Random FPS drop in Alliance Raids

[ejunniim]

This error appeared about a month ago. Since I haven't made any changes and have been playing on EU without problems for over 2 years, this was a really bad surprise.
The problem is random FPS drops during only an alliance run. Can happen in a minute, or maybe in 10, before start of the battle or during. The frame rate drops to 10 (audio also starts to stutter) and returns to normal after a few seconds. I noticed that these twists do not affect level 50 raids and Euphrosyne.
So what I did:
- checked that my system unit is in a stable state, without damage and maintains a normal temperature;
- checked the quality of the internet connection;
- confirmed that somehow ffxiv was not under attack by windows defender;
updated nvidia video card drivers (the game functions through this); check for directX 11 updates and power consumption settings;
- third party/non-mandatory application programs are not running;
- reset the settings through launcher to default and checked all combinations of resolution, graphics and effects that are suitable for gameplay;
- configured - and disabled, because it did not give results - win10's "game mode";
- full file check;
- reinstalled the game.

The problem persisted in the end. Pretty sad.
System information:

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

MyDocument C:\Users\nikfo\OneDrive\Documents FINAL FANTASY XIV Online B:\Steam\steamapps\common\FINAL FANTASY XIV Online
ProxyEnable 0
ProxyServer unspecified
ProxyOverride unspecified


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

SYSTEM_OS Windows 10 Home 64-bit (6.2, set 9200) (19041.vb_release.191206-1406)
SYSTEM_CPU AMD FX(tm)-4350 Quad-Core Processor (4 CPUs), ~4.2GHz
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SYSTEM_BIOS Default System BIOS
SYSTEM_LANGUAGE english (format: english)
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SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DEVICE \\.\DISPLAY1
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SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DAC Integrated RAMDAC
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SYSTEM_SOUND_DEVICE_NAME HdAudio.sys
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_VERSION 10.0.19041.264
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_LANGUAGE English
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_DATE 5/9/2020 03:00:00
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
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SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME USB Device
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 573 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {C82BD890-6463-11ED-8003444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME USB Device
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 184 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {C82E2280-6463-11ED-8004444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME USB Device
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 573 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0


-=-=-=-=-=-=- Application Information -=-=-=-=-=-=-

FFXIVLauncher
1: dx11.exe - Application Error — Google Chrome
Options
Options
Microsoft Text Input Application
Groove Music
Groove Music


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

Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge Update
Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime
photoFXlab
Steam
Topaz Adjust 5
Topaz B&W Effects
Topaz Clarity
Topaz Clean 3
Topaz DeJpeg 4
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Adobe Photoshop CC 2015
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Microsoft Visual C++ 2012 Redistributable (x64) - 11.0.61030
Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable (x64) - 14.34.31931
Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable (x86) - 14.0.24215
Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2019 Redistributable (x86) - 14.24.28127
Microsoft Visual C++ 2019 X86 Additional Runtime - 14.24.28127
Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 x86 Redistributable - 10.0.40219
Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 Redistributable (x86) - 12.0.30501
Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 x86 Additional Runtime - 12.0.21005
7-Zip 22.01 (x64)
Movavi Video Suite 18.1.0
FINAL FANTASY XIV Online
Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 x64 Redistributable - 10.0.40219
Microsoft Visual C++ 2012 x64 Additional Runtime - 11.0.61030
Microsoft Update Health Tools
Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 x64 Additional Runtime - 12.0.21005
Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 x64 Minimum Runtime - 12.0.21005
NVIDIA Graphics driver 528.49
NVIDIA GeForce Experience 3.27.0.112
NVIDIA Optimus Update 39.5.0.0
NVIDIA System software PhysX 9.21.0713
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NVIDIA FrameView SDK 1.3.8513.32290073
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NVIDIA GPX Common OSS binaries (POCO, OpenSSL, libprotobuf)
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Microsoft Visual C++ 2012 x64 Minimum Runtime - 11.0.61030
Microsoft Visual C++ 2022 X64 Minimum Runtime - 14.34.31931
UE4 Prerequisites (x64)
Microsoft Visual C++ 2022 X64 Additional Runtime - 14.34.31931


