I'm using an RTX 5070 Ti with a Ryzen 7 7700X and 16GB of DDR5-5200 RAM. I'm saving for a 32GB upgrade, but that may not happen soon. When I open Discord and launch Overwatch, the computer can freeze for several minutes, followed by severe stuttering that makes the game unplayable. Both applications are installed on an SSD, and I usually close everything else first.
I've been monitoring memory usage and Windows 11 appears to use a large portion of my RAM. With my previous GTX 1660 Super, Ryzen 5 3600, and 16GB of DDR4 on Windows 10, I didn't experience this problem. Could switching back to Windows 10 reduce the memory usage and fix the stuttering, or is something else likely wrong with my system?
5 Answers
I wouldn’t switch to Windows 10 solely for this issue. It may use slightly less memory in some configurations, but it won’t fix a faulty component, bad driver, or misbehaving background process. Windows 10 is also past its normal support period, so staying on a supported system is safer. If you want to reduce background activity, review startup apps and uninstall unnecessary software rather than using aggressive debloat scripts.
16GB should be enough for Discord and Overwatch, so downgrading the operating system probably won’t solve this. First, open Task Manager, sort processes by memory usage, and find out what is actually consuming the RAM. Also check whether your storage is healthy and whether the system is using the page file normally.
I normally only have Discord, Overwatch, and essential system processes running, and both programs are on an SSD. I’ll check the individual processes more carefully instead of assuming Windows itself is responsible.
A three-minute freeze when launching a game sounds like more than ordinary RAM pressure. Run a memory test, check CPU temperatures, and consider using a diagnostic tool such as OCCT. Faulty RAM, unstable settings, driver problems, or thermal issues could all cause freezing and stuttering. Also verify that the BIOS and motherboard settings are stable.
Windows often uses unused RAM for caching, which can make its usage look higher than it really is. That memory should be released when a game needs it, so the total number alone doesn’t prove Windows is the cause. A clean Windows 11 installation, updated chipset and graphics drivers, and checking startup programs would be better first steps.
You can try disabling unnecessary startup applications and background utilities, but avoid randomly removing system components. Check your available memory immediately after booting and again while the game is running. If usage reaches the limit, make sure the page file is enabled on the SSD. Ultimately, upgrading to 32GB is worthwhile, but 16GB alone should not cause a multi-minute freeze with this workload.
There are extended security options in some cases, but that still doesn’t make Windows 10 a good troubleshooting shortcut. I’d diagnose the hardware and software problem first.