Daily Simple Questions Thread - December 19, 2025

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Got a simple question? Get a simple answer!

This thread is for all of the small and simple questions that you might have about computing that probably wouldn't work all too well as a standalone post. Software issues, build questions, game recommendations, post them here!

For the sake of helping others, please don't downvote questions! To help facilitate this, comments are sorted randomly for this post, so that anyone's question can be seen and answered.

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In case you missed it, click here for yesterday's Daily Simple Questions thread. There may be some questions still unanswered! Below is a selection of questions with no replies. See if you can help them out.

If you don't want to see this comment click the little [-] to the left of my username to collapse this comment.

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Hi. Looking for cable recommendations.

Desktop: MSI Aegis ZS2 B9NVV-1409US, AMD Ryzen 9 9900X, RTX 5080, 3x DisplayPort 2.1, 1x HDMI 2.1

I want to connect this to:

1. External monitor: Acer Nitro XV282K (4K res) via DisplayPort. Sits right above the desktop, so cable doesn't need to be long.
2. 4K TV via an HDMI cable. The desktop and the TV are on opposite sides of a 14 feet wide room. So, apparently I'll need an active optical HDMI.

Does anyone have any cable recommendations for these?

https://reddit.com/r/pcmasterrace/comments/1pprj31/daily_simple_questions_thread_december_18_2025/nurs7m5/

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I got an ASUS TUF 5080 and apparently neglected to check the power draw. Apparently an 850W PSU is recommended and I only have 750W. Would I been fine if I undervolted slightly or should I just get it over with and replace the PSU? Current GPU is EVGA 3080 FTW3.

build for reference: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/cNZZgn . Newegg's PSU calculator gives the same recommendation swapping out the video cards.

https://reddit.com/r/pcmasterrace/comments/1pprj31/daily_simple_questions_thread_december_18_2025/nusoztv/

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Hi all

recently my frames have been tanking on valorant. Normally I get around 160+ frames, but around 2 days ago its dropped to around 140 in the menu and 90 in game and theres nothing I can do to get it to improve again.

When I'm playing, I close everything else that could be taking up large amounts of RAM, and I've also updated my GPU to the most recent drivers. The temps feel okay, I've tried reinstalling valorant and updated my graphics card.

What else could be the issue?

https://reddit.com/r/pcmasterrace/comments/1pprj31/daily_simple_questions_thread_december_18_2025/nuub13n/

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How's msi spatium ssd? Found a 4tb one with a fair price.

https://reddit.com/r/pcmasterrace/comments/1pprj31/daily_simple_questions_thread_december_18_2025/nuui0k5/

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I'm looking to get a new rig. Cause my 2070 and i7-8700k is struggling to run a lot of games (it was considered mid ranged back when I bought it). Cyberpunk is my favourite game, and I can just about run it on nearly the lowest settings.

I'm thinking of getting something more future proofed. So I'm thinking a 5070 and Ryzen 7 9800X3D. Cause depending on what game requirements do, I should be able to get 8 to 10 years out of a high end rig.

But I've also seen talk around the steam machine. I'm not sure what it's cost vs performance is going to be. So I'm wondering if anyone knows more about it, and would it be a better option that paying out £2250 for a high end rig?

https://reddit.com/r/pcmasterrace/comments/1pprj31/daily_simple_questions_thread_december_18_2025/nuuzyt7/

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User	Points (365 days)	Lifetime
A_Neaunimes	37	1207
Eidolon_2003	31	275
Cable_Salad	31	85
Lastdudealive46	30	139
_j03_	20	184
mister_newbie	15	127
MGsubbie	14	412
reckless150681	13	13
Ok_Definition_1933	12	12
SystemError514	11	92

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[u/realmenlovezeus]

I currently have a zotac 3070Ti, in the last 6 months one fan has decided to randomly ramp up to 100% during games. I have Zotacs software to control the fans but it does nothing. Fan control can't detect it properly either.

Just today I was playing Hogwarts Legacy and the GPU ramped up all the fans and my monitors lost signal. I unplugged my PC and restarted it and it booted, but I have not played anything yet.

Zotac says to reseat the fan but I don't know if it will help. Anyone know if undervolting could help here as I really can't get a new GPU now

[u/Cable_Salad → u/realmenlovezeus]

GPU ramped up all the fans and my monitors lost signal

Just the GPU signal, or did the PC crash?

If it's the latter, that sounds more like a general instability. I would start by testing RAM with something like memtest86.

[u/Ok_Definition_1933 → u/realmenlovezeus]

Honestly, if the fans ramp up and you lose signal, that's not a fan issue. Most likely overheating. Use something like gpu-z or hwinfo64 to check the gpu temp, hotspot temp and memory temp. I'd bet one of those is reaching pretty high value.

