Troubleshooting Low GPU Utilization with the RTX 3080 FTW3: Solutions and Insights

In the world of gaming, having a robust graphics card is crucial for an immersive experience. Recently, I acquired the RTX 3080 FTW3 through EVGA’s queue system, eager to elevate my gaming performance. However, I’ve encountered an unexpected challenge: my GPU utilization has been consistently low across a variety of titles. Below, I’ll delve into my system specifications, the performance issues I’m facing, and seek recommendations from the community.

System Specifications

Here’s a quick overview of my setup:

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

I game on a 1440p monitor with a 144Hz refresh rate. It’s been disappointing to discover that my GPU isn’t being fully utilized in most titles. Some of the games and their average GPU utilization are as follows:

• Control: 99%
• Monster Hunter World: 99%
• Horizon: Zero Dawn: 60-70%
• Jedi: Fallen Order: 50%
• Witcher 3: 50-70%
• 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%

Unexpected Results

These findings have raised concerns. For instance, Jedi: Fallen Order, despite delivering around 70-85 FPS in certain scenarios, doesn’t come close to the 140 FPS+ seen in benchmarks. Similarly, Witcher 3, even with some mods, mirrors the FPS performance of my previous GPU, the 2070 Super. I’ve noticed that while CPU utilization reaches a peak of 85% during gameplay, it typically sits between 40-60%, indicating that CPU bottlenecking shouldn’t be an issue here.

Interestingly, benchmark tests using Furmark—a tool designed to stress test GPUs—showed expected performance outcomes. For instance, Time Spy achieved a graphics score of 17,456 with 99% GPU load throughout the test