Issues Reported - Slow CPU, Unstable RAM, Missing 4-pin Power (12600K + 4060 Ti)
Issues Reported - Slow CPU, Unstable RAM, Missing 4-pin Power (12600K + 4060 Ti)
Hello everyone,
I'm assisting a friend with their PC troubleshooting and we're facing several significant problems:
Specs
:
CPU: Intel Core i5-12600K
GPU: RTX 4060 Ti
Motherboard: Z670-P4 Gaming Carbon Pro
PSU: 500W non-modular (brand unknown)
RAM: 32GB
The motherboard supports an 8+4 pin CPU power configuration, but only the 8-pin connector is currently connected. The extra 4-pin port remains unused. The system starts up and functions normally, but during gaming (such as Warzone), performance drops sharply—GPU usage stays around 40%, and the CPU clearly becomes a bottleneck.
We also ran Cinebench R24 multicore and achieved 788 points, whereas the 12600K should typically reach over 900 points. The CPU isn’t reaching its full speed of 4.9GHz, and the RAM is only operating at 2133MT/s when XMP is enabled, which causes the system to crash. Furthermore, adding more than 32GB of RAM causes the PC to refuse to boot.
Additional background:
The CPU and motherboard have been used by someone else for several years without any overclocking attempts. I remotely tested via TeamViewer during testing, so there was some background load, but nothing substantial enough to explain this performance drop.
Based on this information, my main concerns are:
Missing the 4-pin CPU power connection might be restricting power delivery and boosting capabilities.
A weak 500W PSU (possibly of lower quality) may not provide stable power.
RAM instability could stem from inadequate power supply or motherboard stress.
What should be our top priority? Should we immediately replace the PSU and correctly connect both CPU power cables before proceeding with other fixes?
Any advice from others who’ve encountered similar issues would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Download and execute the OCCT stress test on the CPU, monitor the temperature.
Perform the OCCT power supply test.
Check the RAM stability.
Execute
memtest86.
It does not depend on Windows.
If it completes a full test without errors, you should be fine.
For certainty, repeat a few more times.
What are the RAM specifications?
CPU-Z will recognize the part numbers.
Should all the RAM not come from the same package, issues may arise.
Only stable RAM counts.
Is the motherboard's BIOS up to date?
Are there any updates that could matter?
I believe I should update the BIOS as well.
PSU requirements are usually over 500W for a 4060ti.
A low-cost 500W PSU is unlikely to provide the needed power.
Take it out and test with a reliable PSU of 650W or higher.
If you can't do that, purchase a replacement from a store with a solid return policy.
Be prepared to pay a 15% return fee if the new PSU fails.
A quality PSU should come with at least a 7-year warranty.
The jump in price from a 750W to an 850W PSU is generally not significant.
A more robust PSU will only draw the power it needs, no matter its maximum rating.