of my computer has been running rock solid for a year.

I updated motherboard/bios/video card drivers. Reset bios. Reseated processor. It seems to be running a little hot - 67c idle in windows. Is this normal? 1 issue I considered is overheating under load due to my stock fan. I bought the new processor OEM so I just used my old hsf. It doesn't have a 4th pin, just quiet and cool bios to control rpm. It seems to max out at 3500rpm, is this not enough to cool the new processor? I told the bios to spin up the fan anytime it hits 50c and it doesn't go any faster. 3500 all the time. I'll gladly drop $40 on a new heatsink+fan if someone assures me my symptoms are likely due to heat.

I'm pretty certain it's something wrong with the processor/heatsink setup itself or some drivers. The rest of the computer has been solid until now.

Should also add - I ran a prime95 torture test on the cpu overnight. It doesn't seem to get a whole lot hotter under load...mid 70s. Ran the test for 12 hours without any errors. Really fucking weird that it would run consistently like that if it was overheating. I'm so confused :(
 
It would help us if you gave us the full specs of your system. Additionally, which games are you playing (and at what resolution and quality level)?

What thermal compound are you using with the OEM CPU cooler?
 
Based on what you describe, it does sound like the CPU is hitting a thermal limit and is clocking down to reduce the heat.
 
Dude. Get a proper hsf. $30 for a true spirit will make your rig worth while.
 
Mobo: M4N68T-M-V2
RAM: 4gb crucial ddr3 pc3-10600
Video card: hd 5770

Used AS5 on the stock cooler. Playing SWTOR, low/high settings don't seem to matter. Same low fps spikes, max fps 80 vs 110 or so. League of legends I play a LOT, so I know something is wrong there. I used to get 30fps at a minimum in big fights on medium settings, now it sits around 5-10 fps spikes randomly. 1440x900 with low aa/af settings for both.

Did some tests running p95, 65c idle 75c load. Something is wrong :(. I went and bought the $40 heatpipe hsf on newegg anyway. Maybe it'll fix it.
 
Which "$40 heatpipe hsf on newegg"?

Did you know that AS5 requires some curing time to work properly? While that doesn't solve the performance issues, it may explain why the heat isn't lowering much. You should look for thermal compound that doesn't require any curing time, like Arctic Cooling MX-4.
 
The Hyper 212 Plus is the one I bought, sorry. I know that AS5 needs to cure, but when I reseated it after stressing it for 12 hours it didn't change the temps much at all.
 
arkaeldz said:
The Hyper 212 Plus is the one I bought, sorry. I know that AS5 needs to cure, but when I reseated it after stressing it for 12 hours it didn't change the temps much at all.
Click to expand...

It can take up to 200 hours for the temps to change. YMMV of course but 12 hours isn't exactly enough time when it comes to AS5.

As for the performance issues, shut down any 3rd party background apps. Also, do the normal virus and malware scans if you haven't already.
 
I have question for someone who knows prime95 well.

When I run a torture test with tmonitor open my cpu is going from max load then down to locked at 800mhz for all cores every ~5 seconds. The temp is going from ~62c at 800mhz up to ~68c at 3.6ghz. I'm not sure if this is just how prime95 works and the temps are moving because of normal behavior, or if it's throttling down when it hits ~68c. Any ideas? Does prime95 always act this way or is this my computer throttling speed?
 
AFAIK, Prime95 doesn't do that.

Look in the BIOS and turn off any CPU power saving or clock speed decrease settings (Usually listed as AMD CoolN'Quiet and C1E). Your motherboard's manual should tell you what those settings are.
 
tiraides said:
Dude, you meant the Hyper 212 Plus, right? (IIRC, the TRUE Spirit only has Intel-based mounting kits.)
Click to expand...

Damit, I forgot that the TS only had a plate for intel.

But seriously, if something is wrong with his old hsf mount ( like a pin or screw missing), then he's going to burn up that CPU.
 
Even though AS5 requires curing, the temps still wouldn't be that high. In my many years of using AS5, the temps don't change much at all (~+5*C at most) but start to go down the longer you use it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top