Performing exceptionally poorly despite full hardware capabilities
Performing exceptionally poorly despite full hardware capabilities
Hello everyone. I recently upgraded to an RTX 3070 and started experimenting with ray tracing. I've adjusted various settings—resolution, DLSS, scaling, and graphics options—but consistently struggle to reach 60fps in Cyberpunk 2077 or The Witcher 3. My hardware isn't at full capacity (CPU and GPU around 60-70% usage) and RAM is at about 60%, while temperatures stay well within safe limits. VRAM isn’t saturated. I’m open to any tips or changes that might help. Details: RYZEN 5 3600 ASUS Prime A320M-K, GeForce RTX 3070, 8GB/16GB DDR4, 3200mhz, 1TB NVMe SSD. Targeting 1080p at 60fps without ray tracing. Thanks!
You're probably focusing on the RT cores more than the GPU's full potential. Since the sensors aren't tracking them, the GPU still handles things well with the 3070.
When GPU utilization stays under 100%, it usually means CPU constraints are at play. CPU metrics aren't always reliable here because individual cores can hit their limits even if others remain idle. RT also contributes additional processing demands, handling tasks like BVH construction and maintenance.
Recently, NVIDIA drivers have been experiencing major problems. Consider using older versions of NVIDIA drivers or switching to simple studio drivers instead. In the past, I faced issues with game-ready drivers on an RTX 2060, and updating to studio drivers resolved it. Sometimes studio updates arrive before game-ready ones. I tried AMD instead and decided never to go back to NVIDIA again. This is just my personal opinion.
Join the discussions! Update your CPU chart to display usage per core and identify the ones in heavy demand. Never give up—NV is really bad right now, but things will improve, and AMD will too.
Avoid using Overdrive (Path Tracing) with that card. Standard ray tracing should suffice. Adjust the suggested options via the Nvidia App → Graphics → Program Settings. Select CP2077 and click 'OPTIMIZE'. You can modify the levels afterward, but the default offers a solid starting point for performance.
I faced the same issue with an RTX 3070 and a Ryzen 5 3600. The CPU and GPU metrics were normal, but frame rates stayed around 45–50. My solution involved using Studio drivers instead of Game Ready, monitoring per-core stats in MSI Afterburner where some cores reached 100%, and reducing RT settings slightly. I kept ray tracing with DLSS on Quality but omitted Overdrive and Path Tracing. Now I usually achieve 55–60 FPS in Cyberpunk and Witcher 3, even if it’s not consistently high.