Nvidia App Leads to FPS Issues in Games

The recently launched Nvidia App is causing frame rate drops in specific games and on certain computer setups. Dive in to understand more about this performance issue related to Nvidia's latest game optimization software.

Nvidia App Impacting Game Performance

Unstable Framerates in Select Games and PC Configurations

The Nvidia App is influencing the performance of some PCs and games, as revealed by PC GAMER's tests on December 18. Several players have reported experiencing stuttering when using the application. In response to these concerns, a Nvidia staff member suggested a temporary solution by disabling the "Game Filters and Photo Mode" overlay.

PC GAMER conducted tests using Black Myth: Wukong on a high-end setup featuring a Ryzen 7 7800X3D and an RTX 4070 Super. At 1080p on Very High settings with the overlay disabled, the average frame rate slightly improved from 59 fps to 63 fps. Testing at 1440p showed no significant change. However, when the overlay was enabled and the graphics were set to Medium, a significant 12% drop in frame rate was observed.

Further tests with Cyberpunk 2077 on a setup with a Core Ultra 9 285K and an RTX 4080 Super showed stable frame rates whether the overlay was on or off. These findings suggest that the Nvidia App's impact varies across different games and PC configurations.

PC GAMER addressed this issue following player concerns shared on Twitter (X). The temporary fix, recommended by a Nvidia staff member on the company's forum, involves turning off the Game Filters and Photo Mode overlay. However, some players report that their game performance remains unstable even after applying this fix.

On the same Twitter (X) thread, some users suggested rolling back the graphics driver to mitigate the performance issue, while others inquired about which games might be affected by the application. As of now, Nvidia has not released an update to resolve this issue beyond advising users to disable the overlay.

Nvidia App’s Official Launch

On February 22, 2024, the Nvidia App was launched in beta, succeeding GeForce Experience. Both applications cater to PC users with Nvidia GPUs, offering tools to optimize GPU settings, record gameplay, and more.

Following a period of beta testing, 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 an enhanced overlay system, eliminating the need for users to sign into their accounts.

Despite its advanced features, Nvidia may need to further investigate how the app impacts certain games and PC configurations to ensure optimal performance for all users.