Question Computer stuttering while gaming

[Aditya Kumar]

Whenever I play Apex Legends (it's the only game I play) it makes the whole PC stutter every 3-4 mins (for 2-3 secs everything freezes). Although stuttering also happens when I am not gaming and just browsing but it's 2-3 times per day. This issue only started last month. Also I got my GPU replaced last month, so it can't be GPU. I checked temperatures during gaming and it's all under 70 Celsius on GPU, CPU & Mobo. PC is little less then 2 years old but PSU is 12 years old.

CPU : AMD Ryzen 5 3600x
Motherboard : Asus TUF Gaming X570 Plus
RAM : 2 X 8GB A-Data XPG 3200Mhz CL16
SSD : Silicon Power 1TB NVMe M.2 Gen 3
GPU : Zotac GTX 1660 Twin Fan
PSU : Corsair 550W (Bought in 2009)

Where should I start ? Coz it could be motherboard or CPU or PSU or RAM or GPU, it's hard to figure out as I don't have 2nd desktop to switch parts & find the faulty hardware.
I think it's most likely PSU but I just don't want to buy new PSU for $100 then later realize it was something else which was faulty.

 

[solidsnake1298]

In the HWInfo log, it shows that it went up into the 70s a couple times. I am going to assume that is from web browsing while in between matches.

Run a memory test program. OCCT is free and has a memory test in it now.

OCBASE/OCCT : Free, all-in-one stability, stress test, benchmark and monitoring tool for your PC

Ocbase is the home of OCCT, the most popular all-in-one stability / stress testing / benchmarking / monitoring tool available for PC

www.ocbase.com

Set it to 80% (Default) and run it. Traditional RAM tests will report their progress in "percent coverage", which OCCT doesn't. So let it run for at least 2 hours.

I suggest this because I've run into memory kits that aren't quite stable at their rated speed, 3200MT in your case. Slightly unstable memory can cause hitching, stuttering, and crashing (which you mentioned in your other thread).

Maybe instead of running OCCT, run your memory at stock speeds? See if the stuttering continues.

 

[Aditya Kumar]

In the HWInfo log, it shows that it went up into the 70s a couple times. I am going to assume that is from web browsing while in between matches.

Run a memory test program. OCCT is free and has a memory test in it now.

OCBASE/OCCT : Free, all-in-one stability, stress test, benchmark and monitoring tool for your PC

Ocbase is the home of OCCT, the most popular all-in-one stability / stress testing / benchmarking / monitoring tool available for PC

www.ocbase.com

Set it to 80% (Default) and run it. Traditional RAM tests will report their progress in "percent coverage", which OCCT doesn't. So let it run for at least 2 hours.

I suggest this because I've run into memory kits that aren't quite stable at their rated speed, 3200MT in your case. Slightly unstable memory can cause hitching, stuttering, and crashing (which you mentioned in your other thread).

Maybe instead of running OCCT, run your memory at stock speeds? See if the stuttering continues.

Good Idea I will run game at 2666mhz and see. If issue is still there then I will run OCCT and reports back to you with logs.

 

[Aditya Kumar]

@bigboxes @VirtualLarry @Steltek @aigomorla @DAPUNISHER @blckgrffn @solidsnake1298

I posted query for new PSU in other correct section of forum, please check,

Question - PSU under $100

I am looking for new PSU as my current Corsair VX550 PSU lasted 12 years. I need semi modular or fully modular. I think I should get wattage between 500W to 750W. I am using : CPU : AMD Ryzen 5 3600x (95W) Motherboard : Asus TUF Gaming X570 Plus RAM : 2 X 8GB A-Data XPG 3200Mhz CL16 SSD ...

forums.anandtech.com

 

[Aditya Kumar]

In the HWInfo log, it shows that it went up into the 70s a couple times. I am going to assume that is from web browsing while in between matches.

Run a memory test program. OCCT is free and has a memory test in it now.

