Additional Data Needed Regarding GPU Utilization Issues

[dark494]

Thank you for the information dark494.

You mentioned you are getting 50-60 fps before and after the patch. Does it dip below this? Getting these frame rates with the graphical settings and card you have sounds about right. Although lowering the graphics preset should affect the GPU utilization. Does this same thing happen if you are using Fullscreen (not borderless)?

As for the frame rate cap, can you go into the Nvidia Control Panel, find Final Fantasy XIV and in the V-Sync section, select Adaptive (half refresh rate)? Keep the in-game frame limit at 60. Does this have the same result as capping the frame rate in-game?

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

It already is adaptive, and yes it's the same when fullscreen.

[Einmimiria]

It already is adaptive, and yes it's the same when fullscreen.

Sorry, I should have clarified. I wanted you to select the option "Adaptive (half refresh rate)." This should cap the frame rate at 30 if your monitor is 60hz. I wanted to see if an external frame rate limiter would have similar results as the in-game one.

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

[linnyxito7]

Thanks for looking into this. I'm not good with computers, but here are my findings:

1) Nvidia GTX970M

2) Resolution pre and post patch: 1280 x 720.
Graphical settings pre and post patch: Standard (Laptop) settings. Frame rate pre patch: consistent and smooth 60 fps when the frame rate limit was set to 60 fps (refresh rate 1/1). When disbling the limit, the fps stayed between 100-120 fps.
Frame rate post patch: 60 fps with the frame rate limit set to 60 fps, but with several drops per minute to 40-50 fps. (The game appears to freeze briefly.) When disabling the frame rate limit, the fps stayed between 100-120 fps as before, but with drops to around 90 fps several times per minute. (The game freezes briefly here as well.)

3) When I limit my fps to 60, the GPU utilization is between 50-70% (see left side of the below screencap). When I remove the limit, it's at 100% regardless of which zone I'm in (see right side of the below screencap).

The above screencap was taken when I was in my character's apartment without moving. Here is another screencap that I took during a fight (set to 60 fps), where the GPU utilization seems to spike (?) before dropping:


4) The spikes occur in every/any in-game area.

5) This is not accompanied by any graphical glitches. Aside from the stutters, the game runs very smoothly. However, if I use a spell or skill at the same time as a stutter happens, the skill/spell won't register and I'll have to use it again.

6) Everything I've tried to alleviate the issue:

• Cleaning the fans of my computer (the avg. temperature is under 50 degrees celcius now, and when the GPU utilization reaches 100% the max temperature is 64 degrees celcius.

• Checking all drivers and all Windows Updates (everything is up to date).

• Changing settings related to FFXIV in NVIDIA Control Panel.

• Overclocking the graphics card.

• Restarting the game and the computer.

• Shutting down other apps and programs (and game mode).

• Switched between DirctX9 and DirectX11 at game startup (the problem persisted in both).

• Changed the frame rate limit in-game between 15 fps to 120 fps (the fps still dropped/skipped many times per minute, whether the fps was high or low).

• Changed the graphics settings from lowest to highest, and back to lowest.

• Tried Windowed mode, Borderless Windowed mode, and Full Screen mode (the problem persisted in all three modes).

• In the FFXIV Launcher under Settings, I tried to reset the system settings.

• I freed up some space on the SSD where FFXIV is installed.

None of the above helped prevent/remove the stuttering. I feel that I need to underline that the game runs very smoothly all the time (or has, until now), but after the patch, these "skips" interrupt the otherwise smooth gameplay many times a minute. If I click something right at the same time as one of these "skips" happen, the button I click won't register, and I have to click it again.

Sorry if I included too much (or did I maybe miss something?).

[Einmimiria]

Thank you for the update linnyxito7, this information was very helpful.

If I'm understanding you correctly, the game stutters and the frame rate dips momentarily, then goes back to normal a moment later? This seems to drop 10-20 fps relative to the max FPS (so if you have 100 FPS, it will drop to 90-ish, if it's maxed at 60, it will drop to 40-50).

Open the Nvidia Control Panel, find FFXIV and in the V-Sync options, select "On" or "Override Application" (this should lock it to 60). Or select "Adaptive (half refresh rate)" to lock it at 30. Keep the in-game limiter off. I'd like to see how this affects the stuttering, since the game is not listening to the in-game frame rate limiter in a few of these cases.

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

[linnyxito7]

If I'm understanding you correctly, the game stutters and the frame rate dips momentarily, then goes back to normal a moment later? This seems to drop 10-20 fps relative to the max FPS (so if you have 100 FPS, it will drop to 90-ish, if it's maxed at 60, it will drop to 40-50).

Yes, this is correct. And every time the FPS drops, there's a stutter, or something like a momentary freeze.

