RTX 2080 - Low GPU usage with i7 4790k

[ShadowClient]

Hi everyone,

 

I've recently upgraded from a GTX 970 to a RTX2080 in my system with a 4790k. I'm having an issue with low GPU usage in games. Most of the time, the GPU is used at 60%, it even falls to 30/40%. At first glance, I thought this issue is caused by my CPU (GPU bottlenecked) but that does not seem to be the case. To be honest, my new graphic card gives me less performance than my old GTX970 in 1080p on the same games, it's absurd. I would like to run at 1440p/144hz so it is my goal to have the GPU running at 99% the whole time so that I can achieve the highest FPS possible.

 

My configuration :

 

- Windows 10 Professionnel ‎(X64)‎ 1803
- CPU : Intel Core i7 4790K 4 GHz
- MB : Asus Z97-A
- GPU : MSI GeForce RTX 2080 Gaming X Trio
- RAM : 16 Go DDR3 799.57 MHz
- SSD : Crucial MX100 256 Go SATA III
- Monitor : AOC G2460PG GSYNC 144Hz 1080p 24'
- PSU : Corsair CX750 80PLUS Bronze

 

I have tried :

 

- Complete reinstallation of the Nvidia graphics driver (uninstallation with DDU).
- Switching energy management to "Maximum performance" mode in Nvidia panel.
- Enable & disable GSYNC/VSYNC in Nvidia panel and in game (I tried all possible combinations).
- Test with DX11 / DX12 / Vulkan, same problem whatever the API.
- I increased the Powerlimit via MSI Afterburner
- No tool, that could limit the number of fps, found on my computer

- GPUZ PerfCap reason : IDLE
- Complete reinstallation of Windows 10 

 

I am able to achieve 99% GPU usage while running the Unigine Heaven / Superposition and 3D Mark TIME SPY benchmarks.

 

http://www.3dmark.com/spy/4777786

 

I uploaded 2 gameplays on Youtube, if it can help.

 

GTX 970 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zhaD5FgLbA (recorded on october 16 with my previous card)
RTX 2080 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tN8PneteN5A (recorded on october 20 with my new card)

 

The settings and the resolution are the same in both.

 

We can see very clearly that the game runs in the same way, except that in one side we have a card at 99% of its capacity and on the other we have a card that run all the way at 50%... it is crazy. And this issue is reproducible with most of my recent games (AC Origins, Shadow Of The Tomb Raider, DOOM).

 

Any ideas ?

 

I just spent 900$ on this new graphics card and I'm very frustrated with the performance so far. Your assistance is greatly appreciated !

 

Best Regards.

[r2724r16]

3 minutes ago, ShadowClient said:

I just spent 900$ on this new graphics card and I'm very frustrated with the performance so far.

You should've bought a 1080 Ti instead of the RTX 2080, just saying. 

[ShadowClient]

6 minutes ago, r2724r16 said:

You should've bought a 1080 Ti instead of the RTX 2080, just saying. 

I have pre-ordered 3 RTX games (Shadow of the Tomb Raider, BF1 and HITMAN 2), and I was hoping to try all these new features in 1440p  

[bobbytommerson]

12 minutes ago, ShadowClient said:

Hi everyone,

 

I've recently upgraded from a GTX 970 to a RTX2080 in my system with a 4790k. I'm having an issue with low GPU usage in games. Most of the time, the GPU is used at 60%, it even falls to 30/40%. At first glance, I thought this issue is caused by my CPU (GPU bottlenecked) but that does not seem to be the case. To be honest, my new graphic card gives me less performance than my old GTX970 in 1080p on the same games, it's absurd. I would like to run at 1440p/144hz so it is my goal to have the GPU running at 99% the whole time so that I can achieve the highest FPS possible.

