fps decreases marginally below normal in certain games, and GPU utilization appears to be contributing to this issue
fps decreases marginally below normal in certain games, and GPU utilization appears to be contributing to this issue
The GPU specifications are as follows: 4GB R9 FuryX, CPU i7 4790K with water cooling, and 16GB DDR3 RAM. Recently, I've observed that in several modern AAA games—such as Battlefield 1, Battlefield V, and Battlefront 2—the average FPS has remained consistent, but the lowest frame rates have dropped by roughly 15 to 20 frames compared to usual. For instance, on Battlefield 1 with maximum settings, I used to achieve around 90-100 FPS, with the lowest recorded drops around 79-80 FPS in intense sections. Similarly, Battlefront 2 and Battlefield V are experiencing comparable issues, where maintaining the same graphics settings now results in a noticeable decrease of about 15-20 FPS in demanding or moderately demanding areas. The same pattern is occurring in GTA V, which runs smoothly at times but consistently lags by 15-20 FPS in specific map sections.
I’ve identified the GPU as the likely cause for these issues. When using MSI Afterburner:
- All CPU core temperatures stay below 55°C.
- CPU utilization remains normal and doesn’t reach 100%, even with FPS drops.
- GPU usage fluctuates unpredictably, dropping from 99-100% to between 50-80%, sometimes as low as 20%.
- FPS reductions coincide with the decrease in GPU usage; the more significant the drop, the greater the FPS loss.
Additionally, when lowering in-game graphics settings, the FPS drops are less severe than under higher settings. RAM usage is stable and adequate (around 7500 MB out of 8000).
I advise against the following actions:
- Updating or reinstalling the graphics driver.
- Changing power plans.
- Updating BIOS.
- Performing a factory reset of Windows 10.
- Cleaning internal components with compressed air.
- Installing Windows updates.
- Running SFC/SCANOW or similar tools via the Command Prompt.
- Defragmenting the hard drive.
- Using benchmarking software (Userbenchmark, PassMark, 3DMark) to check hardware health.
PLEASE NOTE: Even with multiple benchmarking tools, all hardware appears to function correctly. It might be that a small component in the GPU or PC is faulty. I’ve heard rumors about power supply issues, but performance remains consistent whether using the 5 outlet power strip or the standard wall outlet. My PC previously handled these games without problems until about a month ago. The main concern is the consistently low FPS values.
First of all, it seems you're re-posting a topic you've already tried here. Completely fine since it's the first time doing it. Just try not to re-post in the future.
Secondly, your RAM is most likely at about 7500 at all times because you need faster RAM. Upgrade your RAM to DDR4 and you'll be set. And the higher speed RAM you go, the better the performance you will get. Less fps drops in certain areas of games, less stuttering, if any you'll experience. DDR4-2400 to DDR4-3000/3200 would be ideal for excellent performance, especially if your motherboard allows you to OC your RAM.
I'm guessing you'll have to upgrade your motherboard just to be able to use DDR4 RAM. And if you don't want to do that, then the performance you're currently getting is what you're gonna continue to be getting. Just my opinion here, take it with a grain of salt if you wish. Tell me I'm wrong, tell me it can't be the issue, do as you wish with what I'm telling you. There's a reason you've tried multiple things without a fix yet and I think it's your RAM.
with all due respect, there are several points I’ll need to address to refute your argument. First, my PC has been functioning perfectly for the last 6-7 months, and my FPS issues are a more recent development. It doesn’t make sense that it was working well before suddenly dropping in quality.
I’ve also experienced RAM problems in the past—specifically, placing them in the wrong slots—which caused FPS issues no matter what graphics settings I used. Now, the situation is different: my FPS improves when I lower the graphics settings, even though I could run it at higher settings without any problems before. This suggests the issue might be related to the GPU itself.
Additionally, MSI Afterburner doesn’t indicate any faults with the RAM or CPU. The CPU usage isn’t close to 100%, while the GPU usage varies unpredictably, which seems closely tied to the GPU performance.
My RAM usage typically stays between 7800 and 8400. However, since this problem started recently, it’s unclear if any hardware changes occurred. I haven’t made any modifications or moved my PC that could have triggered this issue.
Next, eliminate the possibility of your GPU being the cause. Try replacing it with another similar model to assess the outcome. You have the option to return or resell it if it doesn't resolve the problem. This approach may seem daunting, but it will help confirm whether the issue lies with the GPU. Honestly, it's a straightforward and efficient way to proceed.
so i’m actually beginning to suspect there’s a software problem, since other titles like battlefield 4, fortnite and pugbear are working perfectly. i’m starting to believe battlefield 5 is functioning as intended because the benchmarks match those of a player with identical specs on the same map. there’s one map, twisted steel, that gives me 75fps in certain areas—well below my usual 80-85fps range—which surprised me. i’m now thinking it might just be a rare section of the map that my pc struggles with. also, the battle royale mode in battlefield 5 shows no fps drops, even with high gpu usage and no lag on high settings. what’s really puzzling me is why battlefield 1 and battlefront 2 are experiencing significantly lower fps than normal. i think it could be a hardware issue because the gpu activity in those games causes noticeable lag, but that doesn’t account for the other games running smoothly. i checked forums for any updates that might be causing similar problems, but it seems like i’m the only one affected. for now, i’m leaning toward a software-related explanation.
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i am now 99% confident it’s a software issue, likely localized in the origin client. I just played Overwatch for an hour on ultra, maintaining 90-100fps throughout, with the lowest at 79 during the heaviest battle in a payload game. The GPU usage stayed above 97% consistently.
The drop in GPU usage and FPS issues seen in Battlefield 1 and Battlefront 2 compared to other games strongly suggest a software problem. Now I just need to figure out why these origin titles are performing worse than before.
It's typical for the games you're playing to behave differently after a recent driver update. Returning to the exact driver you used before might not fully resolve the current issues. Another factor could be the continuous updates and patches these games undergo. Each release brings new changes, so it's important to stay updated. Bugs are fixed in successive updates, and hotfixes address specific problems. Bug squashes help refine performance.
Nevertheless, this doesn't imply you can't find a workaround, though it might require more effort for each game individually. If the problem seems linked to Origin, consider trying standard fixes that haven't been tested yet. Adjusting settings like disabling overlays or using borderless windows may help. I suspect some of these adjustments have already been attempted, but there could be additional solutions depending on your current driver and game state.
Many users report consistent FPS drops in BFV due to recent changes. The first step before deeper troubleshooting should be adjusting your graphics settings. Reducing them slightly can improve stability without sacrificing too much visual quality. You can find optimal BF1 configurations that replicate Ultra's performance while maintaining reasonable FPS.
Your current FPS limits are reasonable—my maximum is 120 in 1440p with these settings. You also have flexibility with resolution scaling; lowering it to around 95% can help without causing noticeable blur. Feel free to adjust between 95% and 100%, but avoid going below 95% if you want clarity. Ultimately, these adjustments bring you closer to achieving the best possible balance between performance and visuals.