Always check the cables

So for the past while, I've had weird trouble with my computer. I'm running a dual-monitor setup and my CPU usage was already really high (like 70-80%), even just playing a single game. I'd sometimes get stuttering due to the RAM having to swap to the page file, or slowdowns due to 100% of the CPU being in use, and I always had task manager open to trying to figure out what the problem was. When I saw that Desktop Window Manger had hit 30% CPU usage a few days ago, I looked it up and found out that meant that the CPU was using integrated graphics mode and that's where all the cycles were going. "What?" I said, "Integrated? But I have a RTX 3070? Why is it..." and then I looked it up and I found out that the RTX 3070 has three DisplayPort connectors and a single HDMI connector and both my monitors were plugged in via HDMI. That meant my primary monitor was actually plugged straight into the motherboard, not into the GPU at all. No wonder it was choking.

I fished out the DisplayPort cable, switched the cables around, and now CPU usage in a single game is down to 30%. The fans are a lot quieter too.

Made this post before Shabbat but forgot to actually post it until now. Oops.