Experience extreme stuttering and reduced performance during gaming and various activities.
Experience extreme stuttering and reduced performance during gaming and various activities.
My PC has been progressively slowing down. In games, my actions take longer to respond (not due to network problems; the machine is just slow and laggy), and the game becomes so choppy that I’m frozen on a single frame while my FPS counter displays over 100 frames per second. Even when the game isn’t stuttering, 100+ frames doesn’t feel like a full frame; it just feels closer to 30.
My system details:
i7 8700k non-OC
GTX 1080ti
16GB 3600mhz RAM (1.45v)
240GB Sandisk SSD (Windows boot drive + games)
2TB WD Blue HDD 5400rpm (storage—photos, videos, etc.)
Asus strix z390F Mobo
H100i v2 AIO
Initially, I assumed the CPU was overheating, but during stuttering periods my temperatures stayed between 70-80°C. The GPU temperature hovered around 79-93°C—still within normal ranges, though a bit high. I’ve tried slightly reducing the GPU temperature to see if it would stop the stuttering, but it didn’t work.
I also recently cleared all dust, replaced old thermal paste on both the GPU and CPU, but nothing changed.
I mostly play Marvel Rivals, which isn’t very optimized. I keep the settings low for textures and mode detail except when necessary. My average FPS is around 110, but it still feels like only about 30. My friend uses a mini PC with built-in graphics and is more stable than mine.
All games and applications run smoothly on the SSD. The last BIOS check showed my SSD wasn’t listed in boot options or priority, but it still boots and accesses the drive without issues. I haven’t updated the BIOS. GPU drivers are current. I’m not sure what else to try.
If anyone has suggestions on how to restore my PC to its former performance, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks!
I didn't specify the make and model of your PSU, nor its age.
My maximum temperatures ranged from 70 to 80 degrees. The GPU temperature during stuttering was about 79 to 93 degrees. These values seem acceptable—just a bit high but not alarming?
What is the model of your case? How many fans does it have? Where is the AIO installed?
I mainly play Marvel Rivals, which isn't very optimized.
Have you run the system with other games besides Marvel Rivals?
Did you never update the BIOS?
What is the BIOS version for your motherboard?
Are the GPU drivers current?
Do you use DDU and manually install the latest GPU drivers via an elevated command?
I have a 240GB Sandisk SSD (Windows boot drive + games).
What is the type of your SSD? It would be helpful to know the firmware version as well.
You forgot to mention the make and model of your PSU; include it's age as well.
I had recently updated my PSU after my old one failed after 9 years. Its now a Corsair RM750e 750W PSU, and its about 1 year old.
Make a model of your case. Number of fans in your case? How is the AIO mounted in your case?
NZXT S340. 120mm rear exhaust fan, and a 240mm exhaust fan on the roof. The 2 standard fans that came with the AIO were placed at the front as intake. AIO is mounted at the front vertically so that the tubes exiting the radiator are at the top of the case. Fans are placed in front of the radiator so that they are pushing air through the radiator and into the case.
Have you taxed the system with other titles besides Marvel Rivals?
Yes, same issue as well. Just really poor sluggish and delayed performance even when on desktop opening files, browsing, etc. I've tried running Cinebench's standard CPU test, and it takes 10 minutes for it to complete with a score of 400 points total (from the leaderboard of comparing CPUs,
<Mod Edit>
Mac processors are shown to be running miles faster than mine). Temps while running Cinebench are in the 87-95 range.
BIOS version for your motherboard?
Version 2.20.1271.
Using DDU, then manually installing the latest GPU drivers in an elevated command?
No, this wasn't done. Originally installed from the NVIDIA website until it prompted me to download the GeForce Experience; from then on, all graphics drivers were installed from there.
What is the model of your SSD? It would be a good idea to also see what your firmware for the SSD is at this moment of time.
SanDisk SDSSDA240G. What do you mean by firmware for the SSD?
I should also mention that my PC has been so slow that it would take 10 minutes to shut down or restart. So every time I go to turn the PC off, its faster for me to just flip the switch at the back of the PSU. Im not sure if this is harmful, but it takes so long to shut down. I just get the little blue spinning dots saying "shutting down...". But, no issues with turning the PC on.
Also, I tried overclocking my CPU to see if performance improves, but when getting the i7 8700k to 5 GHz, as soon as I click start in the standard OCCT stress test, temps jump to 100 and the PC crashes (not bluescreen, just desktop freezes and needing to manually shutdown and reboot). I tried a slower clock with lower voltage and still jumps to 100 and crashes.
BIOS settings are set to default.
Thanks for your reply! I appreciate the help.
What is the age of your H100i v2 AIO? The rapid temperature rise to 100 degrees Celsius suggests a cooling problem. It might be the AIO pump that's malfunctioning, which is typical for this type of device.
Oh yeah, it's starting to feel old. I wasn't really thinking about it before. It's about 3 to 5 years along. I don't recall the exact date; it was an upgrade from the Hyper 212 evo. It's like my memory just got cleared.