Game CPU Usage: Seeking Advice
Game CPU Usage: Seeking Advice
High CPU usage is a significant problem in PC gaming, particularly with Ubisoft titles. It frequently occurs with games like BlackOps 4 and often affects other titles as well, not due to system processes but directly from the game itself. Despite having a high-end setup – an 8700k processor, Asus Maximus XI motherboard, 1080Ti graphics card, 16GB/3200MHz RAM, and a 1440p 144Hz monitor running Windows 10 – games such as Assassin’s Creed Origins, Rainbow Six Siege, and others consistently max out CPU usage at 100%, with performance worsening as frame rates increase. AMD processors with eight or more cores frequently perform better, typically utilizing approximately 40% less CPU than Intel processors. Many users with similar hardware do not experience this issue, potentially because they are not actively monitoring their CPU usage. Those who don't notice stuttering or lag likely have CPU utilization below 90%.
Therefore, I request that users experiencing high CPU usage while playing games like Assassin’s Creed Origins, The Division, Rainbow Six Siege, or BlackOps 4 provide the following information: their actual game CPU usage, their system specifications, and any helpful guides they have found to reduce or resolve this problem. I have attempted numerous solutions, including disabling unnecessary services, optimizing Windows 10, and adding game exclusions to my antivirus software. The goal is to identify what others are doing that prevents them from encountering this persistent issue.
The GPU should ideally operate at 100% while the CPU remains below 90%. Experiment with increasing resolution scaling to achieve a balance between visual quality and frame rate. Alternatively, disable HPET settings to investigate whether it resolves stuttering issues when the CPU is heavily utilized. Explore methods to identify and modify timer settings on Windows PCs for performance enhancement, utilizing benchmarks to measure improvements.
Certain engines place a greater demand on either the CPU or GPU. If you are not constrained by GPU limitations and aren't utilizing a frame limiter, the CPU will reach 100% utilization. This is typical behavior. If you are experiencing stutters at 100% CPU, you should either enhance visual settings to shift the processing load to the GPU (including increasing resolution scaling) or decrease the frame limit further.
That is entirely accurate. I recognize the desire to reduce the limit further, but that would negatively impact games with player versus player competition. The suggestion regarding improving graphical quality is novel and potentially beneficial – I’ve observed instances in certain games where a GPU isn't fully utilized. I may experiment with that approach. Do any of you engage with similar titles and encounter this issue? Thank you for your responses.
I own AC Origins but it is not installed. I primarily play Battlefield V and it uses approximately 70% of my CPU resources on the busiest threads with a GTX 1070 at 100%. I intend to acquire a 2080 (similar to a 1080ti) and anticipate encountering similar CPU usage. When I used a 3570k, Battlefield 1 experienced 100% CPU usage with the 1070. Simply switching to an 8700k with MCE enabled provided a roughly 20 fps increase. I suggest utilizing an excellent cooling solution and exploring overclocking capabilities to maximize performance.
I apologize for omitting that I possess a Corsair AIO and am overclocked at 5GHz with MCE disabled. Previously, I operated at 4.9 GHz due to temperature concerns at that speed. However, after updating the BIOS and re-running the overclock, it has proven stable thus far. My 1080Ti is also overclocked by +60 cores and +450 memory.
Several months ago, I ran BFV, which experienced a dramatic spike to 100% CPU usage solely during the loading screen. In-game, utilization decreased to 90%, fluctuating frequently. Therefore, you should anticipate similar behavior with your new card. I sincerely hope not!
My overclocking endeavors have consistently maintained stable frames, temperatures, and overall system performance. The primary frustration stems from the elevated CPU usage these games demand. I've observed this issue since initially playing Division several years ago and have monitored it in subsequent titles. Witnessing others with comparable setups—and sometimes lower—reporting no issues, while simultaneously celebrating their performance, prompted me to investigate whether minor adjustments could resolve the situation.
Ideally, the GPU should operate at 100% while the CPU remains below 90%. Experiment with increasing resolution scaling to achieve a balance between visual quality and frame rate. Alternatively, disable HPET settings to investigate whether this resolves stuttering issues when the CPU is heavily utilized. Explore methods for detecting and modifying timer settings on your Windows PC to enhance performance, utilizing benchmarks to measure the results.
High CPU usage doesn't necessarily lead to stuttering. At your current resolution and frame rate, your system’s input/output is heavily stressed, and this problem worsens as the game runs faster. The video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWgRCs_ele8 demonstrates that limiting FPS with 100% usage doesn't reduce the usage; it improves lag significantly. Applying thread adjustments maintains 100% CPU usage but eliminates lag. The video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUsPOTv_pu8 illustrates this further.
This is truly helpful. I will definitely try this tonight and get back to you on any results! Thanks for this.