Debate about Rtx 3070 performance issues.
Debate about Rtx 3070 performance issues.
I recently acquired a used RTX 3070 and performed some testing. It appears the graphics card is only delivering around 160 watts at its maximum output, which translates to approximately 158 frames per second at 900p resolution. My system consists of a Ryzen 3600xt processor with 16 GB of RAM at 2667 MHz, and the GPU is an MSI Ventus 3x PC RTX 3070. I’ve noticed others online achieving over 170 fps on 1080p. Here’s a screenshot showing Furmark running on my RTX 3070: https://ibb.co/HTQMZtMS Then, when playing "The Finals" at high DLSS quality with high RT settings, I managed only 55-65 fps, with a maximum draw of about 100 watts. On YouTube, I saw similar setups with an R5 3600 and RTX 3070 achieving around 90 fps at 1080p while consuming roughly 190 watts. Could it be that my RTX 3070 is entering power-saving mode? I’ve already configured maximum performance in the NVIDIA control panel, but I’m unsure if this is the cause. Or perhaps I purchased a failing GPU. Any suggestions to boost its performance and efficiency would be greatly appreciated. I was nearly emotional watching Red Dead Redemption 2 in 2008 with only 80 fps on my RTX 3070. For reference, I also upgraded my power supply to a 650W PSU (an Antec NE650G model, which is a B tier). I’ve attached two additional images with hwinfo data if that might help.
Times appear normal, GPU temps near 60°C and hotspot at 83°C.
Though the thermal limit is mentioned as 83°C, I'll add a screenshot of RDR2 soon.
The issue lies in the fact that its performance is low, not because the GPU is drawing insufficient power, but because something is restricting its speed within the rendering process. Likely, the bottleneck is on the CPU or RAM. The Ryzen 3600 model is notably weaker at this stage and may limit your experience in most games paired with a powerful GPU like an RTX 3070. Additionally, if the CPU isn’t operating at its full capacity due to slow RAM, it won’t perform optimally either. Upgrading the RAM could be a good starting point, as it’s a relatively affordable way to boost existing CPU performance and enhance your RTX 3070’s efficiency. If that doesn’t resolve the problem, consider upgrading the CPU as well. The Ryzen 5000 series offers a significant performance improvement over the 3000 series and would be a good choice if you want to maintain your current setup. In short, the low power draw comes from insufficient workload from the CPU, not from the GPU itself. The solution is to optimize the rendering pipeline—either by improving CPU or RAM—to deliver better results without increasing power consumption.
Temperature readings seem acceptable but don't confirm the issue. When testing benchmarks, check fan speed and GPU hotspot temperature to understand performance better.
*Edit* I just noticed everything in the screenshot looked normal, though the GPU hasn’t reached more than 1725MHz even with maximum load, which all should handle.
Which RTX 3070 model do you own? Many have dual BIOS settings for lower power or quiet operation.
As a side note, what motivated the upgrade to the Antec ne650gm? This isn't a top-tier power supply, and 650 watts is just the minimum needed for a RTX 3070. Generally, you'd want a more reliable PSU with at least 750 watts, especially since the RTX 3000 series GPUs tend to experience sudden power demands that could cause over-current protection if the PSU isn't adequately rated. If you're willing to exchange your ne650gm, I suggest swapping it for a Corsair RM750x. It offers better quality without breaking the bank and provides extra safety for your setup.
Temperatures are fine. Install GPUZ and verify the card is running at the correct speed. If it appears blue, check the label near where it shows it; clicking that will run a brief test to see if it improves to X16. You might also consider reseating the card in its slot.