I've tested all possible solutions but still can't eliminate stuttering in games!
I've tested all possible solutions but still can't eliminate stuttering in games!
I've been dealing with this for weeks and still can't pinpoint the reason behind the frequent stuttering in games. Please assist me if you possess the expertise to resolve it, since I've invested a significant amount in this system and am quite concerned about the ongoing problem.
What I experience is abrupt fluctuations in frame rates—sometimes dropping by at least 5 frames per second, and other times jumping back up to the game's maximum.
System details:
- GPU: XFX - SPEEDSTER MERC319 AMD Radeon RX 6950XT Core 16GB
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 5900X, 12-core, 3.70 GHz
- Motherboard: ASUS TUF B450M-PLUS GAMING AM4 AMD B450 SATA 6Gb/s Micro ATX
- BIOS Version: 4002 x64
- RAM: 32GB (TeamGROUP T-Force Xtreem ARGB, 3600MHz CL18, 2x16GB)
- PSU: GAMEMAX 1050W ATX 3.0 & PCIE 5.0, 80+ Gold Certified
- OS & Version: Windows 11 22H2
- GPU Drivers: Tested on Adrenalin 23.5.1, 23.5.2, 22.Q4 (Pro), and 23.7.1
- Monitor: KOORUI 27 Inch QHD Gaming Monitor, 144 Hz, IPS, 1ms, DCI-P3 90%, FreeSync G-Sync compatible (2560x1440)
I've tried everything I can think of without success.
The VRM controls the voltage from the power supply to your PC parts, especially around the CPU socket that feeds the CPU. The quantity and quality of these vary based on the motherboard. More costly boards feature stronger VRMs to handle higher power needs from advanced CPUs and overclocking. Pairing a top-tier CPU with a low-cost board might lead to VRMs being overloaded, overheating, and causing performance or stability problems.
I’m not sure if that’s the problem here. You could try testing it by setting the CPU to eco-mode in the BIOS to reduce power demands.
As @Misgar points out, the PSU brand isn’t ideal and it’s hard to say for sure without trying another power supply.
Stuttering stems from a brief shortage of a vital component. Likely the CPU is involved, though it might also relate to graphics, a hard page fault, or GPU. The key clue is your performance with the 3070 graphics card. I think your RX6950XT might be the culprit. Would you consider switching to a GTX4080 or a better Nvidia card? AMD chips tend to work well with faster RAM. It seems you should be operating at the advertised speed of 3600. Is there a chance? Check your RAM. Use memtest86 or memtest86+; they boot from USB and don’t rely on Windows. You can find them here: MemTest86 - Official Site of the x86 Memory Testing Tool, MemTest86 is the original self-booting memory testing software for x86 and ARM systems, supporting both BIOS and UEFI with USB boot options. www.memtest86.com, MemTest86+ | The Open-Source Memory Testing Tool, Memtest86+ is a free, open-source, standalone memory tester for 32- and 64-bit computers (supports UEFI & BIOS, USB boot). www.memtest.org If you complete a full test without errors, your RAM appears fine. Additional passes may reveal hidden issues but take longer. It’s probably not worth it unless you strongly suspect a RAM problem. Occasionally, stuttering results from temporary CPU throttling. What’s your CPU cooler like? Use HWmonitor while gaming to track temps—current, low, and high should stay around 20°C if your cooler is properly installed. Check each core’s max temperature. A reading of 90°C in red indicates temporary throttling, which could be the cause. As someone who prefers Intel, a reading of 100°C would be concerning. There are some BIOS updates for Intel that could boost performance; look for relevant ones. Ultimately, the overall speed of your processor isn’t the only factor—single-thread performance matters most for games. Run the CPU-Z benchmark and examine the single-thread rating; aim for around 668. Best CPU performance - 64-bit - February 2026 valid.x86.fr To improve further, a motherboard upgrade might be necessary.
Thank you for the clarification.
The memory sticks are located in A2 and B2, as advised in the MB manual.
I will try it out! Thankfully I can likely buy one and return it after testing.
I am just frustrated because I've seen many comparisons between RTX 4070 and my card (as they are the same price) and the 6950 XT performs better and there shouldn't be any issues with the card itself since it's so well-reviewed! Also was in the AMD discord and plenty of people said theirs runs like a dream
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I had issues with RAM before when I had mismatched RAM (I tried to upgrade my 16GB to 32Gb by adding 2 extra 8GB for a total of 4x8GB) that didn't like being pushed to max so after installing the new RAM (2x16GB) I just reset the BIOS to defaults to be safe thinking RAM was the issue again. But I've selected the DOCP profile and currently it's at 3600Mhz.
It's a Zalman CNPS 10X Performa Black, Extreme Performance CPU Cooler, LGA1700 Compatible, Powerful 135mm Annular Fan 1500RPM, 75 CFM, 180W TDP, 4 Copper Heat Pipes
20c over ambient? Meaning I should check the cooler temp while doing nothing and that's ambient?
BIOS is fully updated
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In both games I was noticing the CPU hardly ever goes over 3% which is why I wasn't thinking it's the CPU? In my mind, the stutters or issues should happen when something is running over 100%, no?
Dunno if this helps but here's how it all performed under 3D MARK Time Spy. Does this answer anything regarding the CPU?
(Also not sure if it matters but the score was apparently invalid because tessellation was modified? But I set my Adrenalin drivers to not modify the tessellation of any application.)
Temps seem to be within normal range for me. My 5900x reaches up to 90°C on hot days if I run synthetic benchmarks. I would start by reinstalling your GPU drivers—first download DDU and install the latest AMD drivers. It might help to disconnect from the internet, either by physically removing the connection or disabling the ethernet or wireless card. Restart your machine in safe mode, which you can achieve by holding down the shift key while clicking restart. After that, extract and run DDU, remove all AMD drivers it detects, and let the machine reboot. Once Windows is back in normal mode, install the AMD drivers you downloaded. If issues remain, consider using HWinfo64 to monitor temperatures during stress tests or games. Keep an eye on SSD temperatures too, as some m.2 drives can overheat easily. You might also try updating the BIOS if you haven’t done so recently. The PSU could be another issue, and it’s not uncommon for it to affect stability. I’d suggest checking the VRM on the board as well, though it may not always display the correct values. But I still think it’s worth agreeing with @Misgar—VRM performance on this board isn’t ideal, even if it seems acceptable in theory. Good luck!
I have reinstalled the drivers multiple times and experimented with various versions from online suggestions, but none resolved the stutters. That will be my next action. I have already updated it. Thanks!