Sudden very high gpu and cpu usage in specific game at specific resolution

[DoktorFar]

UPDATE 3: After much testing I finally have figured out what is going on and the solution. If you have this issue and would like more info please do send me a pm. (at this time I can't be bothered to type it all in here, on the risk of getting further ridiculed by people who think they know it all when they really don't know much).

Cheers!

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UPDATE 2 : Not solved after all it seems. I started a new character and unfortunately the issue is back again. But here is something interesting: I started a new character and unfortunately the issue is back again. It seems that if I change settings back and forth from lower to higher, and keep loading back and forth between the two characters I can suddenly make issue disappear; until I load a new character and the problem happens again....

I would have say there is something wrong with the game, cant be my graphics card when I can consecutively make it happen/disappear randomly by the above mentioned procedure.

_________________________________________________________________

UPDATE 1 [SOLVED]: (though I don't know what was wrong or what the fix was, sadly.)

so I just wanted to go into the game again to see if I could fiddle with settings to learn more about what is going on, I noticed Steam saying the game needed an update, so I let that run, took a fraction of a second. And now the issue is gone. Not saying it was that update, but it was that update! No seriously... it's weird that it doesn't happen anymore, and that update could just have been a coincidence.

Game now runs at 1920x1080 in fullscreen with graphics settings set up high, double texture size, max zoom out. GPU utilization ~15-20%, cpu 30-35%, 60 fps most times, 50-60 when zoomed all the way out. When movign around in the world sometimes theres some slight stutter, but it feels like it is just assets being loaded as I move around in the game world, if I stay the same place and run around there is no stutter.

_________________________________________________________________
OP:
In a specific game (project zomboid) I get very good performance, constant 60fps with very low gpu and cpu usage (like 11% gpu and 14% cpu) as long as the resolution stays below 1680x1050. As soon as I use that resolution or higher, the GPU and CPU usage spike like crazy. Instantly 97-100% GPU and ~45% cpu and some lag and stutter ingame. This happens no matter what graphics settings I use, 1680x1050 resolution or higher will make it go bananas.

What could be causing this? I am also in contact with support from Project Zomboid forum, but so far I have had zero luck troubleshooting it.

I dont see this behaviour in other games, including games that are much more demanding from the gpu (3D games like Rust, GTA V etc).

[𝔇ave]

full gpu utilisation is normal and optimal.. around 50% cpu usage is fine also.
higher resolution gaming uses the gpu and it's memory more. hardware is designed to be run at full usage. don't worry about it

[Ogami]

Full GPU usage is a GOOD thing. You should always aim to use the full power of your card in games.

[DoktorFar]

Ogami původně napsal:

Full GPU usage is a GOOD thing. You should always aim to use the full power of your card in games.

Did you read the following from my OP?

"Instantly 97-100% GPU and ~45% cpu and some lag and stutter ingame.". This is not a good thing.

Dave původně napsal:

full gpu utilisation is normal and optimal.. around 50% cpu usage is fine also.
higher resolution gaming uses the gpu and it's memory more. hardware is designed to be run at full usage. don't worry about it

Did you read the following from my OP?

"constant 60fps with very low gpu and cpu usage (like 11% gpu and 14% cpu) as long as the resolution stays below 1680x1050. As soon as I use that resolution or higher, the GPU and CPU usage spike like crazy. Instantly 97-100% GPU and ~45% cpu and some lag and stutter ingame."

This is neither normal nor optimal. Dont worry about it? I should just accept lag and stutter like it's normal..?

What about this, also from my OP, did you read it?:
"I dont see this behaviour in other games, including games that are much more demanding from the gpu (3D games like Rust, GTA V etc)."

[𝔇ave]

why don't you try listing your specs then ? your lag problems and the fact that you are using such a low res says to me you are playing on a potato.

[Snow]

Dave původně napsal:

full gpu utilisation is normal and optimal..

Ogami původně napsal:

Full GPU usage is a GOOD thing.

Yeah, if you want to fry an egg while watching framedrops and input delay. Brilliant.

dudeofdeath původně napsal:

As soon as I use that resolution or higher, the GPU and CPU usage spike like crazy. Instantly 97-100% GPU and ~45% cpu and some lag and stutter ingame. This happens no matter what graphics settings I use, 1680x1050 resolution or higher will make it go bananas.

This definitely has to do with game itself, as I've seen posts with exactly the same problem. Back in the day I've had a similar problem with TW3 when running in DSR mode. It had something to do with physics iirc, it maxed out GPU and then game was forced to run physics on CPU, increasing its load as well. I'd recommend trying to play around with physics settings (if there are any in the game), try Max Pre-Rendered Frames 1 in NVidia CP. Removing the graphics drivers via DDU and installing the latest version might help as well.

[𝔇ave]

Snow původně napsal:

Dave původně napsal:

full gpu utilisation is normal and optimal..

