Why Does Valorant Take so Much CPU?

Valorant, the popular first-person shooter game developed by Riot Games, has taken the gaming world by storm since its release in 2020. With its fast-paced gameplay and competitive nature, it has quickly gained a large player base. However, many players have reported experiencing high CPU usage while playing Valorant, which can lead to performance issues and even crashes. This raises the question: why does valorant take so much cpu?

In this article, we will delve into the various factors that contribute to Valorant’s high CPU usage and provide tips on how to optimize your system for a smoother gaming experience.

Understanding Valorant’s CPU Usage

Before we dive into the specifics of why Valorant takes up so much CPU, it is important to understand what exactly CPU usage means and how it affects your gaming experience. CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the brain of your computer, responsible for executing instructions and performing calculations for all tasks, including running games. When a game like Valorant uses a high percentage of your CPU, it means that the game is demanding a lot of processing power from your computer.

High CPU usage can result in lag, stuttering, and even crashes, as your computer struggles to keep up with the demands of the game. It is especially crucial for competitive gamers to have a smooth and consistent gaming experience, as any performance issues can greatly impact their gameplay. Therefore, it is essential to identify the reasons behind Valorant’s high CPU usage and find ways to optimize it for better performance.

Hardware Requirements and Optimization

The first step in understanding Valorant’s high CPU usage is to look at the game’s hardware requirements. According to Riot Games, the minimum required CPU for Valorant is an Intel Core i3-370M or AMD Phenom II X4 965. However, these are just the minimum requirements, and for optimal performance, a more powerful CPU is recommended. The recommended CPUs for Valorant are Intel Core i5-4460 or AMD FX-9590.

If your computer does not meet the recommended requirements, it is likely that you will experience high CPU usage while playing Valorant. In this case, upgrading your CPU may be necessary to improve your gaming experience. However, if your computer meets the recommended requirements, but you are still experiencing high CPU usage, there are other factors to consider.

Overclocking

Overclocking is a process of increasing the clock speed of your CPU to make it run faster than its default speed. While overclocking can provide a performance boost, it also puts a strain on your CPU, resulting in higher temperatures and increased power consumption. This can lead to high CPU usage while playing games like Valorant.

If you have overclocked your CPU, it is recommended to revert it to its default settings and see if it improves your gaming experience. If you want to continue overclocking, make sure to monitor your CPU’s temperature and voltage to avoid any potential issues.

Cooling System

Another factor that can contribute to high CPU usage in Valorant is an inadequate cooling system. When your CPU runs at high temperatures, it can cause thermal throttling, which reduces the CPU’s performance to prevent overheating. This can result in lower FPS (frames per second) and overall poor gaming experience.

To avoid thermal throttling, make sure that your CPU is adequately cooled. This can be achieved by regularly cleaning your computer’s fans and vents, ensuring proper airflow, and using a good quality CPU cooler. Additionally, investing in a liquid cooling system can significantly reduce your CPU’s temperature and improve its performance.

Identifying Specific Reasons for High CPU Usage

Now that we have covered the hardware aspect of Valorant’s high CPU usage, let’s look at some specific reasons that can contribute to it.

Game Settings

One of the most common reasons for high CPU usage in Valorant is the game’s graphics settings. The higher the graphics settings, the more demanding it is on your CPU and GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). Therefore, if you are experiencing high CPU usage, try lowering your graphics settings and see if it improves your performance.

Additionally, make sure to turn off any unnecessary features such as anti-aliasing, V-sync, and ambient occlusion, as they can also put a strain on your CPU. It is recommended to experiment with different settings to find the right balance between performance and visual quality.

In-game Overlays

In-game overlays, such as Discord or Nvidia GeForce Experience, can also contribute to high CPU usage in Valorant. These overlays constantly run in the background, using up valuable processing power. If you have multiple overlays running while playing Valorant, it can significantly impact your CPU usage.

To reduce CPU usage, it is recommended to disable any unnecessary in-game overlays. You can also try using third-party software, such as Razer Cortex, to manage your game’s overlays and optimize your system’s performance.

Troubleshooting Common Valorant CPU Issues

If you are still experiencing high CPU usage in Valorant after optimizing your hardware and in-game settings, there may be other underlying issues that need to be addressed. Here are some common problems that can cause high CPU usage in Valorant and how to troubleshoot them.

Outdated Drivers

Outdated drivers, especially graphics card drivers, can cause high CPU usage in games like Valorant. Make sure to regularly check for updates for all your drivers and install them to ensure optimal performance. You can use third-party software, such as Driver Booster, to scan for outdated drivers and update them automatically.

Background Processes

Background processes running on your computer can also contribute to high CPU usage in Valorant. These processes can range from antivirus scans to software updates and can significantly impact your gaming experience. To reduce CPU usage, it is recommended to close any unnecessary programs and processes before launching Valorant.

You can also use the Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (Mac) to identify which processes are using the most CPU and end them if necessary. Additionally, disabling any startup programs that you do not need can also help reduce CPU usage.

