Games perform significantly worse after installing a fresh version of Windows 10?
Games perform significantly worse after installing a fresh version of Windows 10?
Hello everyone, I’m facing a major issue with my PC since early 2019. Everything ran perfectly, games were smooth, and there were almost no stutters. However, three days ago I performed a fresh installation of Windows 10 on an SSD instead of an HDD. The setup went through easily and quickly, but it caused several problems—mainly mouse lag and less fluid animations after installing the NVIDIA drivers. Sometimes the issue resolved itself with an OC, but it would reappear after restarting or using the system for a while. In games, the CPU would frequently reach 100% while the GPU used minimal power, especially in Red Dead Redemption 2.
Recently, I installed the new SSD—Samsung 980—which I started using for my games. I’m still testing how it performs with Intel SSDs for the operating system and HDDs.
I updated all the motherboard drivers and BIOS manually, kept Windows updated, enabled XMP profile, turned off the game bar writer, activated hardware accelerated GPU scheduling, disabled background apps, rolled back BIOS and AMD chipsets a few times, and wiped everything five times. I also installed the OS on all drives to see if it resolved any issues.
I ran a Memtest with XMP enabled and found no errors. DiskInfo showed all drives were healthy above 95% and running at around 45°C. I tested NVIDIA drivers and AMD chipsets separately, trying different versions.
Here are my specs:
- GPU: MSI GAMING X GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER 8 GB Video Card
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 3700X 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor
- Motherboard: MSI MPG X570 GAMING EDGE WIFI ATX AM4
- RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16, total 32 GB
- Power Supply: Corsair RM850x (2018), 850W, 80+ Gold Certified
- HDD: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1 TB 3.5" 7200 RPM
- SSD: Intel 660p 1.02 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 X4 NVME (Samsung 980 1TB)
- Monitor: MSI Optix MAG321CQR 32", 144Hz, FreeSync, Curved
- TV: Samsung 40-inch, 60Hz, 1080p
The biggest problem is the frequent stutters—every 5 seconds the frame rate drops from 144 to 40 and then jumps back. Overwatch 2 runs fine, but it randomly freezes for a split second.
Recently, I installed the new SSD and am still trying to figure out what’s causing the issues. I’m hoping this thread is my only chance. I’ve been working hard all day and night to fix this. Please let me know if I’ve missed anything.
you've accomplished many tasks already.
why did you install a new SSD? what are the files stored there?
have you attempted to delete the new SSD and restore the data from its previous location?
simply remove the SSD you just installed. The issues appeared after it arrived at your computer.
Verify CPU and GPU temperatures. Apply MSI afterburner. If CPU temps are too high, your AIO CPU cooler might be damaged. If everything is normal, consider using two RAM modules (instead of four) in the correct dual-channel slots.
I had os installed on a hdd at the time and the boot took awhile, so I chose to buy an ssd and use my older ssd for os while keeping the new one for gaming. I still have the hdd connected mainly for storing files, probably just in case. The thing is, I wiped everything before reinstalling win10, so I couldn’t restore anything. I didn’t realize I ran into this issue since this pc has always been great, but I tried my method soon—just downloaded two big game files onto the new ssd.
This was in early 2012 with graphics settings Gpu at 75% and CPU around 68-73%. As for performance, GPU will reach 75% and then jump to 90%+, while CPU usage stays between 32-50%. I plan to install the 2 RAM slots soon so I can rest. Please keep updated.
you might consider setting up windows 10 in UEFI settings, based on what the device manager indicates, it seems you're using an older BIOS version with CSM active.
if you decide to follow the suggestions from Tac 25, ensure that only the SSD designed for Windows is connected. Avoid linking the GAMES SSD or the STORAGE HD until Windows is fully installed and updated, along with all motherboard and chipset drivers being installed. Once everything is set up and updated, install the GAMES drive and test a more demanding game.
Ok i did everything and still didn't work to my surprised I go by step by step what i did red dead 2 low settings in 1080p
I took out my HDD and new SSD and went to the bios settings and changed it to UEFI instead of CSM then deleted all partitions of the only Old SSD drive to install the OS on it.
No internet on to avoid updates i first install the chipset driver from amd instead of the MSI site cause its more outdated while the amd website is up to date.
(restart pc)
I installed most mobo drivers from msi are...
Realtek HD Universal Driver (include Nahimic Driver)
Intel WIFI Driver
BlueTooth Driver
Realtek PCI-E Ethernet Drivers
AMD Chipset Software 5.05.16.529
Mobo Drivers I didn't installed on the msi website are..
AMD Chipset Driver (out of date)
AMD Graphics Drivers (no amd gpu)
AM4 RAID Driver (I don't use RAID only AHCI)
(restart pc)
Next i installed the latest Nvidia drivers
(restart pc)
Installed all the windows update
(restart twice)
Installed my new ssd back onto my motherboard deleted the volume from the ssd and created a new one then i install steam to download resident evil 4 remake and red dead 2.
While it was dling I...
Disabled Background apps
Disabled Xbox game bar
Uninstalled unnecessary files
Change power plan to high performance
Installed MSI afterburner
Installed Logitech gaming software 9.04.49 for my mouse (Logitech g600)
Turned on Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling.
(restart pc)
Turned on XMP 1
Nvidia Control Panel on manage 3d settings i turned on prefer maximum performance.
Red dead redemption 2 1080p med settings100-110 fps I experience some stutters and the game ran pretty smooth but something aint right cause i tried 1080p on low settings and ran the ingame benchmark the average fps was at 130fps which should be higher than that.
GPU usage at 96% GPU Temps at 73-75c
CPU Usage 50-61% CPU Temps 63c
Resident evil 4 remake I couldn't get this to run smooth as i wanted frames dip so much and stutters too much i got frustrated but i will need to get back to this cause this been pretty much disheartening to deal with.
I notice every time when nvidia drivers are installed it cause my mouse and w/e animations like opening a window and such runs slow i will have to manually change my refresh rate to 144 to 60 then back to 144hz for my mouse to run smooth and sometimes can take a few tries but i notice when it lagged on overwatch 2 with this mouse lag i did that trick and it made the game run smoother.
This been going on every since i started this thread reinstalling windows and such of course i use DDU like 5+ times during all of this but comes back but yeah this been tough trying to get this all to work i also tried using a newer display port and 144hz monitor and those issue still persist so its not that.