Open the Nvidia Control Panel, find FFXIV and in the V-Sync options, select "On" or "Override Application" (this should lock it to 60). Or select "Adaptive (half refresh rate)" to lock it at 30. Keep the in-game limiter off. I'd like to see how this affects the stuttering, since the game is not listening to the in-game frame rate limiter in a few of these cases.

Thanks for the tip: I tried it (and made sure I had the game selected), but it doesn't appear to have any effect on the in-game fps. When I set the in-game frame rate limit to None, and change the V-Sync options in the Nvidia Control Panel, the fps is still higher than 60. (Over 100 fps, actually, apart from when it drops.) I also tried the other V-Sync options that were available, but the in-game fps were still higher than 100. (The drops/mini freezes still occur.)

Perhaps I can search for other alternatives that will help me get the FPS to 60?

[KisaiTenshi]

Please note that I'm not reporting a problem:
I have a Geforce 1080 @ 4K, drivers 24.21.13.9764 (ForceWare 397.64)
This is what it looks like while having 60fps, and basically just spinning the camera in the inn.


This is what it looks like at 2560x1440 like one of the posters above, again at 60fps:


Please note the blue PerfCap reason while at 2560x1440 and compare it to the grey/green with 4K. While at 4K it's throttled due to Util/Pwr because it crosses the TDP threshold, and is why it typically runs at 50-55fps. At 1080p and 1440p it's only at VRel (Voltage Reliable)

So, basically it should not be maxing out the GPU at 2560x1440 even under maximum if it's at 60fps. Something else is amiss.

[RobbieH]

This is what it looks like at 2560x1440 like one of the posters above, again at 60fps:


Please note the blue PerfCap reason while at 2560x1440 and compare it to the grey/green with 4K. While at 4K it's throttled due to Util/Pwr because it crosses the TDP threshold, and is why it typically runs at 50-55fps. At 1080p and 1440p it's only at VRel (Voltage Reliable)

So, basically it should not be maxing out the GPU at 2560x1440 even under maximum if it's at 60fps. Something else is amiss.

My TDP in the inn at 1440p didn't go above 50% (i started GPU-Z while already inside the inn) and my PerfCap only says idle (always gray).

I'm using 391.35 because the driver you mentioned was what i had when i start playing FFXIV again and people mentioned that 391.35 is better for Windows 10 version 1803 so i gave it a try, there's a slight decrease in GPU usage but this all comes down to margin of error and some variables.

397.93 WHQL Drivers are the latest and released a few days ago, however i doubt it makes a difference but i need the CUDA 9.2 from it so i'll have to install it anyway.

How much GPU usage do you have on main menu at 1440p?

[KisaiTenshi]

My TDP in the inn at 1440p didn't go above 50% (i started GPU-Z while already inside the inn) and my PerfCap only says idle (always gray).

I'm using 391.35 because the driver you mentioned was what i had when i start playing FFXIV again and people mentioned that 391.35 is better for Windows 10 version 1803 so i gave it a try, there's a slight decrease in GPU usage but this all comes down to margin of error and some variables.

397.93 WHQL Drivers are the latest and released a few days ago, however i doubt it makes a difference but i need the CUDA 9.2 from it so i'll have to install it anyway.

How much GPU usage do you have on main menu at 1440p?

The GPU usage drops at the menu.


In the inn at 1440p
Settings at Maximum 60fps, GPU-z reports vRel


At the main menu
Settings at Maximum 60fps, GPU-z reports idle


At 4K HABO+ set to Normal and FXAA off (which is where I usually have it for 55-60fps.) Switches between Util,Vpwr and Idle

[RareItems]

Having the same issue more often now, GPU is jumping up and down from 100% to 23% causing some Mobs to not display, FPS going to 1 per 3 seconds. Rip Hunts xD. All drivers up to date, It mostly happens on Stormblood areas and Kugane.

https://i.imgur.com/LLpjLJ3.png

GPU maxes out while i'm flying away from the Namazu Beast tribe location to do dailies lol.

[duvvvv]

1) GTX 1060 3gb
2) Nvidia's "optimized" setting: 1920 x 1080, average framerate everywhere is around 80fps (frame rate limit disabled)





3) Some of you have reported major dips in frame rate, does your GPU utilization reach 100% at this time? YES, I didn't realize this until I checked


(please note the drop in the usage is because I switched windows to the afterburner app)


4) Does this happen constantly or is it restricted to only a few areas? constantly in crowded areas it seems
5) Is this accompanied by any graphical glitches? none I have observed so far
6) Please list everything you have tried to alleviate the issue:
- limited frame rate to 60fps
- borderless windowed
- performance definitely improved for me

-dropped to the 60s range in usage, from max of 99, temp also dropped to 70-ish c max from 83c

-however, Nvidia GeForce Experience is telling me the game isn't optimized