 

My configuration :

 

- Windows 10 Professionnel ‎(X64)‎ 1803
- CPU : Intel Core i7 4790K 4 GHz
- MB : Asus Z97-A
 - GPU : MSI GeForce RTX 2080 Gaming X Trio
- RAM : 16 Go DDR3 799.57 MHz
- SSD : Crucial MX100 256 Go SATA III
- Monitor : AOC G2460PG GSYNC 144Hz 1080p 24'
- PSU : Corsair CX750 80PLUS Bronze

 

I have tried :

 

- Complete reinstallation of the Nvidia graphics driver (uninstallation with DDU).
- Switching energy management to "Maximum performance" mode in Nvidia panel.
- Enable & disable GSYNC/VSYNC in Nvidia panel and in game (I tried all possible combinations).
- Test with DX11 / DX12 / Vulkan, same problem whatever the API.
 - I increased the Powerlimit via MSI Afterburner
- No tool, that could limit the number of fps, found on my computer

- GPUZ PerfCap reason : IDLE
- Complete reinstallation of Windows 10 

 

I am able to achieve 99% GPU usage while running the Unigine Heaven / Superposition and 3D Mark TIME SPY benchmarks.

 

http://www.3dmark.com/spy/4777786

 

I uploaded 2 gameplays on Youtube, if it can help.

 

GTX 970 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zhaD5FgLbA (recorded on october 16 with my previous card)
RTX 2080 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tN8PneteN5A (recorded on october 20 with my new card)

 

The settings and the resolution are the same in both.

 

We can see very clearly that the game runs in the same way, except that in one side we have a card at 99% of its capacity and on the other we have a card that run all the way at 50%... it is crazy. And this issue is reproducible with most of my recent games (AC Origins, Shadow Of The Tomb Raider, DOOM).

 

Any ideas ?

 

I just spent 900$ on this new graphics card and I'm very frustrated with the performance so far. Your assistance is greatly appreciated !

 

Best Regards.

is it possible that some pcie lanes are disabled? you can boot into your bios/uefi to check. or maybe try switching to a different pcie slot?

[bobbytommerson]

16 minutes ago, ShadowClient said:

Hi everyone,

 

I've recently upgraded from a GTX 970 to a RTX2080 in my system with a 4790k. I'm having an issue with low GPU usage in games. Most of the time, the GPU is used at 60%, it even falls to 30/40%. At first glance, I thought this issue is caused by my CPU (GPU bottlenecked) but that does not seem to be the case. To be honest, my new graphic card gives me less performance than my old GTX970 in 1080p on the same games, it's absurd. I would like to run at 1440p/144hz so it is my goal to have the GPU running at 99% the whole time so that I can achieve the highest FPS possible.

 

My configuration :

 

- Windows 10 Professionnel ‎(X64)‎ 1803
- CPU : Intel Core i7 4790K 4 GHz
- MB : Asus Z97-A
 - GPU : MSI GeForce RTX 2080 Gaming X Trio
- RAM : 16 Go DDR3 799.57 MHz
- SSD : Crucial MX100 256 Go SATA III
- Monitor : AOC G2460PG GSYNC 144Hz 1080p 24'
- PSU : Corsair CX750 80PLUS Bronze

 

I have tried :

 

- Complete reinstallation of the Nvidia graphics driver (uninstallation with DDU).
- Switching energy management to "Maximum performance" mode in Nvidia panel.
- Enable & disable GSYNC/VSYNC in Nvidia panel and in game (I tried all possible combinations).
- Test with DX11 / DX12 / Vulkan, same problem whatever the API.
 - I increased the Powerlimit via MSI Afterburner
- No tool, that could limit the number of fps, found on my computer

- GPUZ PerfCap reason : IDLE
- Complete reinstallation of Windows 10 

 

I am able to achieve 99% GPU usage while running the Unigine Heaven / Superposition and 3D Mark TIME SPY benchmarks.

 

http://www.3dmark.com/spy/4777786

 

I uploaded 2 gameplays on Youtube, if it can help.

