The Discrepancy Between Anticipated Outcomes and Actual Results
The Discrepancy Between Anticipated Outcomes and Actual Results
I’m unsure if my PC is performing optimally, as I essentially represent a novice user with limited experience, just capable of assembling my own system. Here’s a breakdown of my components:
OS: Windows 10
CPU: Ryzen 5 2600x (clocked to 4.0 GHz)
Motherboard: B450 Gaming Plus (MSI)
RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 2933MHz (two dual-channel kits)
GPU: GTX 1080
Monitor: 1080p 60Hz display
HDD: Western Digital 1TB drive
PSU: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified
Cooling: Wraith cooler for the CPU, plus three Arctic 120mm fans at the front and one at the back, with two Arctic 200mm fans on top.
Here are my benchmark results from UserBenchmark:
Game: 107%
Desk: 72%
Work: 80%
CPU:
AMD Ryzen 5 2600X – 97.7%
GPU:
Nvidia GTX 1080 – 128.1%
HDD:
WD Black 1TB (2013) – 81.9%
RAM:
Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 3000 C15 4x8GB – 92.5%
MBD:
MSI B450 GAMING PLUS (MS-7B86)
My primary concern is my aging HDD. Even for a traditional hard drive, its performance isn’t ideal. I'm considering upgrading to a Samsung EVO 970 SSD to significantly improve it.
Despite this, I feel like my computer is struggling unnecessarily and not reaching its full potential. Many games can't consistently maintain 60 frames per second at ultra/maximum settings with my current hardware and resolution. Games like Apex Legends often struggle, sometimes requiring a reduced resolution to avoid throttling. Conversely, other games run smoothly. Anthem is nearly unplayable on low-to-medium settings. I was able to achieve maxed out Witcher 3 performance (with hairworks disabled), which is satisfying.
I'm questioning whether my expectations are unrealistic or if there’s an underlying issue. The case has good airflow, even after extended gaming sessions. I haven’t modified any hardware beyond the pre-set boost settings on the processor.
Explain this.
And yes, it feels incorrect.
Have all drivers been installed—the motherboard and graphics card?
The hard drive is a distraction; it’s an excellent one and shouldn't affect speed.
Was this a completely new Windows installation?
Is ventilation entering at the front and exiting at the rear?
What are the precise temperatures for the processor and graphics card?
What are the operating frequencies for the processor and graphics card under load (the real values, not estimated ones)?
I’ve been considering this, and I neglected to install the motherboard drivers. While it probably won’t matter, one can never be certain. Should I utilize the CD-ROM or seek a more current version online?
My hard drive is consistently writing and reading data at speeds below 200MB/s – I assumed it was simply performing poorly. That's certainly noteworthy.
The system installation is relatively recent; it’s less than a year old, though if I were to upgrade to an SSD, I would opt for a 1TB model and perform a clean install without transferring any data.
Airflow enters through the front vents – specifically, via the three 120mm fans, followed by a 120mm fan exiting at the rear, complemented by two 200mm fans exhausting from the top.
I’m unable to provide precise temperature readings, but if you could suggest an appropriate program for monitoring them, I would gladly share the results after additional testing. I generally don't pay close attention to these metrics unless I observe graphical distortions or my computer becomes excessively hot. Currently, its cool operation hasn’t been problematic.
Regarding actual performance under heavy load, you’d need to guide me toward a suitable program. I lack experience with such tools and can’t remember previous applications I've used. It has been quite some time since I engaged in PC gaming; I typically prefer my PlayStation consoles – they are considerably simpler to manage. Haha.
Motherboard drivers are essential.
The Black HDD represents a premium option, HOWEVER, an SSD operates on a completely different level – essentially playing a separate game.
Was the installation tailored solely for this configuration, or did you relocate the drive without performing a fresh reinstall?
AMD Ryzen Master software is optimal for CPU management, while Afterburner and Precision X are effective for GPU control (a secondary monitor can be beneficial), allowing monitoring of temperature and core speeds.
Is Windows configured to prioritize maximum performance within its power settings?
I’m going to check for the newest motherboard drivers on the MSI website – that shouldn’t be a problem. The installation was transferred using the disc. Actually, the only remaining part from my previous system is the hard drive. Plus, of course, the computer case itself. I believe I've already downloaded Afterburner; I will also obtain Master Software. I recently found the Write Speed Measurement (WPM) and switched it to a high performance setting, but I didn’t observe any difference when running Userbenchmark on my scores.
If it’s a previous Windows version from a computer you recently relocated, I’m highly confident that’s the cause.
What led you to that decision?
I’m not challenging your expertise or opinion, simply genuinely interested. If this is going to develop into a serious pursuit for me, I require an understanding of its fundamental principles.
During a Windows 10 setup process, numerous configurations and drivers are typically installed; however, unless you’re switching between precisely matching motherboard components (the core hardware), your system might only partially function. While Windows 10 offers improvements, it’s crucial to first remove any motherboard or processor-related items from Device Manager and allow Windows to automatically rediscover them. But have you verified everything? Transitions like moving from Intel to AMD were formerly problematic, particularly considering the significant differences between older FX processors and modern Ryzen chips. The Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) manages this complexity, enabling Windows to request hardware operations consistently regardless of the specific components.
Consider whether your graphics card is actually operating at PCI-E 3.0 speeds – or if software settings are incorrectly configured for 2.0 on a 3.0 system. It might appear functional but could be performing suboptimally. Ideally, I recommend starting with a fresh Windows 10 installation on an SSD, disconnecting any other hard drives, and observing the results. If no changes occur, you can then migrate your existing installation from the HDD to the SSD – which will either resolve the issue or confirm the benefit of using an SSD.
I won’t receive my solid-state drive until Friday, and I’m open to trying out new configurations now. I plan on avoiding extensive reinstallation of my games and similar software; I just want a basic setup to test its performance after a fresh installation.
Also, I'm considering:
https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-970-...&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B07BN4NJ2J&th=1
I won’t require a hard drive to accompany it if I choose the 1TB version.
Thank you for clarifying; that makes perfect sense, and I had actually thought about this when initially rebuilding my system – but I dismissed the idea prematurely. To be clear, the B450 superseded a Z77 motherboard. That board was outdated, incompatible with DDR4 memory, and it was an Intel-based product.
😛