I'm experiencing a frustrating issue with my GPU power draw in games, and I'm not sure how to fix it. Here are my specs:
- CPU: 7800X3D
- RAM: 32GB
- GPU: 4070 SUPER (220W TDP)
The main problem is that my 4070 SUPER only draws about 150W while gaming, with temps sitting around 60C. I've run benchmarks like the Horizon Zero Dawn and find the draw drop to about 110W, which seems odd. Even when I open OBS to record gameplay, the power draw decreases further to 130W. I've tried uninstalling the drivers with DDU and that temporarily boosted power draw to the rated 220W, but the issue returned after a month. Updating my BIOS seems to help, but the low draw comes back quickly. In stress tests like Furmark, my GPU hits 220W without a hitch, so it feels more like a software issue. I'm hesitant to factory reset my PC since it's my work machine. Any insights would be greatly appreciated!
2 Answers
If your GPU isn't using its full power draw, pay attention to how hard your CPU is working. An uncapped frame rate usually lets the GPU run at full power, but if you're capped, that could be the issue. Also, keep an eye on performance during gameplay. Are you noticing serious lag or dips?
Have you checked if GSync or FreeSync is turned on? Sometimes those settings can limit your GPU's performance. Also, look at your CPU utilization when you're gaming to see if it's a bottleneck. Are you really facing performance issues or just seeing the numbers not add up?
I have G-Sync enabled, and my CPU usage peaks around 55%, so it's not a bottleneck. I'm definitely experiencing lower performance than expected.
The CPU fluctuates between 25-50%, but it shouldn't be holding back a 4070 SUPER. The performance is definitely lacking—I’ve compared it to other setups and I'm nowhere near the expected benchmarks.