Low fps, Low CPU, low GPU usage

pietrovecelliob16_ESO

I just aquired a new desktop from ACER to use in the office,

it comes with windows 8 64 bit,
i5 4440
gt 625 2gb dedicated
8gb ram
1tb hd

as you can all see its not a gaming computer but i decided to give eso a try, as on the old pc it was running quite fine already.

Since i installed it and played it i had fps problems, reaching maximum of 20 fps in cities with lowest graphical settings.

i therefore started monitoring cpu and gpu and i found out that the cpu usage never went over 30% overall...
GPU instead was always at 99% but the VRAM used never exceeded 550 mb....

looks like there is a bottleneck somewhere.

anyone else experiencing the same issue?

Saerydoth

Yep, there's a bottleneck. You have a very low end non-gaming video card. The performance you're getting is about what I'd expect from that hardware.

Audigy

I would advice to swap the "GPU" for a 270x or 280x. While you still wont be able to play on ultra and 60+ fps at all times, you will have a steady 60fps while questing and about 30-40 fps in towns (Full HD).

ESO does not utilize our multi core CPU´s, so that your system which is right now bottle necking from your GPU, will bottleneck from your CPU later. That said, its not your CPU - its the game so don't worry.

I run ESO on full HD with 100 view distance and ultra on a 280x. No matter what resolution I play or what AMD settings I use - my GPU is bored while my CPU makes a cup of coffee while addressing a single thread only.

pietrovecelliob16_ESO

ok thanks for the tips,

the wierd thing is that my 2 years old pc runs it better... i have a gt 520 on it, and you want to tell me it works better then a gt 625?

mikescchen

In fact, they are using the SAME GPU chip:
gpuboss.com/gpus/GeForce-GT-625-vs-GeForce-GT-520-PCI
It's Nvidia's rename trick.

There's no brand / model info in the post whatsoever, but I'd guess that your GT625 is using DDR2 (instead of DDR3) memory. This happens on lower-end cards, and have serious impact on performance.

Or you can simply swap the cards.

pietrovecelliob16_ESO

on the machine it says the gt625 have 2gb of memory, is that going to make any difference?

i have 1 year warranty on this (***) acer, so i might be able to swap it with something else if it doesnt work as supposed.. i need to proove it tho..

mikescchen

Download the GPU-Z software.
It will show the GPU memory type.
techpowerup.com/gpuz/

But I think it's hard to ask Acer to swap that, since it's not defective.

If you do plan to upgrade the card, since it's (as you said) an office machine, I'd suggest you go for a GTX 750 or 750Ti.
They don't need extra power supply, which will save you lots of hassle.
I have a MSI GTX750 in my office machine too. lol

pietrovecelliob16_ESO

this is Gpuz Reading while playing, (on low graphic settings but supersampling high, i get 18fps)

Saerydoth

pietrovecelliob16_ESO wrote: »

this is Gpuz Reading while playing, (on low graphic settings but supersampling high, i get 18fps)

There's absolutely nothing wrong there. It's performing exactly as it should. You're maxing out the capabilities of the card. For reference, that GPU is only a little bit more powerful than the integrated HD4600 graphics on the i7-4770k. You're expecting way too much out of entry level non-gaming hardware. You need to get a better video card if you want better FPS. I'd suggest a GTX750 or 750ti. You can find those from $90-$140 depending on which model you get.

mikescchen

I think his concern is that why his older GT520 is faster than newer GT625.
Of course i'd say both card is not enough for the game.
(Cmon playing the game in low quality just make it looks like something made in 2005 lol)
Maybe you can just swap the GT520 with GT625, and see if the trend changes.

Again, I agree with the GTX750/750ti suggestion.
It should run the game with medium to high settings in 1920x1080.

Audigy

I honestly think that going for a 270x is the better choice. The 750 TI is about 30-40% slower but costs 120 while the 270x can be bought for around 140.

The only reason for a 750TI is the PSU, but he didn't tell us yet what PSU he has.

mikescchen

Yeah PSU is the key, office computers tend to use lowest watt PSU possible.
Neither my Dell Vostro 270 and the batch of Asus desktop bought in office recently has no PCIe power connector.

Of course the PSU can be upgraded if affordable, which depends on the poster.
If the PSU has enough wattage, I'll suggest R9-270x too.
(I'm using dual 7850 at home)

Sharee

Saerydoth wrote: »

I'd suggest a GTX750 or 750ti. You can find those from $90-$140 depending on which model you get.

Agreed, i am running TESO on a 750ti (on two computers), on ultra settings, and it's perfect. The fact the cards draw low power and produce next to no noise is a bonus.

Jarnhand

It can become a costly affair to start changing components in a typical named desktop PC, would be better to buy a custom built that is meant for gameing.
Typical problem will become PSU cannot take the load, and things start to happen.

CoUsT

pietrovecelliob16_ESO wrote: »

this is Gpuz Reading while playing, (on low graphic settings but supersampling high, i get 18fps)

This.

Don't expect high fps if you want high resolution. You need to go down a bit. At least set SubSampling to medium. However, you can set Texture Quality to high because you have a lot memory.

I'm using GeForce GT430 and I have 30-80 fps (~50) on lowest settings with Texture Quality on high and SubSampling on medium.

The game is playable. If you prefer higher resolution (a bit more details) and lower fps - sure, you can set SubSampling to high. I just recommend you medium or low to gain some fps.

macdomagb16_ESO

I don't know if anyone is ever going to read this dead thread ever again but I decided to erect the spine of wisdom nonetheless.

I have been having a similar issue lately. the game would not use more than 15% CPU and about 60% GPU regardless of in-game graphics settings, Nvidia power setting etc. It would also take forever to load textures and NPCs a lot of the time which resulted in beautiful sights like these:





At the same time my good old brick laptop would be chilling at 58% GPU usage:




I kept trying out different settings and combinations but nothing would change. I then disabled all addons - no change. And then (!) I deleted the UserSettings.txt file in Documents/Elder Scrolls Online/liveeu forcing the game to create a blank one.

Voilá!




And I got around 10-20 extra fps too!

Conclusion: Stop messing with .ini files!

Now I shall mess with my .ini and find out which settings were causing this issue.


Hope it's gonna be helpful to someone! May your scales stay moist!

Darlgon