I've recently upgraded from an older NVIDIA GPU to an AMD RX 580 2048SP (4GB) on my system, which has an i5-3570 CPU, 16GB DDR3 RAM, and an SSD for storage. Since the switch, I've been dealing with frequent microstuttering, poor frame pacing, and inconsistent gameplay, even though my average FPS seems decent. I found out that the RX 580 2048SP's performance is more like that of an RX 570, which isn't too surprising, but it's noticeably worse than my previous NVIDIA GPUs. I've disabled all AMD Adrenalin settings like vSync and image enhancement features, and I used DDU to remove remnants of the NVIDIA drivers. Additionally, I'm experiencing significant DX11 stutter, inconsistent frame times, odd brightness fluctuations in low-brightness scenes, and longer shader compilation times. I'm wondering if these issues are due to the AMD drivers not playing well with my older Intel CPU, or if my CPU is simply not adequate for this GPU. Would switching to a GTX 1060 6GB provide a better experience, or is it more beneficial to upgrade to an i7-3770 instead?
2 Answers
It sounds like your CPU might be struggling a bit with the RX 580, especially since it’s getting older. AMD drivers might not be optimized for the older Intel CPUs either, which could be causing those stuttering issues. If you find the RX 580 isn't performing well, switching to a GTX 1060 6GB could definitely give you a smoother experience. NVIDIA's drivers tend to be a little more stable on older hardware. Just keep in mind that while upgrading to the GTX 1060 might help, you may still want to consider a CPU upgrade down the line if you're looking for the best performance overall.
I think upgrading to the GTX 1060 would be a smart move for your setup. The RX 580 can have issues on older platforms, but Nvidia's cards often work better with Intel CPUs from that era. Plus, you’re right about the 2048SP variant feeling a bit lackluster compared to the standard RX 580. If budget allows, an i7-3770 could give you a solid boost too, but for an immediate fix, the 1060 sounds like the way to go!
Upgrading to the i7-3770 could be great for long-term performance. Just weigh the cost and benefits since the 1060 might be a cheaper, quicker fix if you're looking to solve the stuttering.
Totally agree! I upgraded to a GTX 1060 from an older AMD card and saw a significant improvement in smoothness and frame times. You might also discover that the NVIDIA drivers are just more reliable on your setup.