Computer Upgrade (CPU, MOBO, RAM)

[Deactivated] on 18/12/2015 - 12:01
Last edited 18/12/2015 - 12:53

Hello all.

I am looking to upgrade my CPU (i5-2400) as it is currently struggling and I think it is on its way out. It runs Dota 2 fine, but then when you open any other process on another monitor, such as me downloading updates from Origin or watching YouTube or Twitch on my second monitor the CPU load turns into 90-100%. If I have one process open even that is running at ~30-60% load depending on which game I am running which is normal I guess. I just don't understand why it accelerates to 100% when running two things at once.

Anyway I am deciding to move on from my old components (i5-2400 @ 3.1 GHz CPU, P8P67 Pro MOBO, 8GB 1600MHz DDR3 G.Skill RAM) to:
* i7-6700k (unless I should just bear with my current parts when the new series come out) - i7 for future proofing just encase I want to get into video editing, streaming, etc.
* 8GB DDR4 Kingston HyperX Black 2133MHz
* Asus Z170-AR ATX LGA1151 Motherboard (Does anyone know a cheaper motherboard? I don't know if I will need all these extra features, I just want a plainer looking motherboard without gaming labelled all over it.

http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/hdkkZL

I have recently upgraded my GPU from my dead GTX 570 to a GTX 970 so I highly doubt that it is my GPU causing the problems. I have updated drivers, gone through troubleshooting etc, but it seems the CPU usage is causing these low FPS / stuttering in games. Dota 2, I get around 300 FPS and then when another process is running it goes down to ~150FPS and starts to feel stuttery.

Final Note: Does anyone know of any specials that will come up for these products and how long I will have to wait to get a decent deal on these items? (I know that boxing day sales might have some sales).

Computing

Comments

  • nocure on 18/12/2015 - 12:20

    8GB DDR3 Kingston HyperX Black 2133MHz
    * Asus Z170-AR ATX LGA1151 Motherboard

    Change your RAM to DDR4.(just a typo I think)

    • [Deactivated] on 18/12/2015 - 12:53
      +1

      Fixed

  • Jemz on 18/12/2015 - 12:22

    I've got similar MOBO but I've got an i7 2600.

    You can pick up a used one on ebay for about $100-$150 http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Intel-Core-i7-2600K-3-4-GHz-Quad-… or http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Intel-Core-i7-2600-3-4-GHz-LGA115…

    One fifth of the price of the new 6700k but not sure how you feel about buying used parts, could get you through to the next gen of processors. Also chuck another 8 gig stick of ram in there.

    I had a 970 then swapped for a 980ti.

    The i7 still smashes gaming and multitasking and can get OC easily to 4.2GHz on the non "K" version.

    • [Deactivated] on 18/12/2015 - 12:55
      +1

      That is tempting, however I do like the feeling of brand new parts and knowing that they haven't been damaged in anyway.

      • Jemz on 18/12/2015 - 12:59

        I guess the question is; is the feeling of brand new parts worth the $700 difference?

        • [Deactivated] on 18/12/2015 - 13:02

          Yeah true, but how much longer should I keep this motherboard for, and how long is this $100 CPU going to last for?

        • Jemz on 18/12/2015 - 13:16

          @jackgoat: How long should I keep this motherboard for is a very hard question to answer. I see my MOBO and CPU lasting well into 2018 and then I'll upgrade to intel's 10nm or 7nm processors once they're out if my CPU is not keeping up with games etc.

          For $100-$150 it's not too much risk in my opinion

        • [Deactivated] on 18/12/2015 - 13:27

          Ok, and for streaming, I am very interested in this. Currently when I try and stream with my i5-2400 it laggs and stutters in game like I mentioned before unless I change encoding to GPU (which isn't optimal for performance but at least it doesn't stutter and its smooth to play) The i7-2600k should be able to stream games like Dota 2, CS:GO, etc in 1080@30fps/720@60fps right?

        • Jemz on 18/12/2015 - 13:45

          @jackgoat: not sure on steaming, when you say: "which isn't optimal for performance but at least it doesn't stutter and its smooth to play" do you mean performance of the PC's other tasks or the game or what? the sentence sort of contradicts itself

        • scrimshaw on 18/12/2015 - 20:10
          +1

          @Jemz:

          I think what he is trying to explain is that the streaming quality is not as good if it is done by the GPU. If the CPU is in charge of streaming, it doesn't have enough capacity to handle the game itself, causing lag.

          By offloading the work of streaming to the graphics card, he frees up the CPU for other tasks and improves gameplay, at the expense of stream quality.

          His current dillemma is whether he should spend extra money on the i7 processor just for the sake of improving streaming quality, or stay on the current setup of having to use the GPU to stream (or stream using the CPU, but end up with laggy gameplay).

          My personal suggestion though it to just simply sell off the current i5 and then upgrade to a i7 that's compatible with the current board. You can even use a Xeon processor (but check on the compatibility list on the mobo vendor first).

          You should be able to score one easily on OCAU forums.

  • ganymede on 18/12/2015 - 13:15
    +3

    OP, have you tried fresh install your PC? 100% cpu usage looks like your Flash plugin might be behaving badly.

    • [Deactivated] on 18/12/2015 - 13:24

      Will try that before ordering parts, but if that doesn't fix it I am currently looking out for deals and what not for an upgrade.

  • BoyGotSkills on 18/12/2015 - 16:20
    +2

    What you're describing is a software issue.

    Spend your money on a 250 GB samsung SSD, install windows on it, and you will live happily ever after. You need the SSD to "feed" the GTX 970.

    Your processor is not at all weak, and will do fine for another couple years easily, especially if you're only playing DOTA2.

  • oscargamer on 18/12/2015 - 17:38

    as above - your current setup is still good for a couple of years

    fresh install on an SSD and you won't know yourself !!!

    i just did that on my i5-2500, and it flies (well, goes well anyway)

  • [Deactivated] on 18/12/2015 - 21:39

    I already have an SSD, and not sure why that it would be a software issue when my CPU is throttling at 100% when 2 programs are running at the same time…

    • scrimshaw on 18/12/2015 - 21:43

      Have you tried looking in the task manager to see what's taking all the CPU time?

      What OS are you using? Windows or Linux?

      • [Deactivated] on 18/12/2015 - 21:48

        At the time 30% was being allocated to Origin when I was downloading patches. The same thing happens to VLC, Chrome (with twitch running), etc. The rest of the CPU is being put towards the game I guess.

        I am using Windows 10 x64. This never used to happen before recently. As I said before I will try a fresh install, got the NBN now so re-downloading my programs should be less painful.

        • scrimshaw on 18/12/2015 - 22:03

          Have you tried monitoring temps? See if your processor is reporting any abnormally high temps and is throttling itself due to overheating.

          If it is you might need to re-seat your hsf.

        • [Deactivated] on 18/12/2015 - 22:36

          IDK man, just played a game then with 40% CPU usage when a video was playing on the other screen (which previously gave me 100%) so not sure whats going on. Might of been overheating, gets really hot in my room in summer time. Moved downstairs with tiles compared to carpet and the breeze is almost always coming so that should keep things below 60. Currently at 40 idle CPU and GPU.

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