Question 1080ti Poor performance in RDR2 using best configurations
Question 1080ti Poor performance in RDR2 using best configurations
Hello everyone, I’m reaching out once more for your technical assistance since my 1080ti is causing me a lot of trouble again. I’ve played RDR2 before, twice, but I was hoping to try it one more time. When I started the game, I noticed the frame rate was quite low—around 45 fps, which isn’t bad but definitely not ideal. To find solutions, I looked on Reddit for recommendations and applied all the suggested settings in the image below.
After completing those changes, I restarted the game and saw a much worse performance—about 35 fps, with some drops down to as low as 23 fps. Then I switched to 1080p, but even then, the average remained around 45 fps. On 1050p it stayed consistent.
I also suspect my power supply unit might be the issue, given past power problems and occasional BSODs. Although it’s been about six months since that happened, I’ve noticed increased power draw when games run. The “High electrical consumption” warning on games seems relevant.
Here are my specifications:
- GPU: ASUS 1080ti TURBO
- CPU: Intel Core i7-10700k 3.8GHz
- RAM: Corsair 16GB 3000MHz DDR4 LPX XMP2.0 C15
- PSU: Thermaltake TR2 S 700W
- Motherboard: MSI MPG Z490 GAMING PLUS
- CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 120V Version 2
- SSD: Sandisk 120GB SATA Revision 3.0 6Gb/s
- HDD 1: Seagate Barracuda 2TB, SATA 6 Gbit/s 7200RPM
- HDD 2: Seagate Barracuda 1TB, SATA 6 Gbit/s 7200RPM
My detailed specs are available here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/182cFPlM...sp=sharing
I’ve also logged my in-game temperatures on HWMonitor and the system monitor, which show some high readings. However, I’ve always experienced hot spots on my GPU, so it’s unclear if that’s the cause.
I’ve already tried:
- Reinstalling GPU drivers
- Resetting NVIDIA Control Panel
- Adjusting graphics settings in the game
- Scanning for malware with Malwarebytes
TL;DR: Low FPS in RDR2, possible PSU issue, drivers reinstalled and settings checked.
Which power supply are you using ? What's the exact Model number and brand ? This is very important.
By the way, on a slightly different note, avoid posting any system info via the SPECCY tool, or like in a DXDIAG format. Hard to read the specs in this format, and it also contains a lot of useless info as well.
Just manually mention the PC specs in short, whenever you create a new Thread. Anyway, have you monitored the GPU and CPU temp value while gaming ? Any signs of overheating ? How much does it get hot ?
Do you have bad performance issues only with RDR2, or even other PC games ?
Sorry, here’s the manual version of your notes:
My specs are:
GPU: ASUS 1080ti TURBO
CPU: Intel Core i7-10700k 3.8Ghz
RAM: Corsair 16GB 3000MHz DDR4 LPX XMP2.0 C15
PSU: Thermaltake TR2 S PSU 700W
MOBO: MSI MPG Z490 GAMING PLUS
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 120V Version 2
SSD: Sandisk 120GB SATA Revision 3.0 6Gb/s
HDD 1: Seagate Barracuda 2TB, SATA 6 Gbit/s 7200RPM
HDD 2: Seagate Barracuda 1TB, SATA 6 Gbit/s 7200RPM
In-game temperatures for my GPU:
Hardware monitor: NVIDIA NVAPI
Voltage 0: 0.90 Volts [0x384] (GPU)
Power 0: 117.69 W (GPU)
Temperature 0: 84 degC (182 degF) [0x53] (GPU)
Temperature 2: 98 degC (208 degF) [0x61] (Hot Spot)
Fan 0: 2939 RPM [0xB7B] (GPU #0)
Fan PWM 0: 59 pc [0x3B] (FANPWMIN0)
Clock Speed 0: 1683.00 MHz [0x693] (Graphics)
Clock Speed 1: 5508.00 MHz [0x1584] (Memory)
Clock Speed 2: n.a. (Processor)
When playing games, my GPU consistently hits around 84 degC. The hot spot isn’t visible, only observed recently during an issue with FH5 where it matched the same readings. During RDR2 I didn’t notice any problems, possibly because it’s a lighter title.
I mainly play Valorant and don’t see any issues; it could also be due to the game being very simple.
