GPU Utilization Dropping to 0% + Disk Spike on other Drives

Good evening all.

I have been running into a recurring issue since the most recent patch and update of FF14. Every ~60s or so, the game will hitch and freeze for ~0.5-1s, only to immediately shoot back to normal afterwards. Looking at my Task Manager, I'm seeing my GPU utilization drop from a normal 60-70% down to ~10-15%, only to shoot back up to normal. This happens simultaneously with reading from another disk on my machine, one that FF14 isn't installed to. This has only been happening since the recent updates--does anyone have any help or input on the matter?

10-22-2025 8:32pm CST

So far I have tried all of the following, with no success:

Unplugging wired controller.
Updating drivers.
Clean install of drivers (wiping the current ones, going offline, installing them manually, etc)
Lowering graphics settings.
Validating FF14 files.
Reinstalling FF14.


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

ProxyEnable 0
ProxyServer unspecified
ProxyOverride *.local


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

SYSTEM_OS Windows 11 Home 64-bit (6.2, Build 9200) (26100.ge_release.240331-1435)
SYSTEM_CPU AMD Ryzen 5 7600X 6-Core Processor (12 CPUs), ~4.7GHz
SYSTEM_CORE_NUM SYSTEM_CORE_LOGIC 12 SYSTEM_CORE_PHYSICS 6
SYSTEM_BIOS FB
SYSTEM_LANGUAGE English (Regional Setting: English)
SYSTEM_MEMORY 31895.199MB
SYSTEM_VIRTUAL_MEMORY 134217727.875MB
SYSTEM_PAGE_FILE 33943.199MB
SYSTEM_STORAGE C:\ SYSTEM_HARDDISK_DRIVE SYSTEM_TOTALDISC_SPACE 930.594GB SYSTEM_FREEDISC_SPACE 693.958GB
SYSTEM_STORAGE D:\ SYSTEM_HARDDISK_DRIVE SYSTEM_TOTALDISC_SPACE 2050.781GB SYSTEM_FREEDISC_SPACE 168.289GB
SYSTEM_STORAGE E:\ SYSTEM_HARDDISK_DRIVE SYSTEM_TOTALDISC_SPACE 2050.781GB SYSTEM_FREEDISC_SPACE 887.533GB
SYSTEM_STORAGE F:\ SYSTEM_HARDDISK_DRIVE SYSTEM_TOTALDISC_SPACE 1487.450GB SYSTEM_FREEDISC_SPACE 331.270GB
SYSTEM_STORAGE G:\ SYSTEM_HARDDISK_DRIVE SYSTEM_TOTALDISC_SPACE 3726.021GB SYSTEM_FREEDISC_SPACE 3326.214GB
SYSTEM_DIRECTX_VERSION DirectX 12
GRAPHICS \\.\DISPLAY1 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
GRAPHICS_CHIP NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
GRAPHICS_VRAM 12115.000 MB
GRAPHICS_SHARED_VRAM 15947.600 MB
GRAPHICS_DISPLAY_MODE 1920 x 1080 (32 bit) (60Hz)
GRAPHICS_DRIVER C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nv_dispig.inf_amd64_0afec3f2050014a0\nvldumdx.dll,C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nv_dispig.inf_amd64_0afec3f2050014a0\nvldumdx.dll,C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nv_dispig.inf_amd64_0afec3f2050014a0\nvldumdx.dll,C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nv_dispig.inf_amd64_0afec3f2050014a0\nvldumdx.dll
GRAPHICS_DRIVER_VERSION 32.00.0015.6094 8/13/2024 19:00:00
GRAPHICS_SHADER V:3.0 P:3.0
GRAPHICS_VERTEX_TEXTURE SYSTEM_SUPPORT
GRAPHICS \\.\DISPLAY2 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
GRAPHICS_CHIP NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
GRAPHICS_VRAM 12115.000 MB
GRAPHICS_SHARED_VRAM 15947.600 MB
GRAPHICS_DISPLAY_MODE 1920 x 1080 (32 bit) (60Hz)
GRAPHICS_DRIVER C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nv_dispig.inf_amd64_0afec3f2050014a0\nvldumdx.dll,C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nv_dispig.inf_amd64_0afec3f2050014a0\nvldumdx.dll,C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nv_dispig.inf_amd64_0afec3f2050014a0\nvldumdx.dll,C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nv_dispig.inf_amd64_0afec3f2050014a0\nvldumdx.dll
GRAPHICS_DRIVER_VERSION 32.00.0015.6094 8/13/2024 19:00:00
GRAPHICS_SHADER V:3.0 P:3.0
GRAPHICS_VERTEX_TEXTURE SYSTEM_SUPPORT
GRAPHICS Unknown AMD Radeon(TM) Graphics
GRAPHICS_CHIP AMD Radeon Graphics Processor (0x164E)
GRAPHICS_VRAM 16433 MB
GRAPHICS_SHARED_VRAM SYSTEM_UNKNOWN
GRAPHICS_DISPLAY_MODE Unknown
