I've recently assembled a mostly prebuilt PC featuring an Intel i5 13400F, while the only prebuilt components are the processor, motherboard, and cooling system. I paired it with a new MSI RTX 5070, a 750W PSU, and 32GB of 6000MHz RAM. Although it performs fine in most games, I've noticed a significant drop in frames in Cyberpunk 2077, especially around areas crowded with NPCs. In fact, I found a benchmark video with the same CPU and a 4070, which is a less powerful graphics card. My performance is initially better by about 20 fps in a low-traffic bar scene, but it dips dramatically to 25-30 fps lower than the benchmark when the environment gets busy. The CPU temperatures are fine at a max of 80°C, and usage hovers around 60%, with none of the cores exceeding 75%. I've already activated XMP for the RAM. The only thing I'm considering adjusting is the PL1 and PL2 settings in the BIOS, currently set to 65W and 115W respectively. Could these settings be limiting performance? Is it safe to boost these limits for testing while monitoring the temperatures? I'm just cautious about potentially damaging my hardware.
1 Answer
It sounds like your power settings could definitely be a factor. Many OEM motherboards, especially those from companies like Dell, often limit power to ensure lower heat output and better cooling. If your motherboard is indeed from MSI, check if you have the option to unlock or boost those PL settings safely. Just keep an eye on the temps while you test it out—pushing it safely should be okay if you're cautious.
That's good to know! I'll take it slow when I adjust those settings and keep monitoring the temps. I really appreciate the advice!