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Question Random FPS decreases in each game after a GPU usage drop

Question Random FPS decreases in each game after a GPU usage drop

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Teh_Justin
Member
60
12-13-2025, 05:32 AM
#1
Hello everyone, I'm facing an issue with my PC for years now, and I'm trying to fix it.
In certain games, the FPS drops drastically from 150 to just 10 for one second, causing stuttering. This happens regardless of settings adjustments, though they can slightly improve the situation.
The problem intensifies when the computer warms up and a restart helps, but it still persists.
Recently, I replaced both the CPU and GPU thermal paste.
My PC is quite old but performs adequately for most tasks except these performance drops, which ruin even simple games—from open-world to indie titles that aren't too demanding.
I'll include my specifications from HWMonitor while the game runs in the background. Online research hasn't uncovered anything particularly noteworthy.
I experienced a RAM error before, but after replacing both sticks and cleaning the sockets, it seemed resolved. However, the issue reappeared immediately.
The hardware appears clean, with no obvious dust buildup.
I've also tried moving a game to an SSD, but it didn't help.
Thank you ahead of time—I hope I can find a solution soon.
T
Teh_Justin
12-13-2025, 05:32 AM #1

Hello everyone, I'm facing an issue with my PC for years now, and I'm trying to fix it.
In certain games, the FPS drops drastically from 150 to just 10 for one second, causing stuttering. This happens regardless of settings adjustments, though they can slightly improve the situation.
The problem intensifies when the computer warms up and a restart helps, but it still persists.
Recently, I replaced both the CPU and GPU thermal paste.
My PC is quite old but performs adequately for most tasks except these performance drops, which ruin even simple games—from open-world to indie titles that aren't too demanding.
I'll include my specifications from HWMonitor while the game runs in the background. Online research hasn't uncovered anything particularly noteworthy.
I experienced a RAM error before, but after replacing both sticks and cleaning the sockets, it seemed resolved. However, the issue reappeared immediately.
The hardware appears clean, with no obvious dust buildup.
I've also tried moving a game to an SSD, but it didn't help.
Thank you ahead of time—I hope I can find a solution soon.

X
xX_IceyWolf_Xx
Senior Member
629
12-19-2025, 07:05 AM
#2
Hi, if I had to estimate, I'd say the maximum temperature of 87°C on the CPU isn't ideal. What cooling solution are you employing? (I'm pretty certain it's something you're using)
X
xX_IceyWolf_Xx
12-19-2025, 07:05 AM #2

Hi, if I had to estimate, I'd say the maximum temperature of 87°C on the CPU isn't ideal. What cooling solution are you employing? (I'm pretty certain it's something you're using)

K
kitnn
Member
64
12-23-2025, 09:31 AM
#3
Basic heatsink and a fan
K
kitnn
12-23-2025, 09:31 AM #3

Basic heatsink and a fan

N
Nayumo
Member
118
12-23-2025, 03:28 PM
#4
How can I make it better?
N
Nayumo
12-23-2025, 03:28 PM #4

How can I make it better?

M
mijncraft
Junior Member
17
12-25-2025, 07:52 PM
#5
Well, first of all Im not 100% sure this is the issue related to your stutter, but in any case, while gaming you should not see that max temp.
And usually stutters are realted to the CPU. Then again, Im not sure this is the case considering we are talking about Indie Games and somehow oldish system.
Anyways, your CPU goes into a socket which is called: "FCLGA1150", so you would have to look for a compatible cooler with socket LGA1150.
Heres a list of compatible coolers:
https://pcpartpicker.com/products/cpu-co...ice&page=1
This is the bare minimum I would look for:
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/hctLrH/...3-xt-black
While this two will be the better choices:
-
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/Zr8bt6/...14-xt-argb
-
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/Wf...se...r-se-v2-d6
Those are examples, it doesn't need to have RGB leds, and also you have to be 100% it will fit inside your case.
The first one is the smaller 92mm fan, while the other two are 120mmm fans, so they are higher and may collide with your side panel. On the other hand they will cool you CPU better.
If your curent cooler is the one shown on the next video, then any of this kind of coolers will be better:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iv6mETRkTCU
M
mijncraft
12-25-2025, 07:52 PM #5

