Low GPU usage with 3080 and poor performance

[konnurr ♥]

Hey! This is my first post so bear with me if I word vomit.

I've been having an ongoing performance issue with a new PC build of mine.

Here are the specs:

MSI G241 24'' 1080p 144hz Monitor

Ryzen 5 5600X

EVGA FTW3 ULTRA RTX 3080 10GB LHR

2x16GB DDR4 3600

1TB & 2TB M.2 SSD

750W Power Supply

Full specs here https://pcpartpicker.com/list/bZK3rD

A little bit of backstory. I'm on summer break right now and decided to build an upgrade PC for back home. Decided I would save some money and take my 3080 home with me to use while I'm on break. It was secured safely in the box it was purchased in and I carried it with me on the plane so no damage should've been dealt. I never experienced any choppiness or anything with this build. On Valorant I'd be averaging 300+ frames, Destiny would be at like 160+ during a 6v6 PvP match.

Note: The college PC was built in August of 2022, specs here: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/rtF6Bj

I don't play many super taxing games, the main ones I play are Valorant, Destiny 2, and Rust. I started noticing issues at first with Valorant. Comparing it to my college PC build, the framerates were much worse. On this new PC I would be averaging around 250 FPS with frequent dips down to 150 which feels HORRIBLE especially in a comp game. In Destiny 2 it gets like 130 FPS in a 6v6 match. I checked my temps and they all seemed to be fine, running very cool. The same trend occurs with the other games I play too. Lower than expected framerates and many dips to muuuuch lower frames. I tried lowering the quality on the games as well and the results are the same.

Via TaskManager, In every game I have tested my PC uses around 50% CPU and 30% GPU. I'm not the most knowledgeable when it comes to PC troubleshooting, but from what I've read, that is low usage especially concerning the GPU.

This is the troubleshooting I've done so far:

Made sure the graphics card is on the best PCIE slot

Uninstalled and reinstalled graphics drivers

Disabled HPET

Changed Power settings to maximum in NVIDIA Control Panel and Windows Power Settings

Ensured RAM is running at 3600MHz, installed on slots 2 and 4

I'm currently talking to EVGA about this issue to see if they can help out at all, but it seems like they don't really understand what's going on either. Their most recent request was that I send them my results in a benchmarking test using 3DMARK FireStrike, and they said my results are great, and said they don't recommend I get a replacement GPU. I'm just really confused why my PC would perform well on a benchmark test for gaming and not gaming itself?

I've read through a lot of different posts about the same topic and they always seem to go unresolved. Any ideas? And if you need any more info from me, let me know.

[Ravnhood]

Your GPU outpaces this game a million to one. You'll never get high gpu usage unless you run 4K and upscale the resolution beyond that. A dip down to 120 fps shouldn't be making an observable difference... Just limit the frame rate to 120 or match your screens 144 or use some variable sync. I suggest turning off the fps counter if you have it on.

[ShatteredPumpkin]

bruh 250 down to 150 makes literally 0 difference go play games like budget gamers that cap at 60fps and then actually get drops to 55 or less those are actual fps dips that you can notice those fps drops you have literally dont matter xd

[Fearagen]

Also, since you are on a 1080p panel, that in itself is part of the reason as this card can push 1440p easily. But at 144hz unless you stare at an FPS counter 24/ 7 that is not noticeable at all.

[trukr]

Low GPU usage should be expected with a 3080 at 1080p. That's light work for a 3080.
Your 144 Hz display can only show you 144 frames per second, so I don't understand how dropping to 150 can feel horrible. Turn that FPS counter off.

[Salted Rogue]

My guy has a 144hz monitor and wants to have 300+ fps on games. If your monitor cant display fps higher than its hz.

On my rig: 1440p 165hz monitor, 5800x3d, Evga FTW3 3090 24gb, 16gb 3600hz ram, 4tb ssd. It can barely run D2 at 300fps at ultra low settings lmao. I just cap it to 165fps.

[Fearagen]

Originally posted by Salted Rogue:

My guy has a 144hz monitor and wants to have 300+ fps on games. If your monitor cant display fps higher than its hz.