OCBASE/OCCT : Free, all-in-one stability, stress test, benchmark and monitoring tool for your PC

Ocbase is the home of OCCT, the most popular all-in-one stability / stress testing / benchmarking / monitoring tool available for PC

www.ocbase.com

Set it to 80% (Default) and run it. Traditional RAM tests will report their progress in "percent coverage", which OCCT doesn't. So let it run for at least 2 hours.

I suggest this because I've run into memory kits that aren't quite stable at their rated speed, 3200MT in your case. Slightly unstable memory can cause hitching, stuttering, and crashing (which you mentioned in your other thread).

Maybe instead of running OCCT, run your memory at stock speeds? See if the stuttering continues.

I have a general question Should computer freeze for micro second when CPU is at 100% usage?

Also I did quick userbenchmark and GPU was under performing : https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/44851369

So I played game on stock speeds but same issue then I ran OCCT, it gives 1 hour test limit for free users. Here are the results :

Memory Test :
00:00:00 - Info - Test schedule started at 2021-07-22 16:00:31
00:00:00 - Info - Memory - Started (Duration : 01:00:00)
01:00:01 - Info - Memory - Stopped
01:00:01 - Info - Test schedule completed

Power Test :
00:00:00 - Info - Test schedule started at 2021-07-23 00:26:32
00:00:00 - Info - Power - Started (Duration : 01:00:00)
00:06:27 - Error - Power - 10256 error(s) found (CPU)
00:06:28 - Error - Power - 32289 error(s) found (CPU)
00:06:29 - Error - Power - 31847 error(s) found (CPU)
00:06:30 - Error - Power - 32134 error(s) found (CPU)
00:06:31 - Error - Power - 32314 error(s) found (CPU)
00:06:32 - Error - Power - 32126 error(s) found (CPU)
00:06:33 - Error - Power - 32050 error(s) found (CPU)
00:06:34 - Error - Power - 32177 error(s) found (CPU)
00:06:35 - Error - Power - 32326 error(s) found (CPU)
00:06:36 - Error - Power - 32011 error(s) found (CPU)
00:06:37 - Error - Power - 32119 error(s) found (CPU)
00:06:38 - Error - Power - 32158 error(s) found (CPU)
00:06:39 - Error - Power - 31860 error(s) found (CPU)
00:06:40 - Error - Power - 32451 error(s) found (CPU)
00:06:41 - Error - Power - 32246 error(s) found (CPU)
00:06:42 - Error - Power - 32132 error(s) found (CPU)
00:06:43 - Error - Power - 32256 error(s) found (CPU)
00:06:44 - Error - Power - 32068 error(s) found (CPU)
00:06:45 - Error - Power - 31936 error(s) found (CPU)
00:06:46 - Error - Power - 31922 error(s) found (CPU)
00:06:47 - Error - Power - 32381 error(s) found (CPU)
00:06:48 - Error - Power - 32274 error(s) found (CPU)
00:09:17 - Info - Power - Stopped
00:09:17 - Info - Test schedule stopped by user request

Now in power test I was getting error every second non stop from 6min mark, so I stopped it. What issue could this be?

 

[blckgrffn]

I have a general question Should computer freeze for micro second when CPU is at 100% usage?

Also I did quick userbenchmark and GPU was under performing : https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/44851369

So I played game on stock speeds but same issue then I ran OCCT, it gives 1 hour test limit for free users. Here are the results :

Memory Test :
00:00:00 - Info - Test schedule started at 2021-07-22 16:00:31
00:00:00 - Info - Memory - Started (Duration : 01:00:00)
01:00:01 - Info - Memory - Stopped
01:00:01 - Info - Test schedule completed

