Why Is Valorant Using So Much GPU – Causes & Fixes 2025!

Why Is Valorant Using So Much GPU

You’re not alone if you’ve noticed your GPU being overworked while playing Valorant or struggling to perform as expected.

Valorant uses a lot of GPU due to its focus on high frame rates and graphical settings. While primarily CPU-intensive, certain settings and background processes can cause high GPU usage, impacting performance.

In this article, we’ll explore the causes behind Valorant’s GPU usage and provide tips to help you get the best performance out of your system.

Table of Contents

Understanding the Importance of GPU in Valorant

A GPU handles all the graphics in Valorant, ensuring smooth gameplay. High-quality visuals and fast rendering depend on your GPU. Valorant relies on it for better performance, making GPU optimization essential for an enjoyable experience.

1. Update Your GPU Drivers

Outdated drivers can cause high GPU usage or lag. Update them regularly to ensure smooth performance. Manufacturers like NVIDIA or AMD often release updates that fix bugs and improve compatibility for games like Valorant.

2. Adjust Graphics Settings in Valorant

Lowering graphics settings like shadows, textures, or anti-aliasing can reduce GPU load. Valorant runs well even on low settings, so tweaking these can improve performance without sacrificing too much visual quality.

3. Adjust Power Settings

Set your PC’s power plan to “High Performance” to allow the GPU to work at its full potential. This ensures Valorant gets the necessary resources, but keep an eye on power consumption and heat levels.

4. Monitor CPU Usage

Your CPU and GPU work together in Valorant. If your CPU is overworked, it can push more tasks to the GPU, causing high usage. Use tools like Task Manager to check and balance the load effectively.

Valorant’s Graphics and Frame Rates

Valorant focuses on delivering smooth and clear graphics for competitive gameplay. The game’s design prioritizes high frame rates, ensuring quick reactions and lag-free performance.

The GPU handles tasks like rendering sharp textures, vibrant colors, and fast animations. This improves the experience for players, especially those in intense matches.

However, maintaining such performance requires significant GPU resources. If your GPU is working hard, it’s likely because Valorant is optimizing visuals and speed to keep your gameplay fluid. Adjusting in-game graphics settings can help reduce GPU usage without sacrificing quality.

High Refresh Rates on Monitors

High Refresh Rates on Monitors
Source: Reddit

High refresh rate monitors, like 144Hz or 240Hz, make gameplay smoother by showing more frames per second. Valorant uses the GPU to match these refresh rates, ensuring fluid visuals.

While this enhances gameplay, it can increase GPU load. Lowering your monitor’s refresh rate or frame cap in settings can reduce GPU strain without noticeable changes for casual gaming.

Vanguard Anti-Cheat System

Valorant’s Vanguard anti-cheat runs in the background to detect and block cheaters. It uses some system resources to maintain security, which may increase GPU activity.

This ensures fair gameplay but can add to the overall load. Keeping Vanguard updated and turning off unnecessary apps can balance performance and security.

Background Applications and Tasks

Apps like browsers, screen recorders, or launchers running in the background consume GPU power, reducing resources available for Valorant.

This can make the GPU work harder to meet the game’s demands. Closing unnecessary apps before playing frees up resources, improving GPU efficiency and overall performance.

Overclocking and Power Usage

Overclocking pushes the GPU beyond its normal limits for better performance. While helpful for high settings or frame rates, it increases power usage and heat.

Valorant might use more GPU in this case due to enhanced settings. Ensuring proper cooling and monitoring temperatures prevents overheating and maintains stable performance.

In-Game Settings Optimization

Valorant’s in-game settings, like resolution, texture quality, and anti-aliasing, affect GPU usage. High settings demand more power, making the GPU work harder.

Optimizing settings based on your hardware can balance performance and visuals. Lowering graphics settings like shadows or effects can reduce GPU load without ruining gameplay, offering smoother performance and lower temperatures.

System Requirements and Hardware Limitations

Valorant is optimized for various systems, but older or weaker hardware may struggle. If your GPU doesn’t meet the recommended specs, it works extra hard, causing higher usage.

Upgrading components like your GPU or adjusting settings can resolve this. Ensuring drivers are updated also helps the game run better on limited hardware.

How to Fix Valorant High CPU Usage

How to Fix Valorant High CPU Usage
Source: Reddit

Solution 1: Check System Requirements

Ensure your PC meets Valorant’s system requirements. If your hardware is below the minimum, the game may overuse your CPU. Upgrading components like RAM, CPU, or GPU can make a big difference in performance.

Solution 2: Update Your Graphics Driver

Outdated graphics drivers can cause high CPU usage. Update your drivers through NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel’s official tools. Updated drivers optimize performance, fix bugs, and ensure smooth compatibility with Valorant’s latest updates.

