Game Performance decreases over time, making the game unplayable, especially in raids

Meld777 · September 2018

The longer I play without restarting the game, the laggier it gets. In vCR, I usually initially have 90 - 100 FPS, which slowly go down to about 50 - 60 in the first run/pull. On the 2nd one, it's already noticeable that performance is worse: slight spikes, input lag, etc. After the third one, the real issues start: spells not casting. I cast Merciless Resolve (without cancelling it), S'rendarr shows it running (18... 17... 16...) and then it suddenly disappears after 1 - 2 seconds. And that disappearance isn't an addon bug, it's actually gone from character sheet and my Assassin's Will doesn't proc either. I need to cast it multiple times for it to actually stay. It completely ruins gameplay for me and only happens in raids.

When I restart the game, everything is fine - back to 100 fps - for one pull. In 4 - 5 pulls my fps manages to drop from 100 to below 10 in combat. I have no problems with any other games.

My build:
7700k (@4.9Ghz)
GTX 1080
16GB 3000Mhz RAM
M.2 Samsung 960 Pro SSD

I already tried just radically putting all graphics settings to down to min/0 incl. all the advice in the Tweaks Megathread, and I play on 1080p. Didn't help. Max vs. Min settings makes very little difference in raids. I can do dungeons all day long on max settings. Performance also goes down over time, but not nearly as quickly. After 10 dungeon runs, my game is still well-playable.

I know people with way worse computers who can raid for 4h straight without performance loss. I don't know what to do/try. If you have any ideas, please share.

DMuehlhausen · September 2018

So it's reacting like most types of software.

You probably have a memory leak in the game, or on something else running on your computer. Reinstall the game, or try rebooting your computer sometimes.

Meld777 · September 2018

DMuehlhausen wrote: »

So it's reacting like most types of software.

You probably have a memory leak in the game, or on something else running on your computer. Reinstall the game, or try rebooting your computer sometimes.

Thx for the response. I already reinstalled my game once. Didn't help. Restarting the computer doesn't help either, or... doesn't help with it in the long run. It doesn't have a better effect than just restarting the game.

It does sound like a memory leak, but I couldn't spot a significant increase in RAM assigned to ESO in the Task Manager.

danno8 · September 2018

You are not the only one.

I made this thread a couple weeks ago.

https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/435266/fps-degradation-over-time#latest

Our problems sound nearly identical. I have also tried everything I can think of including graphics changes, complete removal of addon folders etc.

Strangely, my components slowly become less stressed as the FPS drop, not more stressed, both CPU and GPU being barely used.

This started only a few weeks ago.

danno8 · September 2018

DMuehlhausen wrote: »

So it's reacting like most types of software.

You probably have a memory leak in the game, or on something else running on your computer. Reinstall the game, or try rebooting your computer sometimes.

Nope. ESO total Memory isn't higher than 3-3.5GB used during the slow down. I have 16GB installed, and more than 8GB free in total during the slow down.

Nothing else is even remotely taxing my system during this event.

It's a real mystery of the worst kind...the kind that is not widespread.

Darkenarlol · September 2018

- try to launch without any addons

- check your GPU status and temperature ( with software like GPU temp )

- same for CPU

if temps running too high refresh your thermal paste/clean up your rig

btw if you have changed your .ini file with outdated guides you probably should revert some changes

especially the ones which affects core usage and multythread ones - things have changed since Summerset

and i had to redo some changes which saved me from fps drop and game crashes

Facefister · September 2018

Darkenarlol wrote: »

- try to launch without any addons

- check your GPU status and temperature ( with software like GPU temp )

- same for CPU

if temps running too high refresh your thermal paste/clean up your rig

And update your drivers right? Your advices is are no advices at all. ESOs performance deteriorates over time, this is a common fact.

