GTX 780 Utilization dropping to 0% while gaming, causing freezes

[lbPC]

I've read very similar topics on this and tried some of the troubleshooting methods, however I've had no success. I'm at my wits end.
I play a lot of Evolve (it happens in other games however it's most prominent with Evolve), and around the 7 minute mark of every match my GPU Utilization will drop to 0% causing significant stutters and freezes. My fans have been adjusted to regulate temp (only hits around 69C under load) and I recently put a cooler on my CPU to lower those temps also.

PhysX uses the GPU, not the CPU (I read this could be an issue), and the power drawn is only hitting 80% at max.
My core clock speed stays at around 1000MHz, however in these stutters sometimes drops.

When browsing menus my utilization stayed at 95%, so I adjusted the display setting and it dropped to 12% which I thought finally solved it. Just played a match, however, and sure enough my GPU hit 99% again and then dropped to 0%.

Someone please help!

My full rig is:
GPU: GTX 780
CPU: i5 2500 3.3GHz
RAM: 8gb
PSU: Thermaltake Litepower 700

 

[azzazel_99]

the gpu hitting 99% while gaming is normal especially with a 780 if you're running high settings. What is your vram usage on the 780 while gaming? You very well could be maxing out the vram and this could be causing stuttering. Only other SURE way to test would be to try out a different video card in your system and see if the problem persists. If so then its something with maybe your computer memory. Perhaps try overclocking also your 2500k. I run my 2500k at 4.4ghz using a hyper 212 evo cooler with 2 fans on it and under full load it never goes over 55c.

 

[lbPC]

the gpu hitting 99% while gaming is normal especially with a 780 if you're running high settings. What is your vram usage on the 780 while gaming? You very well could be maxing out the vram and this could be causing stuttering. Only other SURE way to test would be to try out a different video card in your system and see if the problem persists. If so then its something with maybe your computer memory. Perhaps try overclocking also your 2500k. I run my 2500k at 4.4ghz using a hyper 212 evo cooler with 2 fans on it and under full load it never goes over 55c.

It's at 3gb, which is what the card is, however every list of specs I've looked at (an Geforce experience) have said it's more than capable of running the game at the highest settings.

And it's just an i5 2500, not a 2500k.

Edit: As well as this, the VRAM remains pretty constant throughout. The only figure that changes when it freezes is the utilization figure.

 

[azzazel_99]

either go back to a earlier driver that worked properly or test more games and report back results. At this point i would usually recommend trying a different card but if you can't just make sure your motherboard bios and drivers are up to date and be sure all temps are in control. Aside from that im at a loss.

 

[lbPC]

either go back to a earlier driver that worked properly or test more games and report back results. At this point i would usually recommend trying a different card but if you can't just make sure your motherboard bios and drivers are up to date and be sure all temps are in control. Aside from that im at a loss.

Well I was playing the same game with a GTX 560 about 1 month ago (albeit on low) and this never happened.

It used to happen on Paragon until I got temps in check, and happens slightly on Shadow of Mordor.

I just find it odd because literally the only figure changing is the utilization, the VRAM stays at 3gb from the start and throughout.

 

[azzazel_99]

Well the only thing that changes when temps get out of whack is usually the gpu clocks. If it's getting hot or the vrm's are getting hot it could be adjusting clocks due to high temps.

 

[lbPC]

Well the only thing that changes when temps get out of whack is usually the gpu clocks. If it's getting hot or the vrm's are getting hot it could be adjusting clocks due to high temps.

Temps are fine, they were the first thing I got in check.

 

[azzazel_99]

What about the vrm temps? You only see the core temps in the software. Could be vrm's are not being properly cooked by the cooler for some reason. Try dropping down to lower settings in the game and see if the hanging goes away. If so then it's probably got something to do with the card getting hot somewhere other than the core. If you vram is being maxed out this can cause hitching or hanging as well. Like in division I easily use up all my 3gb vram on my 780ti's which can result in fps drops. I don't drop to 0 but I do get some drops.

 

[lbPC]

What about the vrm temps? You only see the core temps in the software. Could be vrm's are not being properly cooked by the cooler for some reason. Try dropping down to lower settings in the game and see if the hanging goes away. If so then it's probably got something to do with the card getting hot somewhere other than the core. If you vram is being maxed out this can cause hitching or hanging as well. Like in division I easily use up all my 3gb vram on my 780ti's which can result in fps drops. I don't drop to 0 but I do get some drops.

Okay interesting, is there any way to fix this to see if it is the vrm getting hot?

 

[azzazel_99]

Maybe remove side case panel and aim a fan directly at it