Summary
How to check system utilization
Description
Why does the CPU use 100% utilization while GPU uses very little, like 5%?
Resolution
When, for example, a CPU has higher utilization than the GPU, it means that the system is experiencing bottleneck.
Bottleneck refers to a component that limits the potential of other hardware due to differences in their maximum capabilities. The quality or age of components doesn’t necessarily cause it; rather, their performance. Bottlenecks aren’t unique to high-end systems either. Balance is equally important in systems with entry-level hardware.
Here are different ways to check the utilization of your system:
- Use a third-party application, such as CPU-Z, to check CPU utilization, or simply use the Task Manager Performance Tab.
- Use Intel® Processor Diagnostic Tool to test CPU health.
- Check compatibility between CPU, motherboard, and GPU. Make sure that the CPU is more powerful than the GPU.
- Check if the motherboard PCIe version is higher or at the same version as the GPU. If the PCIe version on the motherboard is running at a lower version than the GPU PCIe version, it will only run under the motherboard's specified PCIe version, which causes the GPU not to utilize its maximum performance.
- Use a third-party calculator, such as the Bottleneck Calculator*, which will describe how a PC bottleneck affects the system.
Additional information
Reach L2 if not sure what components should work for the system to avoid bottleneck.