Is the system experiencing widespread stuttering or jittering?
Is the system experiencing widespread stuttering or jittering?
Hi
I'm working on fixing a persistent problem with my PC connected to the living room TV. We mainly use it for streaming videos online. The main issue is that the system appears to freeze, causing random jittering or stuttering. This makes it hard to use the computer normally. Videos freeze, and closing the browser triggers the same behavior. It sometimes disappears after a few minutes, but other times it restarts repeatedly—sometimes three times in an hour—and at other times it can go on for days without any issue.
I've tried two solutions:
1) Reinstalling Windows – didn't help.
2) Adding a new 16GB of RAM – also no improvement.
I'm really hoping one of these fixes will work, but I'm stuck.
I have a video file that's very hard to view; if you check it, you'll notice the hands are moving clearly. The audio seems unaffected, and the mouse cursor behaves normally, unlike our old settings. Everything turns into a jittery, stuttering mess that makes use impossible.
20231205_234016
Watch "20231205_234016" on Streamable.
streamable.com
Specs:
UserBenchmarks: Game 16%, Desk 81%, Work 15%
CPU: Intel Core i3-10100 - 83.6%
GPU: Nvidia GTX 650 - 8.8%
SSD: Seagate BarraCuda Q1 SSD ZA480CV10001 480GB - 88.1%
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.14 1TB - 94.2%
RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 3200 C16 2x8GB - 82.2%
MBD: Asus PRIME H470M-PLUS
Based on a quick guess, consider removing the GTX 650 and testing performance with just the built-in graphics.
Inspect your HDD for any issues or errors.
Notice if there are unusual sounds, such as increased fan activity, and keep an eye on temperatures and CPU usage using tools like Task Manager.
It might also be wise to run a memory test.
I was considering the same with the GTX and it's the last thing I recall - that component feels quite outdated. I'll give it another shot.
The sole reason for leaving it connected to the onboard graphics was because the benchmark fell using them, though... I question whether that would cause issues as severe as what I'm experiencing now. I haven't actually connected it to the onboard graphics to test if that resolves the problem.
HDD performance is solid, and the system runs on a solid state drive, which is also a positive feature/relatively recent. I don't observe any other issues. The temperature remains stable, and the fans operate normally.
The only active processes on the PC during this time are a VPN, antivirus software, the browser, and other system functions. I've checked RAM usage during these events, but nothing unusual appears when closing everything and restarting Explorer - it keeps running until a full restart.
I noticed this issue occurred after a cross-country move, where I'm aware the computer was subjected to significant stress, though I'm hoping it's just related to the graphics card.
I'm not very familiar with memtest, but I'll investigate it. With the previous 8GB of RAM, benchmarking was extremely poor (non-brand name) and also at around 60% load when running normal tasks, so I expected a significant improvement with the new Corsair 16GB RAM.
Uncertain if this will make a difference, but the benchmark with integrated...
If it has been handled roughly, it might still be wise to inspect each connection from the PSU and RAM, just to ensure everything is firmly connected.
The 650 model is now sufficiently outdated, with driver support no longer available. Among affordable but still functional GPUs, the 750 Ti is a good option to obtain at a low cost today and offers better performance for tasks like 1080p viewing. I’ve used one in my HTPC setup for years, handling 1080/60 video smoothly. The 10100 would also perform adequately with cards having higher specifications, though the choice ultimately depends on your intended use and budget.
I found your avatar interesting. Are you connected to Pev's Paintball? I used to play paintball until last year. Even though I never joined Pev's, I know the location well. I've played at many venues in the SE and even up the coast in Maryland. I participated in several tournaments with CFOA and GFOA over the years. It's always nice to see someone handling the snake.
It was quite unusual. I took out the PC and took out the graphics card, possibly bumping something which caused the system to fail to load. After some rearranging of cables, it worked properly. The onboard display remains unstable even when the cursor is moved around. It might perform better with video, which could assist in diagnosing the graphics card issue.
I plan to revisit and verify all connections, particularly since it seems the graphics card might have been disconnected accidentally. The CPU could have been removed quite far from its original position before we moved...
I wasn’t aware the 650 model was that outdated. I’ve refurbished this unit multiple times since acquiring it from my wife.
I’m uncertain if a graphics card is necessary for my current needs. I’m considering 4k online/offline video streaming and installed the 650 just because it was available at the time.
