PC Optimization Inquiries

[chingster]

Hi everyone, I've been referring back to anandtech for many years now whenever I needed computer help, but I've come across an inquiry that I couldn't quite find within the forums.

I'll start by giving a quick run down of my PC which I built myself just this past February:

CPU - i7 860 (left untouched at stock speeds)
Mobo - ASUS P7P55D-e PRO
Memory - G. Skill Ripjaws 2x2GB 1600mhz (7-8-7)
GPU - XFX 5870
Heatsink/Cooler - Corsair H50
PSU - Corsair HX850
Case - HAF932 (All stock fans are still in place minus the rear fan which I replaced with a more efficient Scythe S-Flex for the H50)

For storage I have an Intel X25-M (80gb) partitioned for my OS and a 1TB caviar black for all other storage (like games and media). If I ever game it's usually Team Fortress 2 and I play on max settings with 4x AA @ 1900x1200 resolution.


First I had a couple of questions regarding PC temps; my cpu temps at idle are b/w 33-36 Celsius and increase to about ~50 Celsius under load usually when playing a game like Team Fortress 2.
For my 5870 gpu, it idles at about 50 C and increases anywhere from 75-90 C depending on the game I play. I'm not entirely sure what the rpm on the gpu fan is, but I set the ATI catalyst control fan speed to 40% (basically a balance between what I thought was adequate cooling and suitable fan noise).

Do these temperatures seem normal? I have my H50 fan attached to the radiator running at 800rpm. (I live in Toronto, so it's summer here and the ambient temp in my room can't be more than 15 degrees)

As a side question, does the temperature of the gpu significantly affect pc performance? A big thing for me is alt-tabbing in and out of game, so if I were to increase fan speed to cool down the card would this mitigate any waiting (when alt-tabbing or 'hanging' with many applications open)/increase gaming performance (in terms of fps)?

Another thing I noticed since I built this PC was the load times in a game like TF2. I have everything set to max with 4x AA and it seems like I'm always one of the last people to enter the game (I am hard-wired to my modem). I tried putting all settings to medium even and the load times arent much better.

Is there something I can do to optimize my cpu for overall PC performance? I have been reading about the Turbo Boost and Hyper Threading available on my 860, but was unsure of how to go about increasing cpu clock speeds and if that has anything to do with playing around with voltages. (or if it is even necessary, like would I really notice a difference when gaming or even just browsing the web?)

Thanks guys I appreciate all the help. I spent months researching parts, reading forums and learning how to build my PC. But now I'm trying to make sure everything is running at it's best and maybe there is something I have not done that will make more PC more efficient.

Thanks again for your time,

Justin

 

[n7]

Welcome to the forums

Temps are fine.
GPU could be a bit cooler, but it's nowhere near overheating temps (& you have lots of overhead fan speed at your availability).
For example comparsion, my 5870 is @ 60c idle right now (very hot in here though). I just leave fan @ auto...

If you haven't already, make sure fans are dusted as sometimes dust builds up in a hurry.

Turbo Boost & Hyperthreading are on by default on your CPU.
If you want a large boost, you'd want to overclock. There are good threads on that in the CPUs/Overclocking forum.

For things like games loading on good hardware like yours, i'd say the weaker link is having your games on your mechanical HDD, instead of an SSD.
It might help up your loading speed a bit (don't expect a huge amount; it can vary depending on game, etc).
Loading times are also rather dependent on your internet connection, & connection to that server specifically, so again, it can vary.

I personally love SSDs enough all my main systems now have them as the OS drive, & i have all my main games on them also.

In stuff like TF2, i am pretty much always the first person into a game.

I'd personally suggest considering getting another SSD for games (or for RAID-0 to better deal with things like Steam games being a PITA to split across multiple HDDs) if you've got a decent bit of $$$ to spare, but it's obviously somewhat of a YMMV situation due to the other variables that affect loading & general gaming performance.

Alt-tabbing performance i've found primarily to be affected by RAM (having enough extra) + HDD (again, why i love SSDs so much).
Temps of GPU/fan speed will not alter this.

 

[chingster]

Hey n7, I really appreciate the answers and your quick reply!

Just a couple further questions on what you said though:

When you have your 5870 set to auto, what is the noise level like? It's kind of hard to answer I guess but just an idea.

How much would adding another 2x2GB 1600mhz help performance?

Thanks

 

[llee]

I have to second N7's advice. Moving your games onto the SSD will cut load times dramatically. For me, MW2 load times went from around 15 seconds to 5 (fresh) and 10 to 3 (repeat).

 

[n7]

Hey n7, I really appreciate the answers and your quick reply!

Just a couple further questions on what you said though:

When you have your 5870 set to auto, what is the noise level like? It's kind of hard to answer I guess but just an idea.

How much would adding another 2x2GB 1600mhz help performance?

Thanks

Noise level isn't bad.
It's not the quietest thing in my rig, but then again, it's the fastest moving fan by far, & i only can notice the noise when gaming.
Doesn't really bother me since i can't really hear it over the game unless i'm listening for it usually anyway.

Adding RAM certainly could help if you are already utilizing all your 4 GB.
If you aren't, i wouldn't expect much of an improvement.
I'd open up task manager while gaming/multitasking & basically watch your RAM usage.
I've done this for so long now i always have an idea of what my requirements are.

I tend to leave stuff open/running & some things like Firefox sadly still have memory leaks, so i find 4 GB wouldn't really be enough for me.

That said, on my Lian LAN, but more portable gaming system, i only have 4 GB on, & i'm happy with how it does still.
My two PCs i use more often i've got 8 GB in though, but i've always preferred to have more than enough RAM available (especially while it was cheap).

 

[chingster]

I set the gpu fan back to default for now - so whenever the temp goes up, so does the fan speed. This way it only increases and decreases when it needs to. I'll continue monitoring my RAM usage.

What do you mean when you say things like firefox still have 'memory leaks'?

Also my usage usually goes above 80% frequently. would something like that warrant adding 4GB more?

Thanks guys for the posts

(btw how do i add my pc specs under my name or in a signature)

 

[llee]

Memory leaks imply that Firefox doesn't efficiently manage its resources. It keep requesting the system for more RAM usage to keep running its tasks. It's a lot better than it used to be, but no browser is perfect.

You only need 4GB or more RAM if you tend to work on many things on once. It's similar with the dual-core, quad-core argument in that respect.

In order to add your PC specs you need to go to your User CP and edit the signature settings or rig information.