Ogami původně napsal:

Full GPU usage is a GOOD thing.

Yeah, if you want to fry an egg while watching framedrops and input delay. Brilliant.

dudeofdeath původně napsal:

As soon as I use that resolution or higher, the GPU and CPU usage spike like crazy. Instantly 97-100% GPU and ~45% cpu and some lag and stutter ingame. This happens no matter what graphics settings I use, 1680x1050 resolution or higher will make it go bananas.

This definitely has to do with game itself, as I've seen posts with exactly the same problem. Back in the day I've had a similar problem with TW3 when running in DSR mode. It had something to do with physics iirc, it maxed out GPU and then game was forced to run physics on CPU, increasing its load as well. I'd recommend trying to play around with physics settings (if there are any in the game), try Max Pre-Rendered Frames 1 in NVidia CP. Removing the graphics drivers via DDU and installing the latest version might help as well.

umm i rarely limit my 1080ti and i get no frame drops,input delay or high temps. so your statement of egg frying and input delay is just dumb

\unsubscribed before this turns into an argument

[Snow]

Dave původně napsal:

umm i rarely limit my 1080ti and i get no frame drops,input delay or high temps. so your statement of egg frying and input delay is just dumb

It's about the time you research what frametime is and how high temps affect graphics cards.

[𝔇ave]

Snow původně napsal:

Dave původně napsal:

umm i rarely limit my 1080ti and i get no frame drops,input delay or high temps. so your statement of egg frying and input delay is just dumb

It's about the time you research what frametime is and how high temps affect graphics cards.

ok i'll bite... one time only.. i have very low frame times.. my system is very well balanced and expensive. it's about time you stopped making stupid comments and don't assume that everyone on these forums doesn't know what they are doing when it comes to computers.. i can assure you that any system i have ever worked on and had approval to do what i feel is necessary to maximise performance has never had any issues with performance. sounds to me like you have a history of putting mismatched components together and wonder why you deal with performance issues and heat. maybe learn how to build a decent system and you won't face these issues. peace out.

[Snow]

Dave původně napsal:

sounds to me like you have a history of putting mismatched components together

PC ain't some dating website for "match" and "mismatch". As long as components fit the same mobo and mobo itself supports both - those are compatible.

Dave původně napsal:

i have very low frame times

So you actually don't know what frametime is, else you'd say "I've got very stable frametimes". But then again - you don't, because you max out your GPU for no reason.

Dave původně napsal:

maybe learn how to build a decent system and you won't face these issues. peace out

Oh, look, a PC close to yours got frametime all over the place with GPU maxed out. I clearly see 110 FPS with 6.9ms, and the next second 112 FPS with 15.3ms. This doesn't make you a bad PC builder, or your PC bad, it just proves any PC has frametime problems leading to microstutters and input delay with GPU maxed out. It's ok if you didn't notice any of that as everyone's got different level of perception, but it is a fact that maxing out either CPU or GPU is bad for anything but benchmarks.

Dave původně napsal:

had approval to do what i feel is necessary to maximise performance

Player doesn't care about performance, he needs smooth and responsive experience. Try modern gaming consoles, those are capable of delivering that with 30 fps exactly because of even frametimes that can't be achieved with GPU running close to 100%.

[🦊Λℚ𝓤ΛƑΛᗯҜᔕ🦊]

Go to the main steam window -> Help menu -> System information -> left-click in there once in the window -> Control-A -> Come back to this thread -> Control-V -> Post.

We can't help you until you post your system specs. Use this in steam, it's easy.

However: Also do make sure you have vsync enabled in the game. That will usually prevent the card from maxing out it's self like that.

[𝔇ave]

Snow původně napsal:

Dave původně napsal:

sounds to me like you have a history of putting mismatched components together

PC ain't some dating website for "match" and "mismatch". As long as components fit the same mobo and mobo itself supports both - those are compatible.

Dave původně napsal:

i have very low frame times

So you actually don't know what frametime is, else you'd say "I've got very stable frametimes". But then again - you don't, because you max out your GPU for no reason.

Dave původně napsal:

maybe learn how to build a decent system and you won't face these issues. peace out

Oh, look, a PC close to yours got frametime all over the place with GPU maxed out. I clearly see 110 FPS with 6.9ms, and the next second 112 FPS with 15.3ms. This doesn't make you a bad PC builder, or your PC bad, it just proves any PC has frametime problems leading to microstutters and input delay with GPU maxed out. It's ok if you didn't notice any of that as everyone's got different level of perception, but it is a fact that maxing out either CPU or GPU is bad for anything but benchmarks.

Dave původně napsal:

had approval to do what i feel is necessary to maximise performance

Player doesn't care about performance, he needs smooth and responsive experience. Try modern gaming consoles, those are capable of delivering that with 30 fps exactly because of even frametimes that can't be achieved with GPU running close to 100%.

once again you prove that you have no idea what you are talking about.. but i have a solution.. im gonna block you so i don't have to see your stupid comments anymore. for the good of the steam community plz stop talking out of your ass

[DoktorFar]

Snow původně napsal:

Dave původně napsal:

full gpu utilisation is normal and optimal..