Well, first of all Im not 100% sure this is the issue related to your stutter, but in any case, while gaming you should not see that max temp.
And usually stutters are realted to the CPU. Then again, Im not sure this is the case considering we are talking about Indie Games and somehow oldish system.
Anyways, your CPU goes into a socket which is called: "FCLGA1150", so you would have to look for a compatible cooler with socket LGA1150.
Heres a list of compatible coolers:
https://pcpartpicker.com/products/cpu-co...ice&page=1
This is the bare minimum I would look for:
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/hctLrH/...3-xt-black
While this two will be the better choices:
-
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/Zr8bt6/...14-xt-argb
-
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/Wf...se...r-se-v2-d6
Those are examples, it doesn't need to have RGB leds, and also you have to be 100% it will fit inside your case.
The first one is the smaller 92mm fan, while the other two are 120mmm fans, so they are higher and may collide with your side panel. On the other hand they will cool you CPU better.
If your curent cooler is the one shown on the next video, then any of this kind of coolers will be better:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iv6mETRkTCU

Z
zamys
Senior Member
690
12-25-2025, 09:58 PM
#6
I'll take a closer look, it's the cooler I have. I don't think that's the reason for the stutters, do you have another suggestion?
Z
zamys
12-25-2025, 09:58 PM #6

I'll take a closer look, it's the cooler I have. I don't think that's the reason for the stutters, do you have another suggestion?

I
iiMau
Member
89
01-16-2026, 02:53 PM
#7
Well if the usage graphs you showed were during game play, then it's clear that GPU usage drops to around 18%. So, it seems like CPU throttling is happening due to temperature. I think about:
- OS/Drivers/Malware/etc. problems.
- GPU VRAM running out, forcing data swapping between GPU and system RAM.
- High CPU usage, meaning the CPU can't keep up with the GPU's demands (the graphs might only show one core at 100% causing stutter). On the other hand, you could check the sensor data where it reported CPU at 105% utilization, which isn't ideal for gaming.
- Game-related factors, as the game is poorly optimized and causes stuttering intermittently.
There could be many issues, and a combination of them might be the cause. It's hard to pinpoint exactly what's wrong.
Did you look up the game on Google to see if others are experiencing similar problems?
I
iiMau
01-16-2026, 02:53 PM #7

Well if the usage graphs you showed were during game play, then it's clear that GPU usage drops to around 18%. So, it seems like CPU throttling is happening due to temperature. I think about:
- OS/Drivers/Malware/etc. problems.
- GPU VRAM running out, forcing data swapping between GPU and system RAM.
- High CPU usage, meaning the CPU can't keep up with the GPU's demands (the graphs might only show one core at 100% causing stutter). On the other hand, you could check the sensor data where it reported CPU at 105% utilization, which isn't ideal for gaming.
- Game-related factors, as the game is poorly optimized and causes stuttering intermittently.
There could be many issues, and a combination of them might be the cause. It's hard to pinpoint exactly what's wrong.
Did you look up the game on Google to see if others are experiencing similar problems?

N
nenette24
Member
149
01-17-2026, 06:59 AM
#8
A few of the motherboard temperatures seem quite high as well. I have two sensors showing 127°C, which is really high—I’m not sure if these are accurate readings!
N
nenette24
01-17-2026, 06:59 AM #8

A few of the motherboard temperatures seem quite high as well. I have two sensors showing 127°C, which is really high—I’m not sure if these are accurate readings!

X
xMaci3jx
Member
50
01-19-2026, 06:56 AM
#9
I observed that but wasn't sure about its use. 127C might be too extreme, so I thought it could be a false reading.
X
xMaci3jx
01-19-2026, 06:56 AM #9

I observed that but wasn't sure about its use. 127C might be too extreme, so I thought it could be a false reading.

T
Taybaybay
Posting Freak
850
01-24-2026, 07:54 AM
#10
How can I identify the precise issue? It doesn't seem to be a problem unique to any particular game, as it occurs across all of them.
T
Taybaybay
01-24-2026, 07:54 AM #10

How can I identify the precise issue? It doesn't seem to be a problem unique to any particular game, as it occurs across all of them.

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