Baldur's Gate 3 High CPU Usage - 2025 Best Settings Guide!

Hey there, fellow adventurer! If you’re diving into Baldur’s Gate 3, you’ve probably noticed your CPU working harder than a dwarf in a mine.

Baldur’s Gate 3 often uses 60-100% CPU due to its demanding NPC and movement processing. To fix high CPU usage, lower settings, switch to Vulkan, close apps, or set lower priority in Task Manager.

So, I’ve compiled this guide to determine why BG3 is so demanding and how to fix it. Let’s tame that CPU beast and get back to saving Faerûn, yeah?

Table of Contents

Why Does Baldur’s Gate 3 Cause High CPU Usage?

High CPU usage in Baldur’s Gate 3 isn’t a random glitch—it’s a symptom of the game’s ambitious design meeting the limits of modern hardware and software optimization. Here are the primary reasons behind this issue:

1. A CPU-Intensive Game Engine

Baldur’s Gate 3 runs on Larian’s Divinity 4.0 engine, heavily modified to accommodate the game’s sprawling open world, real-time physics, and complex AI. Unlike many modern titles that offload work to the GPU, BG3 leans heavily on the CPU for tasks like:

NPC Behavior: Every citizen, enemy, and companion has unique scripting, pathfinding, and interactions, all processed by the CPU.
Real-Time Calculations: The CPU handles various computations in each frame, from combat mechanics to environmental effects.
Act 3 Density: The titular city of Baldur’s Gate in Act 3 is notorious for its high NPC count and intricate geometry, pushing CPU usage to 60–100% even on high-end rigs.

2. Unoptimized Code (At Times)

While Larian has done an admirable job optimizing BG3, some players report that specific patches or areas—like Act 3’s Lower City—reveal unoptimized code.

This inefficiency forces the CPU to work harder than necessary, spiking usage and causing performance dips.

3. High Graphical Settings

Although graphics are primarily GPU-driven, BG3’s detailed textures, shadows, and lighting can indirectly strain the CPU.

High settings increase draw calls (instructions sent from the CPU to the GPU), especially if your GPU struggles to keep up, leaving the CPU to pick up the slack.

4. Background Processes and System Bottlenecks

Running BG3 alongside resource-hogging apps (e.g., browsers with 20 tabs, Discord, or antivirus scans) can exacerbate CPU usage.

Older hardware or outdated drivers may also fail to distribute workloads efficiently, amplifying the problem.

5. Mods and Custom Content

The BG3 modding community is thriving, but mods can be a double-edged sword. Poorly optimized or conflicting mods—like those adding new NPCs or scripts—can significantly increase CPU demand, leading to bottlenecks.

How High CPU Usage Affects Your Gameplay

When your CPU is maxed out, Baldur’s Gate 3 doesn’t just slow down—it becomes a frustrating experience. Here’s what you might notice:

Stuttering and Lag: Frame times spike, causing choppy movement and delayed inputs, especially in crowded areas like Baldur’s Gate City.
Overheating: A CPU running at 80–100% generates excess heat, potentially triggering thermal throttling or system shutdowns.
Crashes: Overloaded CPUs can’t meet BG3’s demands, leading to freezes or outright crashes.
Reduced Battery Life: High CPU usage drains power fast for laptop players, cutting playtime short.

For example, Digital Foundry’s analysis of Act 3 revealed that even a high-end Intel Core i9-12900K dropped 20% in performance when moving through dense areas.

At the same time, mid-range CPUs like the Ryzen 5 3600 struggled to maintain 30 FPS with erratic frame times. This isn’t just a “low-end PC” problem—it’s a design challenge affecting many systems.

Minimum and Recommended System Requirements

Before diving into fixes, let’s ensure your rig meets BG3’s needs. Larian Studios provides these specs:

1. Minimum Requirements

OS: Windows 10 64-bit
CPU: Intel Core i5-4690 / AMD FX-8350
RAM: 8 GB
GPU: NVIDIA GTX 970 / AMD Radeon RX 480
Storage: 150 GB SSD (HDD technically works but causes hitching)

2. Recommended Requirements

OS: Windows 10 64-bit
CPU: Intel Core i7-8700K / AMD Ryzen 5 3600
RAM: 16 GB
GPU: NVIDIA RTX 2060 Super / AMD RX 5700 XT
Storage: 150 GB SSD

High usage is inevitable if your CPU falls below the minimum (e.g., an older quad-core). Even recommended specs can hit 100% in Act 3, suggesting optimization—not just hardware—is key.

