PC Processors

[mpw]

Message was edited by: M W - this answer should not be 'assumed answered' because a solution has not been found.

I'm essentially encountering stuttering in games and some applications, despite my temperatures being fine and low usage of the components. My questions are: is this likely hardware as it is presenting itself on operating systems, over two drives? Also, what other tests can be performed to isolate where the issue may be?

Prior to all of this, I have had difficulties with the system since I purchased the parts, and built it. I have had 3 motherboard replacements due to hard freezing, which appears to have been a PCIe lane problem from PCIe Gen 3 on the board. This is now resolved.

I have also had a problem with my GPU throttling due to heat problems, this was replaced and considered a faulty part.

Description of Problem:

On every setup I have tried, games will encounter some form of short micro stutter. This lasts a short amount of time, and occurs at seemingly unknown* intervals. It can happen in a series of stutters, or not happen for over one hour. Once it begins, it is very noticable and prominent. The stutter will last approximately between 250ms to 1 second. I observe that the frametime will often spike, but not always.

This was tested on both Linux and Windows 10, on separate drives, with fresh installs, over multiple disks. This has been tested under 'diagnostic' conditions, whereby I have installed and updated my drivers, and disabled anything that is not required, nor unrelated to the task at hand.

There are no overclocks, though I have tested with stock speeds at higher voltage. And tested with overclocks. If anything, an overclock will help. Though, I am keeping it removed. This began before any overclocking took place.

I have attempted the following:

* Replaced components

* Reinstalling the OS (and trying Linux, on different HDD's/SSD's, and removing them when other drive is in use)

* Flashing BIOS

* AMD chipset drivers

* Updating Nvidia drivers (and removing old ones with DDU)

* Reseating components

* Removing peripherals and components until the bare essentials

* Resetting CMOS

* Reducing GPU power target

* Checking VRM temps

* Disabling drivers, and keeping the bare esential drivers required to run

* Checking LatencyMon -- sometimes ntoskrnl will spike, sometimes it wont. Sometimes I will have a high ISR latency, sometimes I wont.

* Monitoring voltage

* 3 different monitors, cables and display interfaces (DVI, HDMI and displayport)

* Disabled and uninstalled monitoring software

* Reduced graphics settings in both Nvidia Control Panel and games themselves (remember, it happens in some applications, too) -- VSync off and on

* Using Prime95 for stability at stock settings -- passes all torture tests

* Tried different power plans, with different CPU % settings

* Purchased a PSU tester, and it passes all the tests.

I also disable unnecessary services and processes on both operating systems.

I've replaced the board, the GPU, and almost every other component. I've removed the network card and disabled the wifi and bluetooth drivers. My temperatures are good. To the point where Prime95 will max out around 78C on the test that produces the most heat. The GPU rarely goes above 70C unless in stress testing, and averages at around 61C during load. CPU averages around 58C during load.

There appears to be no throttling, or no obvious sign in monitoring software when this takes place.

The voltages appear to be fine, and hit the target voltages.

I do not know what to monitor anymore. I am kind of at a loss for where to look.

Clearing 'Standby Memory' on Windows appears to help for a short period of time, so I would have assumed disk/ram. Though, yesterday when I 'undervolted' (reduced power target) my GPU, it also helped for a long period of time. This does not always work, though. Sometimes I can remove the stanby memory and it will still happen, just less so. I cannot find the cause.

Component List

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 1600 3.2GHz 6-Core Processor Ryzen 5 2600

Motherboard: ASRock - AB350M Pro4 Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard  MSI B450M Mortar

Memory: Corsair - Vengeance LPX 8GB DDR4-2400 Memory x 2 (16GB total) G Skill Flare X 3200 CL14

Storage: Crucial - MX300 275GB 2.5" Solid State Drive Crucial MX500 2.5" Solid State Drive (500GB)

Storage: Seagate - BarraCuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive

Video Card: EVGA - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB SC GAMING Video Card

Case: Thermaltake - Core V21 MicroATX Mini Tower Case

Power Supply: Corsair - TXM Gold 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  Corsair RMx 650W 80+

Wireless Network Adapter: Gigabyte - GC-WB867D-I PCI-Express x1 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi Adapter - Not connected

Monitors: Acer - XF240H 24.0" 1920x1080 144Hz Monitor  x 2

Updated component list

[svkruskor]

Hello, i have Ryzen 5 2600 and have same problem  i want my money back or fixed CPU!

