Is high CPU usage causing the lag I'm experiencing?

jnghnl

Reputable
Oct 6, 2014
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4,510
First, my pc specs are:

CPU: Phenom ii x4 960t
GPU: GTX 560
RAM: 4G
Mainboard: ASRock something but can't remember

Far Cry 3 recommended requirements:

Core i3-530 2.9GHz / Phenom II X2 565
GeForce GT 640 1GB DDR3 / Radeon HD 4850
4 GB


I'm playing Far Cry 3 and getting framerates in the 30s and frequently dropping to 10s when moving quickly or having large encounters, which makes it really hard to play the game. Graphics settings are at low and the resolution is 1600*900. I've had lag issues with games like xcom enemy within and arkham asylum too. Since my pc at least meets the recommended requirements, I think there's something else going on that's causing lag. One thing I've noticed is that the CPU usage is almost a 100%(all four cores at 90 something percent, ocasionally hitting 100). But CPU temperatures are very low(30 degrees celcius). GPU usage is about 40 percent, temperatures at 50c). RAM usage is under 2g. I guess the only cause of the problem could be my CPU, but since it meets requirements and has doesn't reach high temperatures, I'm confused. Can anyone help me out?