I'm new to PC gaming and I recently built my own system. When I'm playing a game like BMW, I've noticed that my GPU usage is between 90-97%, while my CPU sits around 20%. My frame rates are exceptionally high, around 400-500 fps. A friend of mine suggested I should cap my FPS to reduce GPU usage and prevent overheating, but when I try that, the game looks terrible. I have a 5070ti OC, so I'm not sure if that affects anything. How much GPU should I really be aiming for during gaming?
5 Answers
Your friend seems to have it wrong. High GPU percentage just shows that your CPU isn’t holding it back. As long as your temperatures are within a safe range, you can keep playing at those high usages without worry.
Running your GPU close to 100% is actually normal and expected in most games. There’s no need to cap your FPS unless your temps are rising too high or you’re experiencing other issues. You’re not damaging your GPU with high usage, just keep an eye on the temperatures!
Thanks for clarifying! My temps are below 60C, so I guess I’m good.
Running at 500 fps is pretty extreme! Just set your frame rate cap to what your monitor can handle. That will help with power draw without sacrificing performance.
It's a good idea to cap your FPS to match your monitor's refresh rate. For example, if you have a 240Hz monitor, set your cap to 240 fps. This helps maintain smooth gameplay by reducing strain on your GPU. Just remember to turn off V-Sync if you're going this route!
I have G-Sync too, and it makes a big difference with frames matching up.
Ideally, you’d want your usage close to 100%. Just be sure to cap according to your monitor's refresh rate and you'll keep things efficient. Your GPU is built for high loads, so no need to stress about using it fully!
That's a relief to hear!