-=-=-=-=-=-=- Proccess Information -=-=-=-=-=-=-

B:\Steam\bin\cef\cef.win7x64\steamwebhelper.exe 00002748
B:\Steam\steam.exe 000023F0
B:\Steam\steamapps\common\FINAL FANTASY XIV Online\boot\ffxivlauncher.exe 00000AE8
B:\Steam\steamapps\common\FINAL FANTASY XIV Online\boot\ffxivsysinfo64.exe 00001260
C:\Program Files (x86)\NVIDIA Corporation\NvNode\NVIDIA Web Helper.exe 000008E0
C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\NvContainer\nvcontainer.exe 000015D0
C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.YourPhone_1.22122.94.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe\PhoneExperienceHost.exe 00002030
C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.ZuneMusic_10.22031.10091.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe\Music.UI.exe 00001398
C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.ZuneVideo_10.22091.10031.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe\Video.UI.exe 000010C4
C:\Users\nikfo\AppData\Local\Discord\app-1.0.9011\Discord.exe 00002568
C:\Users\nikfo\AppData\Local\Google\ChromeBrowser\Application\browser.exe 00002790
C:\Windows\Explorer.EXE 00001488
C:\Windows\ImmersiveControlPanel\SystemSettings.exe 0000192C
C:\Windows\System32\RuntimeBroker.exe 00000628
C:\Windows\System32\SecurityHealthSystray.exe 000022DC
C:\Windows\System32\oobe\UserOOBEBroker.exe 00002764
C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.LockApp_cw5n1h2txyewy\LockApp.exe 00001E5C
C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.Search_cw5n1h2txyewy\SearchApp.exe 000019C4
C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.StartMenuExperienceHost_cw5n1h2txyewy\StartMenuExperienceHost.exe 00001780
C:\Windows\SystemApps\MicrosoftWindows.Client.CBS_cw5n1h2txyewy\TextInputHost.exe 00000F08
C:\Windows\system32\ApplicationFrameHost.exe 00002114
C:\Windows\system32\DllHost.exe 00001404
C:\Windows\system32\conhost.exe 00001B2C
C:\Windows\system32\sihost.exe 00000BD8
C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe 00001FB4
C:\Windows\system32\taskhostw.exe 00000CCC

[ejunniim]

A small update for statistics (got acquainted with some other threads where a similar problem was mentioned):
- disabling full-screen optimization (via compatibility settings) increased the overall fps, but the problem remained;
- switching between directx11 and directx9 made the situation worse, and fps drops became more frequent and longer.

[kevin_satron]

they stop supporting directx 9, so no point trying that

[ejunniim]

Didn't know about it, but anyway, I tried. Out of ideas already x)

[Final-Fantasy]

Does it happen when you use Fullscreen mode in the Display menu? (Change display mode from Windowed, Borderless Window mode to Fullscreen).

You can also try changing the Effects in use during combat by:

Main Menu > Character Configuration > Control Settings > Character > In this tab here, scroll down and change the Options for Battle Effects Settings, from the default which is Show All, to Show Limited or Show None.

In Raids for example, this will greatly help with FPS as you can turn off Party and Alliance player Effects in that menu that I noted above.

Hopefully that will give you higher FPS and stop the drops!

[ejunniim]

Hopefully that will give you higher FPS and stop the drops!

My appreciation for your wish, but, alas, although I have tried all the screen resolution and disabling effects up to full, the problem persists. I'm really puzzled as the more demanding games are still functioning fine... ┐('～`)┌

[Final-Fantasy]

Hmm, have you tried adjusting this:

Main Menu > System Configuration > Other Settings ( . . . ) > In this Tab, check "Display Limits" and change the option here for "Character and Object Quantity" to Low and test.
Note it is Quantity here, this limits the amount of Characters displayed and also the Objects around the environment that you are in.

You may have already done this but I didn't see you mention it, I'd give it a try and see if it helps.

[ejunniim]

Hmm, have you tried adjusting this:

Main Menu > System Configuration > Other Settings ( . . . ) > In this Tab, check "Display Limits" and change the option here for "Character and Object Quantity" to Low and test.

I didn't know this feature existed! FPS has indeed been boosted with this, especially for cities and other crowded places. However, the problem still persists in alliances

[Final-Fantasy]

You could try connecting your PC to your Phone, by using the Phone as a Hotspot, most have this feature in the Network settings.
Doing so you can rule out a connection issue.

It maybe in fact an Audio issue, you could try Muting all of the Music and Sound effects, I'm not actually sure if that would matter as its just Muting so its probably still processing the Audio.

If you have multiple Audio devices, such as Nvidia HD Audio and 3rdparty PC Audio apps, you might want to tinker with those, as since you can do some Raids fine, it could be Audio related, as you mention you get FPS and Audio stutter.

Another thing you can try is completely remove Nvidia Geforce Experience app, but first, disable Shadowplay and also turnoff Battery Boost and Nvidia Overlay, all of these options are in the GFE app at the top right (little Cog).
If turning Shadowplay, Battery Boost and Nvidia Overlay off do nothing to help, I would uninstall GFE and then test, as GFE and those apps in it are known to cause serious stutter issues in certain games.

If you do remove GFE, you can get or update your Graphics card driver at the Nvidia site, and only choose to download the Driver by itself, not the GFE app, you don't actually need GFE at all.

I would give that a try and see if it fixes the issue.

[ejunniim]

I would give that a try and see if it fixes the issue.

Somewhat late answer, but I tried each of these ways, just to be on the safe side!
My connection is still stable, and sound changing didn't help. Also reinstalled nvidia drivers, with and without GFE. Alas
I guess it is possible that the answer we need is hidden somewhere in tech info that I provided, but, sadly, I myself am not an expert and cannot understand whether this is true or not. In an extreme - extreme - case, I can try to reinstall the system itself. But that prospect sounds terrible, lol. After all, have been working with this computer for many years...