Micro-stuttering and dropped frames in games (upgrade suggestions)
Micro-stuttering and dropped frames in games (upgrade suggestions)
I am dealing with frequent micro-stuttering issues, especially after CS2 dropped out, which has impacted my ranking games. In other games, there is a noticeable lag where the GPU barely moves. When reviewing the metrics, frame times exceed 100ms or even reach 200ms, making sessions uncomfortable.
I’m considering upgrading either my CPU or my monitor but am unsure what would resolve the problem. I’m torn between improving my CPU performance or keeping my old VGA monitor. My budget doesn’t allow for both upgrades at once, and I’d have to wait over eight months before getting a second upgrade. (This is tough in Nepal—there are few good second-hand options or deals, and parts are costly too.)
System details:
CPU: AMD Ryzen 3 3200G (4C/4T)
MOBO: Gigabyte B450M S2H (Rev 1.1)
RAM: 16 GB 3200MHz DDR4 RAM (mismatched speeds, both Samsung and Micron offer 3200MHz CL 16)
GPU: OEM Lenovo GTX 1660 Super
Storage: Samsung 990 Pro 1 TB
Monitor: Samsung SyncMaster 943NWX 19-inch VGA Monitor
Using a passive VGA to HDMI connector
CS2 FPS: Unstable, capped at 75Hz (Vsync)
Current resolution: 1156 X 768
Graphical settings: All except shadows set to all
Nvidia Reflex: not enabled
Possible upgrade route:
CPU: Ryzen 5 5600X
Monitor: Koorui G2511P
My PSU is a Chinese model I received with the case. It's called a Hi-tech psu and it functions adequately, but it does cause some concerns. A PSU is essential for the stability of a system. We at Tom'sHardware recommend investing in a dependable PSU because a poorly constructed one can harm your components or even pose a fire risk, potentially endangering your home. If your system fails due to an unstable PSU, you might be able to fix it later with the right parts, but a lost system is difficult to recover from. Your microstuttering could be linked to that PSU.
FYI, the processor upgrade you're considering is quite power-intensive and may push the PSU beyond its safe operating limits.
You forgot to mention the make and model of your PSU. Include it's age as well. In your current state, if we're to ignore that you have a bad quality PSU and the mismatched ram sticks, your system should be fine as is, given your resolution.
If the issue cropped up recently then it's probably due to an OS update or a pending GPU driver. Try and use DDU in Safe Mode to remove all GPU drivers(intel, AMD and Nvidia) then reboot and manually install the latest GPU driver sourced from Nvidia's support site in an elevated command, i.e, Right click installer>Run as Administrator, assuming you're on Windows OS.
Speaking of which, what OS are you working with?
My PSU is a Chinese model I received with the case. It’s called a Hi-tech PSU that functions adequately but raises some concerns. A PSU is essential for the stability of a system. We at Tom'sHardware recommend investing in a dependable PSU because a poorly constructed one can harm your components or even pose a fire risk, potentially endangering your home. If your system fails due to an unstable PSU, you might be able to fix it later with the right parts—but losing your setup is permanent. Your microstuttering could stem from that PSU.
By the way, the processor upgrade you’re considering is quite power-intensive and may cause the PSU to overheat or fail. This isn’t about a CPU or monitor; it’s about ensuring your system remains stable with a well-built PSU.