Far Cry 3 CPU Bottleneck

[RUN4Y0URL1F3]

I didn't understand why in Far Cry 3 my GPU usage would drop to 70%. Everything got clear when I came across this forum! There's a clear CPU bottleneck in place!

My system:

- 2x SLI 2GB ASUS GTX 680
- ASUS Sabertooth Z77
- i7 3770K
- Corsair TX750 PSU
- 16GB Kingston RAM

In some demanding areas my GPU usage drops down to 70% and fps dip in the lower 50s. I overclocked my CPU to 4.8 Ghz and I can't go higher without getting a BSOD. I have some questions!

1) Can someone tell me how to achieve a 5.0 Ghz OC?
2) Do you think that the game relying too much on CPU is caused by bad coding?
3) Is there a CPU on the market which prevents this kind of bottleneck?
4) Is my TX750 PSU enough for a CPU and GPU OC?

Thanks guys!

 

[grimpr]

Just lower the resolution, FC3 doesnt scale well its graphics in high resolutions. Lower the res to 1366x768 with optimal graphics settings and it will play butter smooth.

 

[boxleitnerb]

Change CPU frequency while in the game (you can do this via the "processor power management" in Windows power options - just lower the maximum processor state from 100% to something lower; it will lower CPU clocks) and observe fps change. If there is any, then you have a CPU bottleneck.

 

[RUN4Y0URL1F3]

Just lower the resolution, FC3 doesnt scale well its graphics in high resolutions. Lower the res to 1366x768 with optimal graphics settings and it will play butter smooth.

Thanks mate! I'll use the above as a last resort. I'm not really keen on playing the game at 1366x768 having spent so much in money for my system!

 

[RUN4Y0URL1F3]

Change CPU frequency while in the game (you can do this via the "processor power management" in Windows power options - just lower the maximum processor state from 100% to something lower; it will lower CPU clocks) and observe fps change. If there is any, then you have a CPU bottleneck.

I’m pretty sure the issue I’m experiencing is due to CPU bottleneck. Going from 4.5 to 4.8 Ghz I gained 3-4 minimum FPS and 5% GPU usage!

 

[boxleitnerb]

I just suggested it so you can check for sure. It's difficult to get good results if you need to reboot for changing your OC.

 

[guskline]

I didn't understand why in Far Cry 3 my GPU usage would drop to 70%. Everything got clear when I came across this forum! There's a clear CPU bottleneck in place!

My system:

- 2x SLI 2GB ASUS GTX 680
- ASUS Sabertooth Z77
- i7 3770K
- Corsair TX750 PSU
- 16GB Kingston RAM

In some demanding areas my GPU usage drops down to 70% and fps dip in the lower 50s. I overclocked my CPU to 4.8 Ghz and I can't go higher without getting a BSOD. I have some questions!

1) Can someone tell me how to achieve a 5.0 Ghz OC?
2) Do you think that the game relying too much on CPU is caused by bad coding?
3) Is there a CPU on the market which prevents this kind of bottleneck?
4) Is my TX750 PSU enough for a CPU and GPU OC?

Thanks guys!

Heavens! If you are having trouble with your rig, I'm in a world of hurt playing this with a 8150 Bulldozer OC to 4.2 Ghz with a Gigabyte 7870OC!

 

[grimpr]

Thanks mate! I'll use the above as a last resort. I'm not really keen on playing the game at 1366x768 having spent so much in money for my system!

Your system is a beast but FC3s engine doesnt take proper advantage of it altough its a multithreaded engine and heavily gpu bound imho it has bugs and doesnt scale well in high resolutions. I play at 1366x768, DX9 with optimal graphics as suggested by the game with antialiasing enabled, it plays very smooth and has great graphics too.

 

[RUN4Y0URL1F3]

Your system is a beast but FC3s engine doesnt take proper advantage of it altough its a multithreaded engine and heavily gpu bound imho it has bugs and doesnt scale well in high resolutions. I play at 1366x768, DX9 with optimal graphics as suggested by the game with antialiasing enabled, it plays very smooth and has great graphics too.

I think the engine is faulty, but my CPU is bottlenecking my GPUs. I'll give 1366x768 a shot when I get home. I honestly think the game is massively CPU bound. That's the reason why when shit hits the fan GPU usage goes down to 70% and fps drop!
I think that water effects are glitched, as they affect performance more than they should. Changing Water from Very High to Low:

1) GPU usage rises;
2) I gain 10 fps even when there's absolutely no water in the scene (ridiculous!).