 

GTX 970 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zhaD5FgLbA (recorded on october 16 with my previous card)
RTX 2080 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tN8PneteN5A (recorded on october 20 with my new card)

 

The settings and the resolution are the same in both.

 

We can see very clearly that the game runs in the same way, except that in one side we have a card at 99% of its capacity and on the other we have a card that run all the way at 50%... it is crazy. And this issue is reproducible with most of my recent games (AC Origins, Shadow Of The Tomb Raider, DOOM).

 

Any ideas ?

 

I just spent 900$ on this new graphics card and I'm very frustrated with the performance so far. Your assistance is greatly appreciated !

 

Best Regards.

also have you checked if vsync on? that might be whats capping your performance in game

[ShadowClient]

3 minutes ago, bobbytommerson said:

is it possible that some pcie lanes are disabled? you can boot into your bios/uefi to check. or maybe try switching to a different pcie slot?

 

Good idea, I will check that.

 

I uploaded some CPU-Z/GPU-Z maybe it could be useful.

[ShadowClient]

2 minutes ago, bobbytommerson said:

also have you checked if vsync on? that might be whats capping your performance in game

Yes, same issue with VSYNC OFF. I tried all possible combinations (FAST/ON/OFF).

[bobbytommerson]

5 minutes ago, ShadowClient said:

 

Good idea, I will check that.

 

I uploaded some CPU-Z/GPU-Z maybe it could be useful.

do you have your chip locked at 4? cuz here it shows your cpu at around 800mhz. that may be a problem. Even though your specs say 4.0 ghz something may be wrong. try changing the clocks and look at cpuz again. Another possible problem is with your ram. Some games like faster ram and your ram is pretty slow, meaning it might be the bottleneck even though not all of it is used cause it can only deliver data at certain speeds. (also might want to check if the 1000 mhz ram is paired with the 1000mhz ram so that it wont be downclocked to be compatible with the 800)

[Mick Naughty]

How’s the cpu usage for games? Are the settings maxed out and render resolution? 1080 is a bit of a stretch. 

 

Id try a fresh install of drivers or an older/newer version. 

[ShadowClient]

1 minute ago, Mick Naughty said:

How’s the cpu usage for games? Are the settings maxed out and render resolution? 1080 is a bit of a stretch. 

 

Id try a fresh install of drivers or an older/newer version. 

In most games, my CPU is used at 60% (80% in AC Origins for example). Settings are maxed out, and run in the same manner with a resolution set to 1440p (DSR). I tried a fresh install of drivers (uninstall with DDU), and with an older driver as well. I even tried a complete re-installation of Windows 10 

 

@bobbytommerson I forced GEN2 PCI in the BIOS, no effect. And my CPU run at 4 GHz in-game.

 

This topic is very interesting, a lot of people have the same problem : https://forums.geforce.com/default/topic/962449/geforce-1000-series/gtx-1070-periodic-fps-drops-low-gpu-usage/1/

 

Seems to be a long-time issue with Nvidia drivers.

 

 

[Mick Naughty]

Doesn’t seem like a common issue to me. Never once had it happen without a clear culprit like the cpu being pegged. I just chaulk it up to new tech and their bugs. 

[ShadowClient]

25 minutes ago, Mick Naughty said:

Doesn’t seem like a common issue to me. Never once had it happen without a clear culprit like the cpu being pegged. I just chaulk it up to new tech and their bugs. 

 

Look at this topics, they all describe the same problem with the RTX 20-series.

 

https://forums.geforce.com/default/topic/1077012/geforce-rtx-20-series/low-gpu-utilisation-in-games-on-rtx2080/

https://forums.geforce.com/default/topic/1076017/geforce-rtx-20-series/2080-fe-poor-performance/

https://forums.geforce.com/default/topic/1073844/geforce-rtx-20-series/rtx-2080-fe-low-fps-/

[Mick Naughty]

1 hour ago, ShadowClient said:

 

Look at this topics, they all describe the same problem with the RTX 20-series.

