Question GPU FPS

[GenX Goat]

Hi

Just in case you can’t guess from the below… I know nothing worth talking about when it comes to gaming PC’s.

I have a question that I’m hoping someone with knowledge could help me with?

I currently have a GTX 1660 Super along with an ASUS Prime H310M-A R 2.0 motherboard paired with an Intel i5-9400F CPU, all powered by a new 700w PSU.

I play FN relatively competitively so I generally have the settings within the game set to performance mode, this is then connected to a 165hz monitor via a DP 1.4 cable, I believe the resolution is 2560 x 1440.

When playing, the CPU usage varies between about 30 and 90%, the GPU runs between about 20 and 50%, this all seems to output at somewhere between 80 and 150fps subject to how intense the gameplay is at the time, in heavy build battles it can drop all the way down to 20fps momentarily.

I have two questions:

1: Why does the GPU not increase its “usage” to create more FPS, it seems to have a lot of space left for improvement.

2: If I swap that out for maybe a RTX 3060 ti or RTX 3070, will the FPS increase or will the usage of that GPU just fall to maybe 15% (or whatever) with the FPS maybe increasing or staying as before?

It seems the only way I can increase the GPU usage is to up the in game settings, if I for example put all the settings to Epic, the GPU usage goes through the roof (90-100%), the FPS drops and the GPU pretty much dies, the whole game just stutters and becomes unplayable. On a positive (I think) when the settings are increased the CPU usage drops.

Every time I up a setting to try and balance it out, all that happens is my FPS drops.

So there it is, if someone could explain why this happens and also enlighten me on whether a GPU change will help, it would be much appreciated.

FYI… ideally if I change out the GPU I would still like to use performance mode within the game as it’s beneficial in relation to competitive gameplay.

Thanks

 

[SkyNetRising]

1: Why does the GPU not increase its “usage” to create more FPS, it seems to have a lot of space left for improvement.

It depends on graphics driver settings (vsync mode, framerate limits), ingame graphics settings.

2: If I swap that out for maybe a RTX 3060 ti or RTX 3070, will the FPS increase

Yes. Probably.
Those upgrades should give FPS increase 185% to 215% (compared to GTX 1660 Super).

What is exact model name of your PSU?
You can find model name written on specs label printed on PSU.

 

[Eximo]

The GPU can only do the work it is tasked. It is the CPU's job to get those tasks to the GPU. When you are seeing 90% CPU usage, that is as many frames per second that the CPU can task to the GPU, so the GPU goes idle.

As you observed, you can increase GPU usage by increasing settings. Adding a faster GPU will let you increase those settings further, but you won't gain any FPS if your CPU usage still spikes into the 90s.

Multiplayer games specifically rely a lot on CPU performance. The game server has to send you information from every player you are interacting with, everything has to be calculated, and then your actions have to be sent to the server, all while the CPU is directing the GPU to produce frames.

Your best solution here would be a complete platform upgrade. New CPU, Motherboard, and RAM.

Your motherboard isn't ideal for a CPU upgrade, and is limited to DDR4 2666, which is a tad slow compared to what is commonly available today, let alone DDR5. However, you could drop in an something like an i7-8700k, 9700k, or 9900k, but it wouldn't be worth the cost.

 

[GenX Goat]

Thanks Eximo

It sounds like I may be better off spending money on the motherboard and CPU then get a GPU at a later date!

Ideally I would do all three together but sadly funds do not allow for such extravagance.

Thanks again.

 

[GenX Goat]

It depends on graphics driver settings (vsync mode, framerate limits), ingame graphics settings.

Yes. Probably.
Those upgrades should give FPS increase 185% to 215% (compared to GTX 1660 Super).

What is exact model name of your PSU?
You can find model name written on specs label printed on PSU.

Thanks for the info.

The PSU is…

RPG Rampage 700w 80 Plus Bronze.

I’ve already been informed elsewhere that the PSU is not ideal so will maybe re-think that one as well.

Thanks again.