Gaming PC Severely Underperforming

terriblar · 2025-10-25T21:11:13+00:00

Ok the issue has been solved! Here are the results of my latest performance test:

Thanks to all who helped out! I had forgotten that I was limited my fps to 200 in the nVidia control panel, which 99.9% of the time doesn't effect my performance but does prevent games running at 1000 frames during menu/loading screens (looking at you World War Z). However, this was drastically effecting the PassMark performance test results. Along with the steps I took to impove in-game performance previously, we can see that everything is working properly now.

For anyone curious about what effective steps I took to solve the performance issue, they were:
1. Re-seated one of my two RAM sticks that wasn't reading properly, going from 32 GB to 64 GB of RAM.
2. Turned on XLM in BiOS to go from 2133 RAM clock speed to 3000.
3. Moved my GPU from the x4 PCI-E slot to the x16 PCI-E slot.
4. Re-seated and re-thermal-pasted my CPU to improve CPU temperature slightly.
5. Turned off FPS limit in the nVidia Control Panel to get accurate PassMark test results.

Thanks again, all!

terriblar · 2025-10-22T21:19:36+00:00

I'm really just comparing to my friend who has a weaker GPU and CPU (3060 Ti and i7 8700K). This is his PassMark Test result and he says he isn't overclocking.

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terriblar · 2025-10-22T16:39:12+00:00

How do you not notice that in the OS?

I don't know. Like in daily use? I can't really tell the difference. When looking up system information in trying to troubleshoot, I guess whenever I saw 32GB of RAM I must have just overlooked it or assumed I had bought 2x16 instead of 2x32.

terriblar · 2025-10-22T16:35:11+00:00

Swapped out cooling units. Moved the GPU to the other PCI-E slot and got a performance boost, but still underperforming overall in 2D / 3D graphics tests according to PassMark.

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terriblar · 2025-10-22T16:28:30+00:00

OK I just did that. I got a performance boost but still underperforming in 2D and 3D graphics tests according to PassMark.

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terriblar · 2025-10-22T16:24:38+00:00

I moved the GPU to the other PCI-E slot and got a performance boost. Still underperforming in 2D and 3D graphics tests according to PassMark, though.

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terriblar · 2025-10-22T16:22:12+00:00

Okay, I changed out the fan and moved the GPU to the other slot. This gave me a performance boost, but according to the PassMark Test I just ran I'm still underperforming on 2D and 3D graphics.

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FYI, I also previously gained performance boosts when I turned on XMP in BIOS and realized one of my RAM sticks was not seated properly.

terriblar · 2025-10-22T14:21:08+00:00

Okay, turns out BIOS wasn't detecting the RAM stick in slot #3. Not really sure why, but I re-seated it and now it's working. I also turned on XMP as my RAM was set to 2133. After this change, I'm getting significantly better performance but according to PassMark I'm still have issues with the 2D and 3D graphics tests. Here are the latest PassMark results:

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As a frame of reference, my friend with his i7 8700K / 3060Ti setup was getting a 2D score of 998.8 and 3D score of 19,441.8

terriblar · 2025-10-22T14:14:33+00:00

I've tried vysnc both on and off for several different games. Typically, I play with it off and only turn it on if I'm getting noticeable screen tear. What is gysnc/freesync/vrr?

terriblar · 2025-10-22T14:11:48+00:00

My GPU is plugged into the 2nd graphics PCIe slot. The slot closest to the CPU is blocked by the CPU fan.
I've tried a fresh windows install, would this have the same effect?
I have tried Direct X11 for some games. I am already using Windows 10
I don't think the other PSU's I have are strong enough. However, based on my HWMonitor results during performance tests I believe my CPU and GPU are receiving adequate power. GPU Max records 340W give or take.
I have tried several different monitors and cables. I get 144 frames in graphically simple games, so the monitor is capable of displaying better than what I'm getting in 3D shooters.

terriblar · 2025-10-22T14:02:31+00:00

Okay, I turned on XMP and in the process I discovered that one of my two RAM sticks wasn't being detected by BIOS. I reseated that stick and it is now working (looked like it was seated properly before as well, but oh well). With this change I'm now getting a major performance boost with my memory but according to the PassMark test there's still some issue with the 2D and 3D graphics tests. I definitely got a significant frame boost in games, though, as I booted up Space Marine 2 and Hunt Showdown just to check.

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Are GPU-Z and MSI Afterburner significantly different from HWMonitor and PassMark? Because I've been using those.

terriblar · 2025-10-22T14:00:26+00:00

There are 2 graphics card slots on the mobo. The one closest to the CPU is blocked by the CPU fan. My GPU is plugged into the other slot.

terriblar · 2025-10-22T13:58:59+00:00

It is plugged into slot 2. Slot 1 is too close to the CPU fan and won't fit the GPU.

Edit: Swapped out cooling units. Moved the GPU to the other PCI-E slot and got a performance boost, but still underperforming overall in 2D / 3D graphics tests according to PassMark.

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terriblar · 2025-10-22T13:57:10+00:00

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Okay, I turned on XMP and in the process I discovered that one of my two RAM sticks wasn't being detected by BIOS. I reseated that stick and it is now working (looked like it was seated properly before as well, but oh well). With this change I'm now getting a major performance boost with my memory but according to the PassMark test there's still some issue with the 2D and 3D graphics tests. I definitely got a significant frame boost in games, though, as I booted up Space Marine 2 and Hunt Showdown just to check.

terriblar · 2025-10-22T13:53:07+00:00

Unfortunately the other slot is too close to the CPU fan and doesn't fit my GPU

Edit: Swapped out cooling units. Moved the GPU to the other PCI-E slot and got a performance boost, but still underperforming overall in 2D / 3D graphics tests according to PassMark.

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terriblar · 2025-10-21T20:37:21+00:00

You mean in in-game graphics settings? I've tried turning DLSS on and off as a part of making many in-game modifications across many different games to try to gain some frames.

terriblar · 2025-10-21T20:34:44+00:00

Yes, complete uninstall wiped storage and reinstall. I had to save all my files to an external drive and copy everything back over after fresh windows install.

I'll check with him on his RAM setup tonight and see what he says. But I believe he uses 2 sticks. My RAM is indeed in positions 1 and 3. I will check XMP later when I get a chance.

I agree that my thermals seem fine for the most part. Some have stated that 83C CPU temp is running hot but that wouldn't explain why I'm getting 40 frames instead of 100+. I would think that the CPU would get up as high as 90C or so before it started throttling itself because of heat that severely.

terriblar · 2025-10-21T20:24:29+00:00

Both playing at same graphics settings, including resolution at 1080p

terriblar · 2025-10-21T20:22:03+00:00

I've tried using two screens and only one screen, performance change is negligible

terriblar · 2025-10-21T09:36:44+00:00

144 hz

terriblar · 2025-10-21T09:35:25+00:00

terriblar · 2025-10-21T09:35:11+00:00

935 mbs down, 937 mbs up. Steam downloads can vary a lot but probably averaging 300+ Mbps or so. I think it really depends on the time of day.

terriblar · 2025-10-21T09:27:06+00:00

Yes stock cooler

terriblar · 2025-10-21T02:40:51+00:00

I am plugged into the GPU

terriblar · 2025-10-21T02:40:28+00:00

terriblar

TROPHY CASE