How to Fix Baldur’s Gate 3 High CPU Usage: 10 Proven Solutions

Let’s get to the good stuff: actionable fixes to tame that CPU beast. Try these in order, testing performance after each step.

1. Lower In-Game Graphics Settings

High settings don’t just tax your GPU—they increase CPU load through draw calls. Adjust these in BG3’s Video Settings:

Shadow Quality: Drop to Low or Medium (biggest CPU saver).
Texture Quality: Set to Medium.
Model Quality: Medium or Low.
Dynamic Crowds: Disable to reduce NPC processing.
FPS Cap: Limit to 60 FPS to ease CPU strain.

Why It Works: Fewer graphical demands mean fewer CPU processing instructions, especially in Act 3.

2. Switch Between DirectX 11 and Vulkan

BG3 offers two rendering APIs: DirectX 11 (DX11) and Vulkan. Vulkan is designed for better CPU efficiency, but some players report that DX11 performs better on their systems.

How to Switch: Select your preferred API in the launcher before starting the game.
Test Both: Launch BG3 with each, monitor CPU usage (via Task Manager or MSI Afterburner) and stick with the smoother option.

Why It Works: API compatibility varies by hardware—Vulkan may offload work from the CPU on AMD systems, while DX11 might stabilize older Intel setups.

3. Update Your Drivers

Outdated GPU and CPU drivers can cause inefficient resource use. Here’s how to update:

NVIDIA: Use GeForce Experience or download from NVIDIA’s site.
AMD: Use Radeon Software or AMD’s website.
Windows: Run Windows Update for chipset drivers.

Why It Works: Updated drivers optimize communication between hardware and BG3, reducing unnecessary CPU load.

4. Clear the Level Cache

Corrupted cache files can spike CPU usage. Clear them out:

Path: %LocalAppData%\Larian Studios\Baldur’s Gate 3\LevelCache
Steps: Delete all contents, restart your PC, and launch BG3.

Why It Works: Fresh cache rebuilding prevents the CPU from wrestling with buggy data.

5. Close Background Applications

Free up CPU resources by shutting down non-essential programs:

Open Task Manager: Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
Check Processes: End tasks like Chrome, Discord, or antivirus scans (temporarily).

Why It Works: More CPU headroom means BG3 runs smoother without competition.

6. Adjust Power Settings

Windows’ “Balanced” power plan can throttle CPU performance. Switch to High Performance:

Steps: Settings > System > Power & Sleep > Additional Power Settings > High Performance.

Why It Works: Unlocks your CPU’s full potential, reducing bottlenecks.

7. Set CPU Affinity

Limit BG3 to specific cores to prevent overloading:

Task Manager: Right-click BG3.exe > Set Affinity > Uncheck cores beyond 0–3.
Restart: Relaunch the game.

Why It Works: Forces BG3 to use fewer cores efficiently, avoiding system-wide strain.

8. Roll Back or Reinstall GPU Drivers

If CPU usage spiked after a driver update, revert to an older version:

NVIDIA/AMD: Use their software to roll back or clean-install via Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU).

Why It Works: Stable drivers can restore balanced CPU-GPU workloads.

9. Verify Game Files

Corrupted files can cause performance issues:

Steam: Library > Right-click BG3 > Properties > Installed Files > Verify Integrity.
Reinstall: If problems persist, uninstall and reinstall BG3.

Why It Works: Ensures the game runs as intended, minimizing CPU hiccups.

10. Upgrade Your Hardware

If all else fails and your CPU is below recommended specs, consider an upgrade:

Budget Option: Ryzen 5 5600X ($150) or Intel Core i5-12400F ($130).
Cooling: Ensure proper airflow or upgrade your cooler to handle sustained loads.

Why It Works: Modern CPUs with higher core counts and better IPC (instructions per cycle) handle BG3’s demands effortlessly.

