I7 9700K GPU, RTX 3080ti running at 2560x1080 resolution Uses minimal power while delivering solid performance
I7 9700K GPU, RTX 3080ti running at 2560x1080 resolution Uses minimal power while delivering solid performance
Hey everyone, I'm using an I7 9700K with a RTX 3080Ti at 2560x1080. I understand the 3080Ti's resolution is a bit lower, but my 29.5" ultrawide screen gives good clarity and lets me hit higher frame rates. The problem is my games don’t seem to run at full capacity, and my CPU isn’t always at 100%, but it’s usually higher than the GPU usage. I’m curious if this points to a CPU bottleneck and whether my GPU would get more use with a better CPU. Thanks for your help!
Which games are you running and where are you experiencing these problems? I believe the issue is likely due to software limitations since CPU and GPU aren't reaching their full potential. A 3080TI is way too demanding at 1080p, and the 9700k might not be fully utilized in some titles. What kind of power supply do you have, and how recent is it?
Right now I'm enjoying Spider Man Remastered and Apex Legends. My FPS in Apex is solid around 300, though the GPU usage stays low. I'm using a Corsair RM750 that's been with me for about a year or so, and I plan to upgrade soon to the 13600K. I’ll also boost the PSU later. I didn’t expect resolution to be a big problem—it’s still higher than the standard 1920x1080, and sometimes on Spider-Man I see drops in the 50s or 60s even at very high settings. If I’m correct, higher usage means better performance. In Spider-Man the CPU tends to spike around 80% utilization.
Do you support ray tracing and Gsync? What type of cable connects your GPU to your monitor? The 2560x1080 display is just a slight upgrade from 1080x1920, so even a 3080ti would still perform well. Likely your GPU isn’t reaching its full potential, possibly due to software limits rather than hardware constraints. If you're not seeing maximum performance, your CPU might be the bottleneck. I’m not familiar with this specific channel, but if you’re seeing similar frame rates in the same game, it probably means ray tracing isn’t heavily taxing. Performance depends on how your hardware handles tasks with less power usage. For a high-end GPU at low resolution, this scenario isn’t common. Do you have a 4K TV? Connect your PC to it and play Spiderman. What does your GPU and CPU do at that resolution?
This behavior isn't necessarily a game limitation. It depends on how the game is using your GPU. Even if FPS meets expectations, underutilization can affect performance and stability. Upgrading to a higher resolution might improve utilization, but it's not guaranteed to fix the issue if the GPU isn't being used efficiently.
Checked Apex Legends at 2560x1080 resolution. GPU usage stays high at 97%, but it occasionally falls to 65-70% CPU around 80% capacity.
The GPU isn't showing any obvious problems since it's not being fully used. You're likely missing out on potential benefits. I strongly suggest considering a 1440 upgrade. My current setup runs at 2560x1440 with my 1080ti and performs exceptionally well. For widescreen displays, the 1440 should still deliver solid frame rates on most titles. You can find reliable RTINGS reviews for widescreen 1440 options here. While a wider screen will cost more, it won't be too expensive. Increasing resolution also helps your CPU by shifting more workload to the GPU, which can become a bottleneck. I'm using a 4790k at 4.7GHZ and it's fine because the GPU is usually the limiting factor. A higher resolution would probably only give small gains in frame times unless your games are heavily GPU-dependent. I'll probably upgrade soon, as newer CPUs will soon offer enough power to make the investment worthwhile.