How to Reduce Stuttering on Your PC: A Guide

Overview

This document outlines methods to check and reduce stuttering on computers, focusing on USB ports, polling rates, audio, and software configurations.

Key Points

1. USB Ports

• App Used: USB Device Tree Viewer
• Recommendation: Take pictures of your USB setup and check connections to reduce latency and potential stuttering.

2. Polling Rates

• High polling rates in keyboards and mice can introduce lag, especially on older computers.
• Standard Rate: Most apps/games run at 1 kHz.
• Considerations: Ergonomics vs. polling rates for larger hands.

3. Onboard Audio

• Conflicts: Audio clashes may occur with peripherals.
• Solution: Update drivers or disable spatial audio.

4. TPM Stutters

• Issue with AMD: Ryzen 3000 series had known stuttering addressed through BIOS updates.
• Update: Ensure to have the latest BIOS, especially if running Windows 11 and engaging in gaming (e.g., Valorant).

5. Virtualization Based Security (VBS)

• Impact: Can cause stuttering in gaming.
• Action: Disable if not in an enterprise environment.

6. Windows Defender

• Resource Use: Can sometimes contribute to stuttering.
• Alternative: Use other lightweight antivirus apps, and exclude game directories from scans to prevent stuttering.

7. Power Profiles

• High Performance Profile: Suggested for time-sensitive apps/games.
• Custom Profile: Modify for modern Intel processors to optimize performance efficiently.

Additional Tips

• Consider switching to Intel if AMD’s instability persists.
• Use apps like Lean and Mean from GitHub for configuration adjustments (proceed with caution).

Conclusion

Proper configuration and management of USB ports, high polling rates, audio drivers, VBS, and power profiles can greatly improve the performance and experience of using a computer, specifically in a gaming context. For more detailed configuration setups, follow the instructions sparingly and with professional understanding.