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GPU not being used, high CPU usage on games.

Tags:
  • GPUs
  • Graphics
  • low gpu usage
  • Games
  • high cpu usage
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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June 10, 2014 12:30:48 PM

Hello there, I'm new here and only have basic knowledge of PC's (goes as far as building one) so I don't know if I'm posting this in the right place as I'm not entirely sure whether the problem is actually my GPU or not.

My problem started last night; I let my brother have a go on Tomb Raider on my PC - he started a new game and it was running fine, then I decided to show him my save that was a little further on in the story... but when I loaded it I started experiencing strange visual and audio stuttering and low fps.

I then restarted my PC and launched the game again, this time it was fine. I then spent the next few hours downloading the Battlefield Hardline beta and so didn't play any games, but when it eventually downloaded and I launched it for the first time, I experienced the same issues I had earlier on Tomb Raider. I have tried updating my GPU drivers and reinstalling them completely with no luck. I then decided to use the AMD system monitor while playing the game and noticed that my GPU was not being used at all, yet my CPU was flicking between 90-100% usage - much like the issues myself and many others experienced with the Battlefield 4 beta.

I checked the Battlefield forums to see if anyone was having the same issues and found nothing, so I decided to check a few other games. I got the same results with everything, and the performance is getting worse, even Minecraft uses 100% of my CPU and doesn't even touch my GPU - I can't get it above 15fps anymore when it used to be 80.

If anyone can help me fix this without replacing hardware, or tell me which part of my hardware is causing the problem, I'd be extremely grateful.

My specs:

CPU: Intel i5 4670k @3.40ghz
Memory: 8gb DDR3 ram
HDD: 1tb 7200rpm
Motherboard: MSI Z87 G41
PSU: 600w Alpine
GPU: Radeon HD 6870 XFX DD XXX Edition

Thanks :) 

More about : gpu high cpu usage games

June 10, 2014 12:48:22 PM

Drivers generally don't support betas.

Verify that your GPU is actually in 3d mode by using GPU-Z. Verify that Windows update isn't lagging you. Verify that you do not have a virus.
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June 10, 2014 1:12:29 PM

damric said:
Drivers generally don't support betas.

Verify that your GPU is actually in 3d mode by using GPU-Z. Verify that Windows update isn't lagging you. Verify that you do not have a virus.


Thanks for replying so quickly. As I said it's not just the BFH beta that has an issue, it's happening on all games. Windows update isn't running. I've done 3 scans for virus's, found nothing. Where can I see whether it's in 3D mode on GPU-Z? (sorry if I sound stupid, like I said I only know how to put a PC together)

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June 10, 2014 1:14:52 PM

On the sensors tab in GPU-Z.
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June 10, 2014 1:21:34 PM

damric said:
On the sensors tab in GPU-Z.




This is what I can see, I don't know what it tells me about the 3D mode.
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June 10, 2014 1:26:23 PM

run a 3d app and verify the clock rate increases.
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June 10, 2014 1:27:00 PM

How old is your PSU?
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June 10, 2014 1:32:40 PM

damric said:
run a 3d app and verify the clock rate increases.


The Core Clock goes up to 775MHz for about half a second every 5 or 6 seconds, then it just goes back to 300MHz - I assume that is a problem... It seems to go up at the same time as the load goes up to 5% and then goes back to 0%.
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June 10, 2014 1:35:23 PM

run a Virus scan because there is a very popular virus that makes your CPU run unusable calculations even in Idle (You can see you CPU usage in Idle)
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June 10, 2014 1:38:56 PM

damric said:
How old is your PSU?


I got it in July/August last year.

Something I forgot to mention which might be relevant is that something in my PC has been making a strange buzzing/whirring sound when I play games - the more intensive the game the louder it gets. I've opened my PC up and looked inside to see which bit of hardware is doing it but can't figure out where the sound is coming from. Also cleaned out all my fans, so there's nothing stuck in them or anything. The noise will last for about 5 minutes after I close the game and then disappear.
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June 10, 2014 1:40:13 PM

Elliot Johnson said:
damric said:
run a 3d app and verify the clock rate increases.


