What causes better CPU scores but poorer in-game performance?
What causes better CPU scores but poorer in-game performance?
Hey there, I’m completely new to overclocking and don’t have much experience with computers, so don’t worry about me—I get it! I’ve been trying to push my CPU to higher speeds and have managed to reach stable performance, even improving my Cinebench scores a lot. The issue is that when I load games, my frame rates drop noticeably, around 30 to 40 frames less.
Here’s what I’ve set up:
- AMD Ryzen 5 1600 (6 cores/12 threads @ 3.2 GHz)
- GTX 1080 graphics card
- MSI B350M Bazooka motherboard
- 16 GB RAM at 2400 MHz
- Stock cooler
In the BIOS I did the following:
- Increased core voltage from 1.2 to 1.275 and set speed to 3600 MHz
- Disabled the smart fan and ran at full speed
- Raised my memory voltage to 1.0V from 0.87
- Set DRAM speed to 2400 MHz, as it seemed slower in BIOS
Results so far:
My benchmarks improved, but game performance suffered. I kept an eye on the CPU temperature during games and never exceeded mid-50s Celsius. My instincts say the stock cooler is likely throttling the CPU, but I’m not sure if that’s happening at those temps.
I really appreciate your help, everyone—I’m just looking for a small boost in gaming performance. Thanks!
You're entirely right about the issues with using BIOS Ver 1.0. It will severely limit performance and memory compatibility, and it's a significant problem. The release BIOS for B350 was quite poor, often failing to boot the system properly and causing frustrating 'cold bricks' situations.
Is there any way to find the make and model of the PSU without taking it apart? It's hidden behind a plate, making it hard to identify. The CPU temperature is around 47-52 degrees, with usage at about 40-43%. The GPU temperature is near 50, but it can rise to mid-60s during heavy use, while usage stays around 35-39%, though it may drop occasionally. The RAM is roughly 2.2 grams and is used mainly for the game. I'm not sure how to determine SSD usage since I don't have an HDD. All the information shared here is specifically for the game and not a total of all system usage.
VRM performance isn't great with that motherboard. RAM speed is also below the standard range. The motherboard supports a 3200 CL14 Samsung b-die. I'm concerned about the PSU as well, considering the build quality and temperatures. HWInfo64 should display the VRM temperatures. With a GTX 1080, you'd need a fast CPU and high-speed RAM. A 1600 and 2400MT/s RAM aren't what I expected. Stock RAM is 2667MT/s. I was hoping for something like 3600x or 9700k, or even older options like 8600k or 8700k. Maybe something around 7700K? I plan to overclock the 1600 up to close to 4GHz and the RAM to near 3200MT/s if possible.
2133MHz is available for the first generation of Ryzens. 2400MHz fits the second generation models. Anything beyond that is considered overclocking (OC) and usually needs XMP/docp enabled or manual overclocking. It seems unlikely you'll reach 2400MHz past 2667, and it's hard to find any RAM rated slower than that achieving a jump to 3200MHz. I haven't seen any RAM models that slow down this much that would allow such a leap. It might be possible if the chip was binned differently, but your RAM speeds will largely depend on the channel, slot configuration, and single/dual rank settings. Single channel or dual rank in slots other than A2 will cap you at 2133 or 2400, respectively. Dual channel with single rank in A2/B2 can reach up to 2933 or 3200, while dual channel with dual rank might only hit 2667 at best. Ryzen processors are quite strict about these parameters.
You'll need to upgrade your BIOS to the latest supported by the second generation, not a third-gen model. Upgrading could brick your system if not done correctly.
7A38v1F
- MSI advises updating the AMD chipset driver to version 18.10xxxxxxx or the latest available before updating the BIOS.
7A38v1H
7A38v1LP(Beta version)
Recommended to perform four updates in this sequence to ensure memory compatibility, ASA compliance, and bug fixes. Those already updated can be skipped, but chipset drivers remain crucial.
Save your overclocking profile in the BIOS first; export it if possible, or you'll need to start fresh.
Cinebench is a benchmark—higher scores are nice, but only if they translate to real-world performance. If they don’t, better gaming stats matter more than arbitrary numbers.
AMD claims the stock RAM speed is 2667MT/s for the 1600 model.
According to the AMD website, I haven't had the chance to test any of the earlier Ryzen models. Overclocking low-speed RAM isn't worth it since it doesn't significantly boost performance. It would take a lot of time for minimal gains.
Do you know whether your processor is an AE or an AF model? When did you acquire it?
Adjusting the clock speed to 3600 isn't really increasing performance beyond that 1600, just setting it to a relatively low frequency. However, the advice varies depending on whether it's an AF processor. The AF models were released recently and use the second-generation 2600 chip but follow the specifications of the first generation. If you purchased the CPU or system more than six months ago, it's likely an AE.
I don't have concerns about the Bazooka VRM. I own a B350m Mortar with identical VRM, which is handling a 1700 OC to 3.85G just fine during Folding@Home. For a 1600, it should perform even better.
First-generation CPUs were designed for 2666 memory, but early BIOS versions had poor memory compatibility and wouldn't support it reliably. Upgrading to AGESA 1006, version 7A38v1H is strongly recommended. Avoid upgrading further than this point, as you'll enter Gen3 Ryzen BIOS that disable many features you might not want, and they won't benefit either Gen1 or Gen2 processors. If you do upgrade, rolling it back could become extremely difficult if you later realize you don't like the changes.
It features the original generation with 14nm Ryzen cores (Summit Ridge). This setup works well with a 1.38V Vcore, enabling a stable clock speed near 3.8Ghz. Increasing the voltage causes significant heating and requires more power to maintain stability, but it can support up to 1.425V Vcore as long as cooling remains adequate to keep temperatures below 70°C. This would permit up to 4.0Ghz with high-quality silicon, typically around 3.9 to 3.95Ghz, and occasionally up to 4.1Ghz. If you're open to experimenting, try it out. Once a stable configuration is achieved, focus on minimizing the Vcore voltage for optimal performance in regular tasks. Avoid chasing 'prime 95' stability for everyday use, including gaming. Instead, use tools like RealBench for stress testing. If it runs smoothly and stays under 70°C for several hours, it should be suitable for daily use.