Upgrading CPU and motherboard, but system performance remains sluggish. Windows and games are running slowly.
Upgrading CPU and motherboard, but system performance remains sluggish. Windows and games are running slowly.
I just upgraded my CPU from the i5-9400F to the i5-12600K. This allowed me to upgrade my motherboard to the B760 Pro Rs/D4 by ASRock. I only saved files in the "user" folder since that was all that mattered to me. I followed a tutorial on transitioning and created a blank USB drive for booting Windows, then transferred the OS to the new hardware. After installing it, I downloaded Windows to the main drive. The guide suggested clearing the partitions, but a Microsoft representative told me I didn’t need to. So I skipped that step (hoping it wasn’t the cause). Once everything was set up, I noticed Windows running sluggishly and slowly opening. I opted for a clean installation to remove personal files. After finishing, Windows still felt slow. I updated drivers, BIOS, and ran a full system update—only one optional quality patch was applied. I tried Rainbow Six Siege to test performance, and it performed worse than before. My FPS fluctuated even at low settings. When I ran afterburner, only CPU1 was heavily utilized at 100%. Frames were inconsistent, but after a while CPU1 dropped to low levels. Overall frame rates remained terrible, with GPU usage staying under 40%. I’ve experimented with registry tweaks, SFC scans, driver updates, and BIOS fixes, but nothing resolved the issue. For a 12th-gen CPU, I’m worried it should run much smoother than it does now—especially compared to my older model. I suspect some conflicted files might be causing the problems, not just my games. I’m exhausted and stuck, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Specs: i5-12600K B760 Pro Rs/D4 1660Ti, 1TB SSD, 990W PSU, Bronze case (I know it’s a bit underpowered). WD 2TB SSD.**
Your CPU temperatures are being monitored. The C drive partitions are listed in the Device Manager.
When upgrading or installing a new system, several aspects are often overlooked. Review all the points listed before proceeding. As mentioned earlier, verify temperatures first—they guide subsequent actions. Ensure your aftermarket cooler uses firmware settings in PWM mode if it depends on software control. If you retained the same RAM but disabled XMP in firmware, performance may drop below expectations. It seems you aimed for a clean Windows installation. Although not mandatory, performing this on a blank drive without partitions is recommended. Many original equipment manufacturers include extra recovery partitions that they and Microsoft prefer to leave untouched, as they often contain unnecessary bloatware. If you performed a fresh install, place it on an SSD rather than an older HDD. Confirm your game runs on the faster storage device. Check the Windows Device Manager to ensure all new hardware works correctly. Visit ASRock’s support site for the latest motherboard drivers, as Windows updates sometimes fail to recognize and install proper drivers for integrated parts. For GPUs, follow Nvidia’s instructions—just install the updated drivers, not the GeForce Experience. Verify your system isn’t attempting to use the built-in GPU instead of the dedicated one. Finally, confirm your monitor is connected to the GPU ports, not the motherboard’s built-in ones.
In theory they managed it, but in reality Microsoft remains full of issues... I really advise you to completely wipe your boot drive and start fresh with Windows. You just installed a processor with a different architecture and branch prediction. Windows must install new drivers for this chip, which is only possible by erasing and reinstalling. It requires a lot of power for your setup. Unless you're overclocking (which I discourage), you can't force the PSU to its limits. You're correct, which is why I suggest a clean install. Also, verify your BIOS version matches your 12th-gen CPU. You can find this info on the motherboard manufacturer's site and might need to flash your BIOS for full compatibility. This could be why your CPU isn't being used optimally by Windows (though a clean install is still wise). Let me know!
I completed a full system reset after deleting each partition. The operating system now runs much more smoothly and applications launch quickly. My current problems are with my games—low frame rates and frequent stutters. My previous i5-9400f performed better, even though frames were consistently limited to around 75. In some titles like Rainbow 6, only one core is used, keeping CPU usage low. With OW2, the workload seems spread across cores but I’m still seeing poor performance. I suspect an issue despite the upgrade, so I’ll verify the recommended BIOS version for my configuration since I just installed the latest one. Any further guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your response.
Thanks for your update. It seems like the system is still facing performance issues despite the improvements. I noticed that PCI Device and SM Bus Controller both show Code 28, which might indicate a problem with the graphics slot or driver. It’s possible that the GPU is being forced to use integrated graphics, which isn’t optimal. I’m curious if there’s a way to resolve Code 28 or ensure the dedicated card is being utilized. I’ll look into driver updates and hardware compatibility next. Keep monitoring temperatures and performance as you continue testing. Thanks again!
These are the expected results from the partitions. Once I cleaned the instillation, the windows ran much more smoothly. However, my games are still struggling. I checked my temperatures with MSI Afterburner and during a session of OW2, my GPU stayed around 40-45°C while my CPU was between 98-100°C. It looks quite concerning for the CPU. My GPU idle temperature was about 39°C, but my CPU was at 70-80°C. I’m planning to get a new cooler today. Appreciate your help and any encouragement.
I reviewed the temperatures and noticed my GPU was near 45°C during gameplay, while the CPU hovered around 100. When idle, the GPU stayed at about 39°C and the CPU was between 70-75°C, occasionally jumping to 95 before dropping. The new cooler is definitely coming soon.
It seems your device issues have improved. Review the Intel support page for more details on your hardware problems: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/...tware.html. Ensure your monitor cables are properly connected and that the GPU appears correctly in Device Manager for automatic selection. In Task Manager, check if the active GPU matches the one you're using. Monitor usage spikes in afterburner during gaming sessions. For CPU temperatures, confirm the cooler model you're using and whether you cleaned it thoroughly and applied new thermal paste after the upgrade. Make sure the cooler and fans are connected to the correct motherboard headers, as these can differ depending on the cooler type—especially for AIO water coolers.
It's surprising what happened. My CPU overheated and kept throttling, making everything slow. After installing the new cooler, performance improved dramatically—games ran smoothly and temperatures stayed low. It took some time to replace the default cooler, but now idle temps are around 23-30 and gaming stays under 44°C. The code 28 error is resolved, so it shouldn’t cause issues anymore. The PC feels much more stable now. Thanks for the help!