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Question

Micro-stuttering/stuttering in all video games

Sep 25, 2018 5:08PM PDT

Hello guys!

I have something I have no idea how to fix. In nearly all video games (an exception being the visual novels and such) I encounter this micro-stuttering issue. To see what I am talking about, I recorded a few days ago some gameplay on Assassin's Creed: Syndicate and there you can see exactly what I get while playing most video games (link below at the end of the topic). In the second I get stuttering, the fps suddenly drops a lot and after the stuttering it recovers back to where it was before. (for ex. in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, let's say 160, to 90, then back to 160 / just an example ) So it doesn't matter if I have V-Sync on or not. RAMs can't be the issue because some days ago I changed them (x2 4gb) with other RAMs (x2 4gb) (initially bought to have 16gb, but seeing the issue is still there, I took out the old ones). While having the new RAMs (put in different slots than the other ones), I have a LIL bit less micro-stuttering, but less FPS overall.

What else can I say? I tried a lot of stuff. Scanned for viruses, scanned for malware, defragged, scanned the HDDs, updated all drivers, scanned the old RAMs, cleaned PC for dust, made sure every cable is checked and put right and not loose and checked for Windows Updates.

I've run out of ideas, so I'm open to any suggestion. Looking forward to them, thanks guys!

Below are the Specs and the link to the YouTube video I recorded:

Processor AMD FX(tm)-8350 Eight-Core Processor
RAM 8.0 GB / 16.0 GB DRR3
Video Card NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3GB
Operating System Microsoft Windows 10 (build 16299), 64-bit
HDD 1TB
HDD 4TB (where all games are installed)
SSD 111GB (windows)
Motherboard GIGABYTE GA-970-Gaming

https://youtu.be/1Rh-ITGAz28

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
Let's see
Sep 25, 2018 5:23PM PDT
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Speccy
Sep 25, 2018 5:44PM PDT
http://speccy.piriform.com/results/1pgZXsfIGvASSYGnZay1wcy

Temps are quite ok, with CPU minimum 22 to maximum 50 (while gaming) and GPU 40-ish minimum to 60-70 (while gaming). The HDDs and the SSD I scanned for error with that HDD program (forgot its name) and found no errors, but that was in June or something (I did not have stuttering that time, but I had another HUGE issue with random PC freeze-crashes that made me restart PC every time I got them, thank God I no longer have that). And, at the moment, the 2 RAM sticks I have in the PC are in slot 2 and 4 (from right to left), the old ones were in 1 and 3 (from right to left).

Post was last edited on September 25, 2018 5:45 PM PDT

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Speccy
Sep 25, 2018 11:41PM PDT

You have the wrong ram.
You have 1333 and what you want is 1866.
Look in the mobo manual to see which 2 slots to use when using 2 sticks.

Both your hdd's are junk.
They are both showing internal faults.
Get a 4TB unit and bin both of those.
Combine the 2 into one.

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Speccy
Sep 26, 2018 11:22AM PDT

With this RAM, HDD and so on, 2 months ago I had NO stuttering. So I'm pretty sure it has nothing to do with compatibility issues, but hardware issues or something software.

I would've restarted my windows, if only didn't I have 2TBs of video games to install again.

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Fix what shows
Sep 26, 2018 3:24PM PDT

You can deny it and look elsewhere.....your call.

You don't have a backup of these games?????

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HDD recommandation
Sep 26, 2018 4:45PM PDT

Do you have a 4TB HDD you'd recommend?

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For now.
Sep 26, 2018 4:49PM PDT

Seems like anything other than Seagate.

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Edit
Sep 26, 2018 4:52PM PDT

Wanted to ask this to another answer. Seems I can't edit or delete it

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Really
Sep 26, 2018 4:55PM PDT

So your suggestion would be to change BOTH the Ram sticks and the HDDs? How rich am I?
Also, how is it that 2 months ago I had no issue with the same spec? Even tho, as you said, they might be incompatible or whatever

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Fix the hdd problem first
Sep 26, 2018 5:24PM PDT

Later if you want replace the ram with the proper speed ram.

Might give you a few more fps when gaming.

Top priority is get those junk hdd's out of the machine.

Why did it work before?
Perhaps the hdd's have now failed to the point that you can see a problem.

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Backup
Sep 26, 2018 4:59PM PDT

I do have a backup to all save files from the games, but I like having all of them installed so I can launch any of the games anytime I wish so.

Also, I love having all of them shown in the steam library as grida, looks amazing and shows how big and great my collection is. I've also put in the library the non-steam ones.

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"Why did it work before?"
Sep 26, 2018 3:44PM PDT

Because of where the issues are on the HDD may be here but not there or they started to degrade even worse.

Also, I'd really swap in the right speed RAM for anything on the QVL. At least try XMP.

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No clue
Sep 26, 2018 4:53PM PDT

I reay have no clue what you said. No offense intended

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Issue
Sep 26, 2018 4:57PM PDT

Can the issue also come from the cable connecting the HDD to the mobo? I really am looking at a fix which would not cost me a lot. And the odds that both hdds broke or got issues in the same time is so small I can't even imagine how unlucky I should be..

