I built my PC in 2016 (including the XFX ProSeries 550W Core Edition Power Supply - 80 PLUS Bronze Certified which I couldn't find on pcpartpicker):
https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/xNGzXP
I was happy with it until maybe 8 months ago where I started to notice FPS drops in games. At first I thought it was only a problem with Overwatch as I was getting very high CPU usage when playing but I also get dips in TF2 if the gamemode is 7v7 or more (RGL, HL and pubs; 6s is usually fine except on maps like sunshine). I am not sure if this is a problem with my PC or if I slowly started to notice the FPS drops as I got more used to my 144Hz monitor which I bought at the start of this year and my PC isn't in fact good enough for a consistent 144fps.
I run all my games on very low graphics and when possible on a 4:3 stretched resolution and in fullscreen mode and the only game that I play where I seem to get constant 144fps+ is CS:GO.
So far I have tried:
- Cleaning the dust out of my PC.
- Checking multiple times for viruses.
- Unplugging my second monitor.
- Applying new thermal paste.
- Making sure my drivers are updated.
And yet nothing has helped.
Could it be that this is just a case of me needing to upgrade my rig and if so, how should I go about it and what is in more need of an upgrade?
I built my PC in 2016 (including the XFX ProSeries 550W Core Edition Power Supply - 80 PLUS Bronze Certified which I couldn't find on pcpartpicker):
https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/xNGzXP
I was happy with it until maybe 8 months ago where I started to notice FPS drops in games. At first I thought it was only a problem with Overwatch as I was getting very high CPU usage when playing but I also get dips in TF2 if the gamemode is 7v7 or more (RGL, HL and pubs; 6s is usually fine except on maps like sunshine). I am not sure if this is a problem with my PC or if I slowly started to notice the FPS drops as I got more used to my 144Hz monitor which I bought at the start of this year and my PC isn't in fact good enough for a consistent 144fps.
I run all my games on very low graphics and when possible on a 4:3 stretched resolution and in fullscreen mode and the only game that I play where I seem to get constant 144fps+ is CS:GO.
So far I have tried:
[list]
[*] Cleaning the dust out of my PC.
[*] Checking multiple times for viruses.
[*] Unplugging my second monitor.
[*] Applying new thermal paste.
[*] Making sure my drivers are updated.
[/list]
And yet nothing has helped.
Could it be that this is just a case of me needing to upgrade my rig and if so, how should I go about it and what is in more need of an upgrade?
Im not at all surprised you're getting fps drops with that cpu. It was a middle of the road cpu when it was new. A 4790k would help significantly, especially when overclocked, but it's still pretty pricey and needs a good cooler.
Im not at all surprised you're getting fps drops with that cpu. It was a middle of the road cpu when it was new. A 4790k would help significantly, especially when overclocked, but it's still pretty pricey and needs a good cooler.
Keep in mind that everyone is losing a few fps in OW and TF2 with every update.
The 144 Hz monitor probably doesn't help. So little bit of column A, little bit of column B.
The CPU isn't bad, but there are better ones. If you do indeed have a Z97 mobo you have the option of overclocking, but even without that a 4790K could get you ~30% more fps in TF2. So if it's a Z mobo look for a used 4670K, 4690K, 4770K or 4790K, get an ok-ish cooler (~30£, used is fine as well, maybe as a bundle) and simply getting ~4.4 GHz, would get you those 30% and solve your problem in TF2.
Overwatch is a bit more complicated. Depends on the exact settings and resolution, but it could be your CPU or your GPU or both. Get a new CPU first, see if that fixes it, if not you can try overclocking the GPU a bit, using lower render scale/resolution or even lower settings or get a new GPU.
Keep in mind that everyone is losing a few fps in OW and TF2 with every update.
The 144 Hz monitor probably doesn't help. So little bit of column A, little bit of column B.
The CPU isn't bad, but there are better ones. If you do indeed have a Z97 mobo you have the option of overclocking, but even without that a 4790K could get you ~30% more fps in TF2. So if it's a Z mobo look for a used 4670K, 4690K, 4770K or 4790K, get an ok-ish cooler (~30£, used is fine as well, maybe as a bundle) and simply getting ~4.4 GHz, would get you those 30% and solve your problem in TF2.
Overwatch is a bit more complicated. Depends on the exact settings and resolution, but it could be your CPU or your GPU or both. Get a new CPU first, see if that fixes it, if not you can try overclocking the GPU a bit, using lower render scale/resolution or even lower settings or get a new GPU.