Hey everyone! I've been having trouble with my PC performance lately, especially when playing Call of Duty: Warzone. Here are my specs:
- **CPU:** Intel Core i5-10400
- **GPU:** NVIDIA RTX 3060 12GB
- **RAM:** 16GB DDR4 at 2666 MHz
- **PSU:** Lenovo OEM 400W
- **Storage:** 256GB M.2 SSD + 1TB HDD
What's puzzling me is that my GPU utilization in Warzone is only around 50-60%, while my CPU usage is at about 80-90%. This performance drop is new; everything was running fine before. I even tried testing my friend's RTX 4060 in my setup, and it performed great, which makes me think the issue lies with my RTX 3060 or another part of my system.
I've noticed that my power supply has a bit of coil whine, and when I used a different PSU, it decreased significantly. Plus, the game says, "GPU Performance Limiters: Yes" and "IA Limit Reasons: Yes." Interestingly, I don't see these limitations when playing **Shadow of the Tomb Raider**.
I'm starting to think my PSU could be holding my GPU back due to its lower wattage or quality. I'm considering upgrading to a **Thermaltake 600W 80 Plus White**, but wanted to get some input first.
1. Could my 400W PSU be causing the performance dip for my RTX 3060?
2. Is anyone else experiencing issues with Lenovo's OEM power supplies?
3. Is the Thermaltake 600W White a solid choice, or should I look for something better?
Thanks for any recommendations!
3 Answers
Honestly, I'm surprised that a 400W PSU has an 8-pin PCIe connector for your GPU. Most likely, though, the bottleneck is coming from your CPU rather than just not having enough power. If your system is running well with different hardware, consider that your CPU could be hitting a wall. Just make sure your components are all getting enough cooling too. If you decide on the Thermaltake 600W, that should be a better option, but be open to looking for a highly rated PSU, as not all brands are created equal!
It sounds like you're dealing with a CPU bottleneck here since Warzone is really demanding on CPUs, especially one that's a bit older like yours. Your PSU is on the low side, and while it might provide just enough power, it's definitely not optimal. I'd recommend checking your CPU temperatures just to ensure it's not throttling. If you've had this setup for a while without issues, the sudden drop in performance might be related to CPU usage, not just the PSU. Consider upgrading your PSU, but also keep an eye on your CPU.
Also, if you're only seeing the performance hit in Warzone and not in other games, it might just be how that game is optimized for your specific hardware setup.
What do you think about the RAM speed? I've heard it can affect performance in Warzone too.
From what you've described, it's a mix of CPU limits and potentially slow RAM hurting your performance in a game as demanding as Warzone. The PC you have is getting on in years, and Warzone isn't particularly well-optimized. Try doing a temperature check on your CPU to eliminate overheating as a factor. Lastly, try using a wattage calculator online to confirm you're not maxing out your PSU with all your components in play.
I've been checking temps, and everything seemed fine until recently. Do you think it's time for a full upgrade?
If I can't get enough power, should I just upgrade the whole system?