Micro stuttering and FPS drops in almost every game
Micro stuttering and FPS drops in almost every game
Hello,
I have been dealing with this issue for the longest time. In most games, I drop FPS or the game micro stutters randomly, and it ruins the immersion for me, I really hate it. What can I do to fix this?
Here are my specs:
CPU: Intel i7 7700k @ 4.2GHz
GPU: ASUS GeForce GTX1080Ti ROG Poseidon Platinum (
I have to note that I don't run water cooling through my GPU, even though it is a Poseidon.
)
RAM: GSKILL 16GB Trident Z DDR4 3000MHz RGB
PSU: Thermaltake Smartpower 80PLUS Bronze 650W
Motherboard: ASUS ROG Maximus IX Hero
Drive 1 (Harddisk): WD 1TB Caviar Blue 7200Rpm
Drive 2 (SSD): Corsair 480GB Force PCI-Ex 3000MB/2400MB
Cooling: Cooler Master Masterliquid 240 AM4 Liquid Cooling Solution
OS: Windows 10 Home 64-bit
Spoiler:
Tempratures
Idle:
CPU: 41 °C
GPU: 65 °C
Ingame:
CPU: 55 °C
GPU: 84 °C
Spoiler:
Idle LatencyMon Results
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CONCLUSION
_
Your system seems to be having difficulty handling real-time audio and other tasks. You may experience drop outs, clicks or pops due to buffer underruns. One or more DPC routines that belong to a driver running in your system appear to be executing for too long. One problem may be related to power management, disable CPU throttling settings in Control Panel and BIOS setup. Check for BIOS updates.
LatencyMon has been analyzing your system for 0:05:25 (h🇲🇲ss) on all processors.
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SYSTEM INFORMATION
_
Computer name: SPAY-PC
OS version: Windows 10 , 10.0, version 1903, build: 18362 (x64)
Hardware: ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC., MAXIMUS IX HERO
CPU: GenuineIntel Intel® Core™ i7-7700K CPU @ 4.20GHz
Logical processors: 8
Processor groups: 1
RAM: 16244 MB total
_
CPU SPEED
_
Reported CPU speed: 420 MHz
Note: reported execution times may be calculated based on a fixed reported CPU speed. Disable variable speed settings like Intel Speed Step and AMD Cool N Quiet in the BIOS setup for more accurate results.
WARNING: the CPU speed that was measured is only a fraction of the CPU speed reported. Your CPUs may be throttled back due to variable speed settings and thermal issues. It is suggested that you run a utility which reports your actual CPU frequency and temperature.
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MEASURED INTERRUPT TO USER PROCESS LATENCIES
_
The interrupt to process latency reflects the measured interval that a usermode process needed to respond to a hardware request from the moment the interrupt service routine started execution. This includes the scheduling and execution of a DPC routine, the signaling of an event and the waking up of a usermode thread from an idle wait state in response to that event.
Highest measured interrupt to process latency (µs): 1150.30
Average measured interrupt to process latency (µs): 5.271220
Highest measured interrupt to DPC latency (µs): 1141.90
Average measured interrupt to DPC latency (µs): 2.280437
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REPORTED ISRs
_
Interrupt service routines are routines installed by the OS and device drivers that execute in response to a hardware interrupt signal.
Highest ISR routine execution time (µs): 149.742619
Driver with highest ISR routine execution time: dxgkrnl.sys - DirectX Graphics Kernel, Microsoft Corporation
Highest reported total ISR routine time (%): 0.090552
Driver with highest ISR total time: dxgkrnl.sys - DirectX Graphics Kernel, Microsoft Corporation
Total time spent in ISRs (%) 0.094559
ISR count (execution time <250 µs): 185484
ISR count (execution time 250-500 µs): 0
ISR count (execution time 500-999 µs): 0
ISR count (execution time 1000-1999 µs): 0
ISR count (execution time 2000-3999 µs): 0
ISR count (execution time >=4000 µs): 0
_
REPORTED DPCs
_
DPC routines are part of the interrupt servicing dispatch mechanism and disable the possibility for a process to utilize the CPU while it is interrupted until the DPC has finished execution.
