Identify possible CPU constraints affecting performance.
Identify possible CPU constraints affecting performance.
I've owned my PC for just over two years. Recently, during in-game sessions (Valorant), I observe a significant drop in frames whenever I have any open window. I'm unsure if this is due to age or a hardware issue. I recently disassembled the system, replaced the thermal paste, and cleared all dust, but problems resumed within a week. Although streaming previously was smooth, even opening YouTube in Firefox now causes 60-70% FPS loss. Any suggestions?
Shutdown all non-essential background tasks to improve performance. You might still want Firefox running while gaming for reference or updates.
What is the RAM speed? Is PBO activated? Are any overclocking measures in place?
You might be watching a video on YouTube that uses the AV1 codec, which isn't easily decoded by hardware, causing it to consume more CPU. Check your YouTube profile for an option to switch to VP9 encoding. Also, in Task Manager, identify the Firefox processes using high CPU and memory, close them, and reload the tab—this can resolve crashes caused by heavy JavaScript usage.
I've seen it in tiny fragments even when the New Tab window is active. I've also attempted removing most of the extensions from my browser, but it hasn't worked.
Turn off PBO, halt and stop the afterburner during startup. Reboot once adjustments are made.