Why Are My FPS So Low Despite Low CPU and GPU Usage?
Asked by
TechWizard42
I've got a 3060 Ti and a Ryzen 7 5700X, but I'm running into some frustratingly low FPS in competitive games. For instance, in CS2 during deathmatch, I sometimes drop to around 90 FPS, and I'm only seeing 40% CPU usage and 20% GPU usage at most. I've set everything to low and I'm playing at stretched resolution, yet the performance just isn't where it should be. Fortnite is similarly bad, averaging about 100 FPS with notable drops. Conversely, I have smoother performance in AAA games where my GPU runs at around 90%. I've tried local AI tasks, and my CPU and GPU both max out then without issues. It feels like my PC is just satisfied with the FPS I'm getting, but I've got a 240Hz monitor and I'd love to make the most out of it. What can I do to fix this?
Answers
What speed is your RAM running at? If you have 3600MHz RAM, make sure it’s actually working at that speed, and check if EXPO (previously XMP) is enabled. Slow RAM could definitely bottleneck performance since Ryzen processors are sensitive to RAM speeds.
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You might want to check for BIOS updates. If your motherboard is a bit older, there could be performance improvements from a newer BIOS version. Sometimes driver conflicts can also lead to low usage issues, so make sure to keep everything updated.
TechWizard42: That makes sense! I haven’t updated my BIOS in years; I should probably look into that.
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Low CPU usage in gaming for an 8-core CPU can mean that some games are only utilizing a couple of cores effectively. Also, ensure that your display cable is plugged directly into the GPU rather than the motherboard. Sometimes, a fresh Windows installation with the latest GPU drivers can clear up performance issues.
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Lastly, have you checked benchmarks for your specific CPU and GPU setup? Just because the 3060 Ti has solid numbers doesn't mean you won't run into a bottleneck elsewhere; sometimes, it's just a matter of your CPU being under-utilized in certain titles.
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First off, check the per-core usage of your CPU rather than just the overall percentage. Since your 5700X has 8 cores, a 40% usage could mean 4 cores are maxed out, which isn't typical for CS2. It's possible there are background processes or even malware causing this issue.
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Are your NVIDIA drivers up to date? Also, take a look at the temps of your CPU and GPU. If they're too high, that might throttle performance.
TechWizard42: Yeah, my NVIDIA drivers are current. My GPU temps hit about 70-75°C, and up to 80°C on AAA games. My CPU runs a bit hotter at 80-85°C, but it doesn’t go over 80% usage with games.
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TechWizard42: My RAM is pretty old and only runs at 2133MHz. I did use XMP once but had to turn it off because of blue screens. If RAM is the issue, I might just upgrade it because I’m tired of this low FPS situation.