To troubleshoot low FPS and stuttering, reproduce the problem in the same game scene, record frame-rate and frame-time behavior, then test one change at a time. Check that the game is using the intended GPU, verify Windows and game display settings, and adjust rendering options only when measurements suggest they may help. A hitch can have several causes; FPS by itself does not identify which one applies to your PC.
Start with a repeatable baseline
Choose a scene where the problem reliably appears, such as the same checkpoint or a repeatable stretch of gameplay. Record the game, resolution, graphics preset, display mode, approximate average FPS, and when the hitch occurs. Note whether it started after a game, Windows, or graphics-driver update. Change only one setting between runs so you can tell what affected performance.
An overlay can help you gather clues. AMD’s overlay can report FPS, CPU and GPU utilization, clocks, temperatures, power, VRAM, and system RAM. AMD Game Advisor can also show average FPS, 95th-percentile FPS, frame-time graphs, and recommendations. AMD says Game Advisor supports most DirectX 9, 11, and 12 and Vulkan titles on Radeon RX 400-series and newer cards, subject to its configuration requirements. See AMD’s Game Advisor documentation.
NVIDIA’s performance overlay documents FPS, clock speeds, and GPU temperature; see NVIDIA’s overlay documentation. Use these readings to compare runs, not as a diagnosis on their own. Average FPS describes overall throughput, while a frame-time graph or percentile reading can reveal uneven delivery that a simple average hides.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →#1 Best Overall
- Powered by Radeon RX 9070 XT
- WINDFORCE Cooling System
- Hawk Fan
- Server-grade Thermal Conductive Gel
- RGB Lighting
Check which GPU the game is using
If your PC has more than one GPU, confirm that Windows has assigned the game to the intended one. On Windows 11, open Settings > System > Display > Graphics, select or add the game, choose Options, then select the appropriate preference. Windows offers Let Windows decide, Power saving, and High performance. Save the change and restart the game. Menu wording may vary by Windows version. Details are in Microsoft’s per-app graphics preference instructions.
Separate refresh rate from FPS
Game FPS is how many frames the PC renders; display refresh rate is how often the monitor updates. Check that Windows and the game are set to a refresh rate supported by your display. The two values are related to how motion appears, but they are not interchangeable measurements.
On Windows 11, Dynamic Refresh Rate (DRR) can limit the maximum refresh rate for some games. Microsoft recommends turning DRR off if a favorite game appears to run at a lower refresh rate. This is a display behavior check, not a general fix for low rendering performance. See Microsoft’s DRR guidance.
Match windowed-game optimizations to the game
Windows 11’s Optimizations for windowed games option applies to compatible DirectX 10 and DirectX 11 games running windowed or borderless. Microsoft says it can improve performance in those modes by moving compatible games to a newer presentation model; it is not a universal performance switch and does not apply to every API or full-screen game.
Rank #2
- NVIDIA Ampere Streaming Multiprocessors: The all-new Ampere SM brings 2X the FP32 throughput and improved power efficiency.
- 2nd Generation RT Cores: Experience 2X the throughput of 1st gen RT Cores, plus concurrent RT and shading for a whole new level of ray-tracing performance.
- 3rd Generation Tensor Cores: Get up to 2X the throughput with structural sparsity and advanced AI algorithms such as DLSS. These cores deliver a massive boost in game performance and all-new AI capabilities.
- Axial-tech fan design features a smaller fan hub that facilitates longer blades and a barrier ring that increases downward air pressure.
- OC Mode : 1500 MHz (Boost Clock)/Default Mode : 1470 MHz (Boost Clock)
To test it, open Settings > System > Display > Graphics, select the game, choose Options, change the windowed-game optimization setting, save, and restart the game. The option can be disabled per app. Check Microsoft’s compatibility and setup details.
Test graphics settings one at a time
If your repeatable run suggests that the current rendering workload is too demanding, lower one setting and replay the same scene. AMD’s Game Advisor examples include reducing the quality preset (for example, Ultra to High), lowering or disabling advanced rendering options such as antialiasing or ambient occlusion, reducing render scale, or lowering resolution. These are diagnostic tests, not guaranteed fixes.
- Compare average FPS and frame-time behavior before and after each change.
- Note the image-quality trade-off, especially when reducing resolution or render scale.
- Keep the scene, display mode, and other settings constant for a meaningful comparison.
Review updates and shader-cache behavior carefully
If the stuttering began recently, check the game developer’s release notes and the graphics vendor’s supported driver channel for relevant changes. An update may be worth investigating, but a driver update is not a universal remedy for stuttering. Microsoft’s driver update and rollback guidance addresses flickering or scrambled display behavior; it should not be treated as proof that a driver change will fix low FPS. See Microsoft’s display-driver troubleshooting article.
In some games, shader compilation can cause stutters. NVIDIA notes that installing a new driver deletes the shader cache, so stutters may occur during gameplay after an update while shaders are compiled again. This is one plausible explanation in relevant cases, not an explanation for every hitch. See NVIDIA’s shader-cache reference.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchRank #3
- Powered by the NVIDIA Blackwell architecture and DLSS 4. System Requirements: Minimum 850W PSU with 16-pin 12V-2x6 (12VHPWR) connector required. Verify before purchasing.
- Military-grade components deliver rock-solid power and longer lifespan for ultimate durability. Compatibility: 348mm (13.7") length, 3.6 slots, 4.3 lbs. Confirm case clearance and slot spacing. GPU bracket included.
- Protective PCB coating helps protect against short circuits caused by moisture, dust, or debris
- 3.6-slot design with massive fin array optimized for airflow from three Axial-tech fans
- Phase-change GPU thermal pad helps ensure optimal thermal performance and longevity, outlasting traditional thermal paste for graphics cards under heavy loads
Check DirectX compatibility without downloading unofficial updaters
If a game reports a DirectX compatibility problem, use DxDiag to check the installed DirectX version and compare it with the game’s stated requirements. Microsoft says DirectX is included with Windows 10 and 11 and that the latest version for those Windows versions is delivered through Windows Update; individual games can still have their own compatibility requirements. Do not use unofficial standalone “DirectX updater” downloads. See Microsoft’s DirectX version instructions.
Escalate with useful evidence
If the problem persists, gather the details that make game-specific support or repair advice actionable:
- Game title and the scene or action where the hitch occurs
- Windows version, CPU and GPU models, and installed RAM
- Resolution, graphics settings, and display mode
- Graphics-driver version and when the symptoms began
- Observed FPS, frame-time behavior, and relevant overlay readings
- Whether the issue affects one game or several, and any recent change that preceded it
There is no single FPS, utilization, temperature, or memory threshold that diagnoses every PC and game. Consider hardware replacement only after measurements identify a bottleneck and you have checked that a proposed component is compatible. Seek game-specific support or qualified repair help if you encounter crashes, visual artifacts, device errors, or persistent symptoms that the available measurements do not explain.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
