First off, my hardware:
Intel i7 7700
NVidia GTX 1080
16 GB Memory
Gigabyte Z270-Gaming K3
1TB magnetic drive
The problem:
GPU runs @40% resulting in very poor FPS in games like Dragon Quest XI and Final Fantasy XV. I used MSI Afterburner to test this. However, I tried Furmark benchmark and it does hit 97%, somehow.
Also, I don't know whether related or not, while booting up the system, the dark pre-BIOS screen lingers for 3-4 minutes.
What I have tried so far:
Checked the CPU using burn-in - clean.
Checked the storage using CrystalDiskMark - clean.
Checked CPU temp - max about 80° Celsius. I also renewed the thermal compound.
Please tell me if I can provide more info.