Irratic CPU use

Hi SF> I'm Greg, eleven years awarded MVP, Volunteer Moderator, and Independent Advisor here to help you until this is resolved.

Fixes for low FPS in games:
https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/fix-low-game-fps-...
https://windowsreport.com/low-fps-pc-fix/ (Avoid ad links which intrude into editorial copy, especially avoid Restoro ad)
http://blog.logicalincrements.com/2014/06/frame...

Fixes for high CPU usage:
https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/fix-high-cpu-usag...
https://www.kapilarya.com/fix-windows-10-high-c...
https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/gaming/...

Games Fixes:

1) Check for game Updates in MS Store Hub (three dots at top right of Store app) > Downloads & Updates.

2) Run the MS Store apps troubleshooter at Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.

3) Try to Reset or Repair the game in Windows Settings > Apps > Apps & Features > [Name of game] > Advanced Options > Reset or Repair. Restart PC.

4) If that's not enough then uninstall the game from the same place, restart PC, reinstall the game from MS Store Hub (three dots at top right of Store app) > My Library.

5) If the above steps don't help then go over this checklist to make sure the install is set up correctly, optimized for best performance, and any needed repairs get done: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Start with Step 4 to turn off Startup freeloaders which can conflict and cause issues, then Step 7 to check for infection the most thorough way, then step 10 to check for damaged System Files, and also Step 16 to test a new Local Admin account. Then continue with the other steps to go over your install most thoroughly.

6) Update your drivers and BIOS/UEFI firmware from PC or motherboard maker's Support Downloads web page, using the full model number, Serial Number or Dell Service Tag on sticker. Compare the latest drivers available for download with the ones presently installed in Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start button. Make sure you have the latest BIOS or UEFI firmware, Chipset, Display (Video), Sound, USB3, Bluetooth, Network and all other drivers, or else download and install the latest now.

Updating drivers from the Device Manager or Windows Update is rarely enough. The most basic thing we need to learn to maintain a PC is keep the latest manufacturer's drivers installed from their Support Downloads web page.

7) If nothing else works then do a Repair Install, by installing Media Creation Tool, open tool and choose to Upgrade Now. This reinstalls Windows while keeping files, programs and most settings in place, is the most stable method to advance to the latest version, and solves most problems. https://www.microsoft.com/en-US/software-downlo...

8) Stress test the hardware
https://techguided.com/best-tools-to-stress-tes...
https://www.lifewire.com/free-hard-drive-testin...


I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and keep me posted. If you'll wait to rate whether my post resolved your problem, I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

______________________________________________
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Some games are a bit more cpu intensive than others, and cpu use can vary depending on what is going on in the game.

What brand and model cpu and graphics processor does your machine use ?

An interesting potential side effect of using all low graphics settings when trying to increase frame rates on a machine with

low a low end gpu is the processing will sometimes  shift from gpu to cpu. 

When a game loads an area cpu use can also increase dramatically.

I have a ryzen5 cpu with a radeon rx 5500xt gpu

- Have you followed Greg's suggestions yet (at least as far a step 6) ?

All drivers (graphics and motherboard) are up to date and no other tasks are using a lot of cpu ?

- Is your AMD gpu running at or near 100% when running ARK, and is ARK the only game you are having the problem with ?

If other games are running well do they have similar system requirements to ARK ?

You can monitor gpu use, and other parameters such as  temps  with  -  GPU-Z Video card GPU Information Utility

- What resolution are you using in the game, and have you experimented with different in game graphics settings ?