New GPU and PSU installed, yet performance remains limited.
New GPU and PSU installed, yet performance remains limited.
Current specifications: CPU i7-10700K with cooler, NZXT Kraken X61 MOBO, Asrock B560 PRO4 RAM, Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB at 2933 MHz, Gigabyte RTX 3060 Ti OC M.2 SSD, WD Blue SN550 NVMe 1TB SSD, Crucial MX500 1TB SSD, Crucial MX500 2TB PSU, Corsair HX1000 around 2.5 weeks ago. I upgraded from a 2060 to a 3060Ti but kept using an older Corsair Hx850i PSU until about 5 days ago when I switched to the Hx1000. Both components are 80+ platinum. I don’t recall any problems with the GPU on the previous unit, though it was 7 years old. The situation changed only recently with the Hx1000 upgrade.
In the last couple of days, the HX1000 has shown low frame rates and reduced GPU activity in most games. Some titles run smoothly at high FPS but drop during intense scenes or when rendering complex areas. I’m unsure if the GPU or PSU is responsible since the 3060Ti was a significant upgrade over the 2060.
Additionally, I noticed the power indicator on the GPU flashes briefly during shutdowns and restarts, then clears quickly. On the motherboard, post-light effects appear briefly after booting up, except for the VGA light which stays lit longer before turning off.
I changed all cables from the PSU to new ones, even though they were brand new, just to rule out a faulty cable. I also updated drivers and set the BIOS to the latest version. The GPU consistently stays under 72% usage even in hot conditions, and the CPU never exceeds 62% during load tests.
This is my first PC build, so I’m still learning. Everything felt fine when I started with the 2060 and Hx850i for about nine months. Now, with the new GPU and PSU, I’m experiencing some instability. I’m trying to figure out if it’s the GPU, the PSU, or both.
What tools do you use to track temperatures and consumption? I noticed CAM gives a pretty rough estimate—around 13% GPU usage during games. Switching to GeForce Tuning System shows much higher numbers, near 90%. Also, when I first set up this rig, I adjusted the BIOS settings in the PCIE lane from Auto to Gen 4. That really boosted my gaming experience and performance. Before that, I was struggling with only about 60 FPS at low settings in Fortnite, but after the change, I hit steady 144 FPS at high settings all day.
I’ve checked riva tuner, MSI afterburner, NVDIA monitoring, and Task Manager—they all report the same 40-60% usage. The problem with the BIOS you mentioned I’ll look into, but I’ve been using it for about nine months straight with a 2060 on the same games. FPS stays similar, GPU usage is consistently high (95-100%) without any spikes or stutters, and I never touched the BIOS—it always worked smoothly at ultra settings.