Power Test :
00:00:00 - Info - Test schedule started at 2021-07-23 00:26:32
00:00:00 - Info - Power - Started (Duration : 01:00:00)
00:06:27 - Error - Power - 10256 error(s) found (CPU)
00:06:28 - Error - Power - 32289 error(s) found (CPU)
00:06:29 - Error - Power - 31847 error(s) found (CPU)
00:06:30 - Error - Power - 32134 error(s) found (CPU)
00:06:31 - Error - Power - 32314 error(s) found (CPU)
00:06:32 - Error - Power - 32126 error(s) found (CPU)
00:06:33 - Error - Power - 32050 error(s) found (CPU)
00:06:34 - Error - Power - 32177 error(s) found (CPU)
00:06:35 - Error - Power - 32326 error(s) found (CPU)
00:06:36 - Error - Power - 32011 error(s) found (CPU)
00:06:37 - Error - Power - 32119 error(s) found (CPU)
00:06:38 - Error - Power - 32158 error(s) found (CPU)
00:06:39 - Error - Power - 31860 error(s) found (CPU)
00:06:40 - Error - Power - 32451 error(s) found (CPU)
00:06:41 - Error - Power - 32246 error(s) found (CPU)
00:06:42 - Error - Power - 32132 error(s) found (CPU)
00:06:43 - Error - Power - 32256 error(s) found (CPU)
00:06:44 - Error - Power - 32068 error(s) found (CPU)
00:06:45 - Error - Power - 31936 error(s) found (CPU)
00:06:46 - Error - Power - 31922 error(s) found (CPU)
00:06:47 - Error - Power - 32381 error(s) found (CPU)
00:06:48 - Error - Power - 32274 error(s) found (CPU)
00:09:17 - Info - Power - Stopped
00:09:17 - Info - Test schedule stopped by user request

Now in power test I was getting error every second non stop from 6min mark, so I stopped it. What issue could this be?

Is this with the new PSU installed? I mean, if you haven't replaced that yet, stop. Wait. You could kill more things.

 

[Aditya Kumar]

Is this with the new PSU installed? I mean, if you haven't replaced that yet, stop. Wait. You could kill more things.

New PSU is on the way, it'll take few days to arrive.

I was stress testing every components to rule out problem with other hardware like bad motherboard or CPU.

 

[blckgrffn]

New PSU is on the way, it'll take few days to arrive.

I was stress testing every components to rule out problem with other hardware like bad motherboard or CPU.

I get that, but if the PSU is bad (or getting worse...) hitting it hard and repeatedly could cause catastrophic - or gradual - failure of other components. Patience

 

[solidsnake1298]

I've never used userbenchmark so I can't authoritatively comment on your results. Their statements about your GPU are conflicting.

In the summary at the top:

69.5% is a good 3D score. This GPU can handle the majority of recent games at high resolutions and ultra detail levels.

But in the detailed description:

Performing below potential (64th percentile)

The graph for the detailed description implies that you are in the middle of the pack for GTX1660 results. But when compared to all other results, including faster GPUs, your score is a bit low. So it seems that your GPU performance is fine for a GTX1660.

I've never run the PSU test in OCCT. But a cursory search on Google shows that it probably stresses the CPU and GPU and then reads the voltage levels on the 12V rail(s). Those errors are probably instances of the 12V rail dipping below a certain level. blckgrffn's statement is sound. If your PSU is problematic, pushing it too hard with GPU+CPU stress tests is probably not a good idea.

Random thought. The fact that the PSU test starts reporting errors after 6 mins tells me that the voltages are probably dropping after the PSU heats up. Are you able to tell if your PSU fan is running? Could it be that the PSU fan is dead and that all the problems you are having are from the PSU being too hot?

 

[Aditya Kumar]

I get that, but if the PSU is bad (or getting worse...) hitting it hard and repeatedly could cause catastrophic - or gradual - failure of other components. Patience

I've never used userbenchmark so I can't authoritatively comment on your results. Their statements about your GPU are conflicting.

In the summary at the top:

69.5% is a good 3D score. This GPU can handle the majority of recent games at high resolutions and ultra detail levels.

But in the detailed description:

Performing below potential (64th percentile)

The graph for the detailed description implies that you are in the middle of the pack for GTX1660 results. But when compared to all other results, including faster GPUs, your score is a bit low. So it seems that your GPU performance is fine for a GTX1660.

I've never run the PSU test in OCCT. But a cursory search on Google shows that it probably stresses the CPU and GPU and then reads the voltage levels on the 12V rail(s). Those errors are probably instances of the 12V rail dipping below a certain level. blckgrffn's statement is sound. If your PSU is problematic, pushing it too hard with GPU+CPU stress tests is probably not a good idea.

