The newly launched Nvidia App is causing fps drops in certain games and computer rigs. Dive deeper to understand this framerate issue stemming from Nvidia's latest game optimization software.
Nvidia App Impacting Game Performance
Unstable Framerates in Select Games and PC Configurations
The Nvidia App has been found to affect the performance of some PCs and games, as reported by PC GAMER on December 18. Several players have experienced stuttering issues while using the application. In response to these concerns, a Nvidia staff member suggested a temporary fix by disabling the "Game Filters and Photo Mode" overlay.
PC GAMER conducted tests on Black Myth: Wukong using a high-end setup with a Ryzen 7 7800X3D and an RTX 4070 Super. At 1080p on Very High settings with the overlay off, the average framerate slightly improved from 59 fps to 63 fps. No significant changes were observed at 1440p. However, enabling the overlay and switching to Medium settings resulted in a substantial 12% drop in frame rate.
Further tests on Cyberpunk 2077 with a Core Ultra 9 285K and an RTX 4080 Super showed stable framerates, suggesting that the Nvidia App's impact varies across different games and PC configurations.
PC GAMER's investigation was prompted by player feedback on Twitter (X), where a temporary fix of turning off the Game Filters and Photo Mode overlay was suggested by a Nvidia staff member. Despite this, many players report ongoing performance instability.
On the same Twitter (X) thread, some users suggested reverting to an older graphic driver to mitigate the issue, while others are curious about which games might be affected. As of now, Nvidia has not released an update to address this issue beyond the overlay deactivation suggestion.
Nvidia App’s Official Launch
The Nvidia App was initially launched in beta on February 22, 2024, as a successor to GeForce Experience. Designed for PC users with Nvidia GPUs, it offers features to optimize GPU settings, record gameplay, and more.
Following a beta testing phase, the Nvidia App officially launched in November 2024, replacing GeForce Experience. This launch was accompanied by a graphics driver update in anticipation of upcoming games. The new application introduces a streamlined overlay system, eliminating the need for users to sign into their accounts.
Despite its enhanced features, Nvidia may need to address the app's impact on certain games and PC configurations to ensure a smoother gaming experience for all users.
