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Marvel Rivals is a thrilling PVP shooter set in the Marvel Universe, offering high-octane action and a roster of 35 beloved heroes and villains. However, some PC players are experiencing a frustrating issue: their systems are not fully utilizing the GPU. This leads to performance drops, lags, stutters, and other gameplay disruptions.
This guide is here to help. We’ll dive into nine essential fixes that address low GPU usage issues in Marvel Rivals, written in an easy-to-understand description format with important keywords emphasized to make troubleshooting a breeze. Let’s optimize your system and get you back to enjoying the action!
1. Check System Requirements
Before tweaking anything, ensure your system meets the minimum or recommended requirements for Marvel Rivals. If your PC doesn’t meet these specifications, it’s unlikely to perform well, even with all the adjustments.
For minimum requirements, you’ll need Windows 10 64-bit (version 1909 or newer), an Intel Core i5-6600K or AMD Ryzen 5 1600X processor, and 16 GB of RAM. The graphics card must be at least a NVIDIA GTX 1060, AMD RX 580, or Intel Arc A380, with DirectX 12 support. Around 70 GB of storage space is needed, and using an SSD is highly recommended for better performance.
For optimal performance, aim for recommended requirements: an Intel Core i5-10400 or AMD Ryzen 5 5600X processor, paired with a NVIDIA RTX 2060 Super, AMD RX 5700-XT, or Intel Arc A750 GPU. An SSD is essential to reduce load times and eliminate potential stuttering issues.
2. Use a Dedicated Graphics Card
Many systems default to an integrated GPU instead of the dedicated graphics card, which can result in poor performance. To fix this, you need to ensure Marvel Rivals uses your dedicated GPU for processing.
For NVIDIA users, open the NVIDIA Control Panel by right-clicking your desktop. Under 3D Settings, select Manage 3D Settings and switch to the Program Settings tab. Add Marvel Rivals to the program list and choose the High-Performance NVIDIA Processor as the default GPU. Save these changes and restart your system to ensure the game utilizes the correct hardware.
For AMD users, open AMD Radeon Settings from the desktop. Go to System and find Switchable Graphics. Assign Marvel Rivals to the High-Performance GPU. After applying these settings, reboot your PC to confirm the changes.
3. Update GPU Drivers
Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause the game to underutilize your GPU. It’s crucial to keep your GPU drivers up-to-date to ensure optimal performance. Begin by accessing Device Manager through the Win+X menu. Expand the Display Adapters section, right-click on your GPU, and select Update Driver. Choose the Search Automatically for Drivers option to let Windows find the latest version.
If an update isn’t found automatically, you can visit the official website for your GPU manufacturer. For NVIDIA, download the GeForce Experience app to manage driver updates seamlessly. For AMD, visit their website and locate the appropriate driver for your GPU model. After installation, restart your system to apply the new driver.
4. Update Marvel Rivals
Keeping the game patched is vital, as developers often release updates to address bugs and improve performance. If you’re using Steam, go to your Library, find Marvel Rivals, and check for updates. If an update is available, download and install it, then restart your PC to ensure the changes take effect.
For Epic Games Launcher, open the application and navigate to your Library. Click on the three-dot menu next to Marvel Rivals, select Manage, and enable Auto Update. If you prefer, you can also manually check for updates and install them immediately.
5. Verify and Repair Game Files
Sometimes, missing or corrupted game files can cause GPU performance issues. Verifying and repairing the game files ensures everything is intact.
On Steam, go to your Library and right-click on Marvel Rivals. Select Properties, navigate to the Installed Files tab, and click Verify Integrity of Game Files. Steam will scan your files and replace any that are damaged or missing.
For Epic Games Launcher, head to the Library, click the three-dot menu beside Marvel Rivals, and select Verify. Once the verification process is complete, restart your system and relaunch the game.
6. Try Disabling Overlay Apps
Overlay applications like Discord, NVIDIA GeForce Experience, or the Xbox Game Bar can interfere with GPU performance. Disabling them can reduce conflicts and improve overall stability.
For Discord, open the app and click the gear icon at the bottom to access settings. Under App Settings, go to Overlay and turn off the Enable In-Game Overlay option. You should also check the Games tab to ensure overlays are disabled for Marvel Rivals specifically.
To disable the Xbox Game Bar, press Win+I to open Windows Settings. Navigate to Gaming > Game Bar, and toggle off the option to Record Game Clips, Screenshots, and Broadcasts.
In NVIDIA GeForce Experience, open the app, go to Settings, and disable the In-Game Overlay option under the General tab. Restart your PC to apply these changes.
7. Close Background Running Tasks
Background applications can consume valuable system resources, leaving your GPU underutilized for gaming. Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc. Under the Processes tab, identify tasks consuming excessive CPU, GPU, or Memory resources. Right-click on these tasks and select End Task to free up system resources. Once done, restart your system for the best results.
8. Turn Off V-Sync
While V-Sync helps sync the game’s frame rate with your monitor’s refresh rate, it can sometimes cause conflicts or reduce performance.
For NVIDIA users, open the NVIDIA Control Panel, navigate to Manage 3D Settings, and find the Vertical Sync option under the Global Settings tab. Turn it off and click Apply. Restart your PC to confirm the changes.
For AMD users, open the AMD Radeon app and access Global Graphics Settings. Locate the Wait for Vertical Refresh option and set it to Always Off or Enhanced Sync. Apply the settings and restart your system.
9. Disable Raytracing
Raytracing can significantly impact performance, especially on older hardware. Open Marvel Rivals and go to the Settings menu. Under Graphics Options, disable Raytracing by selecting the Performance or Balanced preset. Once done, reboot your PC to apply these changes.
By following these fixes step-by-step, you can resolve GPU-related issues in Marvel Rivals and enjoy smoother gameplay. Tweak these settings based on your hardware capabilities, and don’t forget to keep everything updated for the best experience.
Conclusion
Low GPU usage in Marvel Rivals can be frustrating, but with these fixes, you can optimize your gaming setup and enjoy the full potential of your system. Always ensure your drivers, game files, and hardware settings are configured correctly to avoid performance hiccups.
