Game input and display delays can affect performance.
Game input and display delays can affect performance.
Here’s a revised version of your text with varied wording and structure:
The situation hasn’t fully settled on whether the issue stems from input lag or something else. Based on my tests, it seems more like inconsistency could be involved. I mainly play Destiny 2, and I’ve noticed delays in input and display. This has been present since I upgraded my PC in late 2019—my first build. When I installed CS:GO during troubleshooting, the lag showed up there too, and most of what follows applies to it as well. The best way to describe it is that VSync feels inconsistent. My mouse seems heavier, and other players seem to react faster (my reaction time is around 180ms, per Aimtastic). This makes precision weapons extremely challenging on moving targets—pre-firing every shot is necessary. Even predictable targets become tough because I have to pre-fire shots.
I noticed the lag disappeared when I booted up my PC and started a PvP match, with all FPS caps off, G-Sync enabled, Destiny set to Real-time priority in Task Manager, and a custom resolution on Windows (refresh rate at 120Hz). The game ran smoothly, and aiming felt natural. However, without G-Sync or priority set to Real-time/High, the lag returned quickly. Restarting after a few minutes and following those steps usually resolved it.
Without G-Sync and most of the time without priority settings, the lag persisted. I disabled fullscreen optimizations (with custom resolution), turned off Instant Replay, and adjusted settings like resolution, polling rate, and frame timing. Removing the lag only worked when G-Sync was active. Disabling fullscreen optimizations helped, but not completely.
I also tried disabling GeForce Experience Instant Replay, which reduced some 'micro stutter' (144fps felt choppy). Turning off overlays, Xbox features, and using a custom resolution with G-Sync made the game run better. Disabling fullscreen and removing the 75Hz monitor helped too.
Other changes I attempted included reinstalling Windows, cleaning the drive, updating drivers, adjusting CPU/GPU settings, changing resolutions, and tweaking power management modes. Some fixes lasted only temporarily until the system restarted.
I checked for possible causes: setting Destiny to Real-time priority helped a lot, but it was hard to maintain. I also looked into Power Management mode—initially set to 'Prefer maximum performance,' which improved things. However, after rebooting, the game felt sluggish again.
Troubleshooting steps included checking frame rates with LatencyMon, ensuring temperatures stayed normal, and adjusting monitor settings. I disabled the HD Audio Controller in BIOS, which seemed to help, but it didn’t fix everything.
I tried removing my mouse’s polling rate from 1000Hz to 500Hz, changed the resolution, and even used a different monitor. The issue still lingered unless G-Sync was active. I also experimented with changing Destiny’s resolution and checking temperatures.
Some unresolved points: I’m unsure if the lag is truly gone or just temporary. It might be related to background processes, driver conflicts, or GPU/CPU thermal behavior. Testing with a different monitor or PC could provide more clarity.
Overall, it’s a complex issue, and the solution likely involves a combination of settings tweaks, hardware adjustments, and possibly addressing audio or power management quirks. I’m still working through this, but I’m hopeful that focusing on stability and performance will help."
I’m fairly sure I resolved the problem (my fix at the end). I had been experimenting further and realized I couldn’t consistently eliminate the lag with my fresh Windows setup and minimal apps. The details are in the section I’m quoting: I adjusted the custom resolution, reinstalled my second monitor, and it worked again—this made me suspect neither of those factors was responsible. Another attempt involved setting dwm.exe priority to Low in Task Manager (not the game’s), which seemed effective. That led me to a discussion about interrupt issues. The person shared that switching his GPU from ISR to MSI mode helped reduce latency and lag. I checked my GPU via Device Manager, showing it was already in MSI mode, but noticed the High Definition Audio Controller was using ISR, while most others were in MSI. This sparked an idea: looking into ISR-related fixes, I found several articles and Reddit threads suggesting disabling HD Audio in BIOS could resolve similar issues. At first I dismissed it as too abstract, but since I’d seen those ISR tips before, I tried it. It worked! No need to adjust priorities or custom settings—everything functioned smoothly with dual monitors and no special resolutions. I’ve only tested this for a couple of days, but the consistency is promising. In short, my approach was turning off the HD Audio Controller in BIOS. Since I use a separate headset with its own controller, it didn’t interfere. If you have questions about input or display lag, feel free to reach out—I’ve spent over a year and half researching and gathered plenty of useful info.
The HD Audio Controller was turned off but the problem remained, refer to the update I made to the original post.
In the latest update, the 'Power management mode' in Nvidia Control Panel appears to resolve the problem, though a restart is still required. I switched it from 'Normal' to 'Prefer maximum performance' and checked the original post for further information.
I removed all audio hardware via Task Manager, which resolved the problem during a restart and for the whole session. This appears to be a stronger solution than anything else I've seen. Keep in mind the audio devices might need reinstalling after rebooting (my experience). Refer to UPDATE 4 for further information. I haven't tested just my headset yet; I'll check if I should use manufacturer drivers next.