Solution 3: Allow Valorant Through Windows Firewall

If Valorant isn’t allowed through the firewall, it may struggle to connect, causing CPU overload. Go to Windows Firewall settings and add Valorant to the allowed apps list for smoother operation and fewer resource demands.

Solution 4: Quick Scan Your PC for Virus

Viruses or malware can increase CPU usage. Run a quick scan with reliable antivirus software to remove threats. Keeping your PC clean ensures Valorant runs efficiently without unnecessary processes affecting performance.

Maximizing GPU Usage in Valorant

1. Overclock Your GPU

Overclocking boosts GPU speed for better performance. Use tools like MSI Afterburner to safely increase clock speeds. Be cautious to avoid overheating, and test changes gradually to find the right balance between performance and stability.

2. Upgrade Your GPU

If your GPU struggles with Valorant, upgrading to a newer model can improve performance. Look for GPUs with more VRAM and better processing power to handle the game’s requirements while providing smooth gameplay and higher frame rates.

3. Maintain Optimal System Conditions

Keep your system clean and dust-free to prevent overheating. Use proper cooling solutions like fans or liquid coolers. Regularly check for software updates and remove unnecessary programs to ensure your GPU runs efficiently during gaming.

Game Updates and Patches

Valorant frequently releases updates to improve performance, fix bugs, and add new features. Sometimes, these updates can temporarily cause higher GPU or CPU usage as the game adapts to new optimizations.

Always ensure your game is updated to avoid compatibility issues. If an update causes performance drops, wait for patches or report the issue to Valorant’s support. Regular updates keep the game running smoothly and enhance your overall experience.

Disabling High Precision Event Timer (HPET)

Disabling HPET in your system can improve Valorant’s performance by reducing latency. To do this, access your BIOS settings and disable HPET, or use Command Prompt with administrative rights to turn it off.

However, this tweak only works for some and may cause stability issues. Test carefully and revert the change if needed. Other optimizations offer better results for most players without altering system settings.

Cooling and Thermal Management

Good cooling keeps your GPU and CPU at safe temperatures while playing Valorant. Ensure your fans are clean and working properly.

Use software like MSI Afterburner to monitor temperatures and adjust fan curves. Consider using thermal paste or upgrading your cooling system if overheating persists.

Playing in a well-ventilated space can also prevent thermal throttling, ensuring smooth performance during intense gaming sessions.

Valorant Using 100 CPU Usage

Valorant may use 100% CPU due to unoptimized in-game settings, background apps, or outdated drivers. This high usage can cause lag or overheating. Adjust settings, close extra apps, and update drivers to lower CPU load and improve performance.

Why Valorant Using 100 CPU Usage?

Valorant might use 100% CPU because of high frame rates, intense graphics, or poorly optimized updates. Background tasks or older hardware also contribute. Fix this by tweaking game settings, turning off extra apps, and ensuring your system meets Valorant’s requirements.

Why is Valorant Using So Much Memory?

Valorant uses more memory to handle high-quality graphics, anti-cheat tools, and system demands. Memory-hungry updates can also increase usage.

Free up RAM by closing background apps and adjusting game settings to reduce unnecessary strain on your system.

How to Make Valorant Use GPU Instead of CPU?

To make Valorant prioritize GPU, change graphics settings in your system and game to “High Performance.” Set Valorant to use your dedicated GPU via your graphics control panel. Also, ensure drivers are updated for better GPU utilization.

Valorant Only Using 30% GPU

Valorant Only Using 30% GPU
Source: Reddit

If Valorant uses only 30% GPU, it could be CPU bottlenecking or low in-game settings—balance settings for better GPU usage. Check your hardware compatibility and adjust the resolution to make Valorant rely more on the GPU.

Valorant Low CPU Usage

Low CPU usage in Valorant often happens if the game relies more on your GPU. To fix this, ensure balanced in-game settings and update your drivers. Close background apps to ensure CPU resources are utilized effectively.

Is Valorant CPU or GPU Intensive?

Valorant is mostly CPU-intensive but also uses the GPU for graphics. Its focus on fast gameplay means the CPU handles processes like game physics and logic while the GPU manages visuals—and balances settings to optimize performance.

High GPU Usage on Valorant

High GPU usage means Valorant is maximizing your graphics card for smoother gameplay. However, it could also signal unoptimized settings. Lower resolution, adjust settings and check for driver updates to balance performance and prevent overheating.

Low GPU Usage in Valorant

Low GPU usage could indicate that your CPU is bottlenecking performance or settings are too low. To fix this, increase in-game graphics settings, enable “High Performance,” and update drivers to ensure better GPU utilization.