Highest DPC routine execution time (µs): 1161.484048
Driver with highest DPC routine execution time: ntoskrnl.exe - NT Kernel & System, Microsoft Corporation
Highest reported total DPC routine time (%): 0.042838
Driver with highest DPC total execution time: nvlddmkm.sys - NVIDIA Windows Kernel Mode Driver, Version 441.66 , NVIDIA Corporation
Total time spent in DPCs (%) 0.146932
DPC count (execution time <250 µs): 961821
DPC count (execution time 250-500 µs): 0
DPC count (execution time 500-999 µs): 170
DPC count (execution time 1000-1999 µs): 5
DPC count (execution time 2000-3999 µs): 0
DPC count (execution time >=4000 µs): 0
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REPORTED HARD PAGEFAULTS
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Hard pagefaults are events that get triggered by making use of virtual memory that is not resident in RAM but backed by a memory mapped file on disk. The process of resolving the hard pagefault requires reading in the memory from disk while the process is interrupted and blocked from execution.
NOTE: some processes were hit by hard pagefaults. If these were programs producing audio, they are likely to interrupt the audio stream resulting in dropouts, clicks and pops. Check the Processes tab to see which programs were hit.
Process with highest pagefault count: discordptb.exe
Total number of hard pagefaults 1727
Hard pagefault count of hardest hit process: 462
Number of processes hit: 34
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PER CPU DATA
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CPU 0 Interrupt cycle time (s): 12.259836
CPU 0 ISR highest execution time (µs): 149.742619
CPU 0 ISR total execution time (s): 2.449237
CPU 0 ISR count: 171958
CPU 0 DPC highest execution time (µs): 1161.484048
CPU 0 DPC total execution time (s): 3.751266
CPU 0 DPC count: 948708
_
CPU 1 Interrupt cycle time (s): 1.699744
CPU 1 ISR highest execution time (µs): 9.558571
CPU 1 ISR total execution time (s): 0.008359
CPU 1 ISR count: 11948
CPU 1 DPC highest execution time (µs): 114.257619
CPU 1 DPC total execution time (s): 0.016324
CPU 1 DPC count: 3167
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CPU 2 Interrupt cycle time (s): 2.047419
CPU 2 ISR highest execution time (µs): 3.547381
CPU 2 ISR total execution time (s): 0.000054
CPU 2 ISR count: 44
CPU 2 DPC highest execution time (µs): 964.201667
CPU 2 DPC total execution time (s): 0.028429
CPU 2 DPC count: 5011
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CPU 3 Interrupt cycle time (s): 1.712569
CPU 3 ISR highest execution time (µs): 4.3150
CPU 3 ISR total execution time (s): 0.000723
CPU 3 ISR count: 1069
CPU 3 DPC highest execution time (µs): 32.262143
CPU 3 DPC total execution time (s): 0.001380
CPU 3 DPC count: 413
_
CPU 4 Interrupt cycle time (s): 1.978160
CPU 4 ISR highest execution time (µs): 3.553095
CPU 4 ISR total execution time (s): 0.000012
CPU 4 ISR count: 8
CPU 4 DPC highest execution time (µs): 91.0350
CPU 4 DPC total execution time (s): 0.010510
CPU 4 DPC count: 2157
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CPU 5 Interrupt cycle time (s): 1.693081
CPU 5 ISR highest execution time (µs): 3.949286
CPU 5 ISR total execution time (s): 0.000271
CPU 5 ISR count: 309
CPU 5 DPC highest execution time (µs): 46.712143
CPU 5 DPC total execution time (s): 0.001735
CPU 5 DPC count: 461
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CPU 6 Interrupt cycle time (s): 1.876236
CPU 6 ISR highest execution time (µs): 1.516905
CPU 6 ISR total execution time (s): 0.000006
CPU 6 ISR count: 5
CPU 6 DPC highest execution time (µs): 80.440238
CPU 6 DPC total execution time (s): 0.007619
CPU 6 DPC count: 1486
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CPU 7 Interrupt cycle time (s): 1.791713
CPU 7 ISR highest execution time (µs): 3.1250
CPU 7 ISR total execution time (s): 0.000125
CPU 7 ISR count: 143
CPU 7 DPC highest execution time (µs): 42.144048
CPU 7 DPC total execution time (s): 0.003337
CPU 7 DPC count: 593
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I have clean installed Windows very recently, used DDU. My graphics drivers and other software are all up to date. I run 3 monitors at the same time, but only game on a 144hz monitor.
Thank you.
Hello,
Could you tell me which games you're playing when this occurs?
It might be due to several factors. Perhaps there’s an issue with your RAM, or your graphics card is overheating (temperatures are elevated, leading to performance reduction). High disk activity or a failing drive could also be the cause.
