Troubleshooting Low GPU Utilization on the RTX 3080: Solutions and Insights

Update at the bottom of the post.

Recently, I acquired my EVGA RTX 3080 through their queue system and was eager to test its performance in various games. However, I’ve been facing a perplexing issue: despite having an impressive setup, my GPU usage remains consistently low across most titles. Below are the specifications of my gaming rig, followed by an overview of my observations and potential avenues for resolution.

System Specifications

Processor: Ryzen 3600
Graphics Card: RTX 3080 FTW3
Memory: 16GB 3600MHz RAM
Power Supply: Corsair RM750x
Storage: NVMe SSD and SATA SSDs

I play on a 1440p/144Hz monitor, and the GPU usage metrics I’ve gathered from a variety of games reveal significant discrepancies. Only Control and Monster Hunter World maintained a steady 99% GPU usage during gameplay. Here’s a glimpse of the GPU usage across other titles I’ve tested:

Horizon: Zero Dawn: 60-70%
Jedi: Fallen Order: 50%
Witcher 3: 50-60% (varying by location)
Baldur’s Gate 3: 78%
GTA 5: 55-90%
Sea of Thieves: 75%
Red Dead Redemption 2: 70-90%
Assassin’s Creed: Origins: 75-95%

This low utilization is disheartening, as I expected a performance boost over my previous GPU, the 2070 Super, which delivered consistent frame rates in the range of 70-80 FPS. For instance, Jedi: Fallen Order only achieves 70-85 FPS in contained sections, far from the 140 FPS+ benchmarks I’ve seen. Similarly, in Witcher 3, my FPS is nearly identical to what I experienced with the 2070 Super in urban areas.

Benchmark Performance

Interestingly, benchmarks conducted with tools like Furmark yield expected results, showcasing my GPU’s capabilities with scores such as Time Spy at 17,456 and Fire Strike Ultra at 10,729, consistently showing 99% GPU usage.