Huge FPS drop (GPU usage)

[Tea Garden]

Recently i began to notice that my FPS sometimes drops from 300~ to 150-180~ and game feels like 60hz, after which i noticed that at these moments GPU usage drops to 40-50%. I didn't have such an issue before. This happens absolutely by random and sometimes Alt-Tab helps and this occurs on any maps (i guess).
Does anyone else have same issue?

My specs:
RTX 4070 Super
i5 14600KF
Windows 11 24H2 (bleh )

[44]

Yes — what you're describing is a known issue, especially in CS2 and some other Source-based games on Windows 11 (especially 24H2 Insider builds or recent updates). Let's break it down:

🔍 Your Issue in Summary:
FPS drops from 300 → ~150-180 randomly

Feels like 60Hz even if FPS is high

GPU usage drops to ~40-50%

Sometimes fixed by Alt-Tabbing

Happens across maps

Didn’t happen before → recent change

✅ Your Specs (strong setup):
RTX 4070 Super

i5 14600KF

Windows 11 24H2 ← likely the main suspect

🧠 Common Causes for This Behavior:
Windows 11 24H2 (or other 22H2/23H2 updates) breaking GPU scheduling, VRR, or windowed optimization.

GameMode / Fullscreen Optimization / Auto HDR issues.

NVIDIA driver conflict with new Windows build.

Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) or G-Sync being ignored or glitching.

Overlay conflicts (NVIDIA, Discord, Steam, Xbox Game Bar).

Multi-monitor setups with mismatched refresh rates or resolutions.

🛠️ Recommended Fixes:
1. Turn Off Fullscreen Optimizations:
Right-click CS2 executable → Properties → Compatibility tab

✔️ Check “Disable fullscreen optimizations”

Click Change High DPI settings → check Override high DPI scaling behavior → Application

2. Disable Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling:
Settings > System > Display > Graphics > Default Graphics Settings

Toggle Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling OFF

Reboot

3. NVIDIA Control Panel Tweaks:
Manage 3D Settings > CS2 profile:

Low Latency Mode: Off or Ultra (test both)

Power Management: Prefer Maximum Performance

V-Sync: Off

Monitor Tech: Fixed Refresh (if G-Sync gives issues)

4. Check for Overlays:
Turn off:

Discord Overlay

Steam Overlay

NVIDIA GeForce Experience Overlay

Xbox Game Bar

5. Update (or DDU Reinstall) NVIDIA Drivers:
Use DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller)

Reinstall clean Studio or Game Ready driver

Use Clean Install option

6. Try Launching with -vulkan (Experimental):
Some users report better stability using Vulkan backend in CS2:

bash
Копировать
Редактировать
-vulkan
Add it in CS2 launch options.

7. Test on Windows 10 or Older Windows 11 (22H2):
If you're on Windows 11 24H2 Insider, that's very likely the root cause — it's buggy for gaming.

💬 Community Notes:
You're not alone — tons of users on Reddit, Steam, and Discord have reported this exact thing recently, especially after:

Windows 11 24H2 updates

NVIDIA driver 552.xx

CS2 engine updates in April–May

⚠️ TL;DR:
Your issue is likely caused by a combo of CS2 engine + Windows 11 (24H2) + GPU scheduling bugs. Try disabling fullscreen optimizations, overlays, and HAGS. If nothing helps, strongly consider rolling back Windows version.

Let me know if you want help with:

Best NVIDIA control panel settings for CS2

How to safely roll back to Windows 10 or 22H2

Monitoring tools (to track when and why usage drops)

I'm here to troubleshoot step by step.

[tekoko]

Similar thing happening on Linux, went from 250-300 to 120-180, updated my nvidia driver, tried switching to the proprietary driver, as I usually use the open-source one. Ensured my CPU and GPU were both configured to prefer higher performance. I can’t seem to find a fix

[Ser.Ayden]

I've got the same issue which started May 7th after recent cs2 update. Game starts fine 200+fps and by round 15 or so its down to 50 and looks like 5. This was fine before, maybe not perfect cause of a poorly optimized game but consistent and playable

[Haze]

I play at 1440p with max settings and 8x msaa and have between 50 & 75 % gpu usage, dust 2 / train ~~ and i hit 225 hz locked for gysync, my game never dropped utilisation in either cpu or gpu no matter the cs update. I do be on a stable gpu driver from begin may i think.