What is causing my 1660Ti to underperform?

[phillpower2]

On speccy it said my RAM was at 1200MHz, but it should be 2400, so maybe that’s the problem?

It is a problem but not for the reason that you think, you only have the one 16GB stick which means that it can only work in single channel at 1200MHz, if you had two 8GB sticks it would enable dual channel mode and the RAM would function at 2400MHz, your RAM is also the wrong speed for getting the best from the CPU, Intel state 2666MHz here

[Malnutrition]

@Nikzz You may want to free up some space on your C: drive, as it is beginning to get full. Having little to no free space on your HDD impacts performance… Other than that, I leave you with @phillpower2 he should be able to get your machine running the way it is supposed to run.

https://www.howtogeek.com/324956/how-much-free-space-should-you-leave-on-your-windows-pc/

[Nikzz]

Thanks for the help. My games are on my D drive though, I’ll check why my C drive is so full.
As for the RAM @phillpower2, if I buy 2 new sticks of 2x8GB, will it fix the problem and increase the FPS to what it should be?

Thanks

[phillpower2]

I asked on other platforms and some people said my RAM could be the cause for worse performance because it is single channel, but will dual channel really double my fps or increase them to what they should be?

Can you post a link to where you were advised that dual channel will double your FPS.

if I buy 2 new sticks of 2x8GB, will it fix the problem and increase the FPS to what it should be?

It will most certainly improve performance but there are other things that affect FPS, the internet connection, the AV protection and related security plug ins, the games servers and last but not least, using a VPN as you are.

[Nikzz]

It was on a Reddit post I made, where I asked the same question. Here’s the link:
[MEDIA=reddit]pcmasterrace/comments/u2n3g6[/MEDIA]

[phillpower2]

So not a reputable tech forum and the advise of a trusted tech then.

Examples of questionable advice from that thread;
Check mobo QVL. Get a set of 2x8 at the max speed you can support on that board, and make sure to enable XMP profile in bios to crank the speed. GL brother!

Not always the case, MBs don`t only support the one CPU and what RAM works with one CPU will not work with another, this is how it works, a CPU must be compatible with a MB whereas the RAM has to be compatible with both the MB and the CPU.
??? I think 3200mhz is a good sweet spot no matter the CPU brand.

Just plain wrong, 2666MHz is the max that both your CPU and MB can handle.

[Nikzz]

Yeah, that’s true. Thanks for clarifying and helping. So is it just the RAM that is causing the low fps, and if I buy new RAM that is dual channel and only up to that speed, will my FPS be better after that?
Sorry for the late reply by the way.

[phillpower2]

You are welcome but please refer back to my reply #19;

It will most certainly improve performance but there are other things that affect FPS, the internet connection, the AV protection and related security plug ins, the games servers and last but not least, using a VPN as you are.

In addition to the above, your hardware must also meet at least the minimum hardware requirements for any game, the screen and type of connection can also give better performance results and last but not least, all of the above is totally irrelevant if you don[ICODE]t have a good quality PSU that can support all of the hardware, you have not provided your PSU information but being that you have a decent add on GPU if you don[/ICODE]t also have a decent quality 450W or above Gold efficiency rated PSU from Corsair, EVGA or Seasonic you will never get the best from the PC.

[Nikzz]

My PSU is 700 or 750W from seasonic, but I think it’s only 80+ bronze rated.
If that’s all good then I’ll buy new RAM and see how the fps will be then.
Thanks for letting me know about the other factors that affect it which I didn’t think about. I think my internet connection is alright and I’m not using a VPN, so that should be good.
Just one more question, if I get RAM that is higher than what my motherboard and cpu can support, say 3200MHz, would it be a problem and cause my computer to not work properly, or would it just get capped at the maximum the motherboard and cpu can support?
I’m asking because I think 3200MHz is more widely available and better value than buying 2600, which I think is harder to find for a cheap price or better value now, and 3200 could be more future proof if I decide to upgrade some time.
If 3200 will be a problem and cause my computer to not work properly, then I will get the maximum that is supported.

[Malnutrition]

I’m not using a VPN

It is certainly installed on your machine, and running as well.

ExpressVPN - 10.15.0.8

[Nikzz]

Yeah I have the application but the VPN isn’t actually turned on since I ended the membership. I used to have a VPN but no longer do, I just didn’t delete the application incase I decide to activate the membership again.
I thought you meant that I had it on and working.
Sorry about that.

Thanks

[phillpower2]

Seasonic only ever made the one 700W and that was way back in 2006 and they haven’t released a 750W Bronze efficiency rated PSU since 2013, both are well discontinued and many years out of warranty, use at your peril.

Sorry but no one here will tell you to spend money on 3200MHz as we cannot guarantee that it will work.

For the best and most stable performance you should where possible purchase a CPU and RAM that have been tested and approved by the motherboard manufacturer, this is referred to as the QVL ( qualified vendors list ) understand though that there are too many products released for them all to be tested so other hardware will be compatible but not proven to be.

Thanks Mal, was about to post the below from Speccy;
Running: ExpressVPN Service

[Nikzz]

I will have a look into the PSU and QVL to choose what to upgrade and what RAM to use.
Thank you guys for helping over these 2 days and giving lots of useful information.
Now I know that I really need to look into my hardware haha.
Thanks for the help, if there isn’t anything else should I mark the thread as solved?

[phillpower2]

We can only advise and at the end of the day the final decision is yours to make I’m afraid.