[mpw]

For those following my mad journey, I have collected some data sets. Last night I recorded 2 x CS:GO HWInfo 6.00 CSV logs. FaceIt, with AC enabled. All of my usual video settings (1280x1024 @ 144hz, medium-high settings, quality settings in Nvidia CP). 1 with fixed GPU voltage curve at 0.925v - 1800mhz. Another is with the EVGA factory overclock settings enabled/Nvidia Boost 3.0 doing its thing.I also recorded 2 x League of Legends, all high settings, 144hz. Again, one with fixed voltage, another with the stock.This is *post* UPS installation (plugged in to a surge protector). What I will be doing when the correct cabling arrives in then recording under the same software conditions, in the optimal UPS setup, and then finally, I will plug the machine back in to the wall as it was, and then record again.I plan, in the end, to have (at minimum) 12 data sets, (6 for each game). Early indications are positive post-UPS, but not perfect. There are obvious improvements, that the data shows the UPS has improved things significantly. To the point where my mouse feels more responsive, and somehow a little faster (*that* may be placebo).

I did encounter a few stutters. Big stutters. I need to analyse the data to figure out what happened. Overall, there are significantly fewer stutters, and a few micro stutters.

[mpw]

Hi guys, I had some issues with my PC unrelated to the stuttering.

I am going to be collecting more data sets. I can say right now that whilst the UPS has *massively* improved things, with significant reduction in both frametimes, frametime spikes, and even smoother FPS... I do encounter some stuttering on yet another fresh Windows 10 1809 install, with the latest AMD chipset drivers, and latest Nvidia drivers (18.10.1810 and 419.35, respectively).

I have tried 4 Nvidia drivers, and I have tried the manufacturers package of the AMD Chipset drivers. Stock BIOS (and with 3200 CL14 XMP profile for the G Skill Flare X).

They are mostly when entering the game and the first few minutes, but can still be 'random'. I have tried with and without shader cache, overlays, etc.

Whilst they're no where NEAR as bad, upon consideration, I would say that the previous stutters were actually genuine hitches and stutters, I would now consider these true microstutters. The frametime spikes, but it's not anywhere near it was previously. 

I have also tried different audio drivers, and running LatencyMon to detect problem software, but there is nothing obvious.

This is with the optimal setup for the UPS.

I have tried the Standby Memory removal, too, and this doesn't help.

I am willing to bet there are other things taking place, or maybe something I have overlooked, but it is nothing certainly obvious.

Again, the system is much more bearable, and I feel I can play but it does make it slightly less satisfying and somewhat annoying.

All in all, a positive resolution, but the search continues. I will be trying to narrow down the cause of the issue via software methods, as I feel I have exhausted all hardware related issues.

[eyomarc]

Hey Guys.

Just bought a new RX580 and now im getting theese stutters.

I returned my card but, they just send my card back and said its totally working.

Upgraded from an GTX1050ti and never had theese issues.

PC Specs: (Windows 10 1809)

Ryzen 5 1600 

8GB Crucial Ballistix Sport

MSI-B350M PC-Mate

500W beQuiet! Pure Power 10

Sapphire RX580 Nitro +

Samsung M.2 960Evo

DualMonitor Setup Samsung 144hz Freesync Ultimate +

Samsung 60hz Freesync Standard Engine.

Also tried to disable HDCP didnt worked for me.

[mittwaffen]

I found the issue, my stuttering issues were from an unstable CPU; i've always had my ryzen clocked and prime stable but found when id test it for 24 hours+ it wasnt fully stable, after finding setting to stabilize it fully... interestingly enough my stutters are entirely gone. 

[samulelo]

Good for you but in My case even 1.35v at stock clock stutter in most games..

I still have to try the UPS but right now i'm broke.

[banekondic1996]

Guys it's not only that problem, people have told me that disabling cores helps. Also in ryzen master you have gaming mode. If you watch Linustechtips latest video about ryzen 3000, he explains why games stutter with it. It's because of two dies and cores switching between have latency. Assigning cores differently improves gameplay a lot

[mpw]

Can you elaborate?