Low CPU usage and FPS

[T0r1ng]

version: 4.02

Problems: low fps after the new updates. The main problem is that the processor utilization is too low when doing 1080 resolution in dx12. The processor utilization rate does not exceed 10%, and even most scenarios only have a utilization rate of around 7%.
So in that case, the frame rate of the game is even less than 60 fps. ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥!
The same settings before the update can result in higher and more stable frame rates.

This is the configuration of my computer
CPU: R5-3600
Motherboard: MSI mortar b450m max
Memory: 8Gx2 DDR4 3600 c16
GPU: Intel arc a770 version: 4255
Operating system version: win11 22h2

[A Dumb ♥♥♥♥♥♥' Cat]

this version is poorly optimized, i would revert to the older version until they fix and optimize the this current build of the game

[T0r1ng]

Originally posted by A Dumb ♥♥♥♥♥♥' Cat:

this version is poorly optimized, i would revert to the older version until they fix and optimize the this current build of the game

I can't agree more. The older one is much better!
The previous version, in the previous version, the processor usage was around 50%. Hardware resources cannot be effectively utilized in the current version.
CDPR!!! What a great job!

[Just Guy 0_0]

There is a downgrade option in here: to 4.01

https://www.nexusmods.com/witcher3/mods/8129

are you doing 1080 resolution , 4k resolution or 1440 resolution?

I also have bad fps , weird thing is that my gpu usage drooped a lot with the dlss 3 patch (when I am on dx 11 and it shouldn't be the case)

anywyay with rtx 3080 I wasnt able to get constant fps above 60 so I just increased grass and trees settings above ultra + and that increased my gpu usage to 90 % (but the 1% fps drops sometimes , )


Try to increase it yourself maybe you can get better graphics for same fps (as long as you dont go 6 like me)


go to documents / witcher 3 / user settings (for dx 11) or (user settings dx12, for dx 12)

open file with notepad

go to edit , find , and type GrassDistanceScale

change the number to any number (max 6) (I think ultra + is 2.8 if I remember correctly)

do same to FoliageDistanceScale

I think ultra + is 1.8 (you can change to max 6)


You can also make
GrassRingSize=33554432

this setting does not take much fps but any higher value does not work (I think) (or I just cant see difference on my monitor)

default ultra + is 8000 I think

save changes

then make file read only , and enter the game , it should up your gpu usage and cpu usage to higher values but it would take some fps,

[T0r1ng]

Originally posted by HIZ:

There is a downgrade option in here: to 4.01

https://www.nexusmods.com/witcher3/mods/8129

are you doing 1080 resolution , 4k resolution or 1440 resolution?

I also have bad fps , weird thing is that my gpu usage drooped a lot with the dlss 3 patch (when I am on dx 11 and it shouldn't be the case)

anywyay with rtx 3080 I wasnt able to get constant fps above 60 so I just increased grass and trees settings above ultra + and that increased my gpu usage to 90 % (but the 1% fps drops sometimes , )


Try to increase it yourself maybe you can get better graphics for same fps (as long as you dont go 6 like me)


go to documents / witcher 3 / user settings (for dx 11) or (user settings dx12, for dx 12)

open file with notepad

go to edit , find , and type GrassDistanceScale

change the number to any number (max 6) (I think ultra + is 2.8 if I remember correctly)

do same to FoliageDistanceScale

I think ultra + is 1.8 (you can change to max 6)


You can also make
GrassRingSize=33554432

this setting does not take much fps but any higher value does not work (I think) (or I just cant see difference on my monitor)

default ultra + is 8000 I think

save changes

then make file read only , and enter the game , it should up your gpu usage and cpu usage to higher values but it would take some fps,

Thanks for your suggestion! But it may not be very suitable for the situations I met.
But the problem I am currently facing is the low load usage of the processor when doing 1080p resolution. Compared to the 4.02 version, the same setting can stabilize the 60 fps in the old version and there is still room for hardware resources in dx12 mode.
The main problem is that the processor utilization is only around 7% when playing. After comparing different screen settings，the utilization rate of the processor is always low. Even at the highest screen setting, the GPU is fully loaded but the processor is still under low load usage.
I don't understand why this game cannot effectively call processor resources, but other games are normal in dx12 mode.

[Just Guy 0_0]

Originally posted by T0r1ng:

Originally posted by HIZ:

There is a downgrade option in here: to 4.01

https://www.nexusmods.com/witcher3/mods/8129

are you doing 1080 resolution , 4k resolution or 1440 resolution?

I also have bad fps , weird thing is that my gpu usage drooped a lot with the dlss 3 patch (when I am on dx 11 and it shouldn't be the case)

anywyay with rtx 3080 I wasnt able to get constant fps above 60 so I just increased grass and trees settings above ultra + and that increased my gpu usage to 90 % (but the 1% fps drops sometimes , )


Try to increase it yourself maybe you can get better graphics for same fps (as long as you dont go 6 like me)


go to documents / witcher 3 / user settings (for dx 11) or (user settings dx12, for dx 12)

open file with notepad

go to edit , find , and type GrassDistanceScale

change the number to any number (max 6) (I think ultra + is 2.8 if I remember correctly)

do same to FoliageDistanceScale

I think ultra + is 1.8 (you can change to max 6)


You can also make
GrassRingSize=33554432

this setting does not take much fps but any higher value does not work (I think) (or I just cant see difference on my monitor)

default ultra + is 8000 I think

save changes

then make file read only , and enter the game , it should up your gpu usage and cpu usage to higher values but it would take some fps,

Thanks for your suggestion! But it may not be very suitable for the situations I met.
But the problem I am currently facing is the low load usage of the processor when doing 1080p resolution. Compared to the 4.02 version, the same setting can stabilize the 60 fps in the old version and there is still room for hardware resources in dx12 mode.
The main problem is that the processor utilization is only around 7% when playing. After comparing different screen settings，the utilization rate of the processor is always low. Even at the highest screen setting, the GPU is fully loaded but the processor is still under low load usage.
I don't understand why this game cannot effectively call processor resources, but other games are normal in dx12 mode.

