Question Low FPS with low GPU and CPU usage ?

[Knowlezzz]

I'm experiencing an issue with low GPU and CPU utilization across multiple games, with CS2 and GTA V being most noticeable, despite having hardware that should handle these titles easily.

My system specs include:
Motherboard: MSI PRO B760M-A WIFI mATX
CPU: Intel i5-12400F
GPU: MSI RTX 4060
RAM: 16GB DDR5

I’ve already tried these troubleshooting steps:

• Updating the BIOS
• Setting power plan to high performance
• Reinstalling GPU drivers using DDU
• Optimizing NVIDIA Control Panel settings
• Verifying game files
• Monitoring temperatures (GPU ~55-65°C and CPU ~55°C under load).

Despite this, GPU utilization hovers around 40-50%, CPU around 20-30%, and FPS remains well below expected levels (e.g. 130FPS in CS2 regardless of what settings I choose).
Other benchmarks and tests shows the system is performing normally.

Any suggestions on what might be causing this and how I can resolve it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[Lutfij]

Welcome to the forums, newcomer!

Your specs are incomplete. Please add the make, model and age of your PSU. The make and models of your storage devices. The make and model of your case and how you're cooling the processor. What OS are you working with?

Updating the BIOS
Please specify the BIOS version you're on for your motherboard.

RAM: 16GB DDR5
Got a link to the ram you're working with?

Reinstalling GPU drivers using DDU
You're advised to remove all GPU drivers(Intel, AMD and Nvidia) in Safe Mode, then manually installing the latest driver sourced from Nvidia's support site in an elevated command, i.e, Right click installer>Run as Administrator.

Have you tried reinstalling the games? Speaking of games, where did you source the installers for said games?
I'm experiencing an issue with low GPU and CPU utilization across multiple games
Can you state the names of all titles taxed to see this as a recurring issue?

 

[Knowlezzz]

All components are brand new as I bought the PC about 2 weeks ago,

GPU: MSI RTX 4060
CPU: Intel i5-12400f
Motherboard: MSI PRO B760M-A WIFI mATX
RAM: Kingston Fury 16GB DDR5 4800Mhz kit.
PSU: Cooler Master MWE Bronze V3 750W.
Storage: Crucial P3 Plus 2TB NVMe M.2 Internal SSD.
Case: Lian Li DAN-A3.
OS: Windows 11 Home 64bit.

I'm cooling the processor with the stock Intel cooler along with 3 fans I installed, one above the CPU for exhaust, another exhaust at the rear, and lastly an intake fan below the GPU.
The BIOS version I'm using is E7D99IMS.AB0 which is the latest version.
Have already removed all GPU drivers and manually installed them again in safe mode using DDU.

I've reinstalled both CS2 and GTA V, however the problem still remains. Other games not mentioned initially include Ghost of Tsushima. All games were installed on Steam.

If you need anymore information let me know,
Thanks.

 

[DaleH]

I'm experiencing an issue with low GPU and CPU utilization across multiple games, with CS2 and GTA V being most noticeable, despite having hardware that should handle these titles easily.

My system specs include:
Motherboard: MSI PRO B760M-A WIFI mATX
CPU: Intel i5-12400F
GPU: MSI RTX 4060
RAM: 16GB DDR5

I’ve already tried these troubleshooting steps:

• Updating the BIOS
• Setting power plan to high performance
• Reinstalling GPU drivers using DDU
• Optimizing NVIDIA Control Panel settings
• Verifying game files
• Monitoring temperatures (GPU ~55-65°C and CPU ~55°C under load).

Despite this, GPU utilization hovers around 40-50%, CPU around 20-30%, and FPS remains well below expected levels (e.g. 130FPS in CS2 regardless of what settings I choose).
Other benchmarks and tests shows the system is performing normally.

Any suggestions on what might be causing this and how I can resolve it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

I'm not sure I understand the problem. Low utilization means the devices are not having to work too hard. This is a desirable condition, unless it is accompanied by some other symptoms. What are the symptoms that you are experiencing?

 

[Knowlezzz]

I'm not sure I understand the problem. Low utilization means the devices are not having to work too hard. This is a desirable condition, unless it is accompanied by some other symptoms. What are the symptoms that you are experiencing?

Sorry for not clarifying properly,
I'm experiencing low framerates, with my PC specs I should be getting high frames, however FPS hovers around 130 in CS2 regardless of what video settings I use.

My GPU and CPU have low utilisation and stable temps so I know they are able to push harder to obtain more fps however nothing I've tried works,
Thanks.

 

[BFG-9000]

While 130fps in CS2 is sadly not unusual, I am curious--what happens if you launch the game with -threads 7 added to the launch command?

This was originally a way to exclude using E-cores in the game (12400F doesn't have any of those), but many have found it also stops most hyperthreading too, without having to disable that globally so background tasks can still work on the virtual cores. Technically as 12400F has 6 actual P-cores, -threads 6 might be better.

 

[Knowlezzz]

While 130fps in CS2 is sadly not unusual, I am curious--what happens if you launch the game with -threads 7 added to the launch command?

This was originally a way to exclude using E-cores in the game (12400F doesn't have any of those), but many have found it also stops most hyperthreading too, without having to disable that globally so background tasks can still work on the virtual cores. Technically as 12400F has 6 actual P-cores, -threads 6 might be better.

Thanks for the suggestion, but this didnt seem to do much of anything when I tested it out.

Perhaps I just need to wait for another patch which could fix the issue.