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CABLE.
Sep 26, 2018 5:04PM PDT

So far, never helped. In fact I strongly suggest you DO NOT DO THIS.

Why? If there is any misstep you could lose what's on that drive. Then you'll be really upset.

As to the XMP reference this should not have any effect. It might help but with the HDD and those numbers, it's just something to try.

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RAM
Sep 26, 2018 5:42PM PDT

Regarding the fact that you said that I need RAM stick 1866 not 1333,sorry for showing you this so late, but here's copy paste from yheir website:


"Support for DDR3 2000(O.C.)/1866/1600/1333/1066 MHz memory modules
* To support a DDR3 1866 MHz (and above) memory, you must install an AM3+ CPU first."

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Ram
Sep 26, 2018 5:49PM PDT

Oh and they are 1600 btw,not 1333

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Ram
Sep 26, 2018 6:05PM PDT

They are 1600 only if you enable XMP.

If you don't they will run at 1333 which is where you are now.

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Answer
A Speccy reading.
Sep 26, 2018 11:41AM PDT

1. Skip down to both Seagates and you see very high numbers in 01 and 07. There are other signs in other values like BC.
This is a common finding when the owner is complaining about stuttering and more.

Drives in such condition are removed. Replaced if need be. We don't get more Seagates.

Keep in mind this is a well known and worn area. You may feel shortchanged about the explanations.

2. Reloading the OS does not help this machine. Good thing you didn't try that.

3. You might get a little relief if you disable Windows update sharing. This is NOT a fix.
Look at all those SVCHOST and connections under System Process. Change this setting as noted at https://www.howtogeek.com/224981/how-to-stop-windows-10-from-uploading-updates-to-other-pcs-over-the-internet/

To me this looks solved. It's the usual find.

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HDDs
Sep 26, 2018 3:46PM PDT

Uninstalled CS:GO from HDD with 4TBs, installed to SSD. NO STUTTERING!
Moved to HDD with 1TB, played 9 Min DM map, got like 2-3 micro-stuttering VEEERY tiny.
Moved back to HDD with 4TBs, the stuttering is back.

So that means both 1tb and 4tbs hdds have issues? What are the odds of something like that?

What can I do? A 4tb HDD is way too expensive atm for me with 100 euros minimum on amazon, and mostly only seagate which you said ain't good...

Is there nothing else I can do besides buying a new 4TB HDD? I really need a huge HDD for storing all of my games. I like having all of 'em installed n stuff.

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What can I do?
Sep 26, 2018 4:06PM PDT

You can live with it until you save enough money to fix the problem.

You can stop playing games until you have enough money to fix the problem.

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It's dead Jim.
Sep 26, 2018 4:14PM PDT

And your tests are typical when we see those 01 and 07 values. The owners are often very upset and want a fix. HDDs don't offer much leeway so I guess you could try putting them on a caching controller or if you were on an Intel look into OPTANE.

But you have AMD so maybe FUZEDRIVE? 20 bucks plus any SSD drive.
http://www.enmotus.com/amd

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Terms
Sep 26, 2018 4:49PM PDT

These terms really confuse me.

My question would be why now? Why did I have no stuttering issues like 2 months ago?

What is the cache thing you are mentioning?

And does this fuzedrive support my spec? I don't have ryzen, I have amd fx 8350. And if it does support my CPU, how about my Mobo?

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Sure.
Sep 26, 2018 4:58PM PDT

But this is post even forensics plus a well worn area about drives with high 01 and 07 values.

The owners are usually asking why and since we don't have a snapshot of the machine prior to now (cue Spaceballs Mr Rental at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdHGSXmOMqE )

Since we only have now we can't see if the numbers have spiked since then but it's pretty simple. Windows 10 now defrags on a schedule so the files could have be is a good area and now are not or the drive has begun to fail.

Remember I don't feel any value is being added here and hope you understand that with hundreds of drives diagnosed so far this area is in need of new tile work.


-> About FUZEDRIVE. Please ask them. It shouldn't matter but since it's not Intel I couldn't nod to RST so I went looking for something else.

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Fail
Sep 27, 2018 7:42AM PDT

So you can all ignore what I have just said with the CS GO thing.

I still have stuttering in CS GO while having it installed on the SSD, though VERY rare and so tiny you can barely see them, but I feel them. If it would be this way in all games, it would be perfect.

So what I did is trying the same thing, but with 2 other video games. Tried first with The Walking Dead: The Final Season, the same stuttering I had while having it installed on the 4TB HDD, I had on the SSD. Then tried with Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel. Same story.

Now I really have no idea what is going on. Please don't tell me that the SSD is also faulty, cuz I am not gonna believe you.

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If these HDDs are attached.
Sep 27, 2018 8:10AM PDT

They can cause delays. It's a common problem and owners struggle with the drives. They want to keep them in the system and for a performance system they have to go.

If there is stuttering without the drives you have to run though a new Speccy as well as give the Userbenchmark test a try since it can highlight where performance issues are.

-> Remember this isn't a new problem with these drives. Hundreds if not more machines here and in other forums. If you want to maintain HDDs don't matter then you may be stuck for a very long time.

With that aside, a new speccy and let's get a Userbenchmark on the machine too.
Be sure the XMP is enabled to get the best results.