GPU And CPU Not At 100 But Low FPS – How To Fix It – 2025!
Experiencing low FPS despite your GPU and CPU not being maxed out can be frustrating, especially when you expect smooth gaming or performance.
Low FPS, despite GPU and CPU not hitting 100%, can be caused by bottlenecks, outdated drivers, or power settings. Check your BIOS version, adjust graphics settings, and optimize background tasks to resolve this issue.
In this article, we’ll break down the common reasons behind low FPS with low CPU and GPU usage and guide you on how to fix it effectively.
What Does GPU and CPU Utilization Mean?
1. Understanding GPU Utilization
GPU utilization measures how much your graphics card is working. It handles things like rendering game visuals or editing videos.
If it’s not fully utilized in games or tasks, there might be a bottleneck, driver issue, or power-saving setting limiting its potential.
2. Understanding CPU Utilization
CPU utilization shows how busy your processor is. It runs tasks like game physics, background apps, and system processes. Low CPU usage during demanding tasks might mean a bottleneck or something stops it from reaching its full performance.
Common Reasons for Low FPS Despite Low GPU and CPU Usage

1. Bottlenecking Issues
A bottleneck happens when your CPU and GPU don’t match in performance. For example, a strong GPU paired with a weak CPU can slow everything down, causing low FPS. Fixing this might require balancing your hardware or tweaking settings to match their strengths.
2. Game Optimization Problems
Some games aren’t optimized well for certain hardware. Poor coding can lead to low FPS even if your CPU and GPU are powerful.
Updating the game or adjusting in-game settings can often fix this issue and improve performance significantly.
3. Power Management Settings
Power-saving modes can limit your CPU and GPU performance to save energy. This is common in laptops or desktops set to “Balanced” mode.
Switching to “High Performance” mode and ensuring proper cooling can unleash your hardware’s full potential for better FPS.
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How to Identify Whether It’s a GPU or CPU Issue
1. GPU-Related Symptoms
GPU problems appear when your game stutters or drops frames during detailed graphics or fast-moving scenes. If your screen freezes or drops frames suddenly, it might be a sign that the GPU isn’t keeping up, even if its usage is low.
2. CPU-Related Symptoms
CPU issues cause stuttering during moments that need heavy processing, like complex AI or physics calculations. If your game lags during large battles or multitasking, the CPU might struggle, even if it’s not fully utilized.
Solutions to Fix Low FPS When GPU and CPU Are Not at 100%
1. Tweaking Graphics Settings
Adjusting graphics settings can significantly improve FPS. Lowering resolution, turning off anti-aliasing, and reducing shadow quality can reduce the load on your GPU.
These changes allow your hardware to work more efficiently, boosting your game’s performance without needing hardware upgrades.
2. Checking Background Tasks
Background tasks like system updates or unnecessary apps can slow your GPU and CPU. To improve performance, open the task manager and close unused programs. This frees up resources, helping your hardware focus on the game and boosting FPS.
3. Updating Drivers
Outdated drivers can cause low FPS or prevent your GPU and CPU from reaching their full potential. Regularly update your GPU and CPU drivers to ensure everything runs smoothly. This helps avoid compatibility issues and can significantly improve performance during demanding tasks.
Advanced Troubleshooting Methods

1. BIOS and Overclocking Adjustments
In the BIOS, you can change settings that improve your hardware performance, like enabling performance modes or overclocking your CPU or GPU.
Overclocking increases processing speeds but may raise temperatures, so always monitor system temperature to avoid overheating issues.
2. Checking Thermal Throttling
Thermal throttling occurs when your CPU or GPU gets too hot and slows down to cool off. Check the temperatures using monitoring tools, and clean dust from fans or improve cooling. Keeping your system cool helps prevent throttling and improves performance.
3. Replacing or Upgrading Hardware
If your hardware is outdated, it could be limiting your FPS. Consider upgrading your GPU or CPU to a more powerful model that better matches your needs. Newer hardware can eliminate bottlenecks and significantly boost your gaming or work performance.
GPU and CPU not at 100 but Low FPS Gaming
If your GPU and CPU aren’t 100%, but you’re still getting low FPS while gaming, it could be due to bottlenecks or game optimization issues. Adjust in-game settings, update drivers, and check for background tasks using resources.
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GPU and CPU not at 100 but Low FPS Laptop
Power-saving settings and thermal throttling on laptops often cause low FPS despite low GPU and CPU usage. Switch to “High Performance” mode and make sure your laptop’s cooling system is clean. Close unnecessary programs running in the background to free up resources.
CPU and GPU not Fully Utilized
Sometimes, your CPU and GPU aren’t fully utilized because the game or program isn’t demanding enough. To fix this, try adjusting the settings to load them more. Also, ensure your power settings are on “High Performance” for optimal utilization.
Low CPU and GPU Usage Fix
To fix low CPU and GPU usage, ensure your drivers are up to date and that your power settings are on “High Performance.” Close background tasks that consume resources, and adjust in-game settings to demand more from your hardware for better performance.
How to fix low CPU usage Windows 11
On Windows 11, low CPU usage could be caused by power-saving settings or background tasks. Change your power settings to “High Performance” and close unnecessary apps in the Task Manager. Also, make sure your drivers and Windows updates are up to date.
Low CPU Usage In Games