To test the RAM, you can use Memtest86+ outside of Windows. For the GPU, ensure it’s properly installed and all cables are connected correctly. Verify that all fans are functioning. If your GPU is several years old, consider reapplying thermal paste. Your idle and under-load temperatures are elevated as previously noted.
Your power supply unit (PSU) could also be a factor; your graphics card consumes significant power – up to 300 watts during heavy use! I recommend investing in a quality gold-rated PSU for your system.
Utilize tools like HWMonitor/Info to monitor your system's performance during both idle and load conditions, looking for any instances of 100% usage or excessive temperatures. You can share screenshots from HWMonitor displaying idle and load information, allowing us to analyze potential background issues.
You’ve already addressed many standard troubleshooting steps, such as updating drivers and performing a fresh operating system installation. Have you confirmed that you have the latest BIOS version for your motherboard? Updating this would be beneficial.
Hello, thank you so much for your reply.
I am playing pretty much any triple A game, most often Battlefield V and Fallen Order for now, but this does happen in games other than EA too.
After posting this question (and before your reply), I disabled Turbo Boost and Hyperthreading from BIOS to see if it would make any difference. So far I cannot exactly tell if it is worse or better, but there definietly still is microstuttering. Do you think I should keep those off or would they not affect this issue? Also, I have started to see spikes in LatencyMon. It spikes up to thousands sometimes. I couldn't recreate the huge spikes but I will include the data anyways just in case.
Thank you again.
EDIT: I had already checked the BIOS update a few months ago but I just checked it again just to be sure, and it is up to date.
I have collected the data:
Fan speeds at max
Disk usage
LatencyMon
memtest86+
GPU and cables correct seating
HWMon
Spoiler:
LatencyMon Results
_
CONCLUSION
_
Your system appears to be suitable for handling real-time audio and other tasks without dropouts.
LatencyMon has been analyzing your system for 0:06:05 (h🇲🇲ss) on all processors.
_
SYSTEM INFORMATION
_
Computer name: SPAY-PC
OS version: Windows 10 , 10.0, version 1903, build: 18362 (x64)
Hardware: ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC., MAXIMUS IX HERO
CPU: GenuineIntel Intel® Core™ i7-7700K CPU @ 4.20GHz
Logical processors: 4
Processor groups: 1
RAM: 16244 MB total
_
CPU SPEED
_
Reported CPU speed: 420 MHz
Note: reported execution times may be calculated based on a fixed reported CPU speed. Disable variable speed settings like Intel Speed Step and AMD Cool N Quiet in the BIOS setup for more accurate results.
WARNING: the CPU speed that was measured is only a fraction of the CPU speed reported. Your CPUs may be throttled back due to variable speed settings and thermal issues. It is suggested that you run a utility which reports your actual CPU frequency and temperature.
_
MEASURED INTERRUPT TO USER PROCESS LATENCIES
_
The interrupt to process latency reflects the measured interval that a usermode process needed to respond to a hardware request from the moment the interrupt service routine started execution. This includes the scheduling and execution of a DPC routine, the signaling of an event and the waking up of a usermode thread from an idle wait state in response to that event.
Highest measured interrupt to process latency (µs): 521.10
Average measured interrupt to process latency (µs): 3.501799
Highest measured interrupt to DPC latency (µs): 510.10
Average measured interrupt to DPC latency (µs): 1.178334
_
REPORTED ISRs
_
Interrupt service routines are routines installed by the OS and device drivers that execute in response to a hardware interrupt signal.
Highest ISR routine execution time (µs): 165.0
Driver with highest ISR routine execution time: dxgkrnl.sys - DirectX Graphics Kernel, Microsoft Corporation
Highest reported total ISR routine time (%): 0.415507
Driver with highest ISR total time: dxgkrnl.sys - DirectX Graphics Kernel, Microsoft Corporation
Total time spent in ISRs (%) 0.482030
ISR count (execution time <250 µs): 648447
ISR count (execution time 250-500 µs): 0
ISR count (execution time 500-999 µs): 0
ISR count (execution time 1000-1999 µs): 0
ISR count (execution time 2000-3999 µs): 0
ISR count (execution time >=4000 µs): 0
_
REPORTED DPCs
_
DPC routines are part of the interrupt servicing dispatch mechanism and disable the possibility for a process to utilize the CPU while it is interrupted until the DPC has finished execution.
