Peculiar Stuttering Issue

[Spurgissimo]

Hello! This is my first time posting to the forums, so I hope I've chosen the correct spot to report this issue. For a few months now I've experienced a very strange micro stuttering issue that only seems to trigger at specific spots in the world. The game overall is very smooth for me as I'm able to maintain a consistent framerate generally. However, when I encounter one of these spots that triggers a micro stutter (Dropping from 144 fps to 141 generally) I'll experience a quick hiccup. It's very peculiar because, as I mentioned, it only occurs at very specific locations in the world and nowhere else. Some of these locations include Foundation (14.2 12.4, walking towards the wall), and Central Thanalan (30.3 18.0, walking along the path between the two trees). The micro stutter can be recreated by moving back and forth over the particular spot. There are a few more that I've been able to find in the world that I'd be happy to list if necessary.

I've tried so many fixes with the aim of addressing this. To list a few, I've reinstalled the game, reinstalled my graphics driver (DDU), verified game files, disabled myriad background programs, and conducted as much research as I could, to no avail sadly. I really hope that I'll be able to get to the bottom of this issue somehow. Thank you in advance to anyone who's able to help!


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

SYSTEM_OS Windows 11 Home 64-bit (6.2, Build 9200) (22000.co_release.210604-1628)
SYSTEM_CPU AMD Ryzen 9 5900X 12-Core Processor (24 CPUs), ~3.7GHz
SYSTEM_CORE_NUM SYSTEM_CORE_LOGIC 24 SYSTEM_CORE_PHYSICS 12
SYSTEM_BIOS 3601
SYSTEM_LANGUAGE English (Regional Setting: English)
SYSTEM_MEMORY 32678.980MB
SYSTEM_VIRTUAL_MEMORY 134217727.875MB
SYSTEM_PAGE_FILE 37542.980MB
SYSTEM_STORAGE C:\ SYSTEM_HARDDISK_DRIVE SYSTEM_TOTALDISC_SPACE 930.808GB SYSTEM_FREEDISC_SPACE 547.792GB
SYSTEM_DIRECTX_VERSION DirectX 12
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DEVICE \\.\DISPLAY1
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_CHIP AMD Radeon Graphics Processor (0x73BF)
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_MAKER Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_VRAM 16337.586 MB
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_SHARED_VRAM 16339.490 MB
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DAC Internal DAC(400MHz)
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DISPLAY_MODE 2560 x 1440 (32 bit) (144Hz)
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\u0376944.inf_amd64_7a28758ed8b2ac21\B376966\aticfx64.dll,C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\u0376944.inf_amd64_7a28758ed8b2ac21\B376966\aticfx64.dll,C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\u0376944.inf_amd64_7a28758ed8b2ac21\B376966\aticfx64.dll,C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\u0376944.inf_amd64_7a28758ed8b2ac21\B376966\amdxc64.dll
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER_VERSION 30.00.14029.5006
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER_DATE 2/22/2022 17:00:00
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER_LANGUAGE English
3.0
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_PIXEL_SHADER 3.0
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_VERTEX_TEXTURE SYSTEM_SUPPORT
SYSTEM_SOUND 1 - VG27A (AMD High Definition Audio Device)
SYSTEM_SOUND_DEVICE_ID {D0445A56-7102-4BED-8FCA-3293B51618C7}
SYSTEM_SOUND_DEVICE_NAME AtihdWT6.sys
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_VERSION 10.0.1.23
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_LANGUAGE English
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_DATE 7/26/2021 17:00:00
SYSTEM_SOUND Headphones (Arctis 7 Game)
SYSTEM_SOUND_DEVICE_ID {35C8848E-56C9-4F80-BF1B-6AE0DDC6F1C1}
SYSTEM_SOUND_DEVICE_NAME USBAUDIO.sys
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_VERSION 10.0.22000.1
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_LANGUAGE English
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_DATE 6/4/2021 17:00:00
SYSTEM_SOUND Headset Earphone (Arctis 7 Chat)
SYSTEM_SOUND_DEVICE_ID {096B6780-DC3E-447A-B8A1-CF2EDB0B7478}
SYSTEM_SOUND_DEVICE_NAME USBAUDIO.sys
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_VERSION 10.0.22000.1
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_LANGUAGE English
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_DATE 6/4/2021 17:00:00
SYSTEM_SOUND Realtek Digital Output (Realtek(R) Audio)
SYSTEM_SOUND_DEVICE_ID {BE748A5D-31C0-4CD1-9CF6-121048B123EE}
SYSTEM_SOUND_DEVICE_NAME RTKVHD64.sys
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_VERSION 6.0.9244.1
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_LANGUAGE English
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_DATE 9/27/2021 17:00:00
SYSTEM_SOUND Speakers (Sonic Studio Virtual Mixer)
SYSTEM_SOUND_DEVICE_ID {8ECA8F36-40D8-4962-A728-BAC09BDDF89A}
SYSTEM_SOUND_DEVICE_NAME AVoluteSS3Vad.sys
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_VERSION 1.0.2.0
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_LANGUAGE English
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_DATE 10/13/2021 17:00:00
SYSTEM_INPUT {6F1D2B60-D5A0-11CF-BFC7444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Mouse
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 3 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 8 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 {BEA66830-640A-11EC-8001444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME CORSAIR iCUE Commander CORE
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {BEB00520-640A-11EC-8003444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME AURA LED Controller
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {00B1D680-90C3-11EC-8001444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Razer Basilisk V2
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 3 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {BEB02C30-640A-11EC-8004444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {BEB05340-640A-11EC-8005444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME CORSAIR iCUE Commander CORE
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {72A5E220-6A73-11EC-8001444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME SteelSeries Arctis 7 Bootloader
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {00B1D680-90C3-11EC-8002444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Razer Basilisk V2
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 1 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {BEB07A50-640A-11EC-8007444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 265 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {00B1D680-90C3-11EC-8003444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Razer Basilisk V2
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 1 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {BEB0C870-640A-11EC-8009444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 4096 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {00B1D680-90C3-11EC-8004444553540000}
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 {BEB0C870-640A-11EC-800A444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 265 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {BEB164B0-640A-11EC-8010444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME SteelSeries Arctis 7
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 5 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {BEB0EF80-640A-11EC-800B444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {BEB164B0-640A-11EC-8011444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME SteelSeries Arctis 7
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {00B1D680-90C3-11EC-8005444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Razer Basilisk V2
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 573 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0

