Troubleshooting Low GPU Utilization with RTX 3080 FTW3: Seeking Solutions

Introduction

After patiently waiting for my EVGA RTX 3080 FTW3 through their queue system, I was eager to test out its performance against my gaming setup. Unfortunately, I’ve noticed consistent low GPU usage across most titles, despite my CPU not being fully utilized. In this post, I aim to outline my system specifications, the performance I’ve experienced, and any potential solutions. I hope that by sharing my challenges, I can tap into the community’s insights for resolving this frustrating issue.

My Gaming Setup

Here’s a brief overview of my current hardware:

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

I play on a 1440p monitor with a refresh rate of 144Hz, and I have noted that while some titles like Control and Monster Hunter World exhibit strong GPU utilization (around 99%), most of my other games do not. Drawn from my testing, here’s a snapshot of the typical GPU usage across various games:

• 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%
• RDR2: 70-90%
• Assassin’s Creed: Origins: 75-95%

Although I’m hoping for smoother, higher FPS in these titles, my results are far from expected. For example, Jedi: Fallen Order fluctuates between 70-85 FPS in enclosed areas and reaches peaks around 110 FPS, but I’m not approaching the 140 FPS or higher I anticipated based on benchmark reviews. Even Witcher 3, with some mods, yields FPS figures that are similar to my previous RTX 2070 Super.

Performance Benchmark Insights

Interestingly, my benchmarks using Furmark have come out strong. Test results show:

• Time Spy: 17,456
• Fire Strike Ultra: 10,