Installed new GPU, CPU/MEM 96-100%, Apps running slower. PSU?

[Huxley2k7]

Okay guys. So im in the process of upgrading my system, and i threw a R9 290X 4GB card into my somewhat old system. (i7 950, 6GB Corsair RAM, Corsair TX 650W PSU <-- Specs to the side) before i order the rest (http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/LDVq99).

Any who. I am an avid streamer, and i used to play and stream Evolve + H1Z1 pretty comfortably. Since installing the new GPU, it seems my CPU is maxed at 100%, mem at 5.60GB/6GB and generally streaming has become sluggish/stuttering. Most noticeably stuttering in games that otherwise ran well while i streamed.

Is it the PSU? CPU/MEM bottlenecking or something?

Evolve for example runs at full 4GB GPU usage according to GPUZ, but runs noticeably worse than when i had my ATi 6950 2GB.
H1Z1 runs slightly slower than before.
GTA 5 on the other hand runs like a dream (???).

Any ideas what's slowing me down? With the CPU at such high usage during streaming, it stutters and generally feels like crap and i'd really like to start again.

Appreciate any/all input. Have completely cleaned, reinstalled drivers using DDU, ran PC maintenance, cleaners, reg fixers etc. Thanks guys!

 

[Huxley2k7]

No solution yet. PC can generally run these games okay (with load stutters) but editing, streaming etc certainly feels slower than before. Seems since installing the new GPU something is affecting the CPU.

 

[Bill_Bright]

Any who. I am an avid streamer, and i used to play and stream Evolve + H1Z1 pretty comfortably. Since installing the new GPU, it seems my CPU is maxed at 100%, mem at 5.60GB/6GB and generally streaming has become sluggish/stuttering. Most noticeably stuttering in games that otherwise ran well while i streamed.

Is it the PSU? CPU/MEM bottlenecking or something?

It sure wouldn't be the PSU your CPU to max out.

ran PC maintenance, cleaners, reg fixers etc

That's scary! Those often do more harm than good. Other than CCleaner or Windows own Disk Cleanup I don't recommend any fixer or cleaner. And CCleaner's registry cleaner must be used with care, and never to "fix" a broken computer.

Have you scanned for malware? With what? How much free disk space do you have? What does Task Manager or Resource Monitor say is using your RAM and CPU resources?

 

[Timber1900]

Hi, I'd re-install windows if you haven't already. Secondly, are you running the games at higher resolutions/settings with the new card? It's possible that streaming at higher quality settings may be slowing your system down. And lastly, 6 gigs of ram is borderline too little, even if you're at 5.60/6 gigs, that doesn't mean that your system isn't reading off the hard drive.

So, reinstall windows. More ram?

 

[...PACMAN...]

I'd say definitely System Ram. 3 x4 would be very beneficial to that setup, especially with the streaming/multi-tasking side of things.

 

[Huxley2k7]

It sure wouldn't be the PSU your CPU to max out.
That's scary! Those often do more harm than good. Other than CCleaner or Windows own Disk Cleanup I don't recommend any fixer or cleaner. And CCleaner's registry cleaner must be used with care, and never to "fix" a broken computer.

Have you scanned for malware? With what? How much free disk space do you have? What does Task Manager or Resource Monitor say is using your RAM and CPU resources?

Hi Bill_Bright, thanks for the reply.

I only use CCleaner, but i do use the file/registry cleaner alongside Malwarebytes for spyware quite liberally! No spyware detected.

Task Manager suggests only the main applications are using up the RAM and CPU (streaming software + game.exe) however its only since installing the new GPU that these programs are noticeably slower when streaming (and my streaming encoder is dropping frames which suggests the CPU is being pushed too hard to encode optimally). That's what's confusing me.

Hi, I'd re-install windows if you haven't already. Secondly, are you running the games at higher resolutions/settings with the new card? It's possible that streaming at higher quality settings may be slowing your system down. And lastly, 6 gigs of ram is borderline too little, even if you're at 5.60/6 gigs, that doesn't mean that your system isn't reading off the hard drive.

So, reinstall windows. More ram?

I am a video editor and currently in the middle of a big project which i don't want to run the risk of losing/mismatching/misplacing files over a format just yet (but i plan to once i order the new system). You may be right though, this may indeed be the issue (or part of it). I haven't touched the game(s) settings, left how they were on my ATi 6950.

I'd say definitely System Ram. 3 x4 would be very beneficial to that setup, especially with the streaming/multi-tasking side of things.

You're not wrong there, i can't wait to order my new build. In the mean-time, this conundrum is bothering me and interfering with work/play/stream time AKA LIFE!

 

[TC-man]

Perhaps you could check whether there's something throttling in your PC: GPU or CPU? How the temperature of CPU and GPU for example?

 

[Bill_Bright]

I only use CCleaner, but i do use the file/registry cleaner alongside Malwarebytes for spyware quite liberally! No spyware detected.

I do too. But I do this regularly to keep my system "tidy". I don't recommend running the registry cleaner on a broken system.

I also don't recommend reinstalling Windows. That should always be a last resort option because (1) it typically sets you months if not years behind in security, (2) you lose all your data and installed programs unless you have current backups, (3) if it fixes the problem, you won't know why or how, and more importantly how to prevent recurrence of the problem, and finally (4) it often doesn't fix the problem then you are stuck with (1) and (2) for no good reason.

Reinstalling also assumes you have the installation disk - which many users don't.

What happens if you boot into Safe Mode?

 

[Huxley2k7]

Perhaps you could check whether there's something throttling in your PC: GPU or CPU? How the temperature of CPU and GPU for example?

Well I've been playing Evolve flawlessly today (as per usual), at around 70-80% CPU usage, 4-5 GB MEM. CPU around 65-70*C, GPU roughly the same. Evolve runs at full 4GB capacity of the GPU. However, running my streaming software (OBS) whilst playing causes CPU to consistentlys tick around 98-100% usage, and memory close to 6GB (my max). Gameplay is noticeably stuttery, its 'playable' but not enjoyable. What i can't work out is, WHY? Why now that I've put in this brand new, better GPU is the CPU being taxed more heavily whilst running applications? I am planning to upgrade as you know, but in the meantime I'd just like to understand why this might be happening and what could be the cause?

I do too. But I do this regularly to keep my system "tidy". I don't recommend running the registry cleaner on a broken system.

I also don't recommend reinstalling Windows. That should always be a last resort option because (1) it typically sets you months if not years behind in security, (2) you lose all your data and installed programs unless you have current backups, (3) if it fixes the problem, you won't know why or how, and more importantly how to prevent recurrence of the problem, and finally (4) it often doesn't fix the problem then you are stuck with (1) and (2) for no good reason.

Reinstalling also assumes you have the installation disk - which many users don't.

What happens if you boot into Safe Mode?

Yep, wiping appears to be a quick 'fix' around here! Normally i would agree, and i don't knock the advice thrown around this brilliant forum at all, but since I've been doing more and more work from home this year, wiping seems very daunting to me!

Regarding safe-mode, i don't see how that would be worth troubleshooting since its gaming/software applications that are part of the issue, which i cannot run in safe mode?

 

[Bill_Bright]

Safe Mode just eliminates some of the potential suspects.