Adjust game settings to prioritize CPU performance and reduce GPU load.
Adjust game settings to prioritize CPU performance and reduce GPU load.
Hello! Interesting scenario. You have a strong CPU (7800X3D) compared to your GPU (RX 6700XT). In Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, your CPU usage stays around 25%, while your GPU hits near 99% even with overclocking. Many games rely heavily on CPU-intensive tasks like physics, AI, and rendering. Adjusting settings to balance the load can help your powerful CPU contribute more effectively. Consider tweaking graphics quality, disabling unnecessary effects, or using lower-priority features to free up resources for your CPU. This might improve overall performance and stability.
Avoid transferring work from GPU to CPU. Reducing certain graphics options can help frames render more smoothly, increasing the number of frames produced.
Also, "Aggregate" CPU usage doesn't give useful information. I run games that are constrained by CPU, and I'm only using about 20% of it. If a game runs just 2-4 threads, you won't reach 100% even if your CPU is the bottleneck. Check each thread individually to understand performance.
CPU and GPU have completely different roles. Your CPU is the powerful, reliable machine that handles everything smoothly, while the 6700 XT is just a solid, average option. Don’t think the 6700 XT is bad—it’s a great card. The 7800x3D is simply the second best CPU available, just a bit behind the 9800x3D.
As mentioned before, having the GPU as the bottleneck is usually better than letting the CPU do the limiting. You can shift some control to the CPU by tweaking certain parameters—like reducing NPC numbers or lowering render resolution—but you might not want to do this. When the CPU becomes the bottleneck, you're more likely to face problems such as stuttering and uneven frame times. If the frame rate begins to fall short of your target, you'll typically see a few frames that are noticeably longer than usual. This isn’t too severe, especially with a VRR display. On the other hand, if the CPU starts dropping frames, the drops tend to be more noticeable and sudden, making it easier to spot even on a VRR screen. To sum up, you can still enjoy a solid experience in a CPU-limited game, particularly if you cap the frame rate slightly below what the CPU can handle. However, I wouldn’t intentionally push myself into that scenario.
This highlights why many responses suggest your setup is ideal. If you're not satisfied with your visual output in terms of frames per second, consider adjusting the game's graphics options, turning on upscaling, or reducing resolution. In general, higher FPS means more CPU usage, particularly when a lower native resolution is applied. Experiment with various game resolutions while keeping an eye on CPU and GPU performance to see what works best.
Great plan! I hope you can get a 7800xt at a better price once the 9070 is out.