Question:

Why does my GPU/VRAM frequency drop to zero when playing Street Fighter 6, but not Tekken 8, on my upgraded PC?

I have recently upgraded my PC with a new GPU (Sapphire PULSE Radeon RX 6700 XT 12 GB), CPU (AMD Ryzen 5 5600X 3.7 GHz 6-Core), motherboard (MSI B550 GAMING GEN3 ATX AM4), and RAM (Corsair Vengeance LPX 32 GB DDR4-3200 CL16). I can run Tekken 8 smoothly, but Street Fighter 6 causes intermittent stutters and lag spikes. I have logged the performance using AMD adrenalin and noticed that the GPU frequency drops to zero and the VRAM fluctuates when playing Street Fighter 6. This does not happen when playing Tekken 8. I have tried various solutions, such as updating drivers, BIOS, and game settings, but nothing has worked. I have also experienced lag and stutter in other apps when a game is running, which I suspect is related to the Hardware Accelerated GPU Scheduling feature that I cannot disable. I am at a loss and would appreciate any help or suggestions from an expert.

Answer:

If you are a PC gamer, you may have encountered a frustrating problem: your game runs smoothly on one title, but stutters and lags on another. This can happen even if the games have similar or lower system requirements, and even if you have upgraded your PC with the latest hardware. In this article, we will explore a possible cause and solution for this issue, using the example of Street Fighter 6 and Tekken 8.

Street Fighter 6 and Tekken 8 are both popular fighting games that require fast and responsive gameplay. However, some PC users have reported that Street Fighter 6 causes intermittent stutters and lag spikes, while Tekken 8 runs smoothly. This can be very frustrating, especially for competitive players who need to react quickly and precisely. What could be the reason for this difference?

One possible culprit is the GPU/VRAM frequency, which is the speed at which the graphics card and its memory operate. The GPU/VRAM frequency can affect the performance and stability of the game, as well as the power consumption and temperature of the PC. Ideally, the GPU/VRAM frequency should be high enough to handle the graphics demand of the game, but not too high to cause overheating or instability.

However, some games may have issues with the GPU/VRAM frequency management, which can result in sudden drops or fluctuations. This can cause the game to stutter, lag, or freeze, as the graphics card struggles to keep up with the game. This may be the case for Street Fighter 6, which seems to have a problem with the GPU/VRAM frequency dropping to zero or bouncing down when playing. This does not happen for Tekken 8, which may have a better GPU/VRAM frequency management.

So, how can we fix this issue? One possible solution is to manually adjust the GPU/VRAM frequency using a software tool, such as AMD adrenalin, MSI Afterburner, or EVGA Precision X1. These tools allow you to monitor and tweak the GPU/VRAM frequency, as well as other settings, such as fan speed, voltage, and power limit. By using these tools, you can try to find the optimal GPU/VRAM frequency for your game, which can improve the performance and stability.

However, before you try this solution, you should be aware of the risks and limitations. First, adjusting the GPU/VRAM frequency can void your warranty, damage your hardware, or cause system instability. You should always backup your data, follow the instructions carefully, and proceed at your own risk. Second, adjusting the GPU/VRAM frequency may not solve the issue completely, as there may be other factors involved, such as drivers, BIOS, game settings, or software conflicts. You should always update your drivers, BIOS, and game settings to the latest versions, and check for any software conflicts that may interfere with the game. Third, adjusting the GPU/VRAM frequency may affect the performance and stability of other games or applications, as different games may have different GPU/VRAM frequency demands. You should always test the GPU/VRAM frequency for each game or application, and revert to the default settings when not in use.

In conclusion, the GPU/VRAM frequency drop issue may be one of the reasons why Street Fighter 6 stutters and lags, while Tekken 8 runs smoothly, on your upgraded PC. A possible solution is to manually adjust the GPU/VRAM frequency using a software tool, but this comes with risks and limitations. You should always consult with a professional before making any changes to your PC or software, and always backup your data. We hope this article has been helpful, and we wish you a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience.