Upgraded model shows reduced FPS during benchmarks compared to the previous version.
Upgraded model shows reduced FPS during benchmarks compared to the previous version.
It seems connected to my 2020 3DMark copy. I plan to apply thermal paste tomorrow before swapping CPUs. Recently I checked benchmarks from the past week, and frame rates around 1440p were solid—30-40 FPS in most games. That should help me understand how it performed before making changes. Maybe I'm overanalyzing, but I'm not sure yet.
100% CPU consumption indicates a potential CPU limitation with the new card. Verify you're using native resolution and maximum graphical settings on an older title so most processing stays on the GPU. Your system shouldn't require lowering settings or using FSR; it should handle games smoothly without issues. Installing the CPU should also improve performance. Running newer, more demanding games can further validate the improvement, as this is only a single test.
I'm currently updating the download for CP 2077. I've already tried similar games like STALKER 2 on my 3080, getting around 40-50 to 60 FPS—still not perfect, but it gives me a better idea. I'll let you know once it's done. It seems everything else was set correctly.
It doesn't matter whether you're playing it or not—it's just for testing. If you understand the performance in Stalker 2, install it and see how it stacks against these cards. You don't need to keep it running for long; just compare briefly and note your findings.
CP Bench is running with all settings disabled, and RT is off since it doesn’t matter much to me. AMD’s performance isn’t as strong here. The display is at 1440p with maximum settings. Playing the DLC shows a smoother average around the 70s compared to the 80s from the bench test. Both CPU and GPU usage stayed near 100% during the benchmark in the graphics menu. Since I only played this about a year ago, I don’t know the exact specs of my 3080, but it might have been better with DLSS. I believe this setup looks fine and the 5700X3D should perform better soon?
This behavior is typical for GPU performance under varying loads. Power consumption can spike quickly when utilization reaches maximum, then drop rapidly as the system conserves energy. Usage and frame rates often follow similar patterns. Your observation about FPS dropping during intense scenes in Cyberpunk is common and expected.
You're still stuck on the CPU... the 7800XT won't be as limited as the 9070XT with a 5600X. Until you pair a better CPU with that GPU and your gaming performance stays at full capacity, power usage won't be ideal. That also accounts for the fluctuations you're seeing inside the card. If your CPU handles the load, it will lower GPU demand and reduce power draw. You shouldn't see 100% CPU utilization, which indicates something's wrong. Are you referencing other benchmarks? There are several problems with how you're making comparisons. Here are the main points:
1. Your systems differ significantly—different specs, a distinct GPU, even if components match exactly, there will still be variations.
2. The benchmark data is outdated; drivers, game versions, and hardware changes mean performance won't be the same. Wait until your new CPU arrives before testing. For now, consider DDUing and swapping out your 9070XT for a 3080, updating all drivers, BIOS, chipset, etc., and fully installing Windows. Then run benchmarks and record the results. You can also test with the 5700X3D once it's available to ensure a fair comparison. After installing the new CPU and updating everything, put your 9070XT back in and repeat the tests under the same conditions. Compare your actual FPS directly against your system, not against other players online. If you need help interpreting the numbers, just let me know.
I’m still figuring out the idea of bottlenecking, but it might have some merit. I plan to test the new CPU and GPU together tomorrow before switching back to the 3080. I’ll also perform a fresh Windows installation tomorrow, as people report better performance after major hardware upgrades. Once that’s done, I’ll run STALKER 2 and RDR2 benchmarks against it to see if swapping the CPU makes a difference.
Bottlenecking is a tangible issue, not just a theory, it's been present from the start. You can quickly explore more details by searching online. While many bottleneck calculators are unreliable, the actual presence of bottlenecks is genuine. The scenario where your CPU hits full capacity while gaming with a 9070XT clearly shows this. A new Windows update makes sense, but make sure to update your motherboard's BIOS before installing the new CPU. After the fresh install, manually fetch all motherboard drivers from the manufacturer’s site rather than relying on Windows to do it. The built-in Windows updater is often faulty—it may install incorrect or outdated drivers. Always DDU the GPU drivers yourself before swapping them and reinstall via the official software or page, instead of letting Windows handle it.