Problem with timing and PSU fluctuations
Problem with timing and PSU fluctuations
I’m experiencing some problems with my PC, trying to identify the root cause. The main concern is frequent bad frame rates in most games, along with noticeable stuttering during gameplay, which is quite bothersome. Previously, I attributed these issues to game optimization, Windows updates, or other factors, but now I suspect something more fundamental might be at play. There’s also a small electrical noise coming from the power cable of the PSU, even though I may have turned it off. I first heard this sound yesterday and believe it might be causing interference in my headset as well. When I unplugged the cable, the noise disappeared. Although I’ve only experienced this noise in the headset before, I thought it had been gone for a while after updating the BIOS and sound drivers. The PC was built about a year ago, and I recently purchased a different PSU. They tested it and found some voltage issues, so I received a refund and bought a new one.
My current setup includes:
Ryzen 5 5600x
Gigabyte 4070 gaming OC
2x16GB Kingston Fury RAM
Samsung 980 Pro 1TB M.2
MSI Tomahawk B550 Max Wi-Fi
Be quiet dark rock CPU cooler
Be quiet 500fx case
Be quiet straight power 11 (or possibly 12) platinum PSU
I’ve verified all connections, using two separate cables for the GPU. I haven’t overclocked except for PBO auto and XMP settings for RAM. All NVIDIA drivers are up to date, and Windows 11 is installed. I have a UPS that I bought some months ago and connected it to the PC. I’m unsure if the frame rate problems stem from CPU bottlenecks or if I might have received another faulty PSU (which would be unfortunate). I’ve also checked the PSU voltage readings via HWinfo for 12V, 5V, and 3.3V, which are all normal. I updated the BIOS, but haven’t performed a clean Windows installation yet. The power cable I’m using came with the box.
If anyone has suggestions or advice on troubleshooting these issues, I’d appreciate it. I really hope this doesn’t lead to my PC failing and causing more problems.
Be quiet straight power 11 (or 12 maybe) platinum psu
Check your Be Quiet! PSU model.
MSI tomahawk b550 max wifi
+
Updated BIOS and sound drivers
Current BIOS version? Did you reset CMOS after flashing the BIOS?
Noise source? Try holding a sheet of A4 paper into a cylinder and testing with one end near your ear.
Checked another wall outlet—did it help?
Could the frame time issue stem from CPU bottleneck?
Also, please share screenshots of your timeframe graph. What system resolution are you using?
Straight Power 11 is just 80+ Gold, yet Straight Power 12 is only 80+ Platinum. That means the OP has a much better Straight Power 12 PSU. If it were Straight Power 11, things would be worse.
Do you still have problems with the PSU? It seems like you're referring to an old issue with an older PSU.
In-game stutters are much more difficult to figure out. They might stem from software conflicts or hardware problems, often related to RAM.
The psu provides straight power 11, 750w platinum. BIOS version is 7C91v28 and I didn't clear CMOS. I haven't used another outlet since the sound rarely happens and there isn't another nearby for my UPS. When the sound lasted more than a few seconds, my PC was loading graphics for STALKER 2 and the fans were quite noticeable because the CPU reached 75°C. I understand it might be similar to GPU coil whine, but after closing all programs, shutting down the PC, turning off the PSU, and then restarting, the sound disappeared. After reconnecting the power cable, it returned. It originates from the IEC connection. The resolution is 1440p, and after testing games with M-Series afterburner, I set the graphics quality to a stable frame rate above 60. I'll share the frame timing graph soon.
I still face the problem. I mentioned having another PSU from Bequiet for about a week, a more affordable one, and received a refund because I frequently heard an electrical noise from the PSU and they confirmed it was faulty. The new one is now in my PC for a year, and I hadn’t noticed anything unusual until recently. There were only some interference-like sounds in my headset that I was ignoring, which disappeared months ago. Regarding the timing issue and RAM, I read some forums and ran a full MEMTEST, which passed successfully.
It's noteworthy that the official specifications don't indicate that Straight Power 11 Platinum will ever be available. However, some research has uncovered reviews of units based on Straight Power 11 Platinum models. There are specific reviews for the 850W and 750W versions, which can be found at the provided links.
Based on these reviews, the Straight Power 11 Platinum appears to be an upgrade from the original Straight Power 11 Gold, which was first released in 2018, with the Platinum model arriving in 2020. The Platinum variant has received positive feedback, despite its shorter warranty period of just five years. Other manufacturers typically provide longer warranties—often ten or twelve years, as seen with Seasonic.
While the Platinum unit is generally well-reviewed, its limited warranty could be a concern. Coil whine is a common issue and may vary between models; it doesn't harm the PSU but can be bothersome for some users. Interference sounds are likely linked to the EMI filter quality, possibly originating from either the PSU itself or the headset. Try disconnecting your headset from the PC temporarily to see if the interference disappears. If it does, the problem may lie with the headset.
For thorough testing, a full pass (15 tests) is recommended. Two passes are preferable, and four passes are considered adequate. Stuttering behavior is currently unknown, making it hard to diagnose whether it stems from software or hardware. A good approach would be to reset the system by wiping the OS and performing a clean installation, which can eliminate software conflicts and malware (except for firmware-based threats). After reinstalling, check for stuttering. If resolved, consider reinstalling commonly used applications like Discord or game capture tools.
If stutters occur immediately after installing the operating system and launching the game, it may point to a hardware issue. In terms of RAM, issues often arise from insufficient amounts or single-channel configurations instead of dual-channel setups. Even RAM speed can contribute to stuttering; if XMP profiles trigger problems, switching to JEDEC speeds might help.