DonyTMNT your description matches what I have started to experience in the last couple of days. So far this is what I have gathered:
**Problem Description:**
For the past week, after taking a break from gaming, I've encountered a persistent micro-stuttering issue in the official Apex Legends. Approximately 5 minutes into a game (whether in the lobby or in a match), the screen will briefly freeze for a split second, then resume. This happens consistently every ~20 seconds thereafter until the game is restarted. Upon restarting, I get another ~5 minutes of smooth gameplay before the stutters return.
Key Observations & Troubleshooting Performed: No FPS Drops: My framerate counter (in-game or via monitoring software) shows stable FPS, even during the micro-freezes. This indicates a frame time spike, not a sustained FPS drop.
Normal CPU/GPU Usage & Temps: Both CPU and GPU utilization hover around 50% with healthy temperatures (around 60°C). No spikes in usage or signs of thermal throttling are observed.
No VRAM Spikes/Leaks: Monitoring VRAM usage shows no abnormal increase or maxing out before or during the stutters. even tested with "Texture Streaming Budget" set to "None" (which uses the lowest textures) with no change.
Network Ruled Out: The issue persists even when connected to a different Wi-Fi network, ruling out my router or ISP as the cause.
R5Reloaded Works Perfectly: This is the most crucial diagnostic. R5Reloaded, a modded client based on an older Apex Legends build, runs flawlessly without any stutters. This confirms my fundamental PC hardware (CPU, GPU, RAM, storage), core drivers, and general Windows 0S are stable and capable.
