Question 34" Ultrawide Monitor keeps stuttering :(

[TitanMaster]

Hello, I have not found anyone with this specific problem:

My 34" Ultrawide monitor keeps stuttering every like 5 seconds for half a second. This issue only came about when I got my first ultrawide monitor, never happened before. It only happens specifically during gaming, not while doing any other task, watching videos/movies, listening to music, etc. It started when I got a used alienware monitor, since then I have gotten: new speakers, used rx 7900 gre, new Asus 34" monitor. However, these stutters have been happening since I first connected the ultrawide monitor. I thought it was my gpu, but the monitor stutters with both my rx 6700 xt (first owner) and rx 7900 gre (used). Then I thought it was the monitor, so I bought my current main monitor, tried it with both gpu's but it still stutters. I am at a complete loss here, I read in an article that Ultrawide monitos from 34" - 39" do this (not sure how true it is), so I was going to swap the ultra-wide for a Gigabyte GS32QC 32" QHD for main display in hopes of avoiding the stuttering by having a 16:9 display.

My current main monitor: ASUS TUF VG34VQL3A 34" 2K QHD 180Hz (have it at 165Hz & is VA Panel)
My old main monitor: Alienware AW3420DW 34" 2k WQHD 120Hz (had it at 120Hz & VA Panel)
My secondary monitor: AOC C27G2 G2 Series 27" LED FHD 165Hz (had it at 165Hz & VA Panel)
Here is the PC Part Picker link since I included literally every hardware I have to have the most information: PC Part List

Things I have tried:

• Playing with every monitor and gpu variation I could
• Playing with only ultrawide monitor on (tried both) and both gpus
• Used amd utility clean software and reinstalled fresh amd adrenaline for both gpus
• Enabled and disabled HDR
• Used Freesync Premium and set it choose settings, and also manually tweaked with settings specifically capping frames and setting target frames
• Changed amd adrenaline profile to be standard, quality, and hypr-rx
• OC'd both ultra-wide monitors while gaming
• Checked Windows for updates
• Checked display driver & audio drivers to updates
• Gamed on secondary 27" monitor (Ultrawide still connected)

I have never had an issue like this before happened to my PC until I got an ultrawide monitor. Updated Mobo BIOS about a year ago, do not know what version it is on tbh. I am trying to avoid a clean Windows reinstall since I do not know how to and am scared to wipe stuff from my PC since I do not have any extra storage to backup stuff to.

 

[boju]

Could be system ram / vram and pagefile related, how full is the ssd? Might need to clear some space if too full so pagefile can be allowed to grow without sacrificing drive performance.

Check cpu temp and frequency while gaming.

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

It started when I got a used alienware monitor, since then I have gotten: new speakers, used rx 7900 gre, new Asus 34" monitor

just connecting to a different display can't cause a hardware issue like what you're seeing to prevail through the system even after changing said hardware.

the only thing that could be a side effect of that particular display would be Windows Update, or you, installing drivers for that particular display and those drivers causing some sort of software issue within the OS.

Things I have tried...

have you tried switching cables to a known functioning set?
there could be an issue with data being delivered to the displays through a common cable that may result in this sort of skipping frames.

trying to avoid a clean Windows reinstall

you could attempt to find any particular driver and uninstall/remove it.
or just do a fresh OS install.

a fresh install is not as big of an issue as you appear to make it sound.
you can very easily backup all of your personal data(personal files, OS & application settings, save games & game settings, etc) and reintroduce it to the new install afterwards.
if you've got cash around to buy new GPUs & displays on a whim, then you can definitely afford another drive(whether internal SATA, external USB, or whatever) to backup data to.

I was going to swap the ultra-wide for a Gigabyte GS32QC 32" QHD for main display in hopes of avoiding the stuttering by having a 16:9 display.

isn't your current 27" a 16:9 display?
if that was going to solve your problem then it already would have.

read in an article that Ultrawide monitos from 34" - 39" do this (not sure how true it is)

definitely not true.
i've been through 2 different myself and have known very many others with them through the years that have never experienced a similar issue.
also have never seen this as a common issue through support forums.

 

[stonecarver]

https://www.amazon.com/Speed-Cable-iVanky-18Gbps-Ethernet/dp/B07M89LV8J/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3GB5B7ISYD600&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.nihV59SoADZSLZjEZwi5j4gZjzNHISf6QlcJEb0xYxNEkAGpC63sRBp_vRj5urdBBqag2njMmb8Dq51QOUjSKv-usucCmJcd8sPqYSl1PwvNq9CbUwm916CEDdMfVTw4sXP1W3cRkmS6w2iSit2MLHflIRlB6TXssSF9ZUJRMZIPWuE-ATjGEWUsjCeFAsLu-DNaEeS9rTLTFXZDMtDowrXjfp25lsHgGNShtt-amsFgRwD2i6bJUDm9XsuLq7PpmAvPutrrSTjd8B9JQE4owjeWWPpjwTPlC_s8WkU5HaI.-o86vjHGEGLDGacYZlNSfFW-Wcu1eYLHSFaFPn_Nr84&dib_tag=se&keywords=ivanky+hdmi+cable&qid=1731985661&s=electronics&sprefix=ivan,electronics,252&sr=1-1&th=1

May or may not help you with your issue. We just got a new monitor as well and it was doing just like yours. Never had issue with old HDMI cable to old monitor but when we got the new monitor my son was on top of things as he ordered me two HDMI cords and one display port cord.

Both my sons have 34 in wide screens and are up on the cabling issues and the pros and cons.

The latest monitor was for me 27in 165 Hz and I was getting the glitches. Opened the box same as the link above and installed the new HDMI cable and life is good again. YMMV

have you tried switching cables to a known functioning set?
there could be an issue with data being delivered to the displays through a common cable that may result in this sort of skipping frames.

Just like JohnBonhamsGhost said.

 

[TitanMaster]

Could be system ram / vram and pagefile related, how full is the ssd? Might need to clear some space if too full so pagefile can be allowed to grow without sacrificing drive performance.

Check cpu temp and frequency while gaming.

I did a Windows Memory Diagnostic and it said no errors/issues. Checked the vram on amd adrenaline and on advanced display in Windows Settings and they all said 16GB. Made sure the pagefile is set to automatically manage and the recommended says 9077MB and allocated says 9728MB. I cleared up some space from old games I don't play anymore so it is now 167GB free (930GB total) but before I did the cleaning it was around 60GB still open.
When I bought the Alienware 34" monitor it only came with the power cable, so I bought a DP 1.4 cable. My 27" has always ran with the power adapter and DP 1.4 it came in the box with. And with this Asus Tuf 34"I have it on with the power cable and DP 1.4 it came in the box with.

Funny enough it actually helped with the stuttering, instead of like every 4 seconds, now it is like every 10 - 15 seconds, and it is a mini freeze not like a second freeze. I tried all you pointed out and it helped a lot, but still has a bit of an issue, not sure if you have any more ideas

 

[TitanMaster]

the only thing that could be a side effect of that particular display would be Windows Update, or you, installing drivers for that particular display and those drivers causing some sort of software issue within the OS.

I do not have any drivers I have installed from the monitors. All I have is what Windows recommends as the best/up-to-date driver from checking in device manager. I saw on the asus site that there is a Driver Package download and a Software and Utility download, but not sure if it is recommended to download those or if it would clash with some other thing like amd adrenaline or windows.

have you tried switching cables to a known functioning set?

there could be an issue with data being delivered to the displays through a common cable that may result in this sort of skipping frames.

I have not had a problem with the cables, and for the 27" and new 34" I am using the cables that came with them in the box, but is it something that I cannot tell at all and have to change cables to double check?

you could attempt to find any particular driver and uninstall/remove it.
or just do a fresh OS install.

a fresh install is not as big of an issue as you appear to make it sound.
you can very easily backup all of your personal data(personal files, OS & application settings, save games & game settings, etc) and reintroduce it to the new install afterwards.
if you've got cash around to buy new GPUs & displays on a whim, then you can definitely afford another drive(whether internal SATA, external USB, or whatever) to backup data to.

I think I will do a fresh OS install and update mobo driver while i'm at it if I cannot find any other way to fix this. Will just need to find something and search up how to back up without making the hard drives poop themselves. I am giving it until Thursday before I get a new ssd and try this

Which speaking of which, is there any 2TB M.2 you recommend?

isn't your current 27" a 16:9 display?
if that was going to solve your problem then it already would have.

yeah true :/

definitely not true.
i've been through 2 different myself and have known very many others with them through the years that have never experienced a similar issue.
also have never seen this as a common issue through support forums.

Alright thank you, I was a bit sketched out from that article but I was not 100% sure either

 

[TitanMaster]

https://www.amazon.com/Speed-Cable-iVanky-18Gbps-Ethernet/dp/B07M89LV8J/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3GB5B7ISYD600&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.nihV59SoADZSLZjEZwi5j4gZjzNHISf6QlcJEb0xYxNEkAGpC63sRBp_vRj5urdBBqag2njMmb8Dq51QOUjSKv-usucCmJcd8sPqYSl1PwvNq9CbUwm916CEDdMfVTw4sXP1W3cRkmS6w2iSit2MLHflIRlB6TXssSF9ZUJRMZIPWuE-ATjGEWUsjCeFAsLu-DNaEeS9rTLTFXZDMtDowrXjfp25lsHgGNShtt-amsFgRwD2i6bJUDm9XsuLq7PpmAvPutrrSTjd8B9JQE4owjeWWPpjwTPlC_s8WkU5HaI.-o86vjHGEGLDGacYZlNSfFW-Wcu1eYLHSFaFPn_Nr84&dib_tag=se&keywords=ivanky+hdmi+cable&qid=1731985661&s=electronics&sprefix=ivan,electronics,252&sr=1-1&th=1

May or may not help you with your issue. We just got a new monitor as well and it was doing just like yours. Never had issue with old HDMI cable to old monitor but when we got the new monitor my son was on top of things as he ordered me two HDMI cords and one display port cord.

Both my sons have 34 in wide screens and are up on the cabling issues and the pros and cons.

The latest monitor was for me 27in 165 Hz and I was getting the glitches. Opened the box same as the link above and installed the new HDMI cable and life is good again. YMMV


Just like JohnBonhamsGhost said.

I have always preferred to use DP cables, which the two that I am using came with the monitors in the box and they're labeled at DP 1.4. I tried swapping them around with each other and an extra I had and the same results for everything. I am not sure if it is this but if all else fails I will go back to the cable. thank you!

 

[boju]

Funny enough it actually helped with the stuttering, instead of like every 4 seconds, now it is like every 10 - 15 seconds, and it is a mini freeze not like a second freeze. I tried all you pointed out and it helped a lot, but still has a bit of an issue, not sure if you have any more ideas

Try set pagefile limit, 1024MB initial and 2048 maximum, you have enough ram. 167GB free might not still be enough letting Windows self manage as it's dynamic, can grow to whatever size it wants quite quickly. Seeing as stutters are improving leads me to think it's the ssd.

Suggestion for a larger ssd id go Samsung 990pro 2TB.

 

[TitanMaster]

Try set pagefile limit, 1024MB initial and 2048 maximum, you have enough ram. 167GB free might not still be enough letting Windows self manage as it's dynamic, can grow to whatever size it wants quite quickly. Seeing as stutters are improving leads me to think it's the ssd.

Suggestion for a larger ssd id go Samsung 990pro 2TB.

I tried running all sorts of tests, hardware and health checks, and windows scans, as well as the pagefile limit to the numbers you said. It still stutters though, honestly the same, nothing seemed to have changed.

I think I am going to get a new ssd to hold my programs and games and do a clean windows reinstall. Do you think I should just do a whole new clean window reinstall and wipe everything in the current ssd that holds OS? Also do you have any recommendations or an article/form on how to backup storage and do a windows reinstall by any chance?

I have all my media and files on the 2tb hdd, the 1tb m.2 literally only holds my games and graphic design programs which all have cloud save and all that, so realistically I would not be losing anything but like drivers and peripherals software which I don't mind reinstalling to make sure it is all good and running

If this new ssd and clean windows reinstall does not work, then I have no idea what to do

 

[boju]

Yeah fresh install. There is a how to tutorial in Win11 section.

Disconnect both hdd and current m2 before installing Windows to the new drive. This'll avoid bootloader being placed elsewhere. Later reconnect hdd and put old m2 ssd in second slot to copy games folder (Steam?) across.

Format old m2 ssd and repurpose it if you want.

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

do you have any recommendations or an article/form on how to backup storage and do a windows reinstall by any chance?

a fresh Windows install how to:
Windows 10 (with a link to 11 if needed)

for backup, that can be a lot of specific paths in your Windows installation like;
C:\ProgramData\...
C:\Users\...

you can just copy in full and then pick & choose what you need out of them later after you've reinstalled all applications and games.

or you may want to install a backup software,
something like Acronis TrueImage or Macrium Reflect.
you can then start a constant process of keeping important data backed up with an image that can be updated by a set pattern or by your own choosing.

 

[geofelt]

Stuttering comes from interference by a higher priority task.

Every 5 seconds is telling us something.

What task might be kicking off every 5 seconds?
Perhaps a driver app that is checking for updates?
Perhaps a email send/receive every 5 seconds?

Do you run discord?
Performance monitors, all of which are higher priority than your games.
Is there any possibility that you are in a rapid throttling cycle?
Run HWmonitor to see the max temperatures of each core.
If you see 100c. in red, you have throttled and recovered. That normally is not all bad.

 

[TitanMaster]

Stuttering comes from interference by a higher priority task.

Every 5 seconds is telling us something.

What task might be kicking off every 5 seconds?
Perhaps a driver app that is checking for updates?
Perhaps a email send/receive every 5 seconds?

Do you run discord?
Performance monitors, all of which are higher priority than your games.
Is there any possibility that you are in a rapid throttling cycle?
Run HWmonitor to see the max temperatures of each core.
If you see 100c. in red, you have throttled and recovered. That normally is not all bad.

Ima be honest I do not have the knowledge to check exactly what is going on in task manager or wherever you go and check priorities :/ I did the HWMonitor and nothing seemed out of line, gpu's highest temp was 84 C on the hot spot, storage all below 60 C, and cpu highest temp was 64 C, max temp was from the mobo got 89 C AUXTIN0 but the average was 84 C. Everything seems fine in temps and I do not have anything OC'd not even monitors.

I'm going to try the windows reinstall and if that does not fix it then y'all will be hearing more from me lol

 

[TitanMaster]

@boju @JohnBonhamsGhost so I got the new ssd, unplugged my hhd so only the original 1tb with OS is connected, reset Windows on the boot drive through advanced startup with cloud download and selected "just remove my files."

Not 100% sure if that was the only thing or if everything that I had done before also helped. Now I only have hardware related drivers/software on the 1tb with OS, and my new 2tb is specifically for gaming and graphic design. It was pretty late so I only ran Overwatch 2 for about 20 minutes, but that was enough to see it did not stutter since it would start withing 15 seconds usually.

Thank you all so much for helping me out and guiding me, my monitor does not stutter anymore! Also, is there any tips y'all would recommend maintaining the PC or anything I should change now that it is fresh, and all settings basically reset?