GRAPHICS_DRIVER C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\u0405277.inf_amd64_00f6bd87014da3b2\B404941\atidx9loader64.dll,C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\u0405277.inf_amd64_00f6bd87014da3b2\B404941\amdxx64.dll,C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\u0405277.inf_amd64_00f6bd87014da3b2\B404941\amdxx64.dll,C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\u0405277.inf_amd64_00f6bd87014da3b2\B404941\amdxc64.dll
GRAPHICS_DRIVER_VERSION 32.00.11024.0002 6/24/2024 19:00:00
GRAPHICS_SHADER V: P:
GRAPHICS_VERTEX_TEXTURE
GRAPHICS Unknown Meta Virtual Monitor
GRAPHICS_CHIP Unknown
GRAPHICS_VRAM 28062 MB
GRAPHICS_SHARED_VRAM SYSTEM_UNKNOWN
GRAPHICS_DISPLAY_MODE Unknown
GRAPHICS_DRIVER c:\windows\system32\drivers\umdf\virtualscreendriver.dll,c:\windows\system32\drivers\wudfrd.sys
GRAPHICS_DRIVER_VERSION Unknown 3/27/2023 19:00:00
GRAPHICS_SHADER V: P:
GRAPHICS_VERTEX_TEXTURE
SOUND BenQ GW2480 (NVIDIA High Definition Audio) {63158985-C647-486A-833C-2E50E51DF396}
SOUND_DEVICE_NAME nvhda64v.sys
SOUND_DRIVER_VERSION 1.4.0.1 8/13/2024 19:00:00
SOUND Headphones (Oculus Virtual Audio Device) {164E6696-F64A-4A73-9C56-17BE1A27989B}
SOUND_DEVICE_NAME oculusvad.sys
SOUND_DRIVER_VERSION 19.43.15.407 11/28/2023 19:00:00
SOUND Speakers (RIG-700PRO HX) {9974D51E-C0D8-414E-842B-FAC89384AC97}
SOUND_DEVICE_NAME USBAUDIO.sys
SOUND_DRIVER_VERSION 10.0.26100.6725 9/24/2025 19:00:00
SOUND Speakers (Steam Streaming Microphone) {188E9790-38E8-4254-86E5-3C56501B245F}
SOUND_DEVICE_NAME SteamStreamingMicrophone.sys
SOUND_DRIVER_VERSION 8.33.15.17 7/27/2017 19:00:00
SOUND Speakers (Steam Streaming Speakers) {897FDA55-CFB1-4DF2-952F-E9C119357B7A}
SOUND_DEVICE_NAME SteamStreamingSpeakers.sys
SOUND_DRIVER_VERSION 17.56.13.764 7/19/2017 19:00:00
SOUND VG259QR (NVIDIA High Definition Audio) {0DFF76BC-FACC-4A04-9C3A-94C01593709A}
SOUND_DEVICE_NAME nvhda64v.sys
SOUND_DRIVER_VERSION 1.4.0.1 8/13/2024 19:00:00
INPUT Mouse {6F1D2B60-D5A0-11CF-BFC7444553540000}
INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 3 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 5 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
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INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
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INPUT Controller (XBOX 360 For Windows) {AD1D4150-44F6-11E9-8004444553540000}
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INPUT RIG-700 HID Interface {45F368B0-3187-11EE-8004444553540000}
INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
INPUT CORSAIR iCUE COMMANDER Core {D25A5160-95BF-11ED-8002444553540000}
INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
INPUT Razer Naga X {9F177C80-CEAE-11EB-8002444553540000}
INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 573 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
INPUT ITE Device {35DD9EB0-433C-11EF-8005444553540000}
INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
INPUT Razer Naga X {9F177C80-CEAE-11EB-8003444553540000}
INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 3 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
INPUT ITE Device {35DDC5C0-433C-11EF-8006444553540000}
INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
INPUT Razer Naga X {9F17A390-CEAE-11EB-8004444553540000}
INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 1 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
INPUT USB Keyboard {AD1CA510-44F6-11E9-8001444553540000}
INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 3 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
INPUT Razer Naga X {9F17CAA0-CEAE-11EB-8005444553540000}
INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 1 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
INPUT Blue Snowball {846A3780-0449-11EC-8001444553540000}
INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 1 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
INPUT USB Keyboard {AD1CF330-44F6-11E9-8002444553540000}
INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 24 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0


