Unstable performance with fluctuating framerates experienced on an 8700k processor and a 1070Ti graphics card.
Unstable performance with fluctuating framerates experienced on an 8700k processor and a 1070Ti graphics card.
System Specs:
CPU:
Intel i7 8700K
GPU:
MSI 1070Ti Gaming 8G
RAM:
G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 3000
Motherboard:
ASRock Z370 Extreme4
Storage:
Samsung 970 Evo + Samsung 860 Evo (installed with separate SATA connections)
Power Supply:
Corsair VS650
Case:
CoolerMaster H500
Other Components:
Hyper 212X CPU cooler, Acer 1440p 120Hz monitor
Problem Description:
I consistently experience unstable frame rates and occasional system freezes, with interruptions ranging from 10 seconds to several minutes. These freezes frequently coincide with the use of specific applications, such as MSI Afterburner and GeForce Experience (I’ve also encountered issues after installing HWMonitor). Various online services—Discord, Steam, and Origin—often struggle to connect. This instability persists regardless of graphical settings. For example, in Battlefield V, dropping from 120 frames per second on low settings to 90fps (as indicated by the game’s counter) feels similar to a previous system experiencing a decline from 60fps to 30fps. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey displayed highly fluctuating frame rates at all settings, resulting in noticeable stuttering. At medium-high configurations, the game frequently jumped between 70fps and as low as 22fps. Shadow of the Tomb Raider was also problematic, while Apex Legends on its lowest settings displayed a slideshow effect during combat.
Discord’s desktop version on this machine requires repeated restarts (5-6 times) to establish a voice connection, unlike my laptop’s Windows 10 version, which connects without issue. Steam frequently fails to load the store or only displays it partially. Browsers and the Windows Store operate normally. I’m not certain if these issues are related to the overall instability, but I've included them as they consistently manifest alongside the frame rate fluctuations.
Overall, the system feels sluggish and unresponsive, with significant changes in frame rates occurring unexpectedly. Frame drops are substantial, yet the rest of my system appears to be operating correctly. Connectivity problems and freezes are common occurrences.
Troubleshooting Steps Taken:
* Verified temperatures, confirming that no components were overheating.
* Checked power consumption to ensure it was within acceptable limits.
* Reinstalled RAM, CPU, and GPU modules.
* Performed memory stability tests, which were successful.
* Modified RAM clock speeds, confirming XMP was disabled for stability testing – no changes were made.
* Checked storage drive integrity and transfer rates, which were satisfactory.
* Disabled C-State support in the BIOS.
* Utilized LatencyMon to monitor system performance.
* Performed a complete Nvidia driver reinstall via SafeMode.
* Multiple full Windows 10 reinstalls, with the problems continuing regardless of the reinstall method. Completely wiping drives and rebuilding the system from scratch yielded the same results as simply reinstalling while retaining existing files.
* Checked CPU and GPU clock speeds using HWMonitor, confirming they reached their intended targets and boost frequencies.
Current Status: I’ve exhausted RMA options for almost all components, having previously believed the problem was resolved. However, I’m now experiencing these issues again. Given my substantial investment of $1500 in this system, which is currently performing poorly, I’m seeking assistance.
That’s remarkably concerning, as if the operating system itself is corrupted. I would strongly recommend a complete reinstall of Windows 10, and also verify that your BIOS is running the latest version.
Certainly! I neglected to mention that I’ve obtained new versions of the drivers directly from ASrock’s website and tested both those files and the original ones included with the motherboard. I have attempted three to four separate Windows installations using two different methods: a media image downloaded from Microsoft, and an older USB key version. The overall instability appears to diminish over time, with only minor glitches in games; however, reinstalling Windows frequently exacerbates the problem, especially when accessing system windows or applications.
Is your system's basic firmware current?
Assuming it is, a hardware malfunction is almost certainly the cause. Given all the troubleshooting you’ve already completed, I believe we can rule out software issues. Your power supply might be the culprit. I'll seek assistance from other individuals to further investigate this as well.
I generally concur that power supply would not be suitable as a desktop weight near a computer I value.
Out of simple interest, what temperature does the processor reach when operating at maximum capacity? That particular cooling solution is unlikely to be a favorable choice for your processor, though it may function adequately at its standard settings.
Does your motherboard incorporate a temperature sensor for the voltage regulators? Could you observe CPU speed on your display while playing games to determine if the processor is reducing its performance due to overheating?
www.userbenchmark.com
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