Excessive CPU and GPU stress. Code optimization done incorrectly?

User Support Hub Install, Performance & Graphics
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ISSUE DESCRIPTION

Description of the issue:
The CPU and GPU loads are significantly higher than what they usually are in MSFS2020. While every software runs differently and requires varying amounts of resources, there seems to be an issue with MSFS2024.
I have an AIO cooler, and all temperatures are closely monitored. While in MSFS2020 the CPU temps never exceed 65°C, I’ve noticed that this is different in MSFS2024 (75°C). The GPU temps are also higher.

Not only the temperatures but the loads on both the CPU and GPU, when compared to MSFS2020, are much higher. For example, the GPU is maxed out.

I’m not the only one experiencing this, based on the posts I’ve read. So, could you please investigate why this is happening? It’s not only affecting some PCs but also Xbox devices, where there is much less control over the temperatures and how they’re monitored. These devices have been overheating, which could lead to permanent damage.

[PC Only] Did you remove all your community mods/add-ons? If yes, are you still experiencing the issue?

Yes.

FREQUENCY OF ISSUE

How often does this occur for you (Example: Just once, every time on sim load, intermittently)?

Each and every time, but especially when loading free flights.

REPRODUCTION STEPS

Please list clear steps you took in order to help our test team reproduce the same issue:

  1. Double click on the MSFS2024 icon :stuck_out_tongue:

YOUR SETTINGS

If the issue still occurs with no mods and add-ons, please continue to report your issue. If not, please move this post to the User Support Hub.

What peripherals are you using, if relevant:
Not applicable

[PC Only] Are you using Developer Mode or have you made any changes to it?
No

[PC, MSFS 2020 Only] Are you using DX11 or DX12?
DX12 (MSFS2024)

[PC Only] Many issues may be due to an outdated graphics card. Please state your Graphics Card Driver Manufacturer (NVIDIA, Intel, AMD) and Version:

RTX4090. 566.16

[PC Only] What other relevant PC specs can you share?

i9 13th gen, SSD 980PRO, 64GB Ram DDR5 6000mhz, AIO cooling.

MEDIA

Please add a screenshot or video of the issue occurring.

image
image1348×622 87.4 KB

[END OF FIRST USER REPORT]

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1 Like
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The GPU should be maxed out where at all possible*, that’s the whole point of the work Asobo did in reducing the CPU limitations of 2020.

No bug here.

*unless there’s a framerate limit set or vsync etc.

8 Likes
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I understand, and it’s very likely that I didn’t express myself clearly.

My point is that the CPU seems to experience high loads quite frequently when running MSFS2024, but this isn’t the case with MSFS2020. Once again, I acknowledge the fact that some optimizations have been implemented. However, when comparing the loads, I don’t see significant differences between the two versions that would justify the high CPU load -more than usual in MSFS2024-

Moreover, when the sim crashes, the CPU remains under heavy load, and more than 20GB of RAM are still allocated—even when the sim has completely stalled.

This leads me to believe that something might not be functioning as expected. Between the fans and the AIO cooler, my case has 10 fans, so trust me when I say I can hear them when the free flight is loading! :smile:

Cheers, and thanks for your response!

4

Again, This is normal. MSFS 2024 is heavily multithreading, MSFS 2020 isn’t. There is no bug here.

3 Likes
5

Moved to User Support Hub Install, Performance & Graphics since a solution has been marked.

6

Well, sometimes people should be a little more comprehensive to others problems, since there’s no easy answers to hard problems.

Anyway, it’s a problem related by the community over the years, and I’m pretty sure that Asobo did what they could to solve it. However, your GPU usage will probably be reduced if you keep the VSYNC option on. This is properly a trouble, since it’s possible to run the game at 115 FPS, for example, by simply turning VSYNC off. On the other hand, GPU explodes in this config, hitting 100% even in supposed light screens as menus and others.

I believe that it is a trouble, strongly disagree with whoever says it’s not. I’m not a fan of philosophies such as “if there isn’t a solution, so it’s solved”. Let’s be a little more demanding with those who provide us services - specially when you pay for them.

7

I would also say that it is not a bug, and instead will say that you have a very balanced system for MSFS. If both CPU and GPU are maxed out, you have no bottleneck with the settings you have set in MSFS.
It is the same with RAM, I don’t understand it when people say “Program X is using 16GB of my RAM! Why so much? I only have 32GB” What did you buy it for, when it should not be used?

Yes, there is software which uses too much of a ressource for the task it is doing, but in games generally it is favourable if the game is using all available ressource to run as good as possible.

8

On my 13700 I see higher CPU utilization but actually lower temperatures than in 2020.
I think 2020 ran 1-2 cores so high that it was hotspotting whereas 2024 spreads the load across more cores, which run at lower temp and spread heat more evenly across the die. This was a pleasant surprise for me. I also use frame limiting to avoid needless stress on CPU and GPU.

9

Mine has been running fine until today when the CPU fan spun up so high I thought it was going to disintegrate. I shut down the flight and started again. It happened again. After 3 or 4 tries I was able to get a short flight in but the fan was still running quite hard.

MB: GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS ELITE AX
CPU: Intel Core i5-13th 13600KF
GPU: MSI Geforce RTX 4070 Ti Ventus 3X OC D6X 12GB
RAM: G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB 32GB (2 x 16GB)
SSD: (2x) WD_BLACK 2TB SN770 NVMe SSD
PSU: Corsair RM850 2021 80PLUS GOLD
CPU fan: DEEPCOOL AG620 CPU Cooler

10

i run a hard cap on the framerate on my gpu
same aircraft, same scenery, same fps obviously, gpu temp is consistently 10º hotter
i feel there is something else going on here
im curious

11

Mine is warmer too, but I’m getting better FPS because the game runs better. Plus, as long as the temps are safe it doesn’t matter anyway imo. My CPU marginally cooler than it runs under 2020. It’s using a lot less power. It’s averaging in the 60’s and 70’s watts. With 2020 it kept spiking to 125, it’s maximum.

12

In the last couple days the situation improved quite a lot so I guess there was indeed something. I am flagging this topic as solved then.

13

Hey I’m jumping on this topic, I didn’t play MSFS2020, I am playing 2024 with a VR headset, I keep having a crash during the game (last 2 times I had it were on the same mission at the same moment (short final RW36 in Trento, italian alps, I checked on MSI afterburner and I had a huge spike to 100% usage during the crash (but it seems it was 3-4 seconds after it froze) at 2 specific cores (especially core number 3).
If I understand correctly, it’s either because the GPU isn’t my bottleneck (and I’m not sure I understand how to fix this), or there is a specific crash on this approach, but I was also having other issues (which seem more GPU related if it isn’t the game that is just not VR ready for non-NASA PC (I have a 3080ti and an i5-13500))