Is this thread still relevant? The emergency update yesterday evening has caused issues. My GPU is typically hovering around the 40% utilisation mark while running FFXIV. After the update it hits 100% the moment I open the game.

I was playing a few hours before the update with no issues at all. I closed the game down and turned off my PC about an hour before the update. I then turned on my PC and updated the game about an hour after the update. After 20 mins of playing I noticed FPS drops and some graphical artefacts typical of GPU overheating. I immediately shut the game down and starting looking to find the issue. GPU utilisation had been at 100% since I loaded the game. I tested several other games - none of them were affected.

Date & Time: Since 8pm GMT 15/02/2019
Frequency: all the time - right from the moment the game opens
World Name: Faerie, Siren, Balmung - yes I tested characters on all these worlds, same result.
Character Name: all characters
Party or Solo: both
In-Game Time: N/A
Area and Coordinates: first noticed there was a problem in uldah - then started checking GPU utilisation.
Steps:
1. After noticing the GPU utilisation I did a clean install of my GPU drivers and rebooted. Logged on to the game - utilisation still at 100%
2. I updated Windows. My system is locked down pretty tight windows cannot update without my giving it permission. Rebooted after updates. Issue persisted.
3. Uninstalled and reinstalled FFXIV. Issue persisted.
4. Changed graphical settings from full screen to windowed, changed resolution, turned settings down. GPU still at 100%

GPU performance change before and after you started having the issue: GPU usage around 40% prior to update, 100% after.

GPU: GTX170 Ti
Driver Version: 418.91 (earlier version as 417.71 experienced the issue with both)
CPU: i7 6700K 4GHz
RAM: 16GB
Hard Drive: Sandisk solid state
OS: Windows 10 64 bit
OS Version: build 1709
Graphics Settings: Running full screen.
FPS Limit: (System Configuration > Display Settings > FPS Limit) 60

I've talked to a FC member this morning who has a very similar PC build to mine. He is having the same issue - GPU utilisation is at 80% on launching the game and quickly climbs to 100%.