God of War Ragnarök Not Using GPU: “God of War Ragnarök, the acclaimed action-adventure title released in 2022 by Santa Monica Studio and Sony Interactive Entertainment, has now arrived on PC. While many players are eager to dive into the game, some have reported performance challenges, particularly concerning low GPU utilization that results in stuttering, frame rate drops, and general lag.
These performance issues are not unusual in the realm of PC gaming. They can arise from a variety of factors, including outdated graphics drivers, certain in-game settings (like V-Sync and Raytracing), or incorrect GPU configurations. Even powerful gaming setups may encounter difficulties if the game is not optimized properly.
If you find yourself facing these GPU performance issues, there’s no need to fret. We’ve put together a detailed troubleshooting guide tailored for users of Steam and the Epic Games Launcher. This guide aims to enhance your gaming experience by ensuring that your system is making the most of its GPU capabilities.”
Why is God of War Ragnarök Not Using My GPU?
If your game is utilizing the CPU or integrated graphics rather than your dedicated GPU, you might experience the following issues:
- Decreased frame rates and occasional performance drops
- Jitteriness, delays, or tearing on the screen
- Visual artifacts or glitches
- Extended loading periods or instances of black screens
Common Causes
✔ Incorrect GPU settings
✔ V-Sync or Raytracing conflicts
✔ Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers
✔ Background applications consuming GPU power
✔ Corrupt or missing game files
Let’s go through the best fixes to resolve these problems!
1. Check System Requirements
Before troubleshooting, ensure your PC meets the system requirements for God of War Ragnarök.
Minimum Requirements:
✅ OS: Windows 10 (64-bit)
✅ Processor: Intel i5-4670K / AMD Ryzen 3 1200
✅ RAM: 8GB
✅ Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 1060 (6GB) / AMD RX 5500 XT (8GB) / Intel Arc A750
✅ DirectX: Version 12
✅ Storage: 190GB SSD recommended
Recommended Requirements:
✅ OS: Windows 10 (64-bit)
✅ Processor: Intel i5-8600 / AMD Ryzen 5 3600
✅ RAM: 16GB
✅ Graphics: NVIDIA RTX 2060 Super / AMD RX 5700 / Intel Arc A770
✅ DirectX: Version 12
✅ Storage: 190GB SSD recommended
If your system meets these specs, but performance issues persist, move on to the fixes below.
2. Force God of War Ragnarök to Use Your Dedicated GPU
Sometimes, certain games do not automatically utilize your dedicated graphics card, which can lead to subpar gaming performance. To optimize your system for the best graphical output, follow these steps to ensure the right GPU is being used.
For NVIDIA Users:
- Right-click on your desktop and select the NVIDIA Control Panel.
- Head over to the 3D Settings section and click on ‘Manage 3D Settings.’
- In the Program Settings tab, find and select God of War Ragnarök.
- Choose the option for the High-performance NVIDIA processor.
- Make sure to apply the changes and then restart your computer.
For AMD Users:
- Right-click on the desktop and open AMD Radeon Settings.
- Navigate to System and then Switchable Graphics.
- Look for God of War Ragnarök and set it to utilize the High-Performance GPU.
- Save your changes and restart your PC to apply the settings.
For Xbox Game Pass Users on Windows:
- Access Windows Settings by pressing Win + I.
- Go to System, then Display, and select Graphics Settings.
- Find God of War Ragnarök in the list or add it manually if necessary.
- Click on Options and choose High Performance.
- Save your adjustments and restart both the Xbox app and the game to ensure the changes take effect.
By following these guidelines, you can significantly enhance your gaming experience by ensuring your dedicated GPU is properly engaged.
3. Update Your GPU Drivers
Outdated or faulty graphics drivers may lead to reduced GPU performance and various stability problems. To ensure your drivers are up to date, follow the steps outlined below:
Method 1: Update via Device Manager
- Press Win + X to open the menu and select Device Manager.
- Locate and expand the section labeled Display adapters.
- Right-click on your dedicated GPU.
- Choose the option to Update Driver and then select Search automatically for updated driver software.
- If an update is available, proceed to install it and restart your computer.
Method 2: Manual Driver Download
- For NVIDIA users: Visit the NVIDIA website to download the most recent drivers.
- For AMD users: Head to the AMD website to access the latest drivers available.
Keeping your graphics drivers current is essential for optimal performance and system stability.
4. Verify & Repair Game Files
Issues with game performance may arise due to corrupted or absent files. To resolve this, you can validate your game files through either Steam or Epic Games.
For Steam Players:
- Launch the Steam client and access your Library.
- Locate God of War Ragnarök, right-click on it, and choose Properties.
- Navigate to the Local Files section and select “Verify Integrity of Game Files.”
- Allow the verification process to complete, then restart your computer.
For Epic Games Users:
- Open the Epic Games Launcher.
- Go to your Library and click on the three-dot menu next to God of War Ragnarök.
- Choose the Verify option and wait until the verification is done.
- Once completed, launch the game again.
5. Disable Overlay Applications
Some overlay applications can negatively impact GPU performance, resulting in reduced frame rates or even system crashes.
To Disable Discord Overlay:
Launch Discord and navigate to the Settings menu by clicking the gear icon.
Locate the Overlay section and turn off the “Enable in-game overlay” option.
Restart your computer to apply the changes.
To Turn Off Xbox Game Bar:
Press Win + I to open the Settings window, then select the Gaming option.
Choose Game Bar and switch it off.
To Disable NVIDIA GeForce Experience Overlay:
Open NVIDIA GeForce Experience and head to the Settings page.
Click on the General tab and turn off the “In-Game Overlay” feature.
Restart your computer for the modifications to take effect.
6. Disable V-Sync & Raytracing
Both V-Sync and Ray Tracing can lead to reduced frame rates in games. Turning these features off may enhance your frames per second (FPS).
For NVIDIA Users:
- Right-click on your desktop and select the NVIDIA Control Panel.
- Navigate to Manage 3D Settings and find the Vertical Sync option.
- Change the setting to Off and click Apply to save your changes.
For AMD Users:
- Launch the AMD Radeon Software and select Global Graphics.
- Locate the Wait for Vertical Refresh option and set it to Always Off.
7. Close Background Tasks
Excessive background processes can consume GPU resources, leading to a decline in gaming performance.
To optimize your system, follow these steps:
- Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
- Navigate to the Processes tab.
- Identify and terminate any non-essential applications such as Chrome, Discord, or Windows Update services.
- Afterward, restart your game for improved performance.
Final Thoughts
To effectively tackle low GPU usage problems in God of War Ragnarök and enhance your gaming experience, consider implementing the following strategies:
Summary of Steps:
- Ensure God of War Ragnarök is set to utilize your dedicated GPU.
- Update your graphics card drivers to the latest version.
- Verify and repair the game installation files.
- Disable any overlay applications such as Discord, Xbox Game Bar, or GeForce Experience.
- Turn off features like V-Sync and Ray Tracing.
- Close any unnecessary background processes.
If issues persist, it may be worthwhile to check for overheating issues on your PC or reach out to God of War Ragnarök Support for further assistance. We would love to hear which solution proved effective for you!
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