Lol. Long story. I purchased a PEVS edition Ego (Planet Eclipse) in 2006 through savings and work. I was quite proud of it at the time. Around that period, I adopted the name Pevs and added features, inspired by America. I’ve never actually played Pevs, but the name has stuck for about 17 years—roughly the same length as my paintball career (5 to 25 years). I grew up in Southern California and played throughout life until a certain age. I used to play NPPL and various West Coast leagues; I was semi-pro in NPPL when paintball was much larger.
😀
Great memories—really miss it. I haven’t played in at least seven years. Still have a 2007 Ego in the garage; I got rid of the 2006 Pevs. Hopefully you recognized my name/avatar.
😀
The avatar comes from a magazine photo taken at a tournament. I owned a field with my family for about a year around 2011, before life got busy but I still cherish those memories. I was quite good at Snake, though mostly the Dorito player.
😀
I stopped mainly because I moved away (military service) and half the fun was about the people I knew. It’s been a long time. I’d love to get a pump and play some woodsball soon. Nice to meet you.
Taking this path away from the main topic for a PC forum...
I began experimenting around 98. Within a few years I was competing with bigger teams in woodsball tournaments and 48-hour events. I’ve played many of the prominent scenarios, but I can’t remember any more. Black Cat comes to mind; I’d need to look for patches.
A bit later, I played 5-man X ball and similar games. I didn’t enjoy playing more than five people because it was hard to keep track of everyone after the break. You know, missing someone in the corner often leads you straight to the end zone.
Some of my favorite markers over time were PE. I really enjoyed the Geo more than the "Matrix," and I think the LV was one of the top markers ever made in terms of performance and reliability. I also liked mechs, cockers, and automags. My last marker was a pneumatic one that was as fast as any battery-powered one. My go-to platform has always been the Angel G7.
I later played semi-pro ball in D3 and D2, supported by a local field and a shop at one point. We had agreements with Dye, and later got a better deal with Planet Eclipse. Pro Ball provided us (technically the field) with paint, entry coverage, so we only had to pay for gas, travel, and a hotel. One of our teammates’ fathers worked at Hilton, which helped with the accommodation arrangements. Those were great times—I still miss them. It’s rare to walk onto a field, commit some harm, and then discuss it later.
Sorry for the big detour.
Regarding your system, it seems unusual that it still struggles without the GPU. For fun, try disconnecting the power or SATA cable for the HDD and see if the problem improves. I had a similar issue with a failing disk drive, and I accidentally found a fix while testing the setup. If this isn’t a PSU problem, could you tell me what’s inside the PC?
Do you still have the UBM link available?
I'll send you a message about paintball without any jokes.
😀
I've got everything set up now. It's a bit tricky because it's behind the screen and the case looks damaged.
To be precise, when I mentioned it's choppy, it's not the same issue or a major one. The cursor just seems to move slowly. It hasn't jittered or stuttered much yet. The cursor and similar elements move around a lot, but the video is still playing properly.
Benchmarks:
This was the previous version with the 650 model.
Please click the green human to continue - UserBenchmark
New version with built-in (current):
Please click the green human to continue - UserBenchmark
I'm not sure why the second one says XMP isn't enabled and RAM dropped, even though I've set it exactly the same. I thought it might be slowing things down because it's using onboard graphics.
It hasn't shown any stutter or jitter yet—it's really inconsistent and hard to reproduce. I've been able to go 5 days without it, and sometimes I'd have to restart multiple times in a single day.
When I pulled the card, something came loose and it couldn't detect either hard drive. That was strange. But I think I fixed whatever that was, and it's now working again.
I'm hoping the integrated graphics won't cause any problems and I'll figure out what was wrong with the old one (the 650)! So far it's running okay.
Think about alternative solutions for the mouse movement. Use a USB extension and keep the mouse dongle within easy reach of your sitting area. (I assume getting closer to the PC fixes this problem)
I’m using a K series Logitech keyboard with a touchpad. It behaves unpredictably when an item like a blanket blocks the view of the dongle, causing skips. I’m positioned close to the edge of the workspace for this device.
I encountered a comparable problem with my Xbox controller. The PC is positioned low, and when my feet are extended it causes erratic behavior. To resolve this, I placed the dongle on an extension and elevated it slightly, fitting it into a gap to improve stability.