Can someone have a look at my 3 initial questions?

 

[moonbogg]

FC3 runs great at 1920x1080 with two 600 series cards! I know because I have two 670's! Maybe i'll do some fraps runs for you later for comparison!

 

[AtenRa]

Your system is a beast but FC3s engine doesnt take proper advantage of it altough its a multithreaded engine and heavily gpu bound imho it has bugs and doesnt scale well in high resolutions. I play at 1366x768, DX9 with optimal graphics as suggested by the game with antialiasing enabled, it plays very smooth and has great graphics too.

What GPU do you have ??

 

[RUN4Y0URL1F3]

FC3 runs great at 1920x1080 with two 600 series cards! I know because I have two 670's! Maybe i'll do some fraps runs for you later for comparison!

What are you system specs? maybe we can compare benchmarks!

What FPS you get in combat in dense jungle playing in Ultra with 4 MSAA, Enhanced AtC and HBAO?

 

[Face2Face]

I play @ 1080P Max settings with Post Processing on MED. MSAA @ 2X - SSAO - 50-60 FPS almost all of the time.

 

[Ferzerp]

Bad SLI profile. Nothing to do with the CPU.

 

[RUN4Y0URL1F3]

Bad SLI profile. Nothing to do with the CPU.

I thought it had to do with this!

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2249262

 

[AdamK47]

Moar cores and moar GPUs should fix you right up. Works for me.

 

[2is]

You probably own't achieve 5GHz, and it sound like you're trying to eliminate all bottlenecks, that will never happen. Games are dynamic, their CPU/GPU usage is not going to be the same at every point. There will ALWAYS be a bottleneck somewhere. The goal shouldn't be to achieve 100% GPU usage at all times (especially if it entails trying to murder your CPU with a 5GHz overclock) the goal should be to have a good framerate, which I'm pretty sure you do considering I do and we have close to identical systems with you having twice the GPU power.

 

[guskline]

Moar cores and moar GPUs should fix you right up. Works for me.

AdamK47, that IS funny and really never gets old!

 

[boxleitnerb]

You could try this SLI value:
0x080942F5

 

[RUN4Y0URL1F3]

Moar cores and moar GPUs should fix you right up. Works for me.

What CPU should I buy? I think I will have to change my mobo as well...

 

[RUN4Y0URL1F3]

You probably own't achieve 5GHz, and it sound like you're trying to eliminate all bottlenecks, that will never happen. Games are dynamic, their CPU/GPU usage is not going to be the same at every point. There will ALWAYS be a bottleneck somewhere. The goal shouldn't be to achieve 100% GPU usage at all times (especially if it entails trying to murder your CPU with a 5GHz overclock) the goal should be to have a good framerate, which I'm pretty sure you do considering I do and we have close to identical systems with you having twice the GPU power.

My goal is to achieve 60 fps minimum. This is not happening!

 

[boxleitnerb]

In 99% of all cases, there is no faster CPU than a 3770K@4.8 GHz for gaming. Try the SLI value first:

Get Nvidia Inspector and replace the original SLI value (for DX11 of course) with the aforementioned one.

 

[2is]

Are your dips happening when the GPU usage drops? If so, then yeah it might be a CPU bottleneck, and if that's the case, there is probably nothing you can do because I doubt you'll hit 5GHz stable without some serious modification to your cooling. i.e. delidding

 

[moonbogg]

What are you system specs? maybe we can compare benchmarks!

What FPS you get in combat in dense jungle playing in Ultra with 4 MSAA, Enhanced AtC and HBAO?

3930K @ 4.3
2X 670 SLI
16gb DDR3 @ 1600
SSD

I can't recall exactly, but it goes below 60 at times. Its mostly between 60-100 but this is from memory. I will find a spot on the map and tell you my FPS as well as where that spot is and you can compare. All settings maxed with 4xAA & HBAO.

EDIT: Also, the default SLI profile is absolute garbage and WILL tank your FPS like nobody's business. You must modify it with the new bits as has been stated in this thread I believe. I'll get back to you when i get home.

 

[RUN4Y0URL1F3]

In 99% of all cases, there is no faster CPU than a 3770K@4.8 GHz for gaming. Try the SLI value first:

Get Nvidia Inspector and replace the original SLI value (for DX11 of course) with the aforementioned one.

Thanks mate... The new SLI bits added a good 3 fps!