Windows 10: i5-3470 utilisation with GTX1050

Hi,
My son has a PC and the CPU hits 100% as soon as he gets into any game

System details are as follows
Asus P8H77-M Pro MOBO (BIOS is current)
i5-3470 3.2GHz
Zotac GeForce GTX1050 2GB
Ballistix Sport 8GB DDR3 1600 MT/s (PC3-12800)
Win 10 Home, 1709 b16299.248

Any idea what's causing the apparent bottleneck as on paper there shouldn't any issues as far as I can tell?
TIA

That is more likely with a 5 yo processor, but it depends on how a game is written. Some use the CPU more than others.
There is always a hardware limitation somewhere in a system and that tends to be the older hardware.

Also after that time servicing is required like cleaning out fans, possibly replacing fans and heatsink compound replacement etc.
Checking on temperatures may reveal something.

Masterchiefxx17 said:

What sort of game?

Games tried are Counter Strike Global Offensive, Fortnite, Overwatch & Players Unknown Battlegrounds

Helmut said:

That is more likely with a 5 yo processor, but it depends on how a game is written. Some use the CPU more than others.
There is always a hardware limitation somewhere in a system and that tends to be the older hardware.

Also after that time servicing is required like cleaning out fans, possibly replacing fans and heatsink compound replacement etc.
Checking on temperatures may reveal something.

When running the game the CPU is 49 deg & the GPU is at 41 deg. Doesn't look too hot
Might be the age of the CPU and/or the game as you say
Perhaps time for new PC :-(

Those temperatures are well within the working range if that is during 100% CPU usage, so that's not a problem.

Settings within any game also affect CPU usage. You can very easily turn up a graphic effect such that CPU usage goes to 100%. The effect may not actually be visible at all in the final images, thus the CPU is doing useless calculations.
There is an awful lot of variables and some degree of skill in choosing the type and degree of calculation and where it is likely to be done.

That amounts to reading up on the various techniques used in producing graphics.
Taking just one say, Anti-Aliasing. There maybe 5 settings within a game but only 2 actually have a visible effect the other 3 just use up CPU or GPU doing useless calculations if set.

CS:GO's CPU taxing but it's not what the i5 3470 cannot handle.

You may try checking your task manager while playing games.

the i5 3470 wont bottleneck the GTX 1050

RoasterMen said:

CS:GO's CPU taxing but it's not what the i5 3470 cannot handle.

You may try checking your task manager while playing games.

the i5 3470 wont bottleneck the GTX 1050

All the games are at lowest graphics settings.
It's using the task manager that I can see 100% CPU utilisation
From what I've read it shouldn't bottleneck as you say :-(

Masterchiefxx17 said:

Are you running all of the latest drivers for your system? Is Windows fully updated?

Yes drivers are at 9.124 and Windows is up to date at 1709 b16299.248 (slow ring)