I need help figuring out why my CPU is heavily used while my GeForce 9600 GT shows 0% utilization and 0/0 GB of VRAM during games. The card is powered using a SATA-to-6-pin adapter, so I'm not sure whether this is a power-supply issue, a monitoring problem, or a sign that the graphics card is not working properly. My CPU does not have integrated graphics, and my monitor is connected to the graphics card. Even though the card is very old, I'm trying to run Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2012) on it.
2 Answers
First, verify that the display cable is plugged directly into the GeForce 9600 GT and that the game is actually using that adapter. Since your CPU has no integrated graphics, the game cannot be using an iGPU, but Windows could still be running it with a basic display driver if the NVIDIA driver is missing or failing. Check Device Manager for an error, install the appropriate legacy driver, and confirm that the game’s resolution and frame rate change when you adjust graphics settings. Some modern monitoring tools also cannot correctly report utilization or VRAM for a card this old, so a 0% reading may be inaccurate.
The SATA-to-6-pin adapter is a major concern. SATA power connectors and their cables may not be designed to safely provide the current a graphics card needs, and overheating or unstable power can result. Use a proper PCIe power cable from a suitable power supply if possible, rather than relying on that adapter. Also make sure the card’s fan spins, the card is firmly seated, and the monitor cable is connected to the card’s ports. The 9600 GT is old enough that current monitoring software may show incomplete or incorrect readings, but the game should still use the GPU if the driver and hardware are functioning.
My CPU does not have integrated graphics, and the motherboard has no monitor output. The cable is connected to the graphics card, so I’ll check the driver and power connection instead.