Troubleshooting Low GPU Utilization on RTX 3080 FTW3: A Gamer’s Dilemma

Introduction

After a long wait, I finally secured my EVGA RTX 3080 FTW3 through their queue system. Eager to put it to the test, I dove into a variety of games to gauge its performance. Unfortunately, I’ve encountered a recurring issue: my GPU usage remains surprisingly low in almost every title I’ve tested. This article outlines my findings, system specifications, and the steps I’ve taken to address the problem—hoping to gather insights from the broader gaming community.

System Specifications

Before diving into the details, here are my system specs for reference:

• CPU: Ryzen 3600
• GPU: RTX 3080 FTW3
• Memory: 16GB 3600MHz RAM
• Power Supply: Corsair RM750x
• Storage: NVMe SSD and multiple SATA SSDs

I’m gaming on a 1440p/144Hz monitor, a configuration that should ideally push my 3080 to its limits. However, my experience has been disheartening, as the GPU seems underutilized during gameplay.

Performance Observations

In my testing, only Control and Monster Hunter World managed to consistently push the GPU to 99% usage. Here’s a brief rundown of several other titles I explored and their corresponding GPU usages:

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

Despite the impressive stats my 3080 boasts, my FPS numbers are nowhere near what’s reflected in benchmarks. For instance, in Jedi: Fallen Order, I only see 70-85 FPS, while benchmarks suggest I should be reaching above 140 FPS. Even more oddly, my previous RTX 2070 Super consistently delivered 70-80 FPS in Witcher 3, with minimal uplift using the 3080.

Interestingly enough, synthetic