Ogami původně napsal:

Full GPU usage is a GOOD thing.

Yeah, if you want to fry an egg while watching framedrops and input delay. Brilliant.

dudeofdeath původně napsal:

As soon as I use that resolution or higher, the GPU and CPU usage spike like crazy. Instantly 97-100% GPU and ~45% cpu and some lag and stutter ingame. This happens no matter what graphics settings I use, 1680x1050 resolution or higher will make it go bananas.

This definitely has to do with game itself, as I've seen posts with exactly the same problem. Back in the day I've had a similar problem with TW3 when running in DSR mode. It had something to do with physics iirc, it maxed out GPU and then game was forced to run physics on CPU, increasing its load as well. I'd recommend trying to play around with physics settings (if there are any in the game), try Max Pre-Rendered Frames 1 in NVidia CP. Removing the graphics drivers via DDU and installing the latest version might help as well.

Thank you for the suggestions, very helpful I'll try it out. I love fried eggs by the way! I Like to use my stove instead though.

[DoktorFar]

Aquafawks původně napsal:

Go to the main steam window -> Help menu -> System information -> left-click in there once in the window -> Control-A -> Come back to this thread -> Control-V -> Post.

We can't help you until you post your system specs. Use this in steam, it's easy.

However: Also do make sure you have vsync enabled in the game. That will usually prevent the card from maxing out it's self like that.

As I mentioned in the OP: "This happens no matter what graphics settings I use, 1680x1050 resolution or higher will make it go bananas.". I really mean that, I have tried all kinds of combinations of the settings, including vsync on and off. it makes no difference. I managed to narrow almost the exact resolution it happens with, seems it wasn't 1680x1050 but rather above 1638x1050. 1638x1050 yields smooth 60 fps with low gpu usage of ~11-16%, cpu ~10-20% or so. 1639x1050 on the other hand: 97-100% gpu usage, ~45% cpu, and microstuttering, sort oof "hitching" frames. Though fps measuring still reports 60fps, but it doesnt look or feel that way. Fullscreen, windowed, windowed bordeless, vsync or not doesn't matter here.

Posting the system specs in a bit. My pc should be far far more powerful than required to run this game smoothly. And it is as long as that resolution does not surpass that weird treshhold.

[DoktorFar]

Aquafawks původně napsal:

We can't help you until you post your system specs. Use this in steam, it's easy.

Computer Information:
Manufacturer: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
Model: To be filled by O.E.M.
Form Factor: Desktop
No Touch Input Detected

Processor Information:
CPU Vendor: GenuineIntel
CPU Brand: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3770K CPU @ 3.50GHz
CPU Family: 0x6
CPU Model: 0x3a
CPU Stepping: 0x9
CPU Type: 0x0
Speed: 3503 Mhz
8 logical processors
4 physical processors
HyperThreading: Supported
FCMOV: Supported
SSE2: Supported
SSE3: Supported
SSSE3: Supported
SSE4a: Unsupported
SSE41: Supported
SSE42: Supported
AES: Supported
AVX: Supported
CMPXCHG16B: Supported
LAHF/SAHF: Supported
PrefetchW: Unsupported

Operating System Version:
Windows 10 (64 bit)
NTFS: Supported
Crypto Provider Codes: Supported 311 0x0 0x0 0x0

Video Card:
Driver: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 690
DirectX Driver Name: nvldumd.dll
Driver Version: 25.21.14.1917
DirectX Driver Version: 25.21.14.1917
Driver Date: 2 20 2019
OpenGL Version: 4.6
Desktop Color Depth: 32 bits per pixel
Monitor Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
DirectX Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 690
VendorID: 0x10de
DeviceID: 0x1188
Revision: 0xa1
Number of Monitors: 1
Number of Logical Video Cards: 1
SLI Detected (2 GPUs)
Primary Display Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Desktop Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Primary Display Size: 20.51" x 11.54" (23.50" diag)
52.1cm x 29.3cm (59.7cm diag)
Primary Bus: PCI Express 8x
Primary VRAM: 2047 MB
Supported MSAA Modes: 2x 4x 8x

Sound card:
Audio device: Hovedtelefoner (Enheden High De

Memory:
RAM: 16337 Mb

Miscellaneous:
UI Language: English
Media Type: DVD
Total Hard Disk Space Available: 2688903 Mb
Largest Free Hard Disk Block: 252061 Mb
OS Install Date: jan 01 1970
Game Controller: None detected
VR Headset: None detected

[🦊Λℚ𝓤ΛƑΛᗯҜᔕ🦊]

So I suppose the first question here is why are you running the games at 1638x1050 when you have a monitor that can do 1920x1080? Just run the game at native resolution and you should be fine.