Nvidia capture server using GPU at desktop idle.

[kol12]

I seem to be having a nightmare with Nvidia drivers right now, I installed the latest 375.70 drivers today and then found out all about the new telemetry stuff that is going on. I wasn't particularly happy with the changes so reverted to 372.90.

Back on 372.90 I notice in HWinfo that the GPU is being used by something while idle on the desktop nearly at full clock speed and 50C. I took a guess with it being an Nvidia process so closed them one by one and when closing the Nvidia capture server the GPU fell back to normal.

I use DDU each time I install Nvidia drivers, but I feel something fishy is going on since installing 375.70...

 

[Ralston18]

Perhaps DDU did not do things as you would expect.

You can (or could) figure out more precisely what that "GPU is being used by something" is via Task Manager, Performance Monitor, and Resource Monitor. Some specific process or service. Or confirm some issue with the capture server itself.

I would suggest a download and reinstall of the 375.70 drivers direct from NVIDIA following NVIDIA's installation instructions. Leave DDU out of the installation process.

See if things work out. If not, then use Task Manager etc. to determine (if possible) exactly what process or service is running and taking GPU resources.

Could be that the NVIDIA 375.70 driver has some bug that needs to be addressed and fixed. Check NVIDIA's FAQs and Forums. See if anyone else is reporting similar problems. Or the bug has already been quietly fixed and a new driver download will restore your system to normal.

 

[kol12]

I uninstalled the 375.70 drivers and reverted to the 372.90 drivers and it's these drivers that I discovered the Nvidia Capture Server service consuming high GPU resources at idle. I've disabled the service but am yet to re-enable it to test whether it is still misbehaving. I cannot recall whether the same service was a problem in the 375.70 drivers and would need to install them again. I will post my findings at the Nvidia forums.

 

[Ralston18]

Thanks. Please post findings here as well. Some Tom's Hardware forum participant may spot something that will be helpful.