Low FPS in Valorant with High GPU Usage

Low FPS with high GPU usage might mean the GPU is overheating or settings are unbalanced. Optimize your in-game settings, clean your GPU, and ensure proper cooling to improve performance without stressing the system.

100% GPU Usage (1070) in Valorant After Windows 11

After upgrading to Windows 11, high GPU usage could result from driver incompatibility or background apps. Update your GPU drivers, tweak power settings, and turn off unnecessary apps to manage resource usage and enhance Valorant’s performance.

Valorant Isn’t Using 100% of Both GPU and CPU

If Valorant isn’t fully using both CPU and GPU, it might not need maximum resources, or there’s a bottleneck. Adjust in-game settings, update drivers, and ensure hardware compatibility for better resource allocation and smooth gameplay.

GPU at 100% Usage When Valorant Is Tabbed In

GPU usage spikes when Valorant is active because it prioritizes smooth graphics. If it overheats, adjust settings or check cooling. Consider reducing background processes and lowering graphical options for better balance when multitasking.

Valorant only uses 30 GPU

If Valorant only uses 30% of your GPU, it might prioritize the CPU. Adjust in-game settings, update drivers, and enable “High Performance” in your GPU settings to improve GPU utilization and gameplay smoothness.

Valorant not using 100 GPU

Valorant may not use 100% GPU if settings are low or the CPU handles most tasks. Increase graphics settings, update drivers, and check for bottlenecks to ensure better GPU performance during gameplay.

How to force Valorant to use GPU

To make Valorant use your GPU, go to your graphics settings and set Valorant to “High Performance.” Update your drivers, turn off integrated graphics, and ensure your GPU is prioritized for running the game smoothly.

Why is my GPU usage so high when playing games

High GPU usage while gaming means your GPU is working hard for performance. This is normal, but overheating isn’t. Adjust settings, ensure good cooling, and update drivers to maintain balance and avoid overheating issues.

Valorant doesn’t use the 90%-100% of my GPU

Valorant doesn't use the 90%-100% of my GPU
Source: Reddit

Valorant might not hit 90%-100% GPU usage due to low graphics settings or a CPU bottleneck. Increase in-game settings, optimize GPU drivers, and ensure the system’s power settings are set for high performance.

Should I be worried if GPU usage is at 100%? I’m hitting 90% constantly on Warzone.

Constant 90%-100% GPU usage is common for demanding games like Warzone. It’s fine if temperatures are stable. Ensure proper cooling, reduce settings slightly, and monitor GPU health to maintain safe performance levels.

(URGENT) Desktop Window Manager Process High GPU Usage

High GPU usage by Desktop Window Manager could mean driver issues or background tasks. Update GPU drivers, turn off transparency effects in Windows settings, and close unnecessary apps to free up resources and lower GPU usage.

FAQs

1. How Much GPU Should Valorant Use?

Valorant typically uses 30%-70% of your GPU. High graphics settings or 144Hz+ monitors might increase this usage during gameplay.

2. Why Is 90% of My GPU Being Used?

90% GPU usage means Valorant demands high performance. Ensure proper cooling, update drivers, and optimize settings to avoid overheating issues.

3. Why Is My GPU Barely Being Used?

Low GPU usage happens if your CPU handles most tasks. Optimize in-game settings and enable “High Performance” for your GPU.

4. Is Valorant GPU Heavy?

Valorant is not very GPU heavy. It prioritizes CPU performance but can still use your GPU for smoother gameplay.

5. Why Is My GPU Performing So Badly?

Poor GPU performance may result from outdated drivers, overheating, or system bottlenecks. Clean your GPU, update drivers, and check settings.

6. How Do I Reduce 100% GPU Usage?

To reduce 100% GPU usage, lower in-game settings, limit frame rates, update drivers, and ensure proper cooling for stability.

7. How Many FPS Can I Get on Valorant?

With decent hardware, you can get 120-300 FPS in Valorant. Lower settings or optimize for competitive play to improve.

8. Why Is My GPU FPS So Low?

Low FPS happens if your GPU is bottlenecked or drivers are outdated. Update drivers and optimize in-game settings to improve.

9. How Do I Make Valorant Use My GPU More?

Set Valorant to “High Performance” in your GPU settings, update drivers, and increase in-game graphics to improve GPU usage.

10. How to Fix Valorant Low GPU Usage on Windows 10/11?

Update your GPU drivers, enable “High Performance,” turn off integrated graphics, and adjust settings to fix Valorant’s low GPU usage.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Valorant’s GPU usage depends on factors such as in-game settings, background processes, and hardware performance. Adjusting graphics settings, updating drivers, and managing system resources can help optimize GPU usage for smoother gameplay and better performance.

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