RX6600XT paired with i7 4790K delivers 4.8GHz performance with minimal demand on both systems.
RX6600XT paired with i7 4790K delivers 4.8GHz performance with minimal demand on both systems.
Today I upgraded my old RX6600XT with a used model that performed just as well or better than expected in 3DMark Time Spy. It was installed in the seller’s system using fresh drivers, which made everything smooth. I brought it back home and connected it to my setup: an i7-4790K (4.8GHz, 32GB, 1600MT/s) paired with an Asus Maximus VII Hero (8GB). Before this change, I had a RX580 with only 4GB of VRAM; games worked fine but struggled with more demanding titles. After updating drivers and installing the latest AMD software, I tried PUBG on the old GPU – it ran around 100 FPS at 1080p, with the GPU at full capacity and CPU idling. With the new GPU, I achieved 80-90 FPS while CPU stayed low (50-60%). BeamNG.drive showed similar results. My monitor supports 75Hz, which is the target I’m aiming for. I’m unsure what to do next since I don’t have funds for a new system but am planning an upgrade soon. It’s surprising how a better GPU can actually slow me down if it’s not optimized. If anyone has advice or found a solution, please let me know. Thanks in advance.
Check it out, the i7 4790k is less powerful than the i3 10100 despite having the same cores and threads. It runs on DDR3, which adds another limitation. Your setup uses a PCI-E 3.0 interface, making the 6600XT even slower because it only supports 8 lanes (which equals 8 lanes of Gen3 in your case—about 4 lanes of Gen4). The 6600XT is so constrained on your system that it likely can't reach higher power modes. Proof comes from using virtual super resolution; performance stays nearly the same whether you play at high or low settings. You're basically matching a budget CPU with a mid-range graphics card. And PUBG isn't the same as it used to be—it looks better but runs much slower, needing more powerful hardware now.
Missed adding, 3DMark Time Spy works well and uses 150-160W when the GPU is active.
The outdated GPU likely delivered better performance since it was designed for its time in hardware. It’s similar to that scene in Star Trek where Scotty quickly adapted to a new era of technology. A skilled modern engineer—or someone from the future—might struggle adjusting to working with older systems because training methods have changed significantly! To boost current performance, consider bringing back the old GPU or using a low-end b550 M.2 with an AM4 chip. If you prefer Intel, that’s another option.
I understand my CPU isn’t the top model, but it’s the best I can afford right now. I’m surprised it performs worse under the same settings compared to before on the RX580. Also, why is it only using 8 lanes of Gen3? If we look at speeds, it should be utilizing all 16 lanes, yet those 16 lanes of Gen3 would actually match up to 8 lanes of Gen4. You’ll need to explain how you reached those 8 lanes of Gen3. I’ve completed 3DMark tests and everything is working smoothly—just a slight underclock and memory overclock. It even beat the score I recorded when testing the GPU at the seller’s location. Upgrading would make sense, I’m sure, once I have the funds.
Not really into Intel much, but this setup was surprisingly affordable when I bought it about three years ago. I also had 16GB DDR3 from my older Sandy Bridge machine. It seems the CPU is probably the main bottleneck, so an upgrade is likely soon. I definitely won’t go back to that 4GB RX589—it’s almost certainly outdated, maybe even dead. Frequent crashes and black screens occur every few hours during games. Probably better settings until I can afford a newer system.
If you're aiming for strong performance over several years without a major upgrade plan, consider going with an AM4 processor. A Ryzen 3000 CPU offers solid upgrade options too, and the Ryzen 7 5800X3D remains a powerful choice even against newer models. AM4 boards are often more affordable, and the used market has plenty of quality options available.
I'll pause for a moment and focus on getting the cores for rendering plus some demanding tasks. This 7900X will also keep me going much longer than the I7 did.