[Thukoolo]

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

We apologize for the delay in response to this issue.

Please try the following:
- Try switching to DirectX 9 by selecting the ‘Config’ button on the launcher.
- Update and reinstall the drivers for your graphics card and sound drivers (if applicable).
- Perform a clean boot by opening the task manager and select the 'Start up' Tab. Disable everything.
- Please be sure that Final Fantasy XIV is installed to the C: Drive.
- Please be sure to disable or remove any overlays (Discord, Steam, NVIDIA etc.) as they may interfere with startup.
- Make sure that the Windows OS is fully updated.

Thank you for visiting the Final Fantasy XIV Technical Support Forums!

[Spurgissimo]

Hello, and thank you for the suggestions! I made sure to try all of those potential fixes but the only one that seemed to solve the location-based frame hitches was switching to DirectX 9 (albeit at a significant performance hit). That being said, DX9 introduced insanely choppy gameplay. Aside from that, all overlays are disabled, my OS is fully updated as well as my graphics and sound drivers.

[Seathasky]

Recommending dx9 is the weirdest suggestion I've seen on these forums considering it's no longer supported by Square Enix, especially for 6900XT

[Spurgissimo]

Since last reporting in I've found another spot where this happens. Sea of Clouds (6.4, 14.7) walking northeast I'll experience another fps hitch. I've ensured that all my drivers are updated and accounted for, and I've continued to pour more research into this issue, but it's amounted to nothing as of now.