Looks like NMS runs at least a couple of tasks in the background that intensify when the normal runs are less frequent. So in low intensity situations you would basically see a little bit lower graphics card "shader"-drain depending on how complex the scene is. And an increase in bus-traffic and background tasks on the cpu.
So typically the cpu will have something to do pretty much all the time.
Normally, games won't do that - instead you have small bursts of cpu activity once in a while, and then nothing in between. This is why the comical overclocks on certain rigs nowadays actually "work" in practice fairly often. Because what increases the performance is higher burst performance. So if you can sustain that burst for the typical 3 second peak loads you need, then the overclock, practically speaking, really does increase performance.
Because the processor really does perform better up until the point when it hits the max watt-drain and is throttled, or hits max temperature and is throttled. In the same way, a badly cooled processor can also perform perfectly fine with a cold coffee-cup put on top of it.
Basically, if you have an fx hexacore of some sort, and you hit 80 degrees, this is way too high. This should never happen outside some sort of crackling super-clock and while running a linear benchmark that fills all registers continuously or something.
Anyway, so what you want with NMS is basically stable max load. First thing I would do on your rig would be looking at the goop on the cpu, really, because of how the cores have different temps. That's not.. really supposed to happen normally. After that... invest in a good cooler, and plug your cabinet shut, and install a 120mm fan, get a decent draft, etc.
Post edited September 28, 2016 by nipsen