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Game & Engine-Specific Issues

Learn why some games stutter regardless of hardware, and how to identify game-specific problems.

What Are Game-Specific Issues?

Not all stuttering is caused by your hardware. Many games have inherent performance problems due to poor optimization, engine limitations, or bugs that affect all players.

These issues often require game-specific solutions like configuration tweaks, community patches, or simply waiting for official fixes from developers.

Signs of Game-Specific Issues

  • Other games run fine on the same system
  • Stuttering happens at specific locations or events
  • Many users report the same issues online
  • Problem exists across different hardware configurations
  • Issues started after a recent game update
  • Stuttering occurs regardless of graphics settings

Common Causes

Shader Compilation Stutter

Many games using DX12 or Vulkan compile shaders on-the-fly, causing brief freezes when new effects are encountered. This typically improves after playing for a while.

Memory Leaks

Some games don't properly release memory, causing performance to degrade over extended play sessions. Restarting the game typically resolves this temporarily.

Asset Streaming Issues

Open-world games may stutter when loading new areas if their streaming system is poorly optimized or if installed on a slow drive.

Engine Limitations

Some game engines have fundamental problems with specific hardware or configurations. Unreal Engine games, for example, may stutter with certain CPU/GPU combinations.

Anti-Cheat Conflicts

Anti-cheat software can cause performance issues, especially Easy Anti-Cheat and Vanguard, particularly on systems with certain security features enabled.

How to Investigate

  1. Check known issues - Search "[game name] stuttering" to see if it's a common problem
  2. Check PCGamingWiki - PCGamingWiki.com documents known issues and fixes
  3. Visit game subreddit - Community often has workarounds before official fixes
  4. Check official forums - Developers may acknowledge issues and provide solutions
  5. Verify game files - Corrupted files can cause stuttering
  6. Check for mods - Mods can cause compatibility issues or performance problems

Games Known for Issues

Some popular games with documented stuttering issues:

  • Elden Ring - Shader compilation stutters (improved with patches)
  • Hogwarts Legacy - Traversal stutters, especially in open world
  • The Last of Us Part I - Known optimization issues on PC
  • Cities: Skylines 2 - Performance issues on most hardware
  • Unreal Engine 4/5 games - Often have shader compilation stutters

If your game is on this list or has similar known issues, the problem may not be your system.

Ready to troubleshoot game-specific issues?

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