GTX Drivers

So I have an Alienware 17r4 with a built in GTX1070, and a 1080ti in an external graphics amplifier.

No NVidia driver works properly with FFXIV past 3/28/18 (a year!), and NVidia is of no help, saying they are working on the known issue. Now I can't use things like the NVidia Shield because of the date of the driver being so old.

Basically the game just stutters a LOT and crashes sometimes. It's not an FPS loss according to the counter, it's just choppy.

Is anyone else having the same problem or have a resolution?

Alienware 17r4
GTX1070 on board, 1080ti in graphics amplifier
SSD drive
16GB RAM
4k Asus Predator monitor

Good afternoon and thank you for posting Final Fantasy XIV Technical Support Forums.

Is there an error message that appears when the game crashes? Where in game does the crash happen? Also, what have you already tried to alleviate the problem? Also, could you provide a system report? Simply go to the 'Config' option on the Final Fantasy XIV launcher and to the right of 'System Information' click on 'Display.'

Hope to see you online

For what its worth my system is now working well.
it looks like I am using older drivers than those having issues. Is that relevant?
SYSTEM_OS Windows 10 Home 64-bit (6.2, Build 9200)
SYSTEM_DIRECTX_VERSION DirectX 12
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Ti
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DISPLAY_MODE 1920 x 1080 (32 bit) (60Hz)
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER_VERSION 23.21.0013.8813
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER_DATE 10/26/2017 17:00:00

Basically it’s a DX error when it crashes, and every driver past 3/28/18 does this. I narrowed it down and it’s ONLY final fantasy XIV so far. Sim city and FFXV aren’t having these issues.

NosamKin, I have it working with old drivers too, but old drivers are also a problem because newer equipment won’t work with them (like Nvidia shield).

The new drivers simply do not like XIV. I’m afraid to upgrade my graphics card to an RTX because there weren’t drivers from March 2018 for it.

I’ve tried the video card in 3 different computers and it’s the same results. Newer drivers don’t work in XIV, older do.

I’ll have to get the system info later.

In addition it’s important to note that it doesn’t always crash. Maybe about 10% of the time. The other 90% it’s a massive FPS loss or game stuttering.

Thank you for the reply.

crc0427, does the crash only happen on Direct X11? Could you try running the game on the Direct X 9? Switch to DirectX 9 mode (select ‘Config’ from the launcher). Check whether the game is running in fullscreen mode, windowed or borderless fullscreen. Fullscreen is generally more efficient when using GPU resources. Please also try lowering the resolution of the game.

Hope to see you online!

Here's my system info:



-=-=-=-=-=-=- FFXIV Information -=-=-=-=-=-=-

MyDocument C:\Users\corri\Documents
FINAL FANTASY XIV - A Realm Reborn C:\Program Files (x86)\SquareEnix
FINAL FANTASY XIV - A Realm Reborn Language 1 Region 2
ProxyEnable 0
ProxyServer unspecified
ProxyOverride *.local


-=-=-=-=-=-=- System Information -=-=-=-=-=-=-

SYSTEM_OS Windows 10 Pro 64-bit (6.2, Build 9200) (17763.rs5_release.180914-1434)
SYSTEM_CPU Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-7700HQ CPU @ 2.80GHz (8 CPUs), ~2.8GHz
SYSTEM_CORE_NUM SYSTEM_CORE_LOGIC 8 SYSTEM_CORE_PHYSICS 4
SYSTEM_BIOS 1.6.0
SYSTEM_LANGUAGE English (Regional Setting: English)
SYSTEM_MEMORY 16253.234MB
SYSTEM_VIRTUAL_MEMORY 134217727.875MB
SYSTEM_PAGE_FILE 27005.234MB
SYSTEM_STORAGE C:\ SYSTEM_HARDDISK_DRIVE SYSTEM_TOTALDISC_SPACE 236.603GB SYSTEM_FREEDISC_SPACE 119.480GB
SYSTEM_STORAGE D:\ SYSTEM_HARDDISK_DRIVE SYSTEM_TOTALDISC_SPACE 931.387GB SYSTEM_FREEDISC_SPACE 728.293GB
SYSTEM_DIRECTX_VERSION DirectX 12
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS Intel(R) HD Graphics 630
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DEVICE \\.\DISPLAY1
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_CHIP Intel(R) HD Graphics Family
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_MAKER Intel Corporation
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_VRAM 128.000 MB
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_SHARED_VRAM 8126.617 MB
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DAC Internal
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DISPLAY_MODE 3840 x 2160 (32 bit) (60Hz)
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\ki125125.inf_amd64_879ecd8b82c2b3a1\igdumdim64.dll,C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\ki125125.inf_amd64_879ecd8b82c2b3a1\igd10iumd64.dll,C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\ki125125.inf_amd64_879ecd8b82c2b3a1\igd10iumd64.dll,C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\ki125125.inf_amd64_879ecd8b82c2b3a1\igd12umd64.dll
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER_VERSION 22.20.0016.4836
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER_DATE 10/16/2017 20:00:00
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER_LANGUAGE English
3.0
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_PIXEL_SHADER 3.0
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_VERTEX_TEXTURE SYSTEM_SUPPORT
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DEVICE \\.\DISPLAY4
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_CHIP GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_MAKER NVIDIA
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_VRAM 11127.000 MB
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_SHARED_VRAM 8126.617 MB
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DAC Integrated RAMDAC
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DISPLAY_MODE 3840 x 2160 (32 bit) (60Hz)
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nv_dispi.inf_amd64_c1a085cc86772d3f\nvldumdx.dll,C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nv_dispi.inf_amd64_c1a085cc86772d3f\nvldumdx.dll,C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nv_dispi.inf_amd64_c1a085cc86772d3f\nvldumdx.dll,C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nv_dispi.inf_amd64_c1a085cc86772d3f\nvldumdx.dll
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER_VERSION 23.21.0013.9135
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER_DATE 3/22/2018 20:00:00
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER_LANGUAGE English
3.0
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_PIXEL_SHADER 3.0
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_VERTEX_TEXTURE SYSTEM_SUPPORT
SYSTEM_SOUND Speakers (Bose USB Audio)
SYSTEM_SOUND_DEVICE_ID {8F11763F-0B21-4E40-9C38-9226BAE2CC23}
SYSTEM_SOUND_DEVICE_NAME USBAUDIO.sys
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_VERSION 6.02.17763.0001
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_LANGUAGE English
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_DATE 9/14/2018 00:00:00
SYSTEM_SOUND Speakers / Headphones (Realtek Audio)
SYSTEM_SOUND_DEVICE_ID {9734E941-1233-4C7B-BA0C-D8F346B11158}
SYSTEM_SOUND_DEVICE_NAME RTKVHD64.sys
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_VERSION 6.00.0001.8536
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_LANGUAGE English
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_DATE 9/11/2018 00:00:00
SYSTEM_SOUND XB271HK (NVIDIA High Definition Audio)
SYSTEM_SOUND_DEVICE_ID {A13FF4E2-3275-48D4-B8DC-76860F538B1B}
SYSTEM_SOUND_DEVICE_NAME nvhda64v.sys
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_VERSION 1.03.0036.0006
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_LANGUAGE English
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_DATE 3/7/2018 00:00:00
SYSTEM_INPUT {6F1D2B60-D5A0-11CF-BFC7444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Mouse
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 3 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 5 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {6F1D2B61-D5A0-11CF-BFC7444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Keyboard
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 128 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {D18BADD0-3E87-11E9-8002444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME KeyboardFingerprintIntegration Device
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {D18DA9A0-3E87-11E9-8004444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Intel(R) HID Event Filter
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 1 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {D18FCC80-3E87-11E9-8008444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Intel(R) HID Event Filter
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 1 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {D18FF390-3E87-11E9-800A444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME HID-compliant consumer control device
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 1024 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {D19068C0-3E87-11E9-800F444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Microsoft Precision Mouse Integration Device
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {D19041B0-3E87-11E9-800C444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Intel(R) HID Event Filter
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 1 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {D19068C0-3E87-11E9-800E444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Intel(R) HID Event Filter
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 1 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {D1934EF0-3E87-11E9-8018444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME HID-compliant vendor-defined device
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {399AF560-3F24-11E9-8001444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Bose USB Audio
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {D1908FD0-3E87-11E9-8011444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Intel(R) HID Event Filter
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 1 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {D190DDF0-3E87-11E9-8013444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Intel(R) HID Event Filter
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 1 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {D19327E0-3E87-11E9-8017444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Intel(R) HID Event Filter
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 1 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {D193EB30-3E87-11E9-801A444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Intel(R) HID Event Filter
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 1 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {D1963520-3E87-11E9-801B444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME HID-compliant consumer control device
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 1024 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {D1965C30-3E87-11E9-801C444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME HID-compliant vendor-defined device
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0


-=-=-=-=-=-=- Application Information -=-=-=-=-=-=-

FFXIVLauncher
Microsoft Edge
Windows My People
Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge
AlienwareTactXMacroController
Discord Updater


-=-=-=-=-=-=- Install Information -=-=-=-=-=-=-

Google Chrome
Alienware Command Center
Alienware Graphics Amplifier Software Installer
Alienware Command Center Suite
NVIDIA Stereoscopic 3D Driver
OBS Studio
Steam
Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 Redistributable (x64) - 12.0.30501
Alienware Sound Center
AW988 HW Control
Tobii Bundle Requirements
Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 x86 Minimum Runtime - 12.0.21005
FINAL FANTASY XIV - A Realm Reborn
Tobii Eye Tracker HID package installer
Microsoft Visual C++ 2012 Redistributable (x86) - 11.0.61030
Tobii Eye Tracking
Tobii IS3 Eye Tracker Driver
HP ENVY 7640 series Help
Apple Application Support (32-bit)
Alienware Update
Google Update Helper
Intel(R) Dynamic Platform and Thermal Framework
Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 x86 Additional Runtime - 14.0.24215
Tet Fw Files Installer
Office 16 Click-to-Run Extensibility Component
Office 16 Click-to-Run Localization Component
Tobii Eye Tracking Troubleshooter Installer
VR Fw Files
Tobii Stream Engine Service
Apple Software Update
Alienware Digital Delivery
Adobe Acrobat Reader DC
Microsoft Visual C++ 2012 x86 Additional Runtime - 11.0.61030
Intel(R) Chipset Device Software
Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 x86 Minimum Runtime - 14.0.24215
Microsoft Visual C++ 2012 x86 Minimum Runtime - 11.0.61030
HP Google Drive Plugin
Tobii Eula
Microsoft Visual C++ 2012 Redistributable (x64) - 11.0.61030
HP Dropbox Plugin
Windows 10 Update Assistant
Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable (x64) - 14.0.24215
Tobii Interaction Engine Installer
Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable (x86) - 14.0.24215
Tobii Service
Tobii EyeX Config
Intel(R) Processor Graphics
Realtek High Definition Audio Driver
Tobii EyeX Intro
Tobii Windows Interactions
Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 Redistributable (x86) - 12.0.30501
Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 x86 Additional Runtime - 12.0.21005
Streamlabs OBS 0.11.15
Windows Driver Package - STMicroelectronics (STTub30) USB (04/03/2017 3.0.6.0)
Logitech Capture
Hue Sync
Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center
Mozilla Firefox 65.0.2 (x64 en-US)
Mozilla Maintenance Service
Microsoft Office 365 - en-us
FINAL FANTASY XV WINDOWS EDITION PLAYABLE DEMO
Touchpad
Vulkan Run Time Libraries 1.0.54.1
Vulkan Run Time Libraries 1.0.54.1
Vulkan Run Time Libraries 1.0.65.1
iCloud
LauncherSetup Install
Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology
SonicMapper Install Configurator
Update for Windows 10 for x64-based Systems (KB4023057)
AudioLaunchpad Install Configurator
Tobii Face Authentication for Windows Hello
Microsoft Visual C++ 2012 x64 Additional Runtime - 11.0.61030
Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology
Dell SupportAssist
Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 x64 Minimum Runtime - 14.0.24215
Alienware Command Center
Qualcomm Atheros Bluetooth Installer (64)
Alienware Graphics Amplifier Software Installer
Bonjour
Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center
Alienware Command Center Suite
Intel(R) Chipset Device Software
Office 16 Click-to-Run Licensing Component
Office 16 Click-to-Run Extensibility Component 64-bit Registration
Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 x64 Additional Runtime - 12.0.21005
ProductDaemonSetup
UIInstallUpgrade
Tobii Hello3 Installer
Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 x64 Minimum Runtime - 12.0.21005
Tobii PTP Filter Driver
BinaryHWControlSetup
CheckDevices Install Configurator
NVIDIA Ansel
NVIDIA 3D Vision Driver 391.35
NVIDIA Control Panel 391.35
NVIDIA Graphics Driver 391.35
NVIDIA GeForce Experience 3.18.0.94
NVIDIA Optimus Update 36.0.0.0
NVIDIA PhysX System Software 9.19.0218
NVIDIA Update 36.0.0.0
DisplayDriverAnalyzer
NVIDIA SHIELD Streaming
NVIDIA Install Application
NVIDIA ABHub
NVIDIA Backend
NVIDIA Container
NVIDIA TelemetryApi helper for NvContainer
NVIDIA LocalSystem Container
NVIDIA Message Bus for NvContainer
NVIDIA NetworkService Container
NVAPI Monitor plugin for NvContainer
NVIDIA Session Container
NVIDIA User Container
NVIDIA Display Container
NVIDIA Display Container LS
NVIDIA Display Watchdog Plugin
NVIDIA Display Session Container
NVIDIA NodeJS
NVIDIA Watchdog Plugin for NvContainer
NVIDIA Telemetry Client
NVIDIA Telemetry Container
NVIDIA Virtual Host Controller
Nvidia Share
NVIDIA ShadowPlay 3.18.0.94
NVIDIA SHIELD Wireless Controller Driver
NVIDIA Update Core
NVIDIA Virtual Audio 4.11.1
Killer Ethernet Performance Driver Suite
NahimicSettingsConfigurator
HP ENVY 7640 series Basic Device Software
Nahimic2UISetup
Microsoft Visual C++ 2012 x64 Minimum Runtime - 11.0.61030
Tobii Hello3 Installer
AWHeadsetDriverInstallerSetup
Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 x64 Additional Runtime - 14.0.24215
Apple Application Support (64-bit)


