Consistent rhythmic frame drops followed by recovery, repeating in a continuous cycle

2024.9.14 update

well, the issue has resurfaced. This method didn't work out, After checking the Device Manager, I found that it was constantly refreshing again, and the frequency was synchronized with the lagging. I temporarily don't know what is causing this issue. The hardware that used to cause problems has long been removed by me, the issue has reappeared, which is quite strange.

After following the advice, it was discovered that there were several TVs and TV system-installed casting app devices in the Bluetooth devices. After removing all these devices, the issue of continuous refreshing in the device manager was resolved.

hope that SE's programmers can solve the lagging issue when refreshing the device manager, similar cases have been reported in the neighboring 《Elden Ring》.
Keep it up, Japanese programmers.

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2024.07.22 update

I have identified one of the reasons for the frame drops: whenever there is a change in the devices listed in the Device Manager (such as being turned off or reconnected), FFXIV experiences a single frame drop. I have a USB mouse charging dock that, when connected to the computer, repeatedly prompts an "Unrecognized USB Device" pop-up. Although I have already blocked it in the system notifications, it seems that the changes in the Device Manager continue to cycle. Removing this device from my computer has resolved the issue, leaving only occasional frame drops.

I am still unable to enable some of the unique optimizations for the AMD graphics card on the older Windows 11 device, such as frame pacing and Enhanced Sync. Whenever these features are enabled, intermittent frame drops still occur.

However, this issue did not occur on a newly installed Windows 10. Connecting this device or using the unique features of the AMD graphics card did not cause any impact.

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The issue has been resolved: there are regular frame drops when playing with certain hardware or software configurations on Windows 11. Playing the game using Windows 10 resolves the issue.
I tried creating a separate partition on which I installed Windows 10 to set up a dual-boot system. Using Windows 10 to launch the game indeed resolved the issue, and it ran very smoothly without any anomalies! It seems that the problem does lie with Windows 11

However, I'm not entirely sure if the reason for the smooth performance is solely due to the fact that it's a freshly installed, clean system. Considering that running large games in the older Windows 11 environment posed no issues, I don't believe it's solely due to a clean or bloated system. Later, I will reinstall a third fresh copy of Windows 11 to use the method of controlling variables to pinpoint the problem.

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First and foremost, I want to make it clear that this is an extremely complex and challenging issue.
It's not as simple as an overheating or throttling problem that can be solved by cleaning the dust. Rather, it appears to be a potential flaw in the graphics engine of FFXIV.
Therefore, I strongly urge the forum maintenance staff to contact relevant graphics engine engineers or anyone capable of examining this post, reporting the issue, and attempting to diagnose and fix this flaw.

Problem Description: Despite having a computer with performance capabilities that exceed the game's requirements, there are consistent occurrences of lag and frame drops.

Before we proceed, let me list my PC configuration:
CPU: AMD 7950X
Motherboard: GIGABYTE B650M AORUS PRO AX
Memory: 64GB DDR5 6000MHZ
GPU: AMD 7900XT
Monitor: MSI MAG322UPF 160hz
Hard Drive: SOLIDIGM SSDPFKKW020X7 2T and Lexar SSD ARES 4TB
System: Windows 11 23H2 22631.3810
Graphics driver: 24.5.1 (I tried upgrading to 24.6.1, but the issue persisted, so I rolled back to the previous version, but the problem still wasn't resolved)

The detailed performance issue (all frame rates are taken from the frame rate displayed in the FFXIV system settings) is as follows:
In the new main city, the maximum frame rate can reach 70, but it will suddenly drop to 60 after about 1 second, then recover to 70, and finally seem to fluctuate up and down like a wave. In severe cases, it may even drop from 60 to 50, and then further drop to 40. In any case, it always suddenly drops by about 10 frames from the previous frame rate, and then suddenly recovers. The sensation is that the gameplay suddenly "stutters".

I have verified that it is definitely not "thermal throttling" or "hardware unable to handle the load", because the situation described still occurs when I set the game resolution to 1024x768p and the lowest graphics quality. The difference is only in the numbers of the highest and lowest frames. I still experience constant "stutters".

I tried limiting the frame rate to 60 or 30, but the fluctuation still occurs. For example, 60~53~60~53 and 30~27~30~27. This rhythmic frame drop feels exactly the same.

This completely indicates that the issue isn't related to insufficient performance or overheating. Could it be that this PC can't smoothly run FFXIV even at the lowest graphics settings at 768p?？？
I run any other large AAA single-player games, such as Elden Ring, Assassin's Creed Valhalla, and Monster Hunter World, without encountering this situation.