 

https://forums.geforce.com/default/topic/1077012/geforce-rtx-20-series/low-gpu-utilisation-in-games-on-rtx2080/

https://forums.geforce.com/default/topic/1076017/geforce-rtx-20-series/2080-fe-poor-performance/

https://forums.geforce.com/default/topic/1073844/geforce-rtx-20-series/rtx-2080-fe-low-fps-/

Not gonna bother reading them. As it’s the same with every generation. Especially at launch. Either wait or do the foot work.

[ShadowClient]

So it was definitely a CPU bottleneck. With my new 9700K 5GHz (w/ mobo Game Boost mode enable) and DDR4 RAM @3200 MHz, I got an extra 40/50fps on 1440p, with GPU load at 94/96%. In 1080p, the GPU load is at ~80%. This is far better and that's what I expected, hell yeah

 

i7 4790K is not powerful enough to handle 1080p/1440p with RTX 2080 and games with heavy CPU usage (this game has a lot of dynamic shadows, NPC AI and also has a CPU load scaled frame limiter). With this CPU, only 4K resolution can force the title to skew the load back towards the GPU and increase the performance output.

[Dversity]

4 hours ago, ShadowClient said:

So it was definitely a CPU bottleneck. With my new 9700K 5GHz (w/ mobo Game Boost mode enable) and DDR4 RAM @3200 MHz, I got an extra 40/50fps on 1440p, with GPU load at 94/96%. In 1080p, the GPU load is at ~80%. This is far better and that's what I expected, hell yeah

 

i7 4790K is not powerful enough to handle 1080p/1440p with RTX 2080 and games with heavy CPU usage (this game has a lot of dynamic shadows, NPC AI and also has a CPU load scaled frame limiter). With this CPU, only 4K resolution can force the title to skew the load back towards the GPU and increase the performance output.

Really? My 4790k with 2080 sea hawk x is running perfectly fine. My GPU load is nearly 90-100% all the time. I play PUBG, LoL, Guild Wars 2 etc in 1440p and I get 130+ fps. 

Then again I've OCd it to 4.7ghz.

 

Thats actually interesting. I might upgrade to 8700 or 8086k soon, so I might also feel a decent performance jump. 

[Princess Luna]

You went from Maxwell to Turing, did you bother DDU'ing in safe mode before installing the new drivers? Because you know that matters too, it ain't just all about CPU.

[Mick Naughty]

If it’s a low cpu usage game I bet you could get by. 4.8 on a 4790k isn’t enough. 4770k can’t even handle 1080 with an old ass Kepler card. Luckily new gear shows up today. 

 

Glad you made the realization and actually get to enjoy your card now. 

[ShadowClient]

11 hours ago, Dversity said:

Really? My 4790k with 2080 sea hawk x is running perfectly fine. My GPU load is nearly 90-100% all the time. I play PUBG, LoL, Guild Wars 2 etc in 1440p and I get 130+ fps. 

Then again I've OCd it to 4.7ghz.

 

Thats actually interesting. I might upgrade to 8700 or 8086k soon, so I might also feel a decent performance jump. 

 

Also thanks to DDR4 RAM.  There is quite a big difference in today's gaming titles between DDR3 1600 MHz and DDR4 3200 MHz. And HITMAN game relies heavily on CPU far more than PUBG, LoL or Guild Wars 2.

 

 

[Dversity]

11 hours ago, hkirmani said:

Totally agree with you...

Seriously? 2080 costs like $20 more than 1080 Ti. 

 

47 minutes ago, ShadowClient said:

 

Also thanks to DDR4 RAM.  There is quite a big difference in today's gaming titles between DDR3 1600 MHz and DDR4 3200 MHz. And HITMAN game relies heavily on CPU far more than PUBG, LoL or Guild Wars 2.

 

 

I have 2400mhz ddr3. Yeah, I dont really plat that much AAA games. I actually just bought myself a 8086k from a friend, got it quite cheap. Looking foward to see the performance jump.