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Start by identifying the performance problem
Separate three symptoms before troubleshooting: FPS that stays low throughout play, intermittent hitches or brief freezes, and motion that looks less smooth than expected despite the game’s FPS reading. Note whether the issue affects one game or several, and whether it began on the first run, after a driver change, or later.
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Choose a repeatable scene or built-in benchmark. Record the game, resolution, graphics settings, display mode, and symptoms. Change one setting or condition at a time, then compare the same scene rather than relying on a different level or a general impression.
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A monitoring tool can add context. NVIDIA’s FrameView 1.7 can capture average FPS, 1% low FPS, CPU and GPU utilization, clocks, temperature, and power. Treat those readings as clues, not a diagnosis: for example, high GPU use in a demanding scene may indicate a graphics workload or settings limit, but it does not establish that the GPU is defective.
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Check which GPU and display settings the game is using
Set the game’s graphics preference in Windows 11
If the PC has more than one graphics processor, verify that the game is assigned to the intended one. In Windows 11, open Settings > System > Display > Graphics, select the game, open its options, and choose High performance when appropriate. Restart the game after changing the preference, as Microsoft instructs. The choice is relevant to systems with multiple GPUs; it is not a universal FPS fix.
Windows 11 also offers windowed-game optimizations for compatible DirectX 10 and DirectX 11 games running in windowed or borderless-windowed mode. Microsoft’s description does not establish that the feature improves every game or fullscreen setup, so treat it as a specific compatibility setting rather than a blanket performance remedy. See Microsoft’s guidance on optimizations for windowed games.
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Confirm the display refresh rate separately from FPS
Rendered FPS and display refresh rate are related but different: FPS describes how often the game renders frames, while refresh rate describes how often the display updates. Check that Windows is set to the refresh rate you intend to use. Microsoft notes that Dynamic Refresh Rate (DRR) can limit the maximum refresh rate in some games. Follow Microsoft’s instructions to change the refresh rate and compare the Windows setting with the display’s available options.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchAllow shader compilation to settle on a first run
If the worst stutter happens during the first play session, or just after a graphics-driver update, shader compilation may be involved. NVIDIA says installing a new driver clears the shader cache, so a game can stutter on its first run while shaders are rebuilt. Compare later runs of the same scene before concluding that a brief first-session hitch is persistent.
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For the supported games covered by AMD’s background shader compilation guidance, including named titles and Unreal Engine games, AMD recommends: “allowing approximately 15 minutes of gameplay for background shader compilation to complete prior to capturing performance measurements.” That waiting period is AMD’s recommendation for the titles within the scope of its guidance, not a rule for every game or GPU. See AMD’s background shader compilation guidance and NVIDIA’s shader-cache reference.
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Review component drivers, especially after a recent change
Steam Support lists outdated CPU, GPU, and audio drivers among possible contributors to reduced FPS and recommends checking component drivers. Use guidance from the component or PC maker for the exact hardware. The newest driver is not guaranteed to perform best in every game; if the issue began immediately after a display-driver update, consider whether reverting that driver is appropriate rather than repeatedly installing versions without a comparison.
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Microsoft documents updating or rolling back a display driver for display problems, with rollback particularly relevant when trouble follows an update. Its instructions are at Microsoft’s display troubleshooting guidance. Steam’s driver advice is available in its PC performance troubleshooting article.
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Use a clean boot to isolate a suspected software conflict
Close unnecessary applications and startup programs for a comparison run. If performance changes, or you suspect a background program is interfering, Windows clean boot can help isolate a startup-software conflict. Follow Microsoft’s clean-boot procedure, then restore normal startup after testing. Do not disable services indiscriminately or leave the PC in a diagnostic startup state.
Use the results to decide what to investigate next
Compare repeatable runs and consider several readings together: FPS lows, CPU and GPU utilization, clocks, temperature, and power. A pattern can help determine whether to investigate game settings, background workload, driver behavior, or another system-specific issue. Telemetry by itself does not prove a bottleneck or failed part, and the exact hardware and game matter.
If the software checks do not resolve the problem, Steam Support suggests contacting a local PC technician for machine-specific help. Avoid buying a graphics card, replacement PC, cable, or repair part until evidence connects that item to the symptom.
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