Micro stutter every couple seconds (solved)

[Nicholas Steel]

It looks like a frame is being duplicated every so often, resulting in the display visually stuttering when it happens. The gameplay it self does not stutter, just the video rendering stutters.

Why do I assume frame duplication and not frame skipping? Because frames are intermittently being displayed for a longer than normal period of time (which incidentally also means a frame was skipped by virtue of a duplicate frame taking the place of a unique frames position in the frame pacing queue).

Windows 10 v1709 x64
Geforce 760 4GB (390.65 driver)
Intel i7 920 (@ 3.6GHz)
Fullscreen
1920x1080, 200Hz
G-Sync (limited to 197 FPS)
In-game Vsync tested both enabled & disabled (always forced enabled via display drivers)

Problem persists when G-Sync is disabled and a fixed refresh rate is utilized instead.

[ClockworkXI]

Does seems to be an issue with the g-sync/v-sync. Sundered fullscreen is set to a windowed fullscreen, thus I do not think g-sync will work. You can force the game to run in exclusive fullscreen by adding -window-mode exclusive as a launch command. What I am not sure is why disabling g-sync and enabling in-game v-sync does not work.

Apparently Windows can mess with the vsync when playing in windowed fullscreen if Aero is disabled (I think this is only an option on Windows 7).

[Nicholas Steel]

If the Desktop Window Manager is active than that will mess with the programs frame pacing because the DWM will handle vsync (poorly). Switching to a Fullscreen Exclusive display mode avoids the DWM interacting with the program so good frame pacing can be achieved.

With the DWM inactive (Windows 8.1 through to Vista) I always got screen tearing in windowed programs even when vsync was forced by the game as well as the video drivers (nvidia) which never made any sense.

Is there any problems I should be aware of when using fullscreen exlclusive mode with this game?

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The exclusive mode doesn't resolve the micro stuttering. I've tried turning off the hardware monitoring aspects of MSI Afterburner and the OSD functionality of RivaTuner Statistics Server in case these were causing issues with the game.

I also realized I had at one point recently entered the Windows Insider program to get an update and then I left the Insider program, but I'm still running what is effectively a beta version of Windows 10. I'll see if upgrading Windows again, resolves the anomalous stuttering (I don't expect it to).

Hmm, actually I'm on the latest Windows Insider v16299 build. I could go to the v17xx branch but I suspect that's more leading edge/buggy.

[ClockworkXI]

To be honest, we have not tested the game in fullscreen exclusive, so I am not aware if there is any issue with it.

You get the stuttering with all four possible settings of in-game v-sync and g-sync in exclusive fullscreen? The game cap the fps at 60 when vsync is off, which might not play well with GPU vsync/gsync.

[Nicholas Steel]

Are you certain that

-window-mode exclusive

is correct & supported by your game? I ask because the game continues to set the maximum monitor refresh rate instead of presumably 60Hz seeing as the game is built to run at 60FPS.

[Nicholas Steel]

Borderless Fullscreen at 60Hz desktop & game refresh rate with Vsync disabled in the game and disabled in the Nvidia Control Panel still produces micro-stutter. Though this test isn't as conclusive as an Exclusive Fullscreen mode at 60Hz (which I'm not able to force) for eliminating the monitor from possible cause.

Nvidia Control Panel lets me choose "application controlled" for the refresh rate or "Highest Available" when using a Fixed or G-Sync Refresh Rate, I stupidly can't specify a specific refresh rate. The game has to specify a specific refresh rate and as I said before, Sundered seems to be using the highest available in Fullscreen Exclusive mode which is 200Hz in my case :/

[ClockworkXI]

Yes -window-mode exclusive is supported. You'll see it worked if alt-tabbing/minimizing the game is not instantaneous.

As it is implemented right now, the used refresh rate will be highest supported one. It is possible to specify one, but for now I can only find a way to do it in the game code. We are in full development of the free DLC right now, so I am not in a position to easily roll out a patch to make it accessible.

[Dev]

I'm also experiencing this problem with a very similar setup, except with a GeForce 1080 and G-sync.

[Nicholas Steel]

I'm about to do a playthrough with a 60Hz display in Exclusive Fullscreen. If this works than I think the problem is to do with high refresh rate & the DWM. That is to say, a High Refresh Rate can cause micro stutters and, separately to this, the DWM can also cause micro stutters.

I'll let you know soon how things play out.

[Nicholas Steel]

Yeah, I'd say the micro-stutter is significantly reduced in frequency when playing at 60Hz Exclusive Fullscreen with/without vsync. There is still some micro stutter present but you can play for minutes between each stutter without encountering any.

So I suggest for high refresh rate monitors, check what the maximum refresh rate is for each connection type (Display Port, HDMI, DVI) and see if any has a maximum 60Hz refresh rate and use that connection when playing the game ;) oh and use the command argument for Fullscreen Exclusive display mode too.

Edit: And go to the games EXE file, right click it, properties and Tick the compatability option "Disable Fullscreen Optimizations".

Edit: Disabling Fullscreen Optimizations seems to have the biggest impact on the micro stutter but again, none of these modifications fully resolve the micro stutter, even when combined.

[ClockworkXI]

Thank you for taking the time to write down your solution, even if it doesn't completely resolve the issue. I am sure it will be of use to others!

It is to be noted that the first region of the game currently has a bug that can cause micro stutters unrelated to the vsync or refresh rate. We had one type object in the registering to an event, but it was done incorrectly and could cause a small hitch when activated. We have fixed it internally and it should be better next patch (no ETA on it unfortunately).

[Nicholas Steel]

引用自 ClockworkXI：

(no ETA on it unfortunately).

So long as it is finalized & released, take your time.

[Nicholas Steel]

Looks like the recent major update fixed this! Killed the first boss (guarding Double Jump upgrade) without any micro stuttering occuring enroute to the boss nor during the boss fight it self.