How can I stream videos or movies while gaming with a GPU at 95% or higher usage?
How can I stream videos or movies while gaming with a GPU at 95% or higher usage?
Not too long ago I built a PC and now I can run any AAA game at ultra settings. I still enjoy watching something on my second monitor, even if it's faint. For instance, when playing Bo6, my GPU is at 95%-100% usage and anything I try to watch on the second monitor causes stuttering or slow loading (even at 480p). Do you have any suggestions? Someone suggested disabling hardware acceleration, but I don’t want to do that. Maybe lowering my settings or capping my framerate would help give the GPU more room, but wouldn’t you prefer to use it fully? I’ve been considering turning my IGPU back on and seeing if that helps with Chrome tasks, though I’m not sure it would work since it might affect my 4080 Super. It’s a pretty simple question, but I didn’t find much useful information while searching—most advice seemed focused on streaming with OBS, which isn’t my goal. I hope someone can give me a practical answer, as this is something many gamers will face. Thanks in advance.
Could you please share your complete system specifications? Having the exact model and part numbers will greatly assist in providing a more accurate response.
Component Selection
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 4.2 GHz, 8-Core Processor
CPU Cooler: ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 360 A-RGB, 48.82 CFM
Motherboard: MSI MAG B650 TOMAHAWK WIFI ATX AM5
Memory: G.Skill Flare X5, 64 GB (2 x 32 GB), DDR5-6000 CL30
Storage: Samsung 990 Pro with Heatsink, 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME SSD
Video Card: MSI GAMING X SLIM GeForce RTX 4080, 16 GB VRAM
Case: NZXT H9 Flow ATX Mid Tower
Power Supply: Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 TT, 1200 W, 80+ Gold Certified, Fully Modular ATX
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So, this isn't due to insufficient hardware, so I strongly suggest following the steps outlined below. I believe a BIOS update will likely make the biggest impact, though drivers can also play a significant role.
If there are any actions listed here that you haven’t completed, it would be wise to do so just to confirm you’ve already taken them and remove any doubt.
First,
Verify that your motherboard is running the most recent BIOS version. If not, proceed with the update. This addresses many issues even when newer graphics or hardware compatibility releases don’t explicitly mention it. They rarely detail every modification in their release notes. If you already have the latest BIOS, a BIOS reset using the steps below offers a strong chance to improve performance, at least in some scenarios.
BIOS Hard Reset procedure
Turn off the device, switch off the power supply, and detach the PSU cable from the wall or power source.
Take out the CMOS battery on the motherboard for roughly three to five minutes. In certain situations, you might need to remove the graphics card to access it.
While the CMOS battery is removed, keep pressing the power button on the case for 15 to 30 seconds to drain any remaining charge. Once the time is up, reinsert the battery carefully, making sure it’s oriented correctly.
If you removed the graphics card, you can now reinstall it, but be sure to reconnect any power cables and display cables.
After that, plug the PSU cable back in, power on the unit, and wait for the POST screen to appear. You’ll see options to enter CMOS/BIOS setup. Launch the setup program, adjust boot settings for Windows or legacy systems, and save your changes.
After exiting, if the system successfully boots, you can proceed further—such as reconfiguring memory profiles or custom settings. In some instances, after resetting CMOS, it may be necessary to load default or optimal settings to restore hardware tables.
Additionally, if you encounter a video signal issue, consider trying a different display—HDMI is often a good alternative if the original setup isn’t working. Also, testing another monitor can help if visual output is missing.
Second,
Visit the official product page for your motherboard on the manufacturer’s site. Download and install the most recent drivers for your chipset, storage controllers, audio, and network adapters. Don’t skip this step, as outdated drivers can affect all connected devices and cause instability. New drivers aren’t released randomly; they have a purpose. Similarly, BIOS updates should follow manufacturer guidelines.
For chipset drivers, always match the version listed by your motherboard manufacturer with what’s available. If your board specifies a newer chipset driver than the one offered, use it. Conversely, if Intel or AMD lists an older version, stick to that one. Use only the latest chipset drivers available from either source.
If you have additional hardware not covered by these drivers, check the support page for that component and install any available updates.
Third,
Ensure your memory is operating at the advertised speed in the BIOS. You may need to set it to XMP profiles. Confirm your memory slots are correctly installed and functioning in dual-channel mode—use tools like CPU-Z to verify. For dual-channel systems, the correct slots are typically A2 (DDR4_1) or B2 (DDR4_2), positioned as the second and fourth slots from the CPU. If you have two sticks, they should be in these positions; otherwise, install one in the A1 or DDR4_1 slot.
Fourth,
Perform a clean install of your graphics card drivers. Even if you think you already have the latest drivers, a fresh installation often yields better results than simply updating. Using the Display Driver Uninstaller tool is recommended for higher success rates. If you’ve previously installed both Nvidia and AMD drivers, run the DDU twice: once for the old drivers and again for the new ones.
Lastly, if you haven’t done a clean Windows install before, upgraded from an older OS, or experienced multiple major updates, consider a fresh installation. If you’re using a Windows version from a previous system and didn’t perform a clean install after setup, it’s highly advisable to start over.
How to carry out a clean Windows installation correctly
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