Intel i5-3470 running at 3.2GHz while operating at full capacity in Dota 2
Intel i5-3470 running at 3.2GHz while operating at full capacity in Dota 2
Hello! I've just put together a budget gaming PC with these details: a Core I5-3470 CPU (stock cooler), 1x8GB RAM at 1866MHz, a Gigabyte GA-H61M-DS2 MOBO RAM stick capped at 1333MHz, a Palit GTX 1050 GPU, a Western Digital 2TB HDD, a SilverStone Strider Essential 500W power supply, and Windows 10 that hasn't been activated yet.
I've only installed the GPU drivers, Malwarebytes, Steam, and my games so far. Right now I'm really into Dota 2, but I'm disappointed because my average FPS in 1080p Ultra (or even High) is only around 65-70, dropping to 50 or even 45 during intense matches. This is disappointing since I upgraded from an I3-3220 to this CPU just for Dota 2's higher CPU demand. The i5-3470 was recommended by reviews—especially one on YouTube by TechYESCity—which showed similar CPUs achieving over 100 FPS in benchmarks and staying around 90 FPS during tough fights.
According to RivaTuner, my CPU is running at full speed (100%) during a 5-minute benchmark in Dota, but it's heating up to 55°C–60°C at 3.2GHz. It claims turbo to 3.6GHz, yet benchmarks suggest real-world speeds are lower. I suspect the issue might be due to an outdated BIOS/CHIPSET or maybe my Windows 10 is still unactivated. I haven't run any malware scans yet, but I'm sure it's not the cause.
I want to play Dota 2 at a smooth 90 FPS so I can use my monitor's 75Hz refresh rate. This is new for me—I've only tried it in lower settings recently. Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
The peak performance reaches 3.6 GHz with one or two cores running. With all four cores engaged, the speed falls to 3.4 GHz. If you consistently see no higher than 3.2 GHz, verify your BIOS settings ensure Intel Turbo Boost is activated. You may also apply ThrottleStop if it isn't supported in your system's BIOS. The turbo limits need to be configured adequately to avoid throttling.
You're looking at ways to boost your gaming experience. Based on the changes you made—switching to dual-channel RAM, enabling High Performance power plan, and playing in fullscreen with Dota 2—those adjustments likely contributed to improved performance. The BIOS showing 3392MHz suggests you're close to the target speed, and the tweaks seem to have a positive impact.