RTX 3070 – Extremely Low 3D Performance (Low TDP, High Clocks Even on Idle)

[Dsvexx]

Hello everyone, I need help diagnosing an issue with my GPU.

I’m experiencing a serious performance problem with my MSI RTX 3070 Gaming X Trio.
The issue is specific to 3D rendering and persists across both Windows 10 and Windows 11.

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System Specs

• CPU: Ryzen 7 5800X
• GPU: MSI RTX 3070 Gaming X Trio 8GB
• Motherboard: ASUS Prime B550M-A WiFi II
• RAM: 2x8GB Corsair 3600MHz (I’ve also tested with an extra 2x8GB 3200MHz – total 32GB and 16GB configurations, no difference)
• SSD: 1TB NVMe
• PSU MSI 750w
• Monitor: HP Omen 32” 165Hz
• OS: Tested both Windows 10 and Windows 11 – same issue on both
• NZXT kraken 240mm water cooler
• 10 cabinet

Issue Summary

• In older games like Arma 3, I get <5 FPS, despite the game being very light for this setup.
• In PassMark 3D test, the GPU only gets 2–3 FPS and sometimes can’t complete the test. Temperature below 50
• In FurMark / MSI Kombustor, performance looks normal — 85–95% TDP usage and stable temps (max 60°C).

Monitoring & Observations (Using GPU-Z):

1. GPU Clock and Memory Clock stay maxed out all the time, even when idle.
2. TDP usage stays very low (~30%) during 3D applications and benchmarks, even under load.
3. Only in FurMark the card uses full power (85–95% TDP), confirming it can ramp up if allowed.

️
What I’ve Tried

• Clean driver installs with DDU (multiple times)
• Reinstalled Windows 10 & 11 from scratch
• Flashed latest vBIOS for the GPU
• Updated motherboard BIOS to latest version
• MSI Afterburner used to try adjusting power limits (no success)
• Adjusted settings in NVIDIA Control Panel for max performance
• Used NVIDIA Inspector to tweak hidden power settings
• Tried multiple PCIe slots and cables
• Tested with different RAM configs (16GB/32GB, 3200/3600 MHz)
• Remove the motherboard with graphic card and run without all the fans to ensure the GPU has enough power from PSU

What I Suspect

• Some power delivery or software-level limit is preventing the GPU from going past 30% TDP in 3D environments.
• FurMark works, which makes me think it’s not a hardware failure, but maybe a driver, VBIOS bug, or firmware conflict.

Looking for any suggestions


Thanks in advance for any help or insights. I’ve been troubleshooting this for weeks and would really appreciate any direction.

 

[CheteriagalenTriagalnik]

The high clocks on idle could be due to you having selected "max performance" from the nVidia Control Panel.

However, the fact that it can't provide full power is weird. Is it possible for you to try the card in another machine? Also, did this issue happen suddenly after it was working fine before, or did you just buy the card now and notice the issue?

 

[RaceT3ch]

I don't see why it shouldn't work correctly, try isolating the GPU by trying a different PC.

If that doesn't work the only way I think this isn't working correctly is via a PSU cable being broken or the 8 pin on the card being broken.

 

[LittleBro]

What was the last modification (be it software or hardware one) you did to your PC prior to the issue appearance?

 

[Dsvexx]

I bought from second hand, but before buy the guy tested using Furmark and was good, i bought,

I am not the best but a fault Graphic cards but is possible to have a low performance in games or in some benchmarks but be ok with others ?

I will get other graphic card to test if everything also is good

 

[CheteriagalenTriagalnik]

I recommend you try the GPU in another system. If you can't, try at least another OS. Maybe a live OS on a USB thumb drive. If the issue persists, could be something worse. If it's not present - then it's something from your system/software.