Stuttering and gpu usage going up and down pls help!

Understanding and Troubleshooting GPU Performance Fluctuations: A Guide for Recent PC Builders

Introduction

Building a new gaming PC is an exciting milestone, but it can sometimes come with unexpected challenges. One common issue reported by recent builders involves inconsistent GPU performance, such as stuttering and irregular GPU usage. In this article, we will explore potential causes and solutions to help you stabilize your gaming experience, focusing on systems equipped with high-performance components like the RTX 5070 and Ryzen 9 5900X.

Identifying the Problem

Many users report that when engaging in GPU-intensive tasks, such as gaming, their systems experience frequent stuttering approximately every three seconds. Additionally, GPU utilization fluctuates dramatically, and monitoring tools like MSI Afterburner show irregular GPU clock speeds. Despite having a high-end prebuilt system, troubleshooting these symptoms can be perplexing.

Common Troubleshooting Steps

Review Graphics Settings and V-Sync
Disable V-Sync: Turning off vertical synchronization can sometimes improve performance, but in some cases, it may cause screen tearing or instability. Experiment with enabling or disabling V-Sync based on your experience.
Adjust In-Game Settings: Lower graphics quality and resolution to minimal levels to determine if the problem persists across settings.
Update and Reinstall Graphics Drivers
Clean Driver Installation: Use dedicated tools like the DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) to thoroughly remove existing drivers before reinstalling the latest NVIDIA drivers compatible with the RTX 5070.
Keep Drivers Updated: Regularly check for driver updates that may include performance fixes.
BIOS and Power Settings
BIOS Configuration: Reset BIOS settings to default or ensure that settings related to PCIe slots and power management are correctly configured.
Power Plan: Set Windows to High Performance mode. Verify that your system’s power supply and cables are properly connected and functioning.
Monitor Hardware and Thermal Conditions
Temperature Check: Ensure the GPU and CPU are operating within safe temperature ranges. Overheating can lead to throttling and performance dips.
Power Stability: Confirm that power cables are securely connected and consider testing with different cables or power outlets.
Utilize Monitoring Tools for Diagnostics
GPU Clock Speed Fluctuations: Use MSI Afterburner or similar tools to observe whether GPU clock speeds are stable or wildly fluctuating.
GPU Usage Patterns: Monitor utilization rates to identify if bottlenecks or hardware issues are present.
Additional Considerations
Conflict with Background Applications