I'm encountering significant stuttering while playing games, and I'm unsure if it's related to my gaming setup or the games themselves. I usually play at 1440p or 4k, and here are my specs: my CPU is an Intel i5-12400F, my GPU is a 5070 Ti, I'm using a 650W XPG Core Reactor II PSU, my motherboard is the H610M, and I have 32GB of RAM running at 3200MHz. My CPU temperatures are average, hitting a maximum of 85°C, while my GPU reaches around 68°C. All my games are installed on an NVMe/SATA SSD, but I suspect that a very deteriorated HDD, which I need for booting (even though Windows is on the SSD), might also be affecting performance. The game I've noticed the most stuttering in is Wuthering Waves, even when running at max settings on both 1440p and 4k. Any advice on what could be causing this?
4 Answers
The i5-12400F might be a bit underwhelming for a 5070 Ti at 1440p, but it should perform fine at 4k because the GPU can handle it. Your CPU temps are pretty high, almost reaching thermal throttling levels. Are your clock speeds stable during gaming? Also, is XMP enabled for your RAM to ensure it runs at 3200MHz?
When I got my 5070 Ti, I had similar stuttering problems. I went into the BIOS and switched from PCIe Gen 5 to Gen 4, and it completely resolved the issue for me. It’s an easy adjustment to try, plus you can always change it back if it doesn’t help.
My motherboard is PCIe 4, so I might not have that option, but thanks for the tip!
That HDD situation sounds a bit unusual. Just to clarify, is Windows installed on both drives? Do you encounter power issues at boot time, or is it that Windows doesn’t load without it? If it’s the latter, you might want to try removing the HDD and reinstalling Windows on the SSD. By the way, what kind of cooler are you using for that CPU?
I'm using the stock cooler along with 7 air coolers in my aquarium case. As for the HDD, Windows is on the NVMe SSD, so it shouldn’t be a problem. However, my PC won't boot without the HDD connected.
Your 650W PSU is actually a bit below the recommended minimum for a 5070 Ti, which could cause stuttering issues. Just keep in mind, there can be multiple reasons for your stuttering, so it might be worth investigating further.
But the power consumption for both components doesn't even add up to 650W. The 5070 Ti barely hits 300W at max usage.
85°C is my max, and I usually see it in the 70s during gameplay, plus my clock speeds are steady and XMP is activated.