On my rig: 1440p 165hz monitor, 5800x3d, Evga FTW3 3090 24gb, 16gb 3600hz ram, 4tb ssd. It can barely run D2 at 300fps at ultra low settings lmao. I just cap it to 165fps.

I run 120hz so I cap it to that. I do not get running the FPS beyond the refresh rate since the monitor cannot display all those frames.

[konnurr ♥]

Originally posted by ShatteredPumpkin:

bruh 250 down to 150 makes literally 0 difference go play games like budget gamers that cap at 60fps and then actually get drops to 55 or less those are actual fps dips that you can notice those fps drops you have literally dont matter xd

Not true. I can tell when my game feels like its pulling a freight train behind it

[konnurr ♥]

Originally posted by Salted Rogue:

My guy has a 144hz monitor and wants to have 300+ fps on games. If your monitor cant display fps higher than its hz.

On my rig: 1440p 165hz monitor, 5800x3d, Evga FTW3 3090 24gb, 16gb 3600hz ram, 4tb ssd. It can barely run D2 at 300fps at ultra low settings lmao. I just cap it to 165fps.

This guy can't read. I want to have stable frames that don't dip. My graphics card is able to output more frames than it is.

[konnurr ♥]

Originally posted by trukr:

Low GPU usage should be expected with a 3080 at 1080p. That's light work for a 3080.
Your 144 Hz display can only show you 144 frames per second, so I don't understand how dropping to 150 can feel horrible. Turn that FPS counter off.

It only feels horrible because it's dipping in general. I definitely feel a difference in smoothness regardless of not being able to view 144 frames per second. Plus you're ignoring the issue of my graphics card not performing well.

[konnurr ♥]

Originally posted by ShatteredPumpkin:

bruh 250 down to 150 makes literally 0 difference go play games like budget gamers that cap at 60fps and then actually get drops to 55 or less those are actual fps dips that you can notice those fps drops you have literally dont matter xd

I play games to win. I know what smooth frames feel like and that is what I paid for.

[konnurr ♥]

I guess I need to make myself more clear. I know how a 3080 should perform and the framerates a build like this is capable. I do not care if my monitor can't show me those high frames but I paid for a build that should be able to output those numbers. And it is NOT. That is my issue. This is not only regarding Destiny 2.

[konnurr ♥]

Originally posted by konnurr ♥:

I guess I need to make myself more clear. I know how a 3080 should perform and the framerates a build like this is capable. I do not care if my monitor can't show me those high frames but I paid for a build that should be able to output those numbers. And it is NOT. That is my issue. This is not only regarding Destiny 2.

Capable of*

[konnurr ♥]

I bought this PC so I wouldn't have to be just like "oh well I guess I just have to deal with lower frames." The amount of you that are suggesting I do that are delusional.

[ShatteredPumpkin]

Originally posted by konnurr ♥:

Originally posted by ShatteredPumpkin:

bruh 250 down to 150 makes literally 0 difference go play games like budget gamers that cap at 60fps and then actually get drops to 55 or less those are actual fps dips that you can notice those fps drops you have literally dont matter xd

Not true. I can tell when my game feels like its pulling a freight train behind it

nonsense its just you fps freaks wanting as mouch fps as possible which is useless af over 120

[trukr]

Originally posted by konnurr ♥:

Originally posted by trukr:

Low GPU usage should be expected with a 3080 at 1080p. That's light work for a 3080.
Your 144 Hz display can only show you 144 frames per second, so I don't understand how dropping to 150 can feel horrible. Turn that FPS counter off.

It only feels horrible because it's dipping in general. I definitely feel a difference in smoothness regardless of not being able to view 144 frames per second. Plus you're ignoring the issue of my graphics card not performing well.

I'm not ignoring anything, 1080p is a snooze fest for that card. It's not working hard because you aren't giving it any work. At 1080p you are likely more CPU bottlenecked than anything, and don't tell me the CPU usage because this game will not use all cores, if half are slammed and half idle that's 50%. I think if you just turn that FPS counter off you would be fine.