Troubleshooting Low GPU Usage on the RTX 3080: A Gamer’s Dilemma

After navigating through the queue for EVGA’s RTX 3080, I was eager to put my new graphics card through its paces. However, what I encountered was less than ideal: consistently low GPU usage across nearly all the games I played. Below, I’ll share my system specifications and the performance results I obtained, along with my quest for solutions.

My System Specifications:

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

With a 1440p resolution paired with a 144Hz monitor, I expected to see superlative performance, especially since other gamers have shared benchmark results that far exceeded my expectations. Here’s a brief overview of the GPU utilization for a selection of titles I’ve tested:

• Control: 99%
• Monster Hunter World: 99%
• 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%

The Disappointment
Given the impressive benchmarks available online, the performance I’ve observed is disheartening. For example, while playing “Jedi: Fallen Order,” my frame rate ranges between 70-85 FPS during confined areas but only occasionally spikes to 110 FPS, far below the anticipated 140 FPS or more. Similarly, “Witcher 3,” which has minor mods, yields comparable FPS to my former RTX 2070 Super, showing a minor improvement in outdoor settings. This indicates that something may not be right with the setup.

In running the Furmark benchmarks, my GPU performed admirably, achieving scores of 17,456 in Time Spy, 10,729 in Fire Strike Ultra, and 11,144 in Port Royal, with nearly