-=-=-=-=-=-=- Proccess Information -=-=-=-=-=-=-

C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Apple\Apple Application Support\APSDaemon.exe 0000439C
C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Apple\Internet Services\ApplePhotoStreams.exe 0000208C
C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Apple\Internet Services\iCloudPhotos.exe 00001894
C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Apple\Internet Services\iCloudServices.exe 0000421C
C:\Program Files (x86)\NVIDIA Corporation\NvNode\NVIDIA Web Helper.exe 00001970
C:\Program Files (x86)\SquareEnix\FINAL FANTASY XIV - A Realm Reborn\boot\ffxivlauncher.exe 000042F4
C:\Program Files (x86)\SquareEnix\FINAL FANTASY XIV - A Realm Reborn\boot\ffxivsysinfo64.exe 000007F0
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\Steam.exe 00000868
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\bin\cef\cef.win7\steamwebhelper.exe 00004564
C:\Program Files (x86)\Tobii\Tobii EyeX\Tobii.EyeX.Engine.exe 000025C0
C:\Program Files\Alienware\Command Center\AWCCApplicationWatcher32.exe 00003594
C:\Program Files\Alienware\Command Center\AWCCApplicationWatcher64.exe 00003944
C:\Program Files\Alienware\Command Center\AWCCServiceController.exe 000034F4
C:\Program Files\Alienware\Command Center\AlienFusionController.exe 00004224
C:\Program Files\Alienware\Command Center\AlienwareAlienFXController.exe 0000407C
C:\Program Files\Alienware\Graphics Amplifier\GraphicsAmplifierServiceController.exe 00003E00
C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology\IAStorIconLaunch.exe 00003CCC
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center\ipoint.exe 00001674
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center\itype.exe 000017EC
C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\NvContainer\nvcontainer.exe 00002498
C:\Program Files\Realtek\Audio\HDA\RAVBg64.exe 00003C38
C:\Program Files\Realtek\Audio\HDA\RtkNGUI64.exe 00003B44
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe 00001754
C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.SkypeApp_14.41.54.0_x64__kzf8qxf38zg5c\SkypeApp.exe 00002CD0
C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.SkypeApp_14.41.54.0_x64__kzf8qxf38zg5c\SkypeBackgroundHost.exe 00002CE8
C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.SkypeApp_14.41.54.0_x64__kzf8qxf38zg5c\SkypeBridge\SkypeBridge.exe 00003F04
C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.YourPhone_1.0.20594.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe\YourPhone.exe 00002A40
C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.ZuneVideo_10.19021.10411.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe\Video.UI.exe 00003804
C:\Users\corri\AppData\Local\Discord\app-0.0.304\Discord.exe 00004668
C:\Users\corri\AppData\Local\Microsoft\OneDrive\OneDrive.exe 00003E50
C:\Users\corri\AppData\Local\NVIDIA\NvBackend\ApplicationOntology\NvOAWrapperCache.exe 00003384
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE 00001FB4
C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\ki125125.inf_amd64_879ecd8b82c2b3a1\igfxEM.exe 00001D60
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe 00002EA0
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ApplicationFrameHost.exe 00002A70
C:\WINDOWS\system32\DllHost.exe 00002D70
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Intel\DPTF\dptf_helper.exe 000016C4
C:\WINDOWS\system32\MicrosoftEdgeSH.exe 00002FA8
C:\WINDOWS\system32\SettingSyncHost.exe 0000306C
C:\WINDOWS\system32\backgroundTaskHost.exe 00003AFC
C:\WINDOWS\system32\browser_broker.exe 00002BA0
C:\WINDOWS\system32\conhost.exe 000037F0
C:\WINDOWS\system32\sihost.exe 00001380
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe 00002334
C:\WINDOWS\system32\taskhostw.exe 000016B4
C:\Windows\System32\MicrosoftEdgeCP.exe 00002F84
C:\Windows\System32\RuntimeBroker.exe 00003CDC
C:\Windows\System32\SecurityHealthSystray.exe 000039D4
C:\Windows\System32\smartscreen.exe 00002150
C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe\MicrosoftEdge.exe 00002AB0
C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.Cortana_cw5n1h2txyewy\PlacesServer.exe 00002D14
C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.Cortana_cw5n1h2txyewy\RemindersServer.exe 000028A8
C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.Cortana_cw5n1h2txyewy\SearchUI.exe 00002674
C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.PeopleExperienceHost_cw5n1h2txyewy\PeopleExperienceHost.exe 00002A30
C:\Windows\SystemApps\ShellExperienceHost_cw5n1h2txyewy\ShellExperienceHost.exe 0000259C
C:\Windows\system32\backgroundTaskHost.exe 00002C5C

I'll have to reinstall the bad drivers to test if it does have the same issues in DX9 - but I'm not sure why this matters to be honest. Why should I have to revert to older graphics settings, to get a currently supported game to work on 3 different systems with newer NVidia drivers? I believe the issue is running the game in 4k resolution with NVidia drivers past 3/28/18. Again, all drivers prior to 3/28/18 work. Go beyond that driver date and the game simply does not work properly. I tested other games, and they have so far all worked properly in 4k resolution with later drivers, XIV does not.

At yesterday's Fan Fest Keynote in Japan, NVidia was clearly listed as a partner on the banner. Shouldn't their drivers work with this game?

So, I reinstalled the new NVidia drivers and swapped to DX9. The issues became IMMEDIATELY visible. Didn't even have to wait. Rebooted the system and same results. So, I swapped back to DX11 and reduced the resolution to QHD border-less window instead of 4k border-less window mode. So far there are NO stutter issues that I have seen. I'm going to try to run something heavy and see if I can get it to happen.

I really believe that FFXIV simply does not like any NVidia graphics driver past 3/28/18 when running in 4k mode. Go back to 3/28/18 and everything works great.. however, the drivers are so dated now that newer things don't work at all or don't work properly (nvidia shield for example).

A bit more testing. So... newer driver again and I adjusted settings in the NVidia control panel:

FFXIV - 3D Management - VSync - Use application setting (it WAS turned to always on)
NVidia Control Panel - GSync On for my monitor (60hz refresh rate on my 4k monitor)
FFXIV - In game system setting - FPS Limit to 60 - so far no stutter in Eureka fights (generally fights with lots of flashes of magic and explosions would make the issue happen immediately)

I'm going to try no FPS limit later and see what happens. Perhaps it was VSync and GSync fighting, but I'm not sure why the driver prior to 3/28/18 didn't have the problem, but newer ones do.