I recently spent considerable time refining the original post with Update 5, but it appears the forum removed my changes without clear reason. To avoid typing too much, here’s a quick summary of the key points. If you need more details before updating, feel free to ask. Typically, disconnecting or uninstalling the headset resolved the lag temporarily, then it would return. I also noticed that most fixes related to PCI Express, and possibly the mouse/USB controller communication issues. After experimenting with adjusting three USB controllers on my motherboard without success, I purchased a USB PCIe card. So far, it’s significantly improved performance—we’ll see how it continues.
There are two main reasons for input lag: the application and the display/monitor (wireless controllers add minimal delay). You can address one but not both. Fixing it randomly or changing settings won’t work. This is supported by the discussion here. You have two choices: upgrade your screen to limit lag to about 5ms or disable all visual enhancements. Try another game, as most input lag comes from the game itself. For proof, a proper test with measurable results would help—current hardware usually stays under 100ms, though some games exceed that.
Hey Mark, let’s rethink this a bit. I should have mentioned earlier how I feel about this. It seems more like a consistency problem than just input lag, based on my own tests. I’m certain you’re mistaken—your setup isn’t the only culprit. V-Sync is the key here; if it’s enabled in the Nvidia Control Panel, it’ll raise the lag. But keep in mind, this assumes Windows runs smoothly, which it doesn’t always do. This discussion doesn’t serve as solid proof either way, but it does carry more weight because of what’s been shared here.
My monitor actually shows decent input latency according to a reliable source. The game I’m using (Destiny 2) isn’t famous for ultra-low lag, though it’s typical for a PvP FPS. I’ve also played CS:GO before, and it performs similarly—possibly the best in its class. If you’ve seen my earlier post, you’ll know I’ve already adjusted random settings and it helped, even if only slightly.
I’m not ready to give concrete proof just yet, but I’m hopeful once I tweak certain system settings it will improve. My main aim isn’t to convince everyone instantly; I already know there’s something wrong. If you want real evidence, let me know—I’ll share what I’ve found so far.
As for the article you mentioned? It doesn’t match what I’m experiencing. I can confirm with a video and some numbers, but it doesn’t align with my observations.
If you’re looking for help, just share any tips or settings you think might work. Otherwise, I’ll keep working on the hardware side to get accurate measurements.
GO to be one of those cases... but I’ve read through this discussion and it’s unclear what the real issue is. You mentioned input lag, but now you think it might not be that simple. Could you explain more clearly how you notice the problem? What happens when you play? Are there specific settings or conditions that make it worse? Basically, try to give a straightforward description of what’s happening.
Some people refer to “high speed cameras,” but that’s not quite right, especially with all the variables in testing. Most pros use this method. Leo Bodnar’s lag tester (since around 2014) is referenced on Wikipedia.
The main reason for input lag is usually the game itself—not the hardware. Tekken 7 had about 67ms, Destiny or Destiny 2 around 150ms, etc. I found a list of popular games and their lag values, but it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what you’re experiencing.
But honestly, this still doesn’t clearly explain your situation. What frame rate are you using? What’s your monitor’s refresh rate? Do you see any unusual timing or delays? It would help if you could describe the exact moment and what you observe.
Also, a new idea: some people say all input sounds like network delay. Does this “lag” actually occur in single-player offline games? From what you said, it probably isn’t.
Let me know more details so we can get to the bottom of it.
Most problems remain hard to pinpoint because the underlying reason isn’t obvious. As I’ve mentioned, I’ve tried adjusting the operating system several times and fixed the issue. So the chance it’s related to the game itself is very low. The whole discussion is about sharing my experience and what steps I’ve taken. I haven’t fully updated how the game behaves yet. The FPS feels somewhat unstable—visibility is poor, aiming is inaccurate, and I often take damage before noticing the opponent. In fights, I usually lose sooner than expected. Comparing this to when the problem was resolved, things improved dramatically: everything runs smoothly, visibility is clear, aim stays precise, and eliminations happen more naturally. I think the problem might be input lag from a monitor, not the game itself. A video from a Destiny 2 player showed similar symptoms with V-Sync enabled. This isn’t meant to test input responsiveness; it’s meant to measure pixel-to-pixel delay. While useful, it doesn’t replace a proper system test. I don’t rely on Wikipedia alone unless it’s the only reference and I’m sure about its limitations. I’ve heard Tekken 7 offers the lowest latency, but 67ms isn’t reliable—possibly from another platform. In CS:GO, frame times are around 16ms, which is solid. Destiny 2 tends to block most frame monitoring tools, though Nvidia FrameView gave me a clean reading. Since Destiny 2 is CPU-intensive, it shouldn’t be the main culprit. I’ll look into FrameView details and share concrete numbers. It seems the issue isn’t network-related, as smooth performance persists even when disconnecting from the internet. Testing in Minecraft offline helped confirm this, but it’s not an FPS. The desktop experience is also unusual—hard to say for sure. This suggests the problem could be fixed with the right adjustments. Fixes might involve OS tweaks, better display calibration, or using a more responsive input device. Thanks for your support!