FYI for anyone who is interested and has the time to read a very long text - When informing my AI assistant about my findings they answer:
"The improvement after increasing the Shader Cache Limit suggests the issue likely involves how the game handles shader caching. Here’s the updated diagnosis based on this finding:
1. Shader Cache Limit: By increasing the cache limit, you’ve allowed more space for the game to store shaders, which prevents it from overwriting cached shaders too frequently or struggling to access needed resources. The stuttering and frame drops likely resulted from the game repeatedly loading shaders that couldn’t stay cached due to the previous, smaller limit.
2. Game-Specific Resource Management Issue: While shader caching seems to be the main factor, it’s still possible the game isn’t efficiently managing other resources (like VRAM) when launched repeatedly. Increasing the cache limit likely eased this strain by reducing the need to reload shaders.
3. Driver/Game Optimization: This could still be a minor factor, as some games don’t handle shader caching optimally. Keeping the cache limit high is a good workaround, but future driver or game updates might further improve this.
Increasing the shader cache limit appears to be the key solution here, so if it’s working, you’re likely set! This will let the game run smoother by minimizing redundant shader loading on each launch."
If I tell them about the other possible fix about underclocking/undervolting the CPU they say:
"That could actually make sense in certain situations. Undervolting and underclocking the CPU can help if the CPU is experiencing thermal throttling or instability under load, which may cause stutters or frame drops in games. Here’s why it could be effective:
1. Thermal Throttling Prevention: If the CPU gets too hot, it may throttle its performance to cool down, leading to inconsistent frame rates and stuttering. Undervolting and underclocking reduce heat generation, which can prevent throttling, allowing the CPU to maintain stable performance over time.
2. Stabilizing Power Delivery: In some cases, the power supply or motherboard VRM (Voltage Regulator Module) may struggle to handle high CPU power demands consistently, especially in demanding games. Lowering the CPU’s voltage and clock speed can reduce these demands, which may improve stability and reduce stuttering.
3. Reducing Background Interference: A slightly undervolted and underclocked CPU can run more smoothly with lower power and thermal demands, which might prevent brief performance dips due to background tasks or fluctuating CPU utilization.
This approach wouldn’t directly solve shader caching issues, but it could still reduce overall system strain, leading to a smoother experience. It’s especially helpful if the CPU is pushing its thermal or power limits with the current configuration. If you’re comfortable with undervolting, it could be worth trying to see if it makes a further improvement."