Random thought. The fact that the PSU test starts reporting errors after 6 mins tells me that the voltages are probably dropping after the PSU heats up. Are you able to tell if your PSU fan is running? Could it be that the PSU fan is dead and that all the problems you are having are from the PSU being too hot?

PSU fan is working I checked.
I am not running stress test on it anymore. I ran OCCT power test (CPU+GPU stress) second time and after 5-6mins computer when black screen and rebooted. I am 95% sure PSU overheated and tripped, 5% chance motherboard issue.

 

[Aditya Kumar]

I get that, but if the PSU is bad (or getting worse...) hitting it hard and repeatedly could cause catastrophic - or gradual - failure of other components. Patience

I've never used userbenchmark so I can't authoritatively comment on your results. Their statements about your GPU are conflicting.

In the summary at the top:

69.5% is a good 3D score. This GPU can handle the majority of recent games at high resolutions and ultra detail levels.

But in the detailed description:

Performing below potential (64th percentile)

The graph for the detailed description implies that you are in the middle of the pack for GTX1660 results. But when compared to all other results, including faster GPUs, your score is a bit low. So it seems that your GPU performance is fine for a GTX1660.

I've never run the PSU test in OCCT. But a cursory search on Google shows that it probably stresses the CPU and GPU and then reads the voltage levels on the 12V rail(s). Those errors are probably instances of the 12V rail dipping below a certain level. blckgrffn's statement is sound. If your PSU is problematic, pushing it too hard with GPU+CPU stress tests is probably not a good idea.

Random thought. The fact that the PSU test starts reporting errors after 6 mins tells me that the voltages are probably dropping after the PSU heats up. Are you able to tell if your PSU fan is running? Could it be that the PSU fan is dead and that all the problems you are having are from the PSU being too hot?

I got new Antec HCG750 Gold PSU and I ran OCCT power test which stresses both cpu & gpu at same time.

CPU temps stayed fixed at 90 C as the stock cooler is garbage. Anyways at 36min mark the whole pc froze and I had to force restart using power button.

is this normal behavior ?

Also I am using razer orochi v2 mouse, the cursor on the monitor freezes for 2-3 secs randomly 3-4 times per day and when I press keyboard button to check the system is taking input of keys which means PC is not freezing just the mouse cursor hangs. I tested with other usb ports but same issue.

Does this mean fault is in motherboard?

Update : I ran OCCT CPU test and core 5 is giving errors. I am attaching log also.
https://file.io/T01Jr98fkyk0

Attaching screenshot of new hwinfo after 1 hour of gaming

 

[Shmee]

If the core 5 is giving errors, that would be a CPU issue most likely.

 

[Aditya Kumar]

I disabled core 6 (core 5 its called in OCCT as it starts from Core 0.1.2.3.4.5). But you have to keep both CCX symmetrical so I had to disable Core 3 also or settings wont apply.

After doing this gaming was very smoother but jitters/stutters were still there but a little lesser. So problem didn't go away fully. Not sure if CPU is bad or mobo

 

[solidsnake1298]

Sounds like a bad CPU. There shouldn't be any errors on any cores at stock speeds. Even with the stock cooler.

 

[sdifox]

And 90C is too high for a 3600X

 

[Aditya Kumar]

Sounds like a bad CPU. There shouldn't be any errors on any cores at stock speeds. Even with the stock cooler.

I got cpu replaced but still the same problem. What to do next?

Change motherboard next if still issue doesn't fix then RAM then SSD?

 

[Shmee]

Just to clarify, you got another 3600X? Was this an RMA, or an exchange from a store? Was it new? However unlikely, it could be another bad chip, assuming it is still giving errors. Though it sounds like it may be the board at this point. You could try upgrading the cooler, and see if that helps, though a stock cooler shouldn't cause this many issues/errors as long as it is installed properly. At this point you may want to take it to a repair shop to troubleshoot.