The Ram on your CPU is up to 3200 and you have 3600 ,


Maybe the game dosen’t register your RAM , usage

I don't know I am just talking rubbish at this point :0

Is there any diffrence for you on dx 11 ? like do you have more CPU usage?

My cpu usage never goes above 30% usually 22%

On dx 11 , before uping settings it was at 15%

I have rtx 3080 and AMD RYZEN™ 7 5800X3D

On 1440 resolution

So I know there botlenck is on gpu (about 20%)

But it shouldn't be so crazy like only 40% usage without upping settings.

As for dx 12 I haven't tried it yet but I doubt I will get better results.

(It seems from what I read on forum people have better cpu usage on Intel cpu rather than amd.)

[R4zen]

Originally posted by T0r1ng:

Thanks for your suggestion! But it may not be very suitable for the situations I met.
But the problem I am currently facing is the low load usage of the processor when doing 1080p resolution. Compared to the 4.02 version, the same setting can stabilize the 60 fps in the old version and there is still room for hardware resources in dx12 mode.
The main problem is that the processor utilization is only around 7% when playing. After comparing different screen settings，the utilization rate of the processor is always low. Even at the highest screen setting, the GPU is fully loaded but the processor is still under low load usage.
I don't understand why this game cannot effectively call processor resources, but other games are normal in dx12 mode.

Show us what exacly low CPU utilization you are talking about.

Run HW Info[www.hwinfo.com] and open sensors window, now run game, go to Novigrad center and after that do alt + tab and open sensos window again and find "Total CPU Utility", take a screenshot and show us what maximum usage you had.

You can compare this to CPU threads usage window in Task menager to know which sensor is correct.

[T0r1ng]

Originally posted by HIZ:

Originally posted by T0r1ng:

Thanks for your suggestion! But it may not be very suitable for the situations I met.
But the problem I am currently facing is the low load usage of the processor when doing 1080p resolution. Compared to the 4.02 version, the same setting can stabilize the 60 fps in the old version and there is still room for hardware resources in dx12 mode.
The main problem is that the processor utilization is only around 7% when playing. After comparing different screen settings，the utilization rate of the processor is always low. Even at the highest screen setting, the GPU is fully loaded but the processor is still under low load usage.
I don't understand why this game cannot effectively call processor resources, but other games are normal in dx12 mode.

The Ram on your CPU is up to 3200 and you have 3600 ,


Maybe the game dosen’t register your RAM , usage

I don't know I am just talking rubbish at this point :0

Is there any diffrence for you on dx 11 ? like do you have more CPU usage?

My cpu usage never goes above 30% usually 22%

On dx 11 , before uping settings it was at 15%

I have rtx 3080 and AMD RYZEN™ 7 5800X3D

On 1440 resolution

So I know there botlenck is on gpu (about 20%)

But it shouldn't be so crazy like only 40% usage without upping settings.

As for dx 12 I haven't tried it yet but I doubt I will get better results.

(It seems from what I read on forum people have better cpu usage on Intel cpu rather than amd.)

Actually, to the 3rd ryzen cpu, the best fclk is 1800Mhz. The memory stability test is passed. It has been in stable use for almost three years. Before the version 4.04, I had player this game in February. At that time, both the CPU and GPU card are being called normally, the cpu usage goes above 35% ang the gpu goes above 80%. My current configuration is capable of playing normally before the updates on March 23rd.

[T0r1ng]

Originally posted by R4zen:

Originally posted by T0r1ng:

Thanks for your suggestion! But it may not be very suitable for the situations I met.
But the problem I am currently facing is the low load usage of the processor when doing 1080p resolution. Compared to the 4.02 version, the same setting can stabilize the 60 fps in the old version and there is still room for hardware resources in dx12 mode.
The main problem is that the processor utilization is only around 7% when playing. After comparing different screen settings，the utilization rate of the processor is always low. Even at the highest screen setting, the GPU is fully loaded but the processor is still under low load usage.
I don't understand why this game cannot effectively call processor resources, but other games are normal in dx12 mode.

Show us what exacly low CPU utilization you are talking about.

Run HW Info[www.hwinfo.com] and open sensors window, now run game, go to Novigrad center and after that do alt + tab and open sensos window again and find "Total CPU Utility", take a screenshot and show us what maximum usage you had.

You can compare this to CPU threads usage window in Task menager to know which sensor is correct.

Thanks for ur advice! But I dont know how to post a screenshot here. Here is the information from sensors window when playing in 1080 resulution in dx12.

CPU USAGE: 10%
Memory utilization rate: 61%
GPU Memory utilization rate: 91%
GPU clock frequency: 2580 MHz
GPU temperature: 65℃
GPU Power: 205w
GPU utilization: 95%
VRAM Clock: 2000MHz
VRAM temperature: 66℃
FPS: 22

[R4zen]

https://imgur.io/ and post link to screenshot here, cpu usage is not corretly, like I wrote search for exactly "total CPU utility"

[R4zen]

like here https://imgur.com/EESWyhe