Major Stuttering Issues (Laggy Frames, Cracky Audio, etc.)

Understanding and Addressing Major PC Performance Issues: Frame Lag, Audio Cracks, and System Stutters

Experiencing persistent performance issues with your PC can be both frustrating and disruptive, especially when symptoms such as laggy frames, choppy audio, and system stutters occur unpredictably. Such problems may arise from a variety of hardware or software-related causes, and troubleshooting requires a systematic approach. In this article, we will explore common causes of these issues and provide guidance on effective diagnostic and resolution strategies.

Identifying the Symptoms

Many users report experiencing:

Random GPU usage spikes and wattage fluctuations
Sudden CPU utilization increases
Frame lag and stuttering during gaming or even at idle
Audio disturbances like cracking or stuttering sounds
System instability that necessitates frequent restarts

Hardware and Software Context

Typical system configuration may include components such as:

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
GPU: AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT
Motherboard: ASUS B550-PLUS WIFI II
RAM: 32GB DDR4 3600MHz (2x16GB)
Audio Interface: Focusrite Scarlett Solo 2nd Gen (connected to Rode NT-1 microphone)

Common Causes and Troubleshooting Steps

Hardware Overheating and Power Issues
Ensure that your system’s cooling solutions are functioning properly.
Check CPU and GPU temperatures during idle and load.
Verify power supply unit (PSU) stability and wattage capacity.
Driver and Firmware Compatibility
Update GPU drivers to the latest version from AMD.
Update motherboard BIOS to the latest release.
Reinstall or update audio interface drivers, especially if audio issues have persisted.
Software Conflicts
Perform a clean boot to eliminate background processes that may interfere.
Remove unnecessary programs and monitor system behavior.
Use tools like DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) to thoroughly clean and reinstall graphics drivers.
System Settings and Configurations
Reset system settings to default where appropriate.
Check for Windows updates and install pending patches.
Verify that game and application settings are optimal to prevent resource overload.
Hardware Diagnostic Testing
Run memory tests (e.g., Windows Memory Diagnostic or MemTest86).
Perform stress tests on CPU and GPU to observe stability.
Check power delivery with a multimeter if advanced