I've noticed some significant CPU dips while gaming lately. At first, I thought it was just frame drops, but after keeping an eye on Task Manager, I realized the CPU usage is the problem. I've checked with HWMonitor to see if overheating might be the cause, but everything seems normal. I'm not very tech-savvy, so I'm uncertain about what else I should investigate. Here's my setup: 16GB Corsair RAM, Intel i7-10700F at 2.90GHz, running Windows 11, and an Nvidia GTX 3060 with 12GB. My OS is on an SSD, but games are on an HDD. I edit to clarify: both Warzone (on HDD) and Arc Raiders (on SSD) are experiencing this issue. I've recently updated my motherboard firmware and possibly enabled a feature called resize bar for better FPS, but I'm not even sure what it does. I also use Steam's game recording feature, but I've had no issues before. Spikes seem to happen during intense activities in games like Arc Raiders, whereas Warzone struggles with rendering graphics, especially at the start of a match. I keep my settings below 'high' since the system doesn't handle 'ultra' well. I'm looking for help as I definitely feel something's off here.
3 Answers
That HDD is probably causing the dips. Game developers typically suggest using an SSD, otherwise you can experience things like stuttering and delays while the HDD tries to catch up. Your motherboard can actually support two M.2 SSDs, which would help if you could manage to grab one when prices are better.
Could you share your exact CPU and motherboard model? It helps in troubleshooting.
Your CPU model is Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-10700F at 2.90GHz, right? And your motherboard is MPG Z490 GAMING CARBON? Make sure everything is updated and running smoothly.
Your CPU model is important to know, as Intel has several i7 versions. If your games are on an HDD, that’s likely a big part of the issue. Have you considered moving them to the SSD? It's usually recommended to install games there for smoother performance.
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