Low CPU usage in games often happens when the game isn’t demanding enough or if the GPU is bottlenecking performance.
Adjust settings like physics or draw distances to make the CPU work harder or check for background tasks using resources.
Why is my GPU and CPU usage not 100%?
Your GPU and CPU may not be 100% due to bottlenecks, game optimization, or power-saving settings. If one component is weaker than the other, it can limit performance. Adjust settings, update drivers, and ensure your system isn’t throttling.
Why do I have a good GPU but low FPS?
A good GPU but low FPS can happen due to a bottleneck with your CPU, game optimization issues, or incorrect settings. Ensure your CPU is strong enough to support the GPU and check your graphics settings or drivers for potential issues.
Why is my GPU and CPU utilization so low?
Power-saving settings, weak hardware demands, or software limitations can cause low utilization. Check if your power settings are “High Performance,” and adjust game settings to push your hardware harder. Ensure drivers are up to date as well.
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Why is my GPU and CPU underperforming?
Underperforming GPU and CPU could be due to thermal throttling, outdated drivers, or power-saving settings.
Ensure your system is properly cooled, update drivers, and switch to “High Performance” mode in your settings. Also, check for any background processes using resources.
Why is my GPU only 70% usage?
If your GPU is only at 70%, it might be due to a CPU bottleneck, low-demand settings, or frame-rate limits like V-Sync. Try lowering in-game settings or adjusting power options to allow your GPU to reach higher utilization.
Should my CPU and GPU be at 100%?
Your CPU and GPU don’t always need to be at 100%. They should be nearly full usage in demanding tasks, but constant 100% usage isn’t ideal. If you’re getting low FPS, it could indicate a bottleneck or other limiting factor.
Why am I getting low FPS on my high end PC?
Low FPS on a high-end PC may occur due to software bottlenecks, outdated drivers, power settings, or thermal throttling. Check for issues like a weak CPU bottleneck, improper game settings, or background tasks consuming resources that limit performance.
Low FPS/Not maxed out with low CPU and GPU usage
When your FPS is low, but the CPU and GPU aren’t maxed out, it often points to a bottleneck elsewhere. This could be in the software or power settings that limit your hardware’s potential.
CPU/GPU Not at 100% Utilization, Getting FPS drops.

If your CPU and GPU aren’t at full usage and you’re still getting FPS drops, it may be due to bottlenecks or settings that aren’t demanding enough. Check for software issues and background tasks and ensure proper settings.
Low CPU and GPU usage and FPS Drops in League of Legends
Poor optimization, background tasks, or outdated drivers can cause low CPU and GPU usage with FPS drops in League of Legends. Adjust game settings or close unnecessary apps to improve performance.
Why Is GPU Usage So Low When Not Hitting Target FPS
Despite not hitting your target FPS, low GPU usage can be due to CPU bottlenecking, software restrictions, or power-saving settings. Ensure the game is optimized, and try increasing graphics settings to push the GPU further.
Low GPU and CPU Usage, and Bad FPS with New 4070?
With a new 4070 GPU, low usage and bad FPS might be due to a CPU bottleneck, incorrect power settings, or game optimization issues. Ensure your drivers are up to date and check if background tasks are limiting performance.
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GPU and CPU *not* at Max Usage But Low FPS.
If your GPU and CPU aren’t at full utilization but you’re still getting low FPS, there may be a software issue or incorrect settings. Check power modes, update drivers, and ensure the game is optimized for your hardware.
GPU Is Not Using 100% [no bottleneck]
If your GPU isn’t hitting 100% usage without a bottleneck, it could be that the game or app isn’t demanding enough from the hardware. Try increasing settings or resolutions to push the GPU harder for better performance.
Low CPU and GPU Usage In Games
Low CPU and GPU usage in games often happen when the game or software isn’t demanding enough or there’s a bottleneck. Adjust settings, close background tasks, and ensure your power settings are optimized for high performance.
FAQs
1. Why is my GPU and CPU not hitting 100%?
Your GPU and CPU may not hit 100% due to software limitations, power settings, or hardware bottlenecks. Check settings.
2. Why do I have a good GPU but low FPS?
A CPU bottleneck, incorrect settings, or game optimization issues may cause a good GPU but low FPS.
3. Why is my GPU not being used at 100%?
Your GPU might not reach 100% because the game or software doesn’t demand enough power or settings limit it.
4. Why is my CPU usage 100% and GPU low?
A 100% CPU and low GPU usage might be due to a CPU bottleneck, game load, or poor optimization.
5. Should my CPU and GPU be at 100%?
No, they don’t always need to be at 100%. Full usage is only required in demanding tasks or games.
6. Is a GPU bottleneck 100% bad?
A 100% GPU bottleneck isn’t necessarily bad but may limit performance. It happens when the CPU can’t keep up.
7. Why do I have low FPS when my CPU and GPU not fully loaded?
Low FPS with low CPU and GPU usage can happen due to bottlenecks, software issues, or power management settings.
8. Why am I getting low fps with low GPU and CPU usage as well?
Low FPS with low CPU and GPU usage could be due to poor optimization, power-saving modes, or background processes.
9. Why is my GPU and CPU usage so low and still have fps drops in games?
Low GPU and CPU usage with FPS drops may occur due to bottlenecks, outdated drivers, or improper power settings.
10. My FPS rate drops, but neither CPU or GPU reach 100%. What may be wrong? How can I find out and fix it?
This could be due to software limitations, background tasks, or thermal throttling. Check settings, drivers, and cooling system.
Conclusion
In conclusion, despite GPU and CPU not reaching 100%, low FPS can be caused by various factors like bottlenecks, outdated drivers, or power settings. You can significantly improve performance by adjusting settings, updating drivers, and ensuring optimal hardware usage.
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