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

Adobe Flash Player 32 NPAPI
Adobe Genuine Service
Advanced Combat Tracker (remove only)
MSI Afterburner 4.6.6
ASIO4ALL
Battle.net
Visual Studio Community 2022
Erlang OTP 21 (10.3)
Erlang OTP 24.1.5 (12.1.5)
FL Studio 20
FL Studio ASIO
Google Chrome
Hearthstone
Hamachi
MEGAsync
Mozilla Firefox (x86 en-US)
MiniTool ShadowMaker PW Edition
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Parsec
RivaTuner Statistics Server 7.3.7
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Unity 2022.3.22f1
Unity 2022.3.6f1
Uplay
WinSCP 5.17.10
Universal CRT Redistributable
VS Immersive Activate Helper
icecap_collection_neutral
vs_clickoncesigntoolmsi
icecap_collection_neutral
icecap_collectionresourcesx64
vs_minshellmsires
vs_filehandler_x86
vs_communitymsires
vs_clickoncebootstrappermsires
vcpp_crt.redist.clickonce
icecap_collectionresourcesx64
vs_minshellinteropsharedmsi
icecap_collectionresources
Entity Framework 6.2.0 Tools for Visual Studio 2022
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vs_devenvsharedmsi
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vs_BlendMsi
vcpp_crt.redist.clickonce
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vs_clickoncebootstrappermsi
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Hextech Repair Tool
Hamachi
windows_toolscorepkg
CertsUpdater version 1.5
vs_minshellsharedmsi
vs_devenvmsi
vs_communitysharedmsi
vs_SQLClickOnceBootstrappermsi
Apple Application Support (32-bit)
Launcher Prerequisites (x64)
IntelliTraceProfilerProxy
vs_tipsmsi
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icecap_collectionresources
vs_CoreEditorFonts
vs_Graphics_Singletonx86
Web Companion
Realtek High Definition Audio Driver
Entity Framework 6.2.0 Tools for Visual Studio 2019
7-Zip 24.09 (x64)
CPUID CPU-Z 2.17
Dungeondraft version 1.2.0.0
Firestorm-Releasex64
GBT_MB_Update
GBT_RGB_Sync_Control 24.03.21.01
GIGABYTE Control Center 24.04.24.01
Git
HxD Hex Editor 2.3
Macrium Reflect Workstation
Modrinth App
Mozilla Maintenance Service
Oculus
Riot Vanguard
The Jackbox Party Pack 6
OVR Advanced Settings
The Devil's Calculator
30XX
Sniper Elite 5
Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth: Complete Edition
Terraria
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Baldur's Gate 3
Cyberpunk 2077
Monster Train
Total War: WARHAMMER III
Hades
Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy of the Duelist : Link Evolution
Terra Invicta
The Answer is 42
Potion Craft
The Jackbox Party Pack 7
Gunfire Reborn
ELDEN RING
Ori and the Will of the Wisps Soundtrack
tModLoader
Borderlands® 4
Peglin
Cult of the Lamb
Against the Storm
Luck be a Landlord
Deadlock
Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel
Cookie Clicker
FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE
Space Station 14 Playtest
The Magnets
The Fabulous Fear Machine
The Jackbox Party Pack 8
DREDGE
Blue Prince
Matchsticks - Coffee Break Club
Palworld
HITMAN 3
Age of Wonders 4
DELTARUNE
DELTARUNE (Chapter 1 & 2 DEMO)
Slice & Dice
Escape Simulator Soundtrack
Vampire Survivors
Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection Vol. 1
Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection Vol. 2
Math+Sticks - Coffee Break Club
GUNDAM EVOLUTION
Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales
The Jackbox Party Pack 9
Lethal Company
Backpack Hero
Digimon Story Time Stranger
Starbound
FTL: Faster Than Light
Sonic Adventure™ 2
Town of Salem 2
Vampire Survivors Soundtrack
Cobalt Core
DREDGE - Original Soundtrack
The Jackbox Party Pack 10
Monster Hunter Wilds
The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog
Shadowrun Returns
METAL GEAR RISING: REVENGEANCE
Balatro
Sniper Elite 3
SteamVR
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth
SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS
FINAL FANTASY XVI
The Talos Principle
Darkest Dungeon®
Cobalt Core (Original Soundtrack)
Thought Experiment Simulator
Mahjong Soul
Monster Train 2
ATLYSS
Sid Meier's Civilization VI