The Core Clock goes up to 775MHz for about half a second every 5 or 6 seconds, then it just goes back to 300MHz - I assume that is a problem... It seems to go up at the same time as the load goes up to 5% and then goes back to 0%.


Either the GPU is overheating, or your PSU has gone bad. I would suspect the PSU.
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June 10, 2014 1:42:25 PM

ahmedkhalifa1999 said:
run a Virus scan because there is a very popular virus that makes your CPU run unusable calculations even in Idle (You can see you CPU usage in Idle)


I've done 3 different virus scans and not found anything. Can you reccomend any virus scan software that might find the problem?
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June 10, 2014 1:49:47 PM

Elliot Johnson said:
ahmedkhalifa1999 said:
run a Virus scan because there is a very popular virus that makes your CPU run unusable calculations even in Idle (You can see you CPU usage in Idle)


I've done 3 different virus scans and not found anything. Can you reccomend any virus scan software that might find the problem?


From your other symptoms, I can see it is not a virus. Either GPU is overheating or you have a failing PSU. From the sounds of it, I'd bet on the PSU.

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June 10, 2014 1:50:25 PM

damric said:
Elliot Johnson said:
damric said:
run a 3d app and verify the clock rate increases.


The Core Clock goes up to 775MHz for about half a second every 5 or 6 seconds, then it just goes back to 300MHz - I assume that is a problem... It seems to go up at the same time as the load goes up to 5% and then goes back to 0%.


Either the GPU is overheating, or your PSU has gone bad. I would suspect the PSU.


I have the worst luck with PSU's, went through 4 faulty ones before I got this one last year. Is there any way I can confirm whether it's my PSU or not (with any sort of program?), or will I just have to take it in to be checked over - I really don't have the money to spare for another PSU if it's not the actual problem as I'm only a student.
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June 10, 2014 1:51:40 PM

What is your CPU usage in Idle ?
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June 10, 2014 1:52:39 PM

Elliot Johnson said:
damric said:
Elliot Johnson said:
damric said:
run a 3d app and verify the clock rate increases.


The Core Clock goes up to 775MHz for about half a second every 5 or 6 seconds, then it just goes back to 300MHz - I assume that is a problem... It seems to go up at the same time as the load goes up to 5% and then goes back to 0%.


Either the GPU is overheating, or your PSU has gone bad. I would suspect the PSU.


I have the worst luck with PSU's, went through 4 faulty ones before I got this one last year. Is there any way I can confirm whether it's my PSU or not (with any sort of program?), or will I just have to take it in to be checked over - I really don't have the money to spare for another PSU if it's not the actual problem as I'm only a student.


Yes try a different one. And stop buying junk.

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June 10, 2014 1:55:40 PM

ahmedkhalifa1999 said:
What is your CPU usage in Idle ?


Right now when I just have firefox, steam and teamspeak open it's just sitting between 10-15%
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June 10, 2014 2:03:13 PM

damric said:
Elliot Johnson said:
damric said:
Elliot Johnson said:
damric said:
run a 3d app and verify the clock rate increases.


The Core Clock goes up to 775MHz for about half a second every 5 or 6 seconds, then it just goes back to 300MHz - I assume that is a problem... It seems to go up at the same time as the load goes up to 5% and then goes back to 0%.


Either the GPU is overheating, or your PSU has gone bad. I would suspect the PSU.


I have the worst luck with PSU's, went through 4 faulty ones before I got this one last year. Is there any way I can confirm whether it's my PSU or not (with any sort of program?), or will I just have to take it in to be checked over - I really don't have the money to spare for another PSU if it's not the actual problem as I'm only a student.


Yes try a different one. And stop buying junk.



This one is actually a good one, I was originally getting £40 750watt alpine PSU's and using a PCIe to molex adapter as my GPU needed two six pin PCIe cables and the PSU only had one - according to the guy who sold me them using the PCIe to molex adapters is not reccomended and was causing my PSU's to short - so he sold me this one for the same price when it should have been £60 telling me that it's the one he uses in the gaming PC's he builds for people. Which is why I'm confused as the why it's failing me.
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June 10, 2014 2:17:53 PM

what model is your psu? anything less than an 80 plus bronze these days is the very definition of junk
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