Keyboard "input outages" in demanding games - possible CPU hitching?

[MrDim]

Hey guys,

(Sorry for the wall of text, but it's a really weird problem that benefits from detailed description)

I've been using my PC unmodified (except an updated GPU about a year ago) for more than three years, and relevant parts include:

• i7 3770k w/ Corsair H60
• GTX 970
• ASUS Maximus V Gene
• 16 GB RAM
• 750W PSU
• USB Ducky Shine 3 keyboard
• USB Mouse
• Windows 10

Just yesterday, my PC became afflicted with a issue that defies all of my efforts at troubleshooting, and I wanted to throw it out there and present my findings to you guys in hopes that y'all could push me in the right direction to solving it.

The issue is this: when playing CPU-intensive games, namely Overwatch where my CPU usage is consistently above 85%, there will be short periods (that I'll refer to to as outages) every 3-4 seconds, usually lasting not more than about a half second, where my keyboard inputs will cease to be recognized by the game. This manifests itself differently depending on what I'm doing: when holding a key in the chat box, where normally the letter would be repeated, there will be a pause in output for the duration of the outage where no letter is input into the chat box until the end of that half a second or less outage. When holding a key to move in game, for the duration of an outage, that key will continue to be held; as such, a light tap of "D" to strafe right might have me travelling right for the duration of this "lag" if it happened to occur while I was inputting D.

What's most strange to me is that, during these outages, there is no other perceivable lag on my machine. Absolutely no framerate drops or stuttering, no mouse lag, nothing.

After rebooting, I'm able to run Overwatch without this keyboard lag for a game or two, until suddenly the issue reappears and does not disappear from ANY game seemingly until reboot. Interestingly, this lag does NOT ever seem to begin if I only play less taxing games after reboot.

List anything you've done in attempt to diagnose or fix the problem.

After some troubleshooting, I've eliminated the most obvious causes of the problem:

• I'm very sure it isn't my keyboard, as there are periods after reboot where this issue isn't present at all and my keyboard responds perfectly, and unplugging and replugging in the keyboard does NOT resolve the issue when it is present.
• I tried multiple USB ports in the back, and there are no taxing USB devices plugged in, so I don't think it's a faulty port or limited USB bandwidth.
• I've disabled all Windows power saving features that turn off keyboards and USB devices; no difference.
• No viruses; made sure of that first.

I am personally starting to suspect that the culprit is actually my CPU. When I first purchased this CPU 3 or so years ago, I was able to reach a comfortable, stable overclock of 4.5GHz, with max temps in the 70s. I realized about a week ago after experiencing CPU throttling ingame that my H60 had gotten clogged up (due to irresponsibility on my end) and CPU temperatures had been running very hot while playing Overwatch for many months, sometimes reaching the high 90s. I fixed the temperatures promptly, but even after downclocking my CPU heavily, I've run into this new keyboard lag problem that seems to arise strictly after playing CPU-demanding games. Is it possible that my CPU could be damaged? I can confirm that there isn't any CPU throttling going on ingame when this keyboard lag is occurring, and keyboard outages continue even at low CPU temperatures and load once they begin.

My second theory is related to power draw; this issue started happening right around the time that I started using a new monitor, the Dell S2417g 165hz WQHD. Given that the monitor has its own power supply I don't understand why this would contribute, but the the timing seems odd to me and I can't imagine any other way these two devices could interfere with each other.

Again, sorry for the wall of text. I'd greatly, greatly appreciate any advice. I'm just about out of ideas here.

 

[VirtualLarry]

If you're connecting that monitor with DisplayPort cable, is it a VESA-compliant cable? I think I remember reading something on here about a non-VESA-compliant cable (passes voltage on pin 20?), and that was interfering with some of the mobo's ports.

 

[MrDim]

If you're connecting that monitor with DisplayPort cable, is it a VESA-compliant cable? I think I remember reading something on here about a non-VESA-compliant cable (passes voltage on pin 20?), and that was interfering with some of the mobo's ports.

That's a good question; it's the cable that came included with the monitor, has worked perfectly for 165HZ, etc, and has the DisplayPort logo, but I don't actually have any idea about the quality of the cable. I'll order a certified Accell cable just to make sure. Thanks!

 

[Ketchup]

So if you run a CPU street test, like Intel burn test, what are your CPU Temps getting up to now?

 

[XavierMace]

After some troubleshooting, I've eliminated the most obvious causes of the problem:

• I'm very sure it isn't my keyboard, as there are periods after reboot where this issue isn't present at all and my keyboard responds perfectly, and unplugging and replugging in the keyboard does NOT resolve the issue when it is present.
• I tried multiple USB ports in the back, and there are no taxing USB devices plugged in, so I don't think it's a faulty port or limited USB bandwidth.
• I've disabled all Windows power saving features that turn off keyboards and USB devices; no difference.
• No viruses; made sure of that first.

So you haven't eliminated the keyboard.

KISS.

My primary rig is almost identical to yours and I've got a second rig which is a single step down on both CPU and GPU. I've never experienced that issue, even when playing Division which on the second rig keeps CPU and GPU above 90% constant. You've made no mention of mouse issues which presumably is also USB so the issue would seem to be limited to a single device, namely the keyboard.

 

[MrDim]

So if you run a CPU street test, like Intel burn test, what are your CPU Temps getting up to now?

After cleaning and lowering my OC, temps max out in the mid 80s for prime95 blend.

So you haven't eliminated the keyboard.

KISS.

My primary rig is almost identical to yours and I've got a second rig which is a single step down on both CPU and GPU. I've never experienced that issue, even when playing Division which on the second rig keeps CPU and GPU above 90% constant. You've made no mention of mouse issues which presumably is also USB so the issue would seem to be limited to a single device, namely the keyboard.

I suppose not with absolute certainty, but given that its performance is seemingly exclusively dependent on the stress undergoing my computer, a fault in the hardware makes little sense to me. Gonna grab a second keyboard tomorrow to make certain of this. I mentioned that there was indeed no mouse lag for my USB mouse.

 

[JohnKebab]

I'm also experiencing the Overwatch keyboard input lag. It happened just like that.

Rig : 6600k, EVGA 1080 SC, Logitech G105, and G300s.
Perfectly fine on BF1, CS:GO etc.

The issue might come from the game itself.


EDIT : I reduced the OW resolution scale to 100% and followed these instructions :
https://www.reddit.com/r/GlobalOffensive/comments/5h7tyl/for_all_those_who_are_getting_low_fps_and/
The issue seems to be gone for me

EDIT 2 : It appeared again...