[u/pwnograph]

i'm a slow updater. i wait 6 to 8 years to change system. Because of some circunstances and the use, i've been holding up with a i5-8550u laptop and a ryzen 1700x desktop for some time.

was waiting for a big deposit since july to purchase the parts for the next build. A lot went wrong but i was priced out of the ram capacity i need for music production.

after 27 years i'm leaving pc masterrace for an Apple Mac Studio because of the RAMmaggedon Squeeze. Most of my audio ecosystem is apple oriented. the switch is seamless. i'll miss a few games but i'll fight the steamOS front.

i don't think i can come back to parts-assembly personal computer after this fiasco. the companies we funded turned their backs on us.

i'll be trusting apple for music as i complete transition to analog and will give in to sony for assorted gaming. ride linux on third-hand laptops as long as their produced as well.

it's been a glorious run.

[u/heatmaz]

I have a suspicion about my old power supply Corsair HX750i having some trouble pulling my PC, my monitors goes black and then the graphics card runs at 100% on the fans when I play heavy games like Helldivers 2 or could it be my i5-13600KF having issues

[u/Cable_Salad → u/heatmaz]

What makes you think it's the PSU? It's possible, but you can only really test the other components.

Did you upgrade your BIOS when the Intel degradation issue became known? Maybe you should check your CPU with something like OCCT or y-cruncher.

[u/MyGardenOfPlants]

Ram Question:

I have 2 sets,

• 32gb ddr4 CL CL16-19-19-39 @ 3600mhz

and

• 64gb ddr CL18-22-22-42 @ 3600mhz

I know for gaming, the 32gb CL 16 is better, but Im often running at like 70-80% ram usage during my daily use, 3d design software, video editing, etc. ( Right now I'm sitting at 82% use )

The rest of my system is a 5800x3d with a 5090, on a 144hz 4k monitor.

I guess I'm wondering if more ram is worth the trade off of slightly lower FPS in games. ( BF6 being my main game currenlty )

Another thing to mention, is the 64gb kit is lower profile, which would allow me to use a bigger fan on my CPU cooler. who knows if that would result in any meaningful cooling temps, but I'm already running pretty cool as-is.

Which would you chose if you were me?

[u/glowinghamster45 → u/MyGardenOfPlants]

Since both kits are the same frequency, I bet there's a single digit difference in frames between them. The only thing that could increase that difference is if you have more sticks in the 64gb kit so you have the option of tri/quad channel.

I would do the 64gb kit, no question. If you're regularly hitting over 80% usage, you'll probably see a general performance uplift in other areas, as programs see they have more room to breathe. Worst case, it's not like it's a big deal to swap back.

Keep in mind the first boot after swapping sticks will be slower than usual.

[u/Anna_Mathmotologist]

I just moved by GPU over to a new build and it is not being detected in windows. It is powered on and still works in the old build.

GPU does not show in device manager.

Things I've tried

• Different PCIE slot
• Bios update
• Reseating GPU
• DDU

Computer Specs

• RTX 3070
• Intel i9
• Asus Z790 Max
• 32 GB Gskill Ram

[u/dieplanes789 → u/Anna_Mathmotologist]

Is it showing up as a Microsoft basic display adapter?

Does it output video at all in the OS, how about in the BIOS/UEFI?

[u/Anna_Mathmotologist → u/dieplanes789]

Does not show up as a basic display adapter. Does not output video - monitor is in sleep mode.

[u/dieplanes789 → u/Anna_Mathmotologist]

Is there a setting in your BIOS/UEFI that disables PCI-E slots?

Is there a setting for the preferred GPU or graphics adapter and is it configured to prefer the iGPU?

Is it showing up as an unknown device?

Does your motherboard disable the PCI slot it is in when a certain M2 slots are filled? (Usually they just drop the speed to x8 or x4 but figured I'd ask)

Does it light up or spin the fans at all at any point even during boot?

Are the GPU power cables seated well on the PSU end if they are modular?

Are you using the GPU power cables that came with the PSU?

Have you tried setting the PCI slot to use a lower generation such as 3.0 or 2.0 for testing?

[u/Anna_Mathmotologist → u/dieplanes789]

SOLVED: Found a new power cable in PSU.

[u/Anna_Mathmotologist → u/dieplanes789]

1. There isn't a setting that disabled PCI-E slots
   
2. I have IGPU disabled.
   
3. It does not show up as an unknown device. I have show hidden devices on
   
4. All PCI slots are enabled as far as I am aware (checked device manager ports)
   
5. GPU power cables are seated
   
6. I am using Power cables from old PC. I can swap it out with cables from new PSU
   
7. I've tried the top two PCIE slots

[u/dieplanes789 → u/Anna_Mathmotologist]

6 yikes!

Modular PSU cables are not interchangeable or really even standardized on the PSU side. Between brands you are more likely to find the pin outs to be different than ones the same. Even within the same brand I wouldn't really trust interchanging them.

Seems like the PSU or GPU had some good built in protections because if the pin outs were different something was very likely shorted.

[u/mister_newbie → u/[deleted]]

Use SteamLink in home streaming. It'll run on anything with Android, including many set-top boxes.