Hey everyone! I recently built a new PC and I've been facing a frustrating issue. Here are my specs:
- **Motherboard:** GIGABYTE B850M Gaming X WIFI6E AMD AM5
- **CPU:** Ryzen 5 9600X
- **RAM:** 32 GB CL36 with XMP profile enabled
- **GPU:** RTX 5060 ASUS Prime
- **Power Supply:** 850 W
- **Storage:** 2 TB NVMe SSD
The issue I'm experiencing is that while gaming, my GPU rarely goes above 30% usage. Sometimes it hits 40-50%, but even at higher settings (1080p or 2K), it's just not being fully utilized. Meanwhile, my CPU usage spikes to 60-90%. I've tried several troubleshooting steps to resolve this:
- Set the power profile to high performance
- Adjusted settings in the NVIDIA Control Panel to prefer maximum performance
- Checked temperatures (GPU around 50°C, CPU 45-50°C)
- Enabled the XMP profile
- Tested multiple games (Elden Ring, Witcher 3, Cyberpunk, etc.)
- Updated all drivers and even did a clean install of Windows
- Disabled integrated graphics and made sure the PCIe configuration is set to 4.0
Despite this, the core issue persists. I initially thought it might be a CPU bottleneck, but the 9600X should pair fine with an RTX 5070ti. After running a Funmark test with PCIe reset to gen 5, my GPU hit 100% and the temperatures were stable at 68°C. However, the CPU scored only 1,544 on 3DMark, which seems way too low. Anyone have ideas on what might be causing my GPU to not exceed 30% usage in games?
3 Answers
Totally feel your pain! Since you've already tried a bunch of tweaks, consider looking into your CPU temperatures. It sounds like your HTC and PROCHOT EXT values might be affecting performance. When your CPU hits those numbers, it's possible it's throttling to prevent overheating, which can really hold back your gaming experience. Keeping it cool is key!
It looks like your CPU might be holding back your GPU, especially given that 3DMark score. The Ryzen 5 9600X should be able to handle your setup, but if it's hitting 100% usage with such low FPS during the tests, it seems like there's definitely a bottleneck somewhere. I'd check if you have GSync or VSync on, or anything that could be limiting the frame rate.
I had a similar experience when I first built my PC. Based on your scores, it's indeed pointing towards a CPU limitation. CPUs can sometimes behave unexpectedly under load. Try checking your BIOS settings for any power-saving features or thermal throttling settings that might be restricting performance. Also, consider if your cooling setup can handle the heat.
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