#PROBLEMS WITH THE GAME - STUTTERING / PERFORMANCE

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lone kindle
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General Stuttering

Stuttering is usually caused by frame pacing issues, background processes, or shader compilation.

  • Close background apps (browser, overlays, recording software)
  • Update GPU drivers
  • Lower texture quality (VRAM-heavy setting)
  • Disable V-Sync or try enabling it, if present (test both cases)
  • Let shaders fully compile (first launch stutter is normal in many games)
  • Install game on SSD instead of HDD
  • Use FPS cap (via in-game settings or RTSS) for smoother frame pacing
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Shader Compilation / Shader Cache

A shader cache stores precompiled graphics data to improve performance and reduce stutter. Compilation usually starts on first start, takes a while. Stuttering for some time when playing for the first time is normal and will subside. Corrupted or outdated shader cache can cause crashes, visual glitches, or stuttering.
How to clear it:
NVIDIA:

  • Open NVIDIA Control Panel
  • Go to Manage 3D Settings
  • Set Shader Cache Size > Disabled, apply, then re-enable it
  • Restart your PC
    Manual (Windows):
  • Press Win + R, type %localappdata%
  • Delete folders like NVIDIA\DXCache and NVIDIA\GLCache (if present)
  • Restart your PC
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Overlay Conflicts (Discord, Nvidia, etc.)

Overlays can interfere with input, performance, or even cause crashes and visual glitches.

  • Disable overlays one by one (Discord, Steam, GeForce Experience, Xbox Game Bar)
  • Restart the game after each change to test stability
  • Run the game in exclusive fullscreen (if available)
  • Update overlay-related apps (Discord / NVIDIA App / Steam)
  • If issues disappear > re-enable overlays one at a time to find the culprit
  • Keep only one overlay active if possible
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PROBLEMS WITH THE GAME - STUTTERING / PERFORMANCE

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DLSS / FSR / Frame Generation (performance issues)

Upscaling and frame generation should improve performance, but can sometimes introduce instability or inconsistent frame pacing.

  • Switch between Quality / Balanced / Performance modes
  • Disable Frame Generation to test baseline performance
  • Update GPU drivers (important for DLSS / FSR fixes)
  • Lower heavy settings like shadows, volumetrics, and textures
  • Try native resolution to compare stability
  • Use FPS cap for smoother frame pacing (often more stable than uncapped)
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CPU vs GPU Bottleneck

Performance issues can come from either the CPU or GPU hitting its limit first.

  • Check usage in MSI Afterburner / Task Manager
  • If CPU is near 100% > lower simulation-heavy settings (crowds, physics, view distance)
  • If GPU is near 100% > lower graphics settings (resolution, shadows, textures)
  • High FPS + stutter often points to CPU bottleneck
  • Low FPS + stable usage usually points to GPU limitation
  • Background apps can worsen CPU bottlenecks