Random FPS Drops, Help Appreciated

[Ardier]

Hey there,

I've been searching all over the internet for a while, and can't find an answer to my problems.
My computer will randomly have massive FPS drops, which can go from 100+ down to 10-20 for a couple of seconds, at what seems to be random times.
Looking on review sites, my PC should be able to comfortably run the games I play without a hitch, but this is not the case.

My system specs are:
Windows 10 64-bit
AMD 8350 8 core 4.0GHz
16GB RAM
AMD R9 200 (Radeon HD 7950)
3GB ASRock 970 Extreme4 Motherboard
500W Power Supply
Seagate 2TB HDD
Samsung 650 EVO 120GB SSD

I'm honestly stumped at what the cause is.
I've upgraded my CPU and added the SSD (as I thought it might be due to write speeds).

Next on the list was to upgrade the graphics card and add a bigger power supply, and then the motherboard after that, but then I've just basically replaced my whole computer.

I did create a Reddit thread, and can link that below (not sure of the rules here, and a noob), to show what I've already tried.

Thanks!

 

[P4-630]

Did you try to set windows powerplan to "maximum performance" ?

Welcome to TPU by the way!

 

[RCoon]

Hey there,

I've been searching all over the internet for a while, and can't find an answer to my problems.
My computer will randomly have massive FPS drops, which can go from 100+ down to 10-20 for a couple of seconds, at what seems to be random times.
Looking on review sites, my PC should be able to comfortably run the games I play without a hitch, but this is not the case.

My system specs are:
Windows 10 64-bit
AMD 8350 8 core 4.0GHz
16GB RAM
AMD R9 200 (Radeon HD 7950)
3GB ASRock 970 Extreme4 Motherboard
500W Power Supply
Seagate 2TB HDD
Samsung 650 EVO 120GB SSD

I'm honestly stumped at what the cause is.
I've upgraded my CPU and added the SSD (as I thought it might be due to write speeds).

Next on the list was to upgrade the graphics card and add a bigger power supply, and then the motherboard after that, but then I've just basically replaced my whole computer.

I did create a Reddit thread, and can link that below (not sure of the rules here, and a noob), to show what I've already tried.

Thanks!

Your issues are probably thermal related. VRMs on the 970 range of motherboards are somewhat lacklustre. If they get a little hot, they cause CPU throttling which could be a cause of FPS drops.

 

[Ardier]

Did you try to set windows powerplan to "maximum performance" ?

Welcome to TPU by the way!

Where would I find the powerplan options?
And thanks!

Your issues are probably thermal related. VRMs on the 970 range of motherboards are somewhat lacklustre. If they get a little hot, they cause CPU throttling which could be a cause of FPS drops.

What should I try for that? Add more thermal paste?

 

[R00kie]

That motherboard you have there has pretty poor VRM cooling, I wouldn't be surprised its trying to save itself from frying. If you can, stick a little fan on there and see if it helps. It definitely helped mine when I had one.

 

[P4-630]

Where would I find the powerplan options?

http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2843-power-plan-settings-change-windows-10-a.html

 

[Ardier]

That motherboard you have there has pretty poor VRM cooling, I wouldn't be surprised its trying to save itself from frying. If you can, stick a little fan on there and see if it helps. It definitely helped mine when I had one.

I do have a Corsair Hydro H55 installed, but that's more for CPU, and not the motherboard, so probably doesnt help alot, if at all.

Where would I put a fan on the motherboard? With that Corsair one, I do have another three 120mm fans in my case.

 

[Ardier]

http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2843-power-plan-settings-change-windows-10-a.html

Thanks! Just switched it over to high performance, will play some games in a bit and post the results.

 

[R00kie]

I do have a Corsair Hydro H55 installed, but that's more for CPU, and not the motherboard, so probably doesnt help alot, if at all.

Where would I put a fan on the motherboard? With that Corsair one, I do have another three 120mm fans in my case.

You can ziptie a fan to some loose wire in you case like I did here:

I knew these pictures would prove useful someday

 

[Ardier]

You can ziptie a fan to some loose wire in you case like I did here

Thanks, might give it a shot haha.
If I were to upgrade the motherboard, are there any recommendations?

 

[RCoon]

What should I try for that? Add more thermal paste?

This. AIOs starve VRMs of airflow.

You can ziptie a fan to some loose wire in you case like I did here:

I knew these pictures would prove useful someday

 

[Ardier]

This. AIOs starve VRMs from airflow.

Cool, thanks heaps!

 

[Ardier]

Alright,
Just played a couple of games of Overwatch, had settings on High, and had a consistent frame of 50fps for the majority of the game. There was a slight decrease to 30fps at like 1 or 2 times, but definitely an improvement just by switching the power plan. Thanks heaps!

 

[P4-630]

Alright,
Just played a couple of games of Overwatch, had settings on High, and had a consistent frame of 50fps for the majority of the game. There was a slight decrease to 30fps at like 1 or 2 times, but definitely an improvement just by switching the power plan. Thanks heaps!

Good to know!
It's always worth a try since it's a simple solution.

Edit: I would however place a fan on the VRM's as @gdallsk mentioned and showed on the photo.

 

[Shou Miko]

You can ziptie a fan to some loose wire in you case like I did here:

I knew these pictures would prove useful someday

Nice to see u remember the temps of ur vrm's @gdallsk some really forgets them when they go AIO and OC.

 

[rtwjunkie]

What should I try for that? Add more thermal paste?

Airflow over those VRM heatsinks.

 

[AsRock]

I do have a Corsair Hydro H55 installed, but that's more for CPU, and not the motherboard, so probably doesnt help alot, if at all.

Where would I put a fan on the motherboard? With that Corsair one, I do have another three 120mm fans in my case.

Even more reason to get cooling over the motherboard's VRM's as there is less air flow now, as some one else said put a fan over them see if that will help, even if it don't help with your problem it will help from another problem arising.