Windows 7: GTA 4 Not using GPU properly

Hello i just installed GTA 4 and i found it that it does not use the GPU properly


When i am inside a interior he uses like 30% of my GPU(Video card) and the game runs perfect but when i got outside a interior the game uses 0% of my GPU and 100% of my CPU....


This is causing a mayor lag to my game its olmost like the video card wants the CPU to do his calculations instead of letting his own GPU do the those calculations.

So is there a hotfix for this ??

PS When i play other games the GPU Works at 100% and the other games runs perfect (for example Assassins Creed)

So i don't think my GPU is malfunctioning.

I'm using a Q9400 @ 2,66 GHZ with a ATI HD RADEON 4890 with the newest Catalyst (ATI DRIVERS)



Thank you for your time and efford

Its down to how the game was programmed, if I remember correctly GTA4 is a CPU heavy game. I agree with you about your GPU. It's not broken. You could try overclocking your CPU but that's another story for another day.

So basicly GTA IV is a game that comepletely ignores GPU's so the game is only playable with a Core I7 ?

Its playable on any system just poorly programed to use high powered GPUs. Manly you would have to cut down the settings instead of everything being on MAX at 1600x1400 run it at MED 1240x1020. The screen size is just an example you might have to play with it abit. I have always felt the PC version of GTA IV was a quick very poor console port, just to keep the PC fans happy. The only thing i can suggest is the cut the setting and make sure you have all the newest drivers loaded along with shutting down any other unneeded background task.

The problem is the FPS gain from Everything high to everything low and 1680x1050 to 800x600 is only like 5 FPS

I only get 25 - 30 fps on my system

Hmm you overclocked your CPU ?
If you do do you need better cooling since i only got the standard

Pretty much. Plays perfectley on my mate's Core i7, max everything and 60fps. I do that on mine and I get about 15-20 fps.

Still then i should get more than 15-20 since i have a Core 2 Quad and you got a Core 2 Dual

On just about every new game, my system plays it well enough and smooth. Usually on high or highest settings. GTAIV completely owns my system and runs at less than 10 fps. Poor coding for sure. I've seen places on the net that show you how to tweak rendering and that promise to up framerates while actually making the game look better. I haven't bothered. Google it and you may find what I have. I remember there was even a video about this on Youtube.