Gpu and cpu usage dropping to near zero while playing most games which tanks my fps

Addressing Sudden GPU and CPU Underutilization in Gaming: Causes and Solutions

Gaming performance issues can be incredibly frustrating, especially when experiencing intermittent stuttering and unexpectedly low hardware utilization. Many gamers with high-performance setups encounter scenarios where their GPU and CPU usage plummet to near zero during gameplay, leading to significant drops in frame rates and a degraded gaming experience. If you’re facing such issues with a setup that includes an AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT GPU and a Ryzen 7 5800X processor, this article aims to guide you through understanding potential causes and troubleshooting steps.

Recognizing the Issue: Sudden Drop in Hardware Utilization

A common symptom reported by gamers is a sudden or consistent reduction in GPU and CPU activity during play sessions, often accompanied by stuttering, lag, or frame rate drops. In such cases, hardware utilization can decrease to near-zero percentages, indicating that the system is not properly leveraging its resources despite running demanding applications.

Potential Causes Behind Underutilization

Understanding the root cause is essential for effective troubleshooting. Here are some common factors that could lead to reduced GPU and CPU usage during gaming:

• Thermal Throttling: Overheating components may reduce clock speeds to prevent damage, leading to decreased utilization.
• Power Supply Issues: Insufficient or unstable power delivery can cause hardware to underperform.
• Driver or Software Conflicts: Corrupt or outdated drivers can impair hardware performance.
• Background Processes: Resource-heavy processes running in the background can interfere with game performance.
• Game Optimization or Compatibility: Some games may have bugs or compatibility issues causing performance bottlenecks.
• Vertical Synchronization (V-Sync) and Frame Limiting: Settings that cap frame rates can sometimes lead to underutilization.
• Hardware Limitations or Failures: Aging or failing components may not operate at full capacity.

Troubleshooting and Solutions

If you’re experiencing these issues, consider the following steps to diagnose and potentially resolve the problem:

1. Monitor Temperatures and Clocks
2. Use tools like HWMonitor, MSI Afterburner, or Ryzen Master to check GPU and CPU temperatures.

3. Ensure components are within safe operating ranges; overheating may necessitate cleaning fans or replacing thermal paste.

4. Update Drivers and BIOS

5. Keep your graphics drivers up-to-date. Download the latest AMD Radeon drivers from the official website.
6. Update your motherboard’s BIOS to ensure compatibility and fix