If you continue troubleshooting yourself, I would load defaults in the UEFI setup, so that you are not even running XMP/DOCP on the RAM. Double check the cooler is installed well, and temps are decent at idle, and stress test again. You could also memtest at these settings to see what happens.

 

[Aditya Kumar]

Just to clarify, you got another 3600X? Was this an RMA, or an exchange from a store? Was it new? However unlikely, it could be another bad chip, assuming it is still giving errors. Though it sounds like it may be the board at this point. You could try upgrading the cooler, and see if that helps, though a stock cooler shouldn't cause this many issues/errors as long as it is installed properly. At this point you may want to take it to a repair shop to troubleshoot.

If you continue troubleshooting yourself, I would load defaults in the UEFI setup, so that you are not even running XMP/DOCP on the RAM. Double check the cooler is installed well, and temps are decent at idle, and stress test again. You could also memtest at these settings to see what happens.

This new RMA's CPU was sealed packed same as when you buy new from shop. Came from AMD warehouse.

This RMA'd CPU is not giving errors in OCCT CPU Test and power test both, the one I posted results of was with old CPU.

I ran everything on stock and default UEFI, but same issue. Memtest gave no errors.

CPU temps dont go above 65 C in any games, only when I do prime95 test it touches 90 C.

 

[Shmee]

Ok, so you fixed the CPU errors/BSOD issue, but you are still getting stuttering in Apex Legends. This issue sounds like it could be software related. Asuming your GPU is not the problem, try looking at Apex Legends forums and see if there are some fix suggestions for this. Like lowering/tweaking game settings, changing a Windows setting, trying a different graphics driver.

Also, what monitor(s) are you using? The higher the resolution, the more demanding the game is on graphics. Having multiple monitors might also complicate things with some games.

 

[Aditya Kumar]

Ok, so you fixed the CPU errors/BSOD issue, but you are still getting stuttering in Apex Legends. This issue sounds like it could be software related. Asuming your GPU is not the problem, try looking at Apex Legends forums and see if there are some fix suggestions for this. Like lowering/tweaking game settings, changing a Windows setting, trying a different graphics driver.

Also, what monitor(s) are you using? The higher the resolution, the more demanding the game is on graphics. Having multiple monitors might also complicate things with some games.

LG 29UM69G, 75hz, 2560 x 1080, 29 inch

Stutter happens in superposition benchmark also. Also apex legends use to run perfectly 1 month ago on same spec hardware so I doubt it's the game issue. I already got GPU & CPU RMA'd. Bought new PSU.

Next thing to do is RMA motherboard then RAM then SSD. Then live with it.

 

[Shmee]

I would test on a spare drive with a fresh install of Windows first. It could still very well be a software issue.

 

[Aditya Kumar]

I would test on a spare drive with a fresh install of Windows first. It could still very well be a software issue.

I got 2.5" Laptop Sata internal HDD , which I will test on this pc after removing SSD from it. Games would load slower for sure but I hope mechanical HDD won't cause game to stutter. Coz lot of people still use HDD for installing games and it runs fine on them just loading is slow and textures load slow in open world games.

 

[Aditya Kumar]

I would test on a spare drive with a fresh install of Windows first. It could still very well be a software issue.

Same issue on the mechanical HDD with new OS install

 

[shortylickens]

I have never had stuttering because of a cheap power supply. It always seems to be fixed by a windows update, or driver update.

 

[Aditya Kumar]

Yesterday I replaced my motherboard. So here is the summary :
1) When I changed GPU 1.5 months ago, problem was still same.
2) After that when I changed PSU 1 month ago the BSOD problem went away but freezing/stutters was still there
3) Then I changed CPU 3 weeks ago and after that freezing was gone but there was stutters still the same.
4) Then I changed Motherboard this week, now stutters are the only issue but they are reduced by 80%.

So what should I change next ? RAM, GPU or SSD ?

And is it possible that every component in my PC was fried all at same time because of old PSU or bad mobo ?
Because every time I change one component the issue gets fixed by a small percentage.

 

[deustroop]

So what should I change next ? RAM, GPU or SSD ?

I would first try a more powerful GPU. You could also as a temp measure move down the resolution/ settings in games.