Troubleshooting Slower GPU Speeds

[Gardenboy]

Hi all,
If a graphics card suddenly starts performing slower than usual, what are the most common causes? Could it be power-related, driver issues, or something else worth checking first?

[machinist]

Hi!
There are a few common things that can cause a sudden drop in graphics card performance:

• Driver issues – Sometimes a new update (or a missing one) can cause problems. Reinstalling or rolling back the driver can help.
• Thermal throttling – If the GPU is overheating due to dust buildup or failing fans, it may slow itself down to stay cool. Checking temps with a tool like HWMonitor or MSI Afterburner can confirm that.
• Power supply issues – A weak or failing PSU might not provide enough power under load, which can affect performance. Loose power connectors can also be a factor.
• Background processes – Something running in the background (like a Windows update or malware) can eat up resources and impact performance.
• PCIe or power cable problems – Reseating the GPU and checking all cables can help rule out connection issues.

Running a quick benchmark or stress test and comparing temps and clock speeds can also give clues. Hope that helps narrow it down!

[Gardenboy]

Thanks! If temps and drivers look fine, what would be the next thing to check?

[machinist]

If temperatures and drivers are fine, the next thing to check would be the power supply. An unstable or underpowered PSU can cause performance drops, especially under load. It's also a good idea to make sure all power connectors to the graphics card are firmly seated.

Background activity is another thing to watch. Certain apps, updates, or even malware running in the background can affect performance without being obvious. Checking the Task Manager for unusual CPU or disk usage can help.

If everything else looks normal, reseating the graphics card and memory modules can help rule out any loose connections. In some cases, motherboard BIOS updates or chipset drivers may also play a role, especially if other hardware changes were made recently.

Running a stress test while monitoring performance and usage stats can often point to the issue more clearly.

[Gardenboy]

Really helpful, thank you! Also, how do you run a stress test, and what should I look for if something’s wrong?

[machinist]

To run a stress test, you can use a free tool like FurMark. It puts heavy load on the GPU and is useful for spotting thermal or stability issues.

While the test is running, keep an eye on:

• GPU temperature – ideally under 85°C. If it climbs much higher, it could point to cooling problems.
• Clock speeds – sudden drops might indicate throttling or power issues.
• Fan behavior – fans should speed up as temps rise.
• Artifacts or crashes – visual glitches or sudden shutdowns are red flags.

Using a monitoring tool like MSI Afterburner alongside it helps track temps and performance in real time. If everything holds steady, it usually means the GPU is in good shape.

[Gardenboy]

Could the issue be tied to RAM or CPU instead of the GPU?

[machinist]

Yes, the slowdown might not be from the graphics card itself. Sometimes the CPU or RAM can be the cause instead. If the processor is old or working too hard, it can hold the graphics card back, especially in tasks that rely heavily on the CPU. Not having enough RAM can also cause problems. When the system runs out of memory, it starts using the hard drive, which is much slower and can make everything lag. Even if you have enough RAM, running too many apps in the background can take up memory and slow things down. Also, if the RAM sticks aren’t set up in dual-channel mode, performance can drop a bit. It’s a good idea to check Task Manager while the slowdown is happening to see if the CPU or memory is maxed out. That can help figure out if the problem is really with the GPU or something else.

[Gardenboy]

Thanks a lot for the help, really appreciate it!