Advanced Tips for Tech-Savvy Players

For those comfortable tweaking deeper settings, these advanced techniques can further optimize Baldur’s Gate 3 performance and reduce CPU strain:

Undervolt Your CPU: Reduce voltage using tools like ThrottleStop (Intel) or AMD Ryzen Master to lower heat and power draw while maintaining performance. Aim for a 50–100 mV reduction, testing stability with BG3.
Overclock (Cautiously): Boost your CPU’s clock speed for extra power if your cooling supports it—e.g., push a Ryzen 5 5600X from 3.7 GHz to 4.2 GHz. Monitor temps (keep below 85°C) with HWMonitor.
Disable Hyper-Threading/SMT: On Intel (Hyper-Threading) or AMD (Simultaneous Multithreading) CPUs, disable this in BIOS to reduce core juggling. This can stabilize frame times in CPU-heavy areas like Act 3.

Baldur’s Gate 3 CPU Spike

Hey, BG3 can make your CPU spike like crazy! It’s usually from tons of NPCs and calculations in big areas like Act 3. Lowering settings or closing apps helps calm it down so you can play smoothly.

Best CPU for Baldur’s Gate 3

Want the best CPU for BG3? Go for something like a Ryzen 5 5600X or Intel i5-12400F. They have strong cores and handle the game’s heavy load, avoiding lag even in busy fights.

100% Spike in CPU Usage

Seeing a 100% CPU spike in BG3? The game pushes your processor to the max with NPCs and effects. Close extra apps or tweak settings to give it some room to breathe.

BG3 CPU Optimization

Optimizing BG3 for your CPU is easy! Drop shadows and crowd settings, switch to Vulkan, and update drivers. It’s like giving your CPU a breather so it doesn’t sweat too much while you explore Faerûn.

Why is Baldur’s Gate 3 So Demanding?

BG3 is demanding because it’s enormous! Tons of characters, physics, and details all hit your CPU hard. It’s like the game’s asking your PC to juggle a million things simultaneously—pretty epic but tough!

Baldur’s Gate 3 Multithreading

BG3 uses multithreading, so it spreads work across your CPU cores. That’s great for modern PCs, but older ones might struggle. Turning off Hyper-Threading can help if things get choppy in busy spots.

Is Baldur’s Gate 3 CPU or GPU Intensive?

BG3 leans more on your CPU than GPU. It’s busy with AI and game logic, not just fancy graphics. So, a strong CPU matters more, though a good GPU still helps with visuals.

Baldur’s Gate 3 Analysis of Stutters and CPU Bottleneck

Stutters in BG3? Blame CPU bottlenecks! Crowded areas like Act 3 overwork it, causing lag. Lower settings or cap FPS to ease the strain—your CPU will thank you, and gameplay gets smoother.

CPU Usage at 100%, but GPU and RAM Usage Are Low

If your CPU’s at 100% but GPU and RAM chill, BG3’s overloading your processor with tasks. Lower crowd density or switch APIs—your CPU’s doing all the heavy lifting here, poor thing!

Low GPU/High CPU Usage

Low GPU but high CPU usage? BG3’s more about brainpower than graphics power. NPC actions and math hog the CPU. Drop settings or upgrade your processor to balance things out better.

How to Lower CPU Temp?

Hot CPU from BG3? Lower game settings, clean your PC’s fans or add a better cooler. Undervolting helps, too—it’s like giving your CPU a cool drink so it doesn’t overheat.

Baldur’s Gate 3 100% SSD Usage Causing Freezing

BG3 freezing with 100% SSD usage? It’s loading too much at once. Move it to a faster SSD or clear space—your drive’s choking and everything’s stalling mid-game.

FAQs

1. Why is Baldur’s Gate 3 Using So Much CPU?

BG3 uses tons of CPU because it’s packed with NPCs and calculations. It’s like your PC’s brain is working overtime!

2. How Many CPU Cores Does Baldur’s Gate 3 Use?

BG3 spreads work across all your CPU cores—usually 4 to 8. More cores help, especially in busy Act 3!

3. Why is 100% of My CPU Being Used?

Your CPU hits 100% because BG3’s throwing tons of tasks at it. Crowds and fights make it sweat hard!

4. Is Baldur’s Gate 3 Demanding on PC?

Yeah, BG3’s tough on PCs! It needs a strong CPU for all the characters and action—pretty intense!

5. How Do I Stop Games from Using 100% CPU?

To stop 100% CPU use, lower BG3 settings, close apps, or cap FPS. Give your CPU some chill time!

Conclusion

BG3’s a beast, but high CPU usage doesn’t have to ruin your adventure! Tweak settings, update drivers, or upgrade your rig to keep Faerûn flowing smoothly. Now, slay some mind flayers—your CPU’s got this!