- Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
- OS: Windows® 10 64 Bit (latest update) / Windows® 11 64 Bit (latest update)
- Processor: Intel® Core™ i7-9700K / AMD Ryzen™ 5 3600X
- Memory: 32 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX 3070 Ti / AMD Radeon™ RX 6800
- DirectX: Version 12
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Storage: 40 GB available space
Ensuring your system meets these specifications will help achieve better performance and prevent low GPU usage.
2. Use a Dedicated Graphics Card
Verify that your system is using the dedicated GPU instead of the integrated graphics, as this can greatly affect performance.
- For Nvidia Users:
- Right-click on your desktop > Select NVIDIA Control Panel.
- Navigate to Manage 3D Settings > Program Settings tab.
- Select Gray Zone Warfare from the drop-down list.
- Set the Preferred graphics processor to High-performance NVIDIA processor.
- Save changes and reboot your PC.
- For AMD Users:
- Right-click on your desktop > Select AMD Radeon Settings.
- Go to System > Switchable Graphics.
- Ensure that Gray Zone Warfare is set to use the High-performance GPU.
- Save changes and reboot.
3. Update GPU Drivers
An outdated or corrupted graphics driver can severely impact GPU performance. Regular updates ensure compatibility and performance improvements.
- How to Update:
- Open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start menu.
- Expand Display adapters > Right-click your dedicated GPU > Select Update driver.
- Choose Search automatically for drivers to let Windows find the latest drivers.
Alternatively, visit the GPU manufacturer’s website for the latest drivers:
4. Update Gray Zone Warfare
Keeping the game updated is crucial to avoid performance issues. Developers often release patches that fix bugs and optimize performance.
- To Update the Game:
- Open Steam > Go to Library > Right-click on Gray Zone Warfare > Select Properties.
- Go to Updates > Ensure Automatic updates is enabled.
- Steam will download and install any available updates automatically.
5. Verify and Repair Game Files
Corrupted or missing game files can cause low GPU usage or other performance problems. Verifying game files can resolve these issues.
- How to Verify:
- Open Steam > Go to Library > Right-click on Gray Zone Warfare > Select Properties.
- Navigate to the Local Files tab > Click Verify Integrity of Game Files.
- Steam will check and repair any corrupted or missing files.
6. Try Disabling Overlay Apps
Overlay apps like Discord, Nvidia GeForce Experience, and others can cause performance issues by consuming resources in the background.
- Disable Discord Overlay:
- Open Discord > Go to User Settings > Select Overlay > Turn off Enable in-game overlay.
- Disable Nvidia GeForce Experience Overlay:
- Open Nvidia GeForce Experience > Go to Settings > Turn off In-Game Overlay.
Disabling these overlays can help improve GPU usage and overall game performance.
7. Close Background Running Tasks
Background tasks can consume resources that are better used by your game, leading to low GPU usage.
-
- Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) > Go to Processes tab.
- End tasks that are unnecessary and consuming high resources.
- Restart your PC to apply changes.
8. Turn Off V-Sync
V-Sync or FreeSync mostly comes enabled by default in the Gray Zone Warfare game. It seems that V-Sync or FreeSync somehow conflicts with the game’s refresh rate and monitor’s refresh rate. So, it’s better to turn off this feature on the PC by following the steps below.
For Nvidia:
- Run Steam Games Launcher.
- Launch Gray Zone Warfare > Go to the in-game Settings menu.
- Under Display Options, make sure to turn off V-Sync.
- Now, open NVIDIA Control Panel > Select Manage 3D Settings in the left panel.
- Under Global Settings, scroll down to Vertical Sync and turn it off.
- Click on Apply then reboot the PC to apply changes.
For AMD:
- Make sure to launch Gray Zone Warfare > Open the in-game Settings menu.
- Under Display Options, make sure to turn off V-Sync.
- Now, open the AMD Radeon app and head over to the Global Settings option.
- Under the Global Graphics tab, check to Wait for Vertical Refresh option.
- Then click on the Down arrow icon > From the drop-down list, select Always Off to deactivate VSync or Enhanced Sync.
- Finally, Turn Off the Wait for Vertical Refresh option, and restart the PC.
9. Disable Raytracing
Lastly, I would suggest disabling the Raytracing feature in your game’s settings menu. This will ensure that there are no issues with over-optimization. While Raytracing is a useful feature for high-end gaming rigs that offers stunning visual quality without compromising other aspects, it may not be suitable for older or less powerful PCs. If that’s the case for you, follow the steps below to turn it off.
- Open the Gray Zone Warfare game via Steam Games.
- Now, go to the in-game Settings menu.
- Under Graphics options, select both the Fidelity and Raytracing feature.
- Make sure to select Performance to disable Raytracing. [You can select Balanced to reduce Raytracing]
- Once done, reboot the PC to apply changes.
By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the low GPU usage issue in Gray Zone Warfare, improving your overall gaming experience. Ensuring your system is up to date and properly configured is key to maximizing performance. If problems persist, consider reaching out to support forums or the game developers for further assistance.