DorianDragonRaze · September 2018

try /reloadui instead of complete restart

Darkenarlol · September 2018

Facefister wrote: »

And update your drivers right? Your advices is are no advices at all. ESOs performance deteriorates over time, this is a common fact.

it is just a common steps to detect where the problem is

- check your hardware
- check your software

and only after both above are ok proceed further for next steps... no need for offence

danno8 · September 2018

DorianDragonRaze wrote: »

try /reloadui instead of complete restart

Doesn't work for me.

A relog does though. Relog or restart the game.

Darkenarlol wrote: »

- try to launch without any addons

- check your GPU status and temperature ( with software like GPU temp )

- same for CPU

if temps running too high refresh your thermal paste/clean up your rig

btw if you have changed your .ini file with outdated guides you probably should revert some changes

especially the ones which affects core usage and multythread ones - things have changed since Summerset

and i had to redo some changes which saved me from fps drop and game crashes

Done, done, done, done and done.

I was actually thinking of changing the multithread options to the specific "4" (for my processor) rather than the "-1" that the default is, effectively negating the Summerset changes and trying that for a while. I know all about the changes that came with SI, and the thread that the developers commented in, as well as the changes some people were making during the teething period to prevent the stuttering that was occurring initially.

Thanks for the advice though.

Darkenarlol · September 2018

well... just for test ask someone who doesn't have your problems for their .ini and try to replace yours for a test...

i have some *eso magic* too like worse fps than my wife with better rig =/

i really hope you'll find the solution for your problem

Meld777 · September 2018

I've done everything that was suggested so far. CPU/GPU temperatures are fine, both around 60°C while playing. I haven't tried going completely without addons, but I only use what's really needed: S'rendarr, FTC, Raid Notifier.

On the other hand, pretty much the same what @Darkenarlol mentioned, my gf next to me, with the same internet connection and a far worse rig (i5-3470, 8GB 1600 Mhz RAM, etc.), while always running a bunch of useless, heavy addons (Master Merchant, ESO Theater, Awesome Guild Store, etc.) has no problems whatsoever and can raid 4h straight with stable 40 fps. I tried her Settings file, didn't help. But as I said, I even tried reinstalling completely and setting everything up from scratch.

DanteYoda · September 2018

DMuehlhausen wrote: »

So it's reacting like most types of software.

You probably have a memory leak in the game, or on something else running on your computer. Reinstall the game, or try rebooting your computer sometimes.

I get this too, i just reformatted my system and it still happens.

It doesn't feel like a memory leak, it feels like the server is dsyncing from me. Memory leaks bog a system down, i have none of that its just my skills and animations and interactions get longer and longer to do the longer i'm on ESO

Meld777 · September 2018

DanteYoda wrote: »

DMuehlhausen wrote: »

So it's reacting like most types of software.

You probably have a memory leak in the game, or on something else running on your computer. Reinstall the game, or try rebooting your computer sometimes.

I get this too, i just reformatted my system and it still happens.

It doesn't feel like a memory leak, it feels like the server is dsyncing from me. Memory leaks bog a system down, i have none of that its just my skills and animations and interactions get longer and longer to do the longer i'm on ESO

Same thing exactly. But since my gf has the same internet connection, a worse computer and doesn't have these problems, it must be some kind of hardware incompatibility. I just can't pinpoint it.

DMuehlhausen · September 2018

Meld777 wrote: »

DMuehlhausen wrote: »

So it's reacting like most types of software.

You probably have a memory leak in the game, or on something else running on your computer. Reinstall the game, or try rebooting your computer sometimes.

Thx for the response. I already reinstalled my game once. Didn't help. Restarting the computer doesn't help either, or... doesn't help with it in the long run. It doesn't have a better effect than just restarting the game.

It does sound like a memory leak, but I couldn't spot a significant increase in RAM assigned to ESO in the Task Manager.

Just out of curiosity you aren't using a laptop are you?

I'm asking because I once was having a problem with my batter not charging if I was really doing much of anything. It would charge over night though. So if you are on a laptop maybe something like that happens, cause once it gets to like 20% I know mine starts pulling resources to sustain the batter longer and my games would start getting choppy.

Could even be similar if you are on a desktