Question Game stuttering & capped to 250 FPS randomly but only on Fullscreen/Windowed Fullscreen (VALORANT)

[iskye]

Hello!

I used to play VALORANT every now and then, with several months gap at times. Recently, when I installed it again on my laptop, I found that my game was stuttering quite often. So, I decided to check performance in the Range (training map), and found that the FPS was getting stuck to 250 FPS quite often.

The weird thing is, if I use Windowed mode, the game runs just like before and there is no stuttering whatsoever. However, I am facing this issue every few seconds with Fullscreen and Windowed Fullscreen mode.

In HWiNFO, I saw "Power Throttling" marked as Yes for iGPU (I have connected my 180 Hz external monitor directly to the dGPU using DP though), but it is marked the same even when I am playing in Windowed mode, so I don't think that's the issue. Besides that, the FPS gets literally capped to 250 FPS.

Without external monitor, it gets capped to like 171 FPS.

I have tried these:

• Clean install AMD drivers using AMD Cleanup Utility. I also tried DDU tool.
• Update AMD Chipset drivers.
• Update BIOS.
• Update Windows.
• Reinstall Valorant.
• Tried installing Valorant on my other SSD.
• Tried using full software version of AMD drivers and played with random settings but nothing helped. (I mainly use driver only)
• Disabled Fullscreen optimization for Valorant's exe file.
• Disabled Variable refresh rate and windowed optimization (even if unrelated 😂)
• GPU preference set to dGPU.
• Tried Balanced/High performance mode.

Even a lite game like Fall Guys is having some stutters, though FPS doesn't seem to be capping as in Valorant. CS2 doesn't seem to have this issue, though the FPS is much lower than it should be, but that's different thing I guess.

I have MSI Alpha 15 laptop. Ryzen 7 5800H, RX6600M.

So, what could be the reason? And any idea how do I diagnose it better? 🤔

 

[helpstar]

same problem if running on battery or with AC adapter plugged in?

 

[iskye]

same problem if running on battery or with AC adapter plugged in?

Ah, just tested on battery with performance mode. FPS is between 240-350, and not getting capped to anything. While with AC adapter, normal FPS is between 300-500, which is getting stuck on 250 FPS.
🤔

 

[helpstar]

replace AC adapter and try again, might be a faulty ac adapter or the dGPU is faulty -> RMA if possible

 

[iskye]

replace AC adapter and try again, might be a faulty ac adapter or the dGPU is faulty -> RMA if possible

I guess I will need to buy a new one to test, since I don't know anybody with similar power adapter and MSI doesn't have service center nearby either.

BTW, why would it work perfectly in Windowed mode if it is adapter or dGPU issue?

 

[helpstar]

Resolution might be lower and therefore the dgpu might not need the power from the AC adapter
but still speculating
something is faulty for sure
either driver, windows or hardware

 

[iskye]

Resolution might be lower and therefore the dgpu might not need the power from the AC adapter
but still speculating
something is faulty for sure
either driver, windows or hardware

I tried setting resolution to 1080p, 720p. FPS is a bit higher and does not seem as straight capped as in 1440p, but it is still low at around 280-300 FPS and stutter quite a lot.

And with Windowed mode, it is giving 350-450 FPS at 1440p.

So, more FPS at higher resolution with Windowed mode.

And I literally reinstalled Windows. Still same. 🙁

Should I try downgrading BIOS too? I did updated the BIOS a few months ago, so maybe I didn't play anything after that 🤔 I am not sure.

I also noticed that the FPS stays around 300-350 FPS in Power Saving Mode like 50-60% of times and the rest time the same 250 FPS. In Balanced, it is like 350-450 FPS 20-40% of times. And with performance mode, it is 250 FPS 95% of times.

All of them while plugged in. 😶

 

[iskye]

I decided to do a battery calibration with MSI Centre app. It drained the battery and then charged it again. And seems like this fixed the issue.. :/

Battery was at around 95% most of the time, since I mostly keep the laptop plugged in when I am home.

I experienced it again when the battery percentage was 80%, but I removed and plugged the power cable again and it fixed.

 

[iskye]

So, even after all that, it was happening again everyday at least once. I was forced to replug the power cable every time.

I decided to disable Fast Startup after being suggested by ChatGPT 😂, and found that I am no longer facing this issue.

I don't see much difference in boot time, so I guess it is fine.

 

[helpstar]

check hard drives for errors with manufacturer´s tool

check windows integrity
open the command prompt as administrator and type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-open-an-elevated-command-prompt-2618088
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...em-files/bc609315-da1f-4775-812c-695b60477a93