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GPU usage drop. GPU or CPU related problem?

Tags:
  • GPUs
  • Bottleneck
  • CPUs
  • Graphics
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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June 2, 2014 1:55:09 PM

Hey all. It's been a while that I'm struggling with FPS drops. At first it started with Battlefield 3. Thought it was up to some graphical tweaks but unfortunately, the problem kept happening. Once I manually put the video card fan speed up to 100%, the problem ceased to exist. Just now that I started playing Watch Dogs, the problem occurred again, but now, despite the fact that I turn my GPU fan to the max, it keeps happening.

Now, the problem. When playing a game, everything works and runs as it should. After 15 minutes of gameplay, I get stuttering, drastically decrease in FPS for about 10-15 seconds. Then it goes back to normal, but within 2-3 minutes, it happens again. When I restart the game client, the "timer" starts again, and first stutter comes at around 15 minutes, followed by the next every 2-3 minutes. This is the case when I have my fan speed at manual through CCC for every game, from not much demanding to more and more demanding, like Smite to Mirror's Edge to Battlefield 3 to Watch Dogs. First I did not care, just put the fan to 100%, but since Watch Dog starts causing this despite the fact that it's 100%... I need a solution. Although, I have to say Watch Dogs starts causing GPU usage drops with 100% fan speed after about 45 minutes of gameplay.

So first of all...is there any technical explanation for this happening? GPU usage drops while the temperature is good (51 C) and so is the processor (between 50-70, liquid cooler corsair H60)...Now the facts and setup.

FX-8350 processor
HD 7850 Royal King
As Rock 970 Extreme3 2.0.

Both the GPU and CPU are not overclocked.

I tried different kind of tweaks; like disabling core parking (still disabled, yet didn't work) and every possible graphical tweak in-game or through CCC. Yet this is not a game related issue, as this is what I recorded with Afterburner by playing.. Smite. That massive FPS drop is just not healthy for this rig running that game. This is kind of the problem for any game I run, no matter how demanding, what optimization for graphics, resolution/full screen/bordered/full window or anti aliasing. Also, I also disabled Cool 'n Queiet and other power saving features in the BIOS and tried to run with and without X-Boost.



Notice that twice it shows 0FPS, that's because I minimized the game. There is some pattern between CPU and GPU peaks..I just have no idea what can cause this...everything looks and pretty much is stable.

Could this be some random service starting in the background? Some kind of virus, miner or what ever infection? No anti virus has been able to detect anything. I'm out of idea's!

I appreciate any input, especially, when you have faced a similar problem. Or maybe some suggestions how I can narrow down the problem? Thank you.

EDIT: Have the latest CCC as well as recent BIOS update.

More about : gpu usage drop gpu cpu related problem

a c 87 à CPUs
June 2, 2014 5:25:18 PM

Don't put 100% fan speed, you are destroying the fan over time. Leave it on a fan profile on auto based on temperature.
Your gpu usage is low though at 60-70%. Your gpu usage shoube be at 100%. Your cpu should be fine with a 7850.
Have you updated windows, your motherboard drivers?
Have you tried reinstalling your gpu drivers?
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June 3, 2014 12:28:03 PM

Hey, Suztera, thank for the response.

I have been digging further, did a GPU benchmark and everything was fine. Then in the resources monitor I noticed a maximum frequency drop of the CPU, while the GPU drop interval was ongoing. It seems that the CPU maximum frequency dropped from 100% to 50% every time the cores became 61 degree, after the cooldown time the temperatures reset at 50 and slowly going up to 61 again then reset. This cooldown time caused the GPU to drop as well. Apparently the liquids cooler radiator was choked by dust...didn't notice that it was, until I saw through the other side of the radiator after a few times of blowing air through it. Though, weird this happened at 60 degree CPU heat, used to have higher temps with the stock cooler. And also the high GPU fan seemed to cool down my case just enough for my CPU to not become 61 degree. Speechless. Anyhow, after the cleaning I had a maximum of 38C CPU heat without FPS drop so I can confirm the dust playing a role in this.

Played Smite for over 40 minutes without any problems. Up for some more demanding games now.
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