Stutter Fix Order: What to Change First (So You Don’t Waste Time)
Most people waste hours because they change the wrong thing first. Stutter has types. Identify the type, then apply fixes in a sequence that removes the real cause.
Fix Order (Practical)
- Triage the stutter type (shader, CPU, streaming).
- Remove background load and overlays.
- Apply a realistic FPS cap for stable pacing.
- Only then tune VRR and graphics settings.
- Re-test the same path/scene to confirm improvement.
What Not to Do
- Turn on every ‘smoothness’ feature at once.
- Judge fixes without repeating the same test path.
- Chase peak FPS while spikes remain.
Rule: the first goal is stable frametimes. Everything else is secondary.
Related Guides
Stutter TypesIdentify shader, CPU, and streaming stutter.
Frame PacingStability beats peak FPS.
VRR Setup GuideEnable VRR properly after stability.
Background LoadSpikes from CPU and overlays.
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