GPU activity low, CPU load high, FPS decreases?
GPU activity low, CPU load high, FPS decreases?
Playing games such as Cod Warzone at very high FPS demands a lot from your CPU, which is why achieving 100% on a 9700 at those frame rates is normal and often leads to FPS drops.
Your GPU isn't showing any activity while gaming—have you checked Task Manager? When using low-level APIs like DirectX 12, the actual GPU usage isn't reflected in Task Manager or some FPS monitors.
Use the newest MSI Afterburner version to track GPU performance during games.
Here is the video you attempted to use for optimal settings, but it appeared to reduce your FPS instead of improving it.
Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hBYW6hP...nnel=Webzy
It's typical in competitive games to reduce graphical settings to achieve higher FPS. The problem lies in the CPU needing to process those frames for the GPU, and reaching 170/180 FPS is quite demanding. I would suggest trying a lower frame rate like 144hz or 120hz instead, as it usually provides smoother performance.
A bit confused about the Hz stuff. My screen is 165Hz, so just use it. I tell myself I'm running 1440p, but most of the settings are really low.
It depends on the game and environment, but lowering graphics usually eases the GPU strain, though it doesn’t affect the CPU. Setting a more reasonable frame rate, such as 120 or 144, can lead to better performance. If you’re hitting 180 FPS, you’re likely using an unrestricted frame rate; with lower settings, the GPU won’t be the main bottleneck, so the CPU can handle everything, though it may struggle if the display is too demanding.
You don't encounter such problems with consoles since they typically consist of two sets of components. On PC, you can achieve over a thousand hardware combinations. In contrast, a PC setup focuses on balance; you can pair an i7 9700 or even an i9 9900K with an RTX 3080 for an online FPS game at 1080p, and the CPU will usually be under full load, only becoming worse if you reduce the graphics settings. The same applies at 1440p for many online FPS titles.
I'm not sure about attaching photos properly, but last night before adjusting settings I captured a screenshot showing 208FPS. Then I attempted to adjust the video settings as recommended, which lowered them, so I restored the Nvidia control panels and the current FPS is still around 135FPS on today's screenshot.
Fair enough, a suggestion.
Have you explored any other AAA titles to assess their performance?
For example, when setting up a gaming PC (rarely due to economic and import restrictions), I typically start with a game I’m familiar with—like Shadow of The Tomb Rider—to evaluate its performance. If it runs smoothly, it suggests the setup is mostly fine. If not, I’d then test different components such as GPU or CPU benchmarks to pinpoint the problem (software or hardware).
If helpful, running a userbenchmark test and sharing the full results can assist others in identifying the cause or confirming it’s resolved. It’s quick and free.
https://www.userbenchmark.com/