Processors

[RPX100]

I have build myself a new PC with AMD cpu and gpu in december.
Have been using Intel and Nvidia for the last 3 PCs before that.

I am looking for some feedback:
- What is the best way to tune my setup for gaming?
- Without disabling the power saving features for desktop use (browsing, movies, work).
- Recommended Windows Power Saving Plan (and settings).
- Recommended MSI 5 click BIOS settings (PBO or manual voltage + clock)

I am asking this here because:
- I noticed that the effective clock of my cpu never reaches max clock.
- Only way to get max clock seems to be cinebench.
- Even on demanding games my cpu clocks are staying below 4 GHz. (cpu usage around 30-40%)
- There are some minor cases of stuttering, because of the low cpu clock, while loading / playing games.

My system specs are:
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT (8c, 16t) [cinebench R23 multi: 13328]
GPU: ASRock RX 5700 XT Challenger Pro 8GB OC [driver: 20.11.2]
MB: MSI B500-A Pro (PCIe 4.0)
RAM: 2x 16GB G.Skill Ripjaws V, F4-3600C16 - DD4-3600 MHz CL16
SSD: M.2 Gigabyte Aorus 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe [system + games]
SSD: M.2 Kingston KC2500 2TB PCIe 3.0 NVMe [more games]
NT: 650W, 25A 3,3V, 25A 5V, 54A 12V
CPU-cooler: Scythe Mugen 5 Rev.B [max CPU temp in cinebench: 73°C]

Thank you for taking the time to reply.

[RPX100]

I just wanted to update this topic with my current BIOS settings.
Maybe someone can give some feedback and let me know if those are indeed best for gaming use.
reminder: I want to keep power saving features enabled for desktop use.

MSI click BIOS 5 settings:
- Global C-State Control -> [enabled]
- Power Supply Idle Control -> [low current idle]
- CPPC -> [enabled]
- CPPC preferred cores -> [enabled]
- SMT -> [enabled]

- XMP -> [enabled]
- DRAM frequency -> [DDR4-3600] (CL16)
- FCLK -> [1800 MHz]
- UCLK -> [1800 MHz]
- DRAM voltage -> [1.35v] (from XMP profile)

- CPU multi -> [43] (4.3 GHz manual OC)
- CPU core voltage -> [1.250 volts] 
- SoC voltage -> [1.100 volts]
- PBO -> [disabled]

I am still looking for feedback why my CPU might not be reaching 4 GHz while gaming.
Cinebench is currently the only thing to get the core boost to max clock (4.3).

[Earnhardt]

what CPU cooler?CPU temps?

[RPX100]

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@Earnhardt wrote:

what CPU cooler?CPU temps?

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You did not take the time to read my posts to the end...

CPU-cooler: Scythe Mugen 5 Rev.B [max CPU temp in cinebench: 73°C]

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I have 4 identical high air flow case fans with custom fan curves maxing out at 70°C/100% RPM.

[Earnhardt]

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@RPX100 wrote:

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@Earnhardt wrote:

what CPU cooler?CPU temps?

---

You did not take the time to read my posts to the end...

CPU-cooler: Scythe Mugen 5 Rev.B [max CPU temp in cinebench: 73°C]

I did read your whole post ,just missed it at my age.

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[RPX100]

Looks like this topic got 200+ views so far, but no actual feedback or insights.
I am still looking for advise in any form. 

I have been looking through some YouTube tech reviews and overclocking data sheets...
It is truly amazing how little information they provide regarding the actual used BIOS settings. :rolleyes:

I am still not sure if I should use AMD's PBO + Auto voltage or if my manual OC will work better for games.
These videos that I watched pointed out different use scenarios and different outcomes...
In the end - it looks to me - like there is a 50/50 split between reviewers suggesting either one of those settings.

My cinebench scores between those 2 settings are indeed very close to each other.
But I did not manage to undervolt the PBO yet.
(some setting is overwriting the voltage offset)
(... and those hidden BIOS hierarchy overwrite privileges are not helping at all)

[RPX100 · Accepted solution]

After testing and comparing both manual OC and PBO for 2 more days,
by playing my favorite games and also using Cinebench to check the temps,
as well as getting the baseline scores for both methods, I conclude this:

- My system is working very well with PBO enabled and has been stable with it.
- The boost clocks (effective clocks measured with HWinfo) are better with PBO enabled.
- The CPU temps are slightly higher when the system is idle.
- The CPU temps are identical to the manual OC under gaming loads.

So after playing around with a lot of BIOS settings and trying out the performance of
this system for desktop use and gaming use, I decided to go with PBO enabled.

---

These are my MSI click BIOS 5 settings [on MSI B550-A Pro Mainboard], for future reference:
• Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO) -> [enabled]
• PBO Limits (PPT, EDC, TDC) -> [Motherboard]
• Load Line Calibration (LLC) -> [Auto]
• Simultaneous Multithreading (SMT) -> [enabled]

• Global C-State Control -> [enabled]
• Power Supply Idle Control -> [low current idle]
• CPPC -> [enabled]
• CPPC preferred cores -> [enabled]
• AMD Cool and Quiet (PSS) -> [enabled]

• XMP -> [enabled]
• DRAM frequency -> [DDR4-3600] (CL16)
• FCLK -> [1800 MHz]
• UCLK -> [1800 MHz] (1:1)
• DRAM voltage -> [1.35v] (from XMP profile)

• CPU core voltage -> [Auto]
• SoC voltage -> [Auto]

---

CPU effective Boost clocks can reach and hold 4725 MHz this way.
All Core effective Boost clocks can reach and hold 4225 MHz this way.
PBO is using 1.275 volts for all core boosting.

I have increased my case fans (4x) RPM for idle temps a bit.
Under load the system has reached 74°C in cinebench and 71-72 °C gaming loads.

[RPX100]

BIOS 7C56vA5 with AGESA 1.2.0.0 released for my MSI B550-A Pro and I updated today.
- AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT - PBO enabled (see settings from above)
- chipset driver: 2.10.26.336
- RX 5700 XT 8GB

Did a TimeSpy run before the update and after:
- Benchmark 1 with AGESA 1.0.8.1 and Radeon driver 20.11.2
- Benchmark 2 with AGESA 1.2.0.0 and Radeon driver 21.1.1

AGESA 1.0.8.1
- Score: 9629 | GPU-Score: 9560 | CPU-Score: 10045
- GPU-Test1: 65.47 FPS | GPU-Test2: 52.58 FPS | CPU-Test 33.75 FPS

AGESA 1.2.0.0 (Smart Access Memory enabled)
- Score: 9604 | GPU-Score: 9544 | CPU-Score: 9961
- GPU-Test1: 65.51 FPS | GPU-Test2: 52.39 FPS | CPU-Test: 33.47 FPS

Firestrike:

AGESA 1.2.0.0 - SAM:ON - (Radeon 21.1.1)
- Score: 23730 | GPU-Score: 28229 | Physics: 22018 | Combined: 11417
- GPU-Test1: 133.82 FPS | GPU-Test2: 113.35 FPS
- Physics-Test: 69.90 FPS | Combined-Test: 53.10 FPS

AGESA 1.2.0.0 - SAM:OFF - (Radeon 21.1.1)
- Score: 23724 | GPU-Score: 28263 | Physics: 21840 | Combined: 11435
- GPU-Test1: 133.97 FPS | GPU-Test2: 113.49 FPS
- Physics-Test: 69.33 FPS | Combined-Test: 53.19 FPS

Benchmarks are not showing any improvements for me. :shrug:
Looks to me like margin of error - this was 1 run each.

Windows Device Manager is confirming the larger memory allocation.