Nvidia app performance issues: FPS drops and frametime irregularity in multiple titles
The reports of performance issues due to the Nvidia app have flooded the gaming community. Both X and Reddit users have reported performance issues with the Nvidia app that was installed. While it was initially believed that it was mostly affecting UE5 titles, that doesn't seem to be the case anymore.
Non-UE5 titles like Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered showed performance regression with the Nvidia app. Uninstalling this program fixed the performance issues, but it's not an ideal solution. Not to mention, this solution locks you out of using the features provided by the app.
In this article, we will analyze the performance issues in detail and explain everything you need to know.
Note: This article is subjective and solely reflects the writer's opinions.
How big of an FPS hit does the new Nvidia App cause?
Before we begin with the performance impact and its analysis, some context is needed. The application being referred to is the new Nvidia app, which is designed to replace the Nvidia Experience app and the old Nvidia Control Panel app.
X user @RealMarcFoxx, a gamer and YouTuber, tested this phenomenon on multiple games and found it to be true. The Nvidia app did cause regression in FPS and frametime issues. Here are all the games he tested and the drops he experienced:
All four games that were tested saw a fall in framerate when the NVIDIA app was installed. The performance increased when the app was uninstalled. On average, there was a 10% dip in performance, but the FPS drop could be greater in specific cases.
Even if you ignore the dip in FPS, there's also the issue of frametime spikes, which can result in micro-stutters and a jittery experience. Even popular YouTube channels like Hardware Unboxed found similar results in their tests across a wide range of titles.
Essentially, everyone on the latest driver with the new Nvidia app installed is getting lower FPS without even realizing it. A 10% performance drop may not seem like a big deal, but when combined with frametime issues, it can lead to a negative experience.
What causes the FPS and Frametime issues on PCs with the Nvidia App installed?
At first glance, you may believe the culprit is the Nvidia app since uninstalling it fixes the issue, but it is deeper than that. The issue is related to the Nvidia Overlay feature, particularly the Game Filter and Photo mode part. By default, both Nvidia Overlay and Game Filter and Photo mode are enabled. Of these, only the latter causes the performance issues.
These are not new features and were even part of the Nvidia Experience app in the old drivers. The fact that the issues are only cropping up now suggests that there is a bug in the new Nvidia app. This is good news since that means it can be fixed. However, Nvidia has acknowledged this issue and is investigating it, but no official fix has been promised yet.
What should you do to fix the FPS and Frametime issues?
Since it is the Game Filter and Photo mode in the new Nvidia app that is causing the issues, simply disabling it will fix the performance drop. Head to Settings/Features/Overlay in the Nvidia app and turn off the toggle next to Game Filter and Photo mode.
An official fix could take a while to arrive, so it's pointless to wait for that. Therefore, you should apply this solution temporarily while you wait for a fix from Nvidia.
Also read: Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti leaks hint at featuring 16GB memory