Malware and Viruses

Malware and viruses can also cause high CPU usage in Valorant. These malicious programs can run in the background, using up valuable processing power and affecting your gaming performance. It is crucial to regularly scan your computer for malware and viruses and remove them using antivirus software.

Impact of Background Processes on Valorant Performance

As mentioned earlier, background processes can significantly impact Valorant’s CPU usage and overall performance. In this section, we will discuss some common background processes that can affect your gaming experience and how to manage them.

Antivirus Software

Antivirus software is essential for protecting your computer from malware and viruses. However, these programs can also consume a significant amount of CPU while running scans or performing real-time protection. This can result in high CPU usage and affect your gaming experience.

To reduce the impact of antivirus software on Valorant’s performance, you can schedule scans during off-peak hours or temporarily disable real-time protection while playing. Just make sure to re-enable it once you are done gaming to ensure your computer’s security.

Windows Updates

Windows updates are necessary for keeping your computer secure and up-to-date. However, these updates can also cause high CPU usage, especially when they are being downloaded and installed in the background. If you are experiencing high CPU usage while playing Valorant, it may be due to a pending Windows update.

To avoid interruptions during gameplay, it is recommended to schedule Windows updates during off-peak hours or manually check for updates before launching Valorant. You can also disable automatic updates and manually install them at a convenient time.

Other Software Updates

Apart from Windows updates, other software updates can also cause high CPU usage in Valorant. This includes game updates, driver updates, and even browser updates. It is essential to keep all your software up-to-date for optimal performance, but it is recommended to schedule these updates during off-peak hours to avoid any interruptions while gaming.

Optimizing Valorant Settings for CPU Performance

Now that we have covered the various factors that contribute to high CPU usage in Valorant let’s look at some specific settings within the game that can help optimize its performance.

Limit FPS (Frames Per Second)

Limiting your FPS in Valorant can significantly reduce your CPU usage. By default, Valorant has an uncapped FPS, which means that it will use as much processing power as possible to achieve the highest FPS. However, this can put a strain on your CPU, resulting in high usage.

To limit your FPS, go to the in-game settings and enable the “Limit FPS” option. You can experiment with different FPS limits to find the right balance between performance and visual quality.

Multithreaded Rendering

Multithreaded rendering is a feature that allows games to utilize multiple cores of your CPU for better performance. However, this feature is not available in Valorant, and enabling it can actually result in higher CPU usage. If you are experiencing high CPU usage, it is recommended to disable multithreaded rendering in the game’s settings.

Disable Fullscreen Optimization

Fullscreen optimization is a Windows feature that is designed to improve the performance of games by optimizing their display. However, this feature can sometimes cause issues, including high CPU usage in Valorant. To disable fullscreen optimization, right-click on the Valorant shortcut and go to Properties > Compatibility tab > check “Disable fullscreen optimizations.”

Advanced Techniques for Reducing Valorant CPU Usage

If you have tried all the above methods and are still experiencing high CPU usage in Valorant, there are some advanced techniques that you can try to further optimize your system.

Affinity Settings

Affinity settings allow you to specify which cores of your CPU a particular program can use. By default, Valorant uses all available cores, but you can manually set it to use fewer cores to reduce CPU usage. To do this, launch Valorant, open the Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), right-click on Valorant.exe, and go to Set Affinity. Here, you can uncheck the cores that you want Valorant to use.

It is recommended to experiment with different affinity settings to find the optimal configuration for your system.

Priority Settings

Priority settings determine how much processing power a program gets from your CPU. By default, Valorant runs at “Normal” priority, but you can change it to “High” or “Realtime” to give it more CPU resources. However, setting it to “Realtime” can cause issues with other programs, so it is recommended to stick with “High.”

To change the priority settings, follow the same steps as above, but instead of Set Affinity, choose “Set Priority.”

Potential Causes Beyond Hardware and Software

If you have exhausted all the options mentioned above and are still experiencing high CPU usage in Valorant, there may be other underlying causes that need to be addressed. These include:

• Faulty hardware, such as a malfunctioning CPU or RAM
• Overheating due to inadequate cooling
• Power supply issues
• Corrupted game files

If you suspect any of these issues, it is recommended to seek professional help to diagnose and fix the problem.

Benchmarking and Diagnosing Performance Bottlenecks

Benchmarking is a process of testing your computer’s performance by running specific tests and comparing the results to other systems. This can help identify any performance bottlenecks and determine which components need to be upgraded.

There are many benchmarking tools available, such as 3DMark and UserBenchmark, that you can use to test your system’s performance. These tools provide detailed reports and recommendations for improving your system’s performance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Valorant’s high CPU usage can be attributed to a combination of factors, including hardware requirements, game settings, background processes, and potential underlying issues. By understanding these factors and implementing the tips mentioned in this article, you can optimize your system for better performance while playing Valorant.

It is also recommended to regularly monitor your system’s temperature and usage to identify any potential issues and address them promptly. With the right hardware and software optimization, you can enjoy a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience in Valorant.