Highest DPC routine execution time (µs): 471.390238
Driver with highest DPC routine execution time: ndis.sys - Network Driver Interface Specification (NDIS), Microsoft Corporation
Highest reported total DPC routine time (%): 0.145029
Driver with highest DPC total execution time: dxgkrnl.sys - DirectX Graphics Kernel, Microsoft Corporation
Total time spent in DPCs (%) 0.442366
DPC count (execution time <250 µs): 1504451
DPC count (execution time 250-500 µs): 0
DPC count (execution time 500-999 µs): 17
DPC count (execution time 1000-1999 µs): 0
DPC count (execution time 2000-3999 µs): 0
DPC count (execution time >=4000 µs): 0
_
REPORTED HARD PAGEFAULTS
_
Hard pagefaults are events that get triggered by making use of virtual memory that is not resident in RAM but backed by a memory mapped file on disk. The process of resolving the hard pagefault requires reading in the memory from disk while the process is interrupted and blocked from execution.
NOTE: some processes were hit by hard pagefaults. If these were programs producing audio, they are likely to interrupt the audio stream resulting in dropouts, clicks and pops. Check the Processes tab to see which programs were hit.
Process with highest pagefault count: hxoutlook.exe
Total number of hard pagefaults 4144
Hard pagefault count of hardest hit process: 1578
Number of processes hit: 39
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PER CPU DATA
_
CPU 0 Interrupt cycle time (s): 21.032656
CPU 0 ISR highest execution time (µs): 165.0
CPU 0 ISR total execution time (s): 7.023153
CPU 0 ISR count: 632645
CPU 0 DPC highest execution time (µs): 471.390238
CPU 0 DPC total execution time (s): 6.176996
CPU 0 DPC count: 1464437
_
CPU 1 Interrupt cycle time (s): 6.938142
CPU 1 ISR highest execution time (µs): 56.007381
CPU 1 ISR total execution time (s): 0.012161
CPU 1 ISR count: 12876
CPU 1 DPC highest execution time (µs): 337.779286
CPU 1 DPC total execution time (s): 0.234030
CPU 1 DPC count: 28763
_
CPU 2 Interrupt cycle time (s): 4.584125
CPU 2 ISR highest execution time (µs): 29.038810
CPU 2 ISR total execution time (s): 0.001257
CPU 2 ISR count: 1632
CPU 2 DPC highest execution time (µs): 121.250
CPU 2 DPC total execution time (s): 0.024808
CPU 2 DPC count: 5931
_
CPU 3 Interrupt cycle time (s): 4.777186
CPU 3 ISR highest execution time (µs): 4.063333
CPU 3 ISR total execution time (s): 0.001062
CPU 3 ISR count: 1294
CPU 3 DPC highest execution time (µs): 93.438333
CPU 3 DPC total execution time (s): 0.022712
CPU 3 DPC count: 5337
_
And the results are:
HWMon shows CPU and GPU usages 100% almost all the time while under load; seen in the image below.
Speeding up the fans to full speed did not help.
GPU and cables seating checked.
Disk usage on Task Manager shows around 5% ingame.
memtest86+ ran for 8 hours, got 5 passes with no errors.
Here are the screenshots from HWMon:
Under load
Idle
Based on your data, all metrics except for the graphics card temperatures align with my expectations.
The graphics card’s idle temperature of 60°C suggests a potential problem; it’s likely that during intense gaming, the card will reach 90°C or higher and experience performance throttling.
I recommend attempting to replace the thermal paste on the graphics card. Please verify that all fans are functioning correctly and that the card is securely installed.
The CPU and GPU consistently operating at 100% load isn’t a significant concern. This indicates they are effectively matched and balanced.
I’ve verified that my graphics card is securely installed and the fans are rotating. My belief is that because my GPU is designed for water cooling – featuring a built-in water block – the existing fans might be inadequate. The difficulty lies in my limited knowledge of water cooling systems, particularly concerning GPUs. Although I already utilize a water cooler for my CPU, I’m confident I can’t simply add additional tubing, and I’m unsure where to acquire the necessary components.
I also lack experience with thermal pastes; instead of following the standard CPU installation process, I will investigate that as well. To provide context, I'm experiencing a noticeable coil whine problem under heavy load. Thank you.
Fan noise is typically caused by a graphics card or power supply unit, or possibly the PSU isn’t supplying sufficient electricity to the graphics card. However, that wouldn't present itself at elevated temperatures. The problem could also involve failing fans within the graphics card itself. Investigating the water cooling system, in addition to the Poseidon, might be beneficial.
Greetings,
I'm attempting to replace the adhesive, but I'm unsure of my next steps—do you have any suggestions? I haven’t located any additional fasteners.