Computer majorly underperforming - What is the cause??

linwelin · 21 Aug 2011 at 18:31

i have almost the same setup as u, oly i have slightly faster cpu at 3.2ghz with more HDD's 1TB 500gig x2 and a 320gig i have the same PSU and it runs my system fine, so i doubt it is that unless it is damaged, as has been suggested reinstall ur windows, but u might want to check ur HDD maybe they r faulty ?

Fr0dders · 21 Aug 2011 at 18:52

RinRanRyan said:
A quick go on that PSU calculator with just the RAM, CPU and GPU inputted already comes to 450W recommended without any hardrives etc added. Does this mean I should change the PSU??

Its unlikely that a PSU that isn't enough would manifest itself by making your system run "slow"

Id expect it to be unstable, crashing left right and centre, and generally running like a dog.

I sincerely doubt its your PSU.

Start with a brand new fresh clean install of windows and see what thats like.

Gimpymoo · 21 Aug 2011 at 19:08

MrLOL said:
Its unlikely that a PSU that isn't enough would manifest itself by making your system run "slow"

Id expect it to be unstable, crashing left right and centre, and generally running like a dog.

I sincerely doubt its your PSU.

Start with a brand new fresh clean install of windows and see what thats like.

Saying that, I had those exact same symptoms with an old OEM PSU.

Got a 5770 at launch and I just was not getting the performace I should have been.

Replaced the PSU and BAM... instant FPS gain with NO OTHER CHANGES MADE.

olivier renault · 21 Aug 2011 at 19:13

Graphics card can sometimes revert to a underclocked, undervolted mode if not supplied with enough power. I had that when one of the PCIE connectors came loose on a 5850.

Fr0dders · 21 Aug 2011 at 19:17

Gimpymoo said:
Saying that, I had those exact same symptoms with an old OEM PSU.

Got a 5770 at launch and I just was not getting the performace I should have been.

Replaced the PSU and BAM... instant FPS gain with NO OTHER CHANGES MADE.

really ?

I would genuinely have expected stuff to be going wrong with some visible symptoms. Not just slowing down.

Ravenger · 21 Aug 2011 at 21:35

I had something similar happen when overclocking my GTX 460 - games would run really slowly, and using MSI Afterburner you could see the card clocking down when under load due to insufficient power. My PSU was borderline capable of running the card. A new PSU fixed it.

Try installing MSI Afterburner and monitor what your card is doing. I must admit, a 400w PSU (no matter what the quality) does seem underpowered for a Quad core gaming system.

gropingmantis · 21 Aug 2011 at 23:08

It isn't the PSU being overloaded. I am running an i5-2500K, HD 6950 overclocked 8GB RAM 2 HDDs and a BR drive on a CX400. A little beast of a PSU this.

Could be a faulty PSU or a loose power connector. But more likely a software issue.

linwelin · 21 Aug 2011 at 23:24

Ravenger said:
I had something similar happen when overclocking my GTX 460 - games would run really slowly, and using MSI Afterburner you could see the card clocking down when under load due to insufficient power. My PSU was borderline capable of running the card. A new PSU fixed it.

Try installing MSI Afterburner and monitor what your card is doing. I must admit, a 400w PSU (no matter what the quality) does seem underpowered for a Quad core gaming system.

only way it is his psu is if it is damaged, as i have the same setup well just a fraction quicker, and mine runs perfectly fine with the same psu.

Substance · 21 Aug 2011 at 23:34

I had loads of trouble with lag/pauses and it turned out to be the hard drive, the game couldn't load textures fast enough for them to be displayed so the game stuttered

a fast HDD or in my case 8gb of DDR3 (so it preloads rather than loading on the fly) should fix the problem

RinRanRyan · 22 Aug 2011 at 11:05

Many thanks to infernox, I rolled back to 10.x Catalyst centre and the problems resolved immediately. From 20 fps on lowest settings to 60fps on full settings so a pretty good result in all!

Many thanks