Question Think my I7 10700K and 3080TI FTW3 configuration isn't working as well as expected. Unclear what's causing it.
Question Think my I7 10700K and 3080TI FTW3 configuration isn't working as well as expected. Unclear what's causing it.
My system configuration includes: RM850 850 Watt 80 Plus Gold ATX Fully Modular Power Supply, Trident Z Neo Series RGB 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4-3600 PC4-28800 CL16 Dual Channel Memory Kit F4-3600C16D-32GTZNC, I7 10700K, EVGA RTX 3080TI FTW3, Asus Prime Z490-A motherboard, a samsung 970 EVO 1TB SSD, a Noctua NH D15 cooler, a Fractal Meshify Type C case with only one intake and one exhaust, two LG UltraGear QHD 27 monitors.
The main goal is to run games like Armored Core 6 or Deep Rock Galactic at 2k 144hz. Despite the settings, I notice frequent frame drops and trouble maintaining the desired frame rate. It’s unclear if my PC is underperforming or if the games themselves are causing issues. I have a HWINFO CSV file from an AC6 session with multiple frame drops (with the embedded controller active).
In precision X, I used an aggressive fan curve but never reached thermal limits on any monitor. Without it, the GPU heats up and throttles, yet drops still occur when fans run harder. A few weeks ago, I ran TimeSpy 3Dmark before adjusting fan curves. The results are available here: 3DMark-TimeSpy-16797-20230831202815.3dmark-result.
Additionally, I recently performed a clean Windows installation as part of troubleshooting. This was about 1.5 months ago. I’m seeking guidance to improve stability and performance. Please let me know if you need more details.
Hey there,
I doubt your CPU would limit performance on those monitors at the native settings.
Have you checked if your system drivers are current? What BIOS version is active? Are you using the newest GPU driver? When frame rates drop, do you notice any stuttering, or can you see the reductions via MSI Afterburner or similar tools?
Is the GPU consistently hitting i85c speeds?
Your monitors support Gsync—do you enable it? It should smooth out FPS fluctuations, making any drops nearly imperceptible. Unless you're a competitive gamer, Gsync might not be necessary. Your case could also contribute to airflow and increased temperatures.
Are your CPU and GPU overclocked? If yes, try testing without them.
It seems there was a driver update around September 12 for my 3080TI, though it was already current before then. I plan to download that and proceed.
The GPU will reach 85°C without an aggressive fan curve. In the CSV file from my playthrough of Armored Core, frame drops occurred when the GPU hit the thermal limit on the hotspot, dropping to around 50 frames at times. HWINFO reported temperatures around mid-70°C during those drops.
Regarding the frame drops, there was no stuttering—immediate performance loss happened instead. My overlay confirms the drops but shows no interruptions or lag in gameplay.
My BIOS hasn’t been modified since I assembled this machine in 2021. I just updated the GPU firmware using precision X yesterday. No overclocking has been done.
I'm not sure if this will work, but I came up with a solution myself when I first assembled my new build. Fresh install, no software yet—I installed Path of Exile on an SSD with 2070 super, 32GB RAM and a 12-core CPU. Easy mode should be fine? Native FPS is 60, but those games and a few others I had that day kept me wondering why they weren't reaching 60FPS when they should have easily. I thought, "What's going on?" Then I checked my BIOS and set the RAM speed to 3200MHz, which matched the actual frequency. Since then, no frame problems. This issue also affected a friend; he was stuck with lag in Hogwarts Legacy while mine ran smoothly despite having a Ryzen 9 3950X and a 2080 Ti. After adjusting his RAM speed to 3200MHz, his lag disappeared too. Hope this helps.
This situation is atypical. It can function at those temperatures, but it's best if it stays within the 60-70°C range even under load. The problem might stem from the thermal paste on the GPU or blocked fans, making it worthwhile to remove, clean, and reattach it. Another possibility is insufficient case airflow.
This issue could also relate to BIOS updates, which often include bug fixes. This might be one of them. I recommend updating the BIOS and installing the latest Intel ME driver:
https://www.asus.com/motherboards-c...z4...IME-Z490-A
After updating the BIOS, ensure you 'clear CMOS' to reset the system. Usually, this involves removing the CMOS battery, connecting two pins labeled 'CLRTC' on the motherboard, reinserting the battery, and then restarting. Refer to your manual for confirmation. Ideally, aim for BIOS version 2701.
Also check if your memory is running DOCP.
DOCP? I'm not sure about that. The other person in the thread recommended manually adjusting my RAM to 3200MHz, which seems to have made a small improvement. Regarding my GPU, it definitely has temperature issues. Why wouldn't it have fans running more aggressively to handle this? When I use precision X to adjust fan speeds, it stays comfortably in the 70s, shouldn't the GPU be better at managing that?
Anyway, I think I should still get another intake fan for my computer.
I'll try updating the BIOS this weekend and let you know.
DCP is the Asus adaptation of XMP. It stands for Direct Over Clock Profile. It's applied to RAM (in practice overclocked memory) and allows your CPU to operate more quickly together with the RAM.
You can adjust your RAM timings manually, which is more complicated. Configuring XMP/DOCP is nearly a single-click process to optimize RAM performance without issues. Not enabling it might reduce efficiency.
Well, that might be a bit confusing. In certain games, at 1440, it still manages to deliver great frames. The original player doesn't have to switch to a different platform with a new motherboard, RAM, and CPU to resolve their issues. It really depends on the specific games being played.
I value the details either way. The challenge lies in maintaining a steady 144 fps rather than consistently hitting it. My concern is that games often slow down to around 50 frames before returning to normal. It’s unclear if reviewing this data is too difficult—I have a HWINFO64 file from a two-hour Deep Rock session where frame drops reached as low as 60. While occasional drops are normal, the 60s range feels unusually high. I can get a more manageable CSV version later tonight.