Check which in-game settings to reduce for CPU performance.
Check which in-game settings to reduce for CPU performance.
CPU-heavy configurations typically require several visual elements on the screen, whereas GPU-heavy settings focus on improving display quality. Grass/Vegetation (multiple aspects) works well. Particles (multiple aspects) should be turned off entirely if feasible, keeping grass at a normal or low setting. Disable background processes as much as possible and limiting FPS caps in certain titles—especially Assassins Creed games like Origins and Odyssey—helps alleviate the bottleneck. It’s best to cap FPS at around 46 in these games so you can clearly see the issue.
You’ll know everything is optimized when CPU usage stays moderate or rare.
P.S. Some in-game features you might not think are CPU-intensive actually consume significant resources. For example, using self radio in GTA 5 uses about 15-25% of your CPU. Turning it off frees up that percentage. Remember this when considering what to disable in other games.
Self Radio is a radio station in GTA 5 that plays music from the self radio folder in your game files. It lets you listen to your own custom tracks wherever you have a radio in the game, such as inside your car, apartment, or hangar. I first discovered it and found it a great feature. It helped me notice its impact on my CPU usage after about a year. I usually use it in places like my apartment or hangar where performance isn't affected, or when flying for better FPS.