In addition, here are some attempts I made, but none of them had any effect:
1.Disabling tearing prevention technology: There was no difference whether FreeSync was on or off.
2.Limiting the frame rate through the driver instead of the game: Also made no difference.
3.Reducing input lag: Some Nvidia users have found solutions through driver settings, but for AMD, only "Radeon Anti-Lag" is available, and toggling it also made no difference.
4.New graphics card technologies such as Radeon Super Resolution, AMD Fluid Motion Frames, and Radeon Enhanced Sync: No difference was observed.
5.FSR: No matter the settings, the frame rate has increased, but the lag persists. In terms of results, there is no difference compared to lowering the resolution.
6.Disabling full-screen optimization for "ffxiv_dx11.exe": No difference was noticed.
7.System Settings > Display > Hardware GPU Acceleration:: Disabling this also did not help.
8.Initialize BIOS: No difference.
9.Reinstall graphics card drivers: No difference.

Oh, and by the way, this stuttering doesn't just occur within the game scenes; it happens even in the start menu, character selection menu, and loading screens.
Before the 7.0 update, my PC had already experienced a similar situation during the 6.0 update. Google searches also yield numerous complaints about this issue.

This is the performance tracking file I recorded through the AMD driver, they are:
1. 4K + highest graphics settings
2. 4K + highest graphics settings (capped at 60fps)
3. 4K + highest graphics settings (capped at 30fps)
4. 786p + lowest graphics settings

You can have the technical personnel download and review these files to see if they can identify any issues.
MEGA: https://mega.nz/file/mvQhkIKQ#vQHNfB...7D-N3tKCUMfq4M

:(Please make sure to contact the relevant personnel to resolve this issue. This frustrating lag is making it impossible for me to enjoy the game!

There are more bottlenecks than CPU/GPU. FFXIV often likes to explore these. I expect what you (and many others, yours is not the first post regarding this) are seeing may be network (On SE's side) related. I'm not seeing these issues personally, just thought I'd weigh in on both a potential cause, and the legitimacy of the issue.

Indeed, the engine used in this game is really outdated, which may have caused a lot of chaotic issues. Personally, I suspect that the problem is related to frame generation, such as a lack of true synchronization with the monitor's refresh. I don't have a deep understanding of this, but I hope that SE's programmers can make an effort, although this problem has persisted for at least a few years without resolution, which makes me quite pessimistic.

This happens a lot on my pc running Win 11. But on my laptop running Win 10, despite having a lesser GPU, I do not experience this.

I tried creating a separate partition on which I installed Windows 10 to set up a dual-boot system. Using Windows 10 to launch the game indeed resolved the issue, and it ran very smoothly without any anomalies! It seems that the problem does lie with Windows 11. Thank you for your advice!

Similar to same issues I’ve been having.

I don't think windows 11/10 is the root of the problem, I am on windows 10 and experiencing the exact same issue.

Same issue here, very annoying, seems to be no rhyme or reason, in a huge raid fight with 50 people? No problems. Sitting in my inn alone. Frame drops!

Win 11 with a 4070 and also 64 ddr 5 ram

Trying to reinstall the game now to see if it helps any.

yeah, I've noticed a lot of similar complaints, and there are cases involving both Win10 and N cards. It seems the issue isn't with the system, but rather some kind of complex, combined cause. The only relief is that a brute-force "system reinstallation" can at least salvage the situation to some extent.

Posted this in a different thread already but will add it here too:

Unstable FPS dropping to the low 50's while CPU is at 25% and GPU is at 50% load in PvP Frontlines.
Sitting Around in Gridania in drop to low 60's While CPU and GPU are bored.
Something does not add up.

RTX 3060 12 GB
Ryzen 5 5600x
32GB Ram 3200 hz

Many people across the internet report that disabling Microsoft Device Association Root Enumarator helped reduce or eliminate the Stutters/FPS drops. I do not recommend disabling it though since it can reduce or disable functionality of some devices. a Fix from SE's side would be preferable here.

I have identified one of the reasons for the frame drops: whenever there is a change in the devices listed in the Device Manager (such as being turned off or reconnected), FFXIV experiences a single frame drop. I have a USB mouse charging dock that, when connected to the computer, repeatedly prompts an "Unrecognized USB Device" pop-up. Although I have already blocked it in the system notifications, it seems that the changes in the Device Manager continue to cycle. Removing this device from my computer has resolved the issue, leaving only occasional frame drops.

I am still unable to enable some of the unique optimizations for the AMD graphics card on the older Windows 11 device, such as frame pacing and Enhanced Sync. Whenever these features are enabled, intermittent frame drops still occur.

However, this issue did not occur on a newly installed Windows 10. Connecting this device or using the unique features of the AMD graphics card did not cause any impact.

On 9th December, I suddenly encountered the issue of dropped frames again. After testing, enabling "Wait for Vertical Refresh" in AMD settings to "Always on" resolved the dropped frames.

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

We are glad to hear that you are no longer experiencing this issue. If you have any more questions or concerns, please make a new thread in the technical support forums.

This thread will be moved to "Closed Concerns”. Thank you once more for visiting the Final Fantasy XIV Technical Support Forums!