Question 0 - 1% GPU Usage when gaming ?

Jun 12, 2023
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Hi there, I have been struggling for the past year with virtually any graphically 'intensive' game. When I originally built this computer, the GPU was constantly used with every game possible. Now, whenever I launch something, the CPU immediately rises to 80% and jumps up and down from 100% with any game, and the GPU utilization for the game bounces between 0% - 1%.

Here is my build:
ROG STRIX Z390-F GAMING motherboard
Intel Core i7-9700K 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor Intel Core i7-9700K 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor
GeForce RTX 2060
G.Skill Ripjaws V 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory G.Skill Ripjaws V 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory
GameMax Power Supply 850W Fully Modular 80+ Gold Certified

  • Here is what I have done so far with no fix:
  • Updated the BIOS
  • Installed DDU -> uninstalled graphics driver -> reinstalled graphics driver
  • Switched graphic settings on games... went from low settings (which still keeps the CPU running >80%) to ultra settings (no CPU/GPU difference, only framerate drop).
  • Even switched around the resolution to no avail.

I was able to get a stable 60 FPS @ 1440 2 years ago.

FiDtaEW.jpg


When I run UserBenchMark, it is able to use my GPU. Firefox uses my GPU. The only things on my computer that don't use the GPU is are video games. I don't have integrated graphics.

Any ideas? Not sure what else to try after browsing the forum. Could this be a cable issue with my monitors? Or is it hardware-based? Would also be open to upgrade recommendations. Thanks.
 
Last edited:
First of all the 9700K does have integrated graphics though even enabled I can't think of a reason it would randomly take over.

Download GPU-Z and see if everything is showing up correctly and run the PCIe bandwidth test which will use the GPU and see what behavior is going on with CPU/GPU. Also check the device manager in case there is something awry that windows is showing.

Another thing you could try is 3dmark/unigine heaven to see if those are seeing the same issue.
 
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GameMax Power Supply 850W Fully Modular 80+ Gold Certified

Get a HIGH quality and a reliable PSU. Gamemax PSUs are not meant for high-end gaming rigs. Most of the units are junk. Stay away from these units, and avoid like a plague.
 
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As a guess, your cpu might be overheating and throttling.
What is your cpu cooler?
Run Hwmonitor and look at the minimum cpu temperatures. If you see more than 10-15c. over ambietnt, your cooler may have come loose.
If you see 100c. in red, it means that your cpu has throttled and slowed down causing your symptoms.
 
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First of all the 9700K does have integrated graphics though even enabled I can't think of a reason it would randomly take over.

Download GPU-Z and see if everything is showing up correctly and run the PCIe bandwidth test which will use the GPU and see what behavior is going on with CPU/GPU. Also check the device manager in case there is something awry that windows is showing.

Another thing you could try is 3dmark/unigine heaven to see if those are seeing the same issue.
So I installed GPU-Z which does in-fact show that my GPU is being utilized. Is it random that task manager doesn't show it? My CPU load was still 100% but my GPU load was around 50% running cyberpunk on High
CP77_NG_SystemRequirements_16x9_EN_dfot1nt1oa9kjp3u.png

Feel like my system should be doing better, and my CPU shouldn't be near 100% when compared to the i7-4790 requirement.

Get a HIGH quality and a reliable PSU. Gamemax PSUs are not meant for high-end gaming rigs. Most of the units are junk. Stay away from these units, and avoid like a plague.
Will do. I think I exchanged my old PSU on the shopping list (Corsair RM750 (2019) 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply) for a Gamemax PSU due to the pandemic. Will plan on upgrading from this.

As a guess, your cpu might be overheating and throttling.
What is your cpu cooler?
Run Hwmonitor and look at the minimum cpu temperatures. If you see more than 10-15c. over ambietnt, your cooler may have come loose.
be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 50.5 CFM CPU Cooler is the cooler. CPU temp ambiently is at 40c and is stable at 65c with almost every game, and it's being loaded at 100%. There is no screen tearing and I haven't had any system errors. In fact, even a low-ended requirement game utilizes the CPU pretty heavily... I opened it yesterday and the cooler looks to be intact and performing normally.

Thanks again for your responses.
 
So I installed GPU-Z which does in-fact show that my GPU is being utilized. Is it random that task manager doesn't show it? My CPU load was still 100% but my GPU load was around 50% running cyberpunk on High
What resolution are you running?

I would suggest using HWMonitor for checking load/clocks for CPU/GPU instead of attempting to rely on task manager.

You could run Cinebench R15 and see how your system compares to reviews at the time (Tom's and TPU both used it) or even run R23 and see if it shows a baseline for the CPU (CPU-Z bench would be another option). This will let you know if your CPU is behaving as it should (don't expect exactly the same results, but it should be close).

If everything seems okay here then the next thing to do would be run some GPU heavy benchmarks just to see if it's falling around where it should as well.