It seems this PSU could be the reason behind the issue. Likely, it's a very basic power supply, probably not suitable for high-end discrete GPUs. I doubt it even has Bronze certification—just an 80 Plus rating. Definitely steer clear of using this unit to run the 1080 Ti GPU. Even if your temperatures are high, it might still hurt performance, but my main concern is the PSU itself. The TR2 series from Thermaltake isn’t ideal for gaming setups. Avoid relying on this inexpensive, low-quality model for a powerful card like the GTX 1080 Ti. Just checking the wattage doesn’t guarantee a good PSU; what matters most is its quality. I wouldn’t suggest using this particular unit for high-end discrete GPU gaming rigs. Consider upgrading to a more reliable PSU and opting for a top-tier model. TR2 PSUs are generally better suited for iGPU systems rather than high-end discrete GPUs. Stop using this power supply for the card—it’s crucial to prioritize quality. Powering your system with this unit is not advisable. Since the PSU is the most critical component, we shouldn’t compromise on it. I wouldn’t advise running the GTX 1080 Ti on such a budget model. RDR2 is quite demanding, so performance drops even with high-end GPUs. The game pushes modern GPUs to their limits, which could explain your low FPS. You might try reinstalling the game and resetting all graphics settings. If you’re playing at 1080p, consider switching to a less taxing title or deleting saved profiles. If you can afford it, get a reputable, high-quality PSU. The links below may provide useful guidance: https://forums. https://forums.
The older Thermaltake TR2 power supplies without an S designation were quite poor, but they have been upgraded and the new versions are performing reasonably well. They also meet the Bronze 80 Plus standard.
I think the issue might stem from excessive temperatures on the GPU because of less efficient cooling, especially if that 98-degree reading comes from the GPU itself. This could worsen if the case lacks proper airflow or has insufficient fans. Additionally, any overclocking you apply would contribute to higher heat levels.
The ideal setup for a gaming case involves maintaining a slight positive pressure, which means the intake fan should be slightly more powerful than the exhaust fan in terms of CFM. This prevents dust from entering unfiltered areas inside the case. It's much simpler to configure and adjust if you understand your case fans' CFM ratings and know that some can be speed-adjusted. If this isn't suitable for you and you've been heavily using the GPU, it's advisable to inspect the fan and heatsink for excessive dust buildup.
It's important not to overlook this when playing demanding games like RDR2, especially with a blower-style reference GPU and an older non-vapor chamber heatsink. A well-ventilated case is essential. We also don't know the room temperature, which is increasingly relevant in summer.
Please consider testing your CPU temperatures as well. Running MSI Afterburner with RTSS to monitor CPU and GPU usage in real time during gameplay would be helpful. The main concern seems to be the 98-degree reading, likely the primary cause. Also, note that the CPU cooler isn't a highly recommended brand and has mixed reviews at best.
Do the MSI AB real-time monitoring test I mentioned earlier? It could provide more clarity. If you need guidance on setting it up to track these metrics, just let me know.
I considered using your friend's PSU to power your PC and wanted to check the results, thanks. I'll keep you posted.
I question the PSU claim. If you look at reviews for that model, you'll see the reasons. Yours is one of the newer versions, which are significantly improved over the older TR2s. Unless you accidentally installed something else and it's an older version. I would first test without Vsync and Gsync, as they can cause performance issues in certain games. I also think Ultra Textures might be a major issue. It requires a very powerful GPU to run smoothly with those textures. On my 8700k/GTX 1080 setup, I achieved around 57-60 FPS, which was more than sufficient, but I'm confident I wasn't using Vsync or Ultra Textures.
You also stated a 98 degree temp though, where was that taken from? I'd feel a lot more reassured if you just captured a brief clip with MSI AB monitoring temps and usage in background. It might also show any performance problems other than FPS to give us an idea what's going on. Preferably capture a spot that dips low in FPS,
The 1080 Ti chip from what I read can start thermal throttling somewhere in the mid 80c range, which is why many try to keep them from reaching 85c. If you've been running it at that temp for a long time, and the hotspot temp has increased (98c is VERY high), it may need reseating with new TIM.
You've yet to even tell us what case you're using, or what the ambient temp of the room you're playing in is. We all know reference cards run hotter, but there's a certain point where they get too hot, and when they do, they may throttle down enough to be closer to a 1080 in performance.
The best way to avoid having to tear apart a reference card and reseat it with new TIM, is preventative maintenance, by keeping your case and room cool enough. This is also why many prefer cards with aftermarket coolers.
I recently put a new thermal paste on because I observed that the 98C Hot Spot remained unchanged in temperature after the change. The Arctic MX-4 didn't affect performance or temperature, and the overall GPU temperature stayed below 84, which is the safe limit.