Additional Data Needed Regarding GPU Utilization Issues

[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?