I recently upgraded from an EVGA RTX 3070 to an EVGA RTX 3080 FTW3, but my performance somehow got worse. My system has an Intel i5-14400F and 16GB of memory running in a single-channel configuration. The same setup performed better with the 3070. Could using a 1920×1080 resolution with a graphics card intended for 1440p be causing the problem?
4 Answers
Check the BIOS for Resizable BAR. A hardware swap or BIOS reset can sometimes disable it, and enabling it restored performance for someone with a similar upgrade. It is also worth confirming that the motherboard BIOS and chipset drivers are current.
Try completely removing the graphics drivers with DDU and then installing the latest driver fresh. Also check the game's settings after the upgrade—automatic settings may have enabled heavier effects, changed DLSS quality, or increased other options without being immediately obvious.
Using 1080p with an RTX 3080 is not the problem by itself. At that resolution, the i5-14400F is more likely to become the limiting factor, and a single memory stick can make frame times and minimum FPS worse. Adding a matching second stick and enabling XMP is a good low-cost test. Also close unnecessary background programs while gaming.
Monitor CPU and GPU temperatures, clocks, usage, and power while playing with HWiNFO or a similar sensor tool. The 3080 uses considerably more power than the 3070, which can expose CPU cooling or power-delivery problems. Make sure the power supply is large enough, the GPU power cables are connected properly, and the CPU is not thermal throttling. Verify that XMP is enabled in the BIOS as well.
Related Questions
Lenovo Thinkpad Stuck In Update Loop Install FilterDriverU2_Reload