ENDLESS™ Legend
Shadowrun: Dragonfall - Director's Cut
TCG Card Shop Simulator
Sniper Elite 4
Shadowrun: Hong Kong - Extended Edition
Hollow Knight
Demon Bluff Playtest
DELTARUNE Soundtrack
Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition
ENDLESS™ Space 2
Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc
Factorio
VRChat
Halo Wars: Definitive Edition
Crush Crush
Prey
Satisfactory
HELLDIVERS™ 2
Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony
Okami HD
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SD GUNDAM G GENERATION CROSS RAYS
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Rosette and Words
Dicey Dungeons
Digimon Survive
Unheard - Voices of Crime
Among Us
One Step From Eden
Unity Hub 3.8.0
VLC media player
Vulkan Run Time Libraries 1.0.65.1
Vulkan Run Time Libraries 1.0.65.1
Vulkan Run Time Libraries 1.0.65.1
Wonderdraft version 1.1.8.2
MiniTool Partition Wizard Free 13
Python 3.7.8 Executables (64-bit)
Python 3.8.5 Executables (64-bit)
Python 3.7.8 Tcl/Tk Support (64-bit)
Java 8 Update 341 (64-bit)
icecap_collection_x64
Reko decompiler for x86-64
vs_communityx64msi
Node.js
Python 3.7.8 Utility Scripts (64-bit)
vs_devenx64vmsi
MTG Arena
Epic Games Launcher Prerequisites (x64)
Python 3.7.8 Standard Library (64-bit)
Workflow Manager Client 1.0
Bonjour
Python 3.8.5 Test Suite (64-bit)
Python 3.8.5 Documentation (64-bit)
VS JIT Debugger
Python 3.8.5 Add to Path (64-bit)
Python 3.7.8 Tcl/Tk Support (64-bit symbols)
Voicemod
Python 3.7.8 Core Interpreter (64-bit)
Archipelago 0.6.2
Python 3.8.5 Standard Library (64-bit)
vs_minshellx64msi
Paradox Launcher v2
Python 3.7.8 Documentation (64-bit)
Corsair iCUE5 Software
Python 3.8.5 pip Bootstrap (64-bit)
Python 3.7.8 pip Bootstrap (64-bit)
Python 3.8.5 Tcl/Tk Support (64-bit)
NVIDIA Graphics Driver 560.94
NVIDIA App 11.0.5.266
NVIDIA MessageBus 3 for NvApp
NVIDIA Backend
NvCpl
NVIDIA Optimus Update 39.5.0.0
NVIDIA PhysX System Software 9.21.0713
NVIDIA FrameView SDK 1.5.11504.36206172
NVIDIA Install Application
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Macrium Reflect Workstation
Python 3.7.8 Development Libraries (64-bit)
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icecap_collection_x64
Python 3.8.5 Core Interpreter (64-bit)
Python 3.7.8 Core Interpreter (64-bit symbols)
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Blender
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IntelliTraceProfilerProxy
Python 3.8.5 Development Libraries (64-bit)
Python 3.7.8 Executables (64-bit symbols)
Python 3.7.8 Test Suite (64-bit)
DiagnosticsHub_CollectionService

Greetings! Thank you for posting in the Final Fantasy XIV Technical Support Forums.


We apologize for any inconvenience experienced when trying to play Final Fantasy XIV. Based on the details shared, here are a few steps we may recommend:

- Perform a clean GPU driver installation to ensure all previous AMD driver remnants are removed before reinstalling the latest NVIDIA driver.
- Disable any overlays or monitoring tools (such as RivaTuner, MSI Afterburner, OBS, Discord overlay) while playing Final Fantasy XIV.
- Check for background processes causing disk spikes. If backup or indexing services (e.g., Macrium Reflect, ShadowMaker) are active, temporarily disable them during gameplay.

Verify Windows settings:
- Ensure Game Mode is enabled.
- Disable Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling if currently active.
- Confirm power settings are set to High Performance in Windows and NVIDIA Control Panel.


We hope we can be of assistance in helping you enjoy the exciting world of Final Fantasy XIV!

Your graphic driver are very old. Please udpate them. (GRAPHICS_DRIVER_VERSION 32.00.0015.6094 8/13/2024 19:00:00)

You have many programs installed, close every app in the background while gaming. You also have very much old things like Adobe Flash Player installed, did you really need this old software? it may be a security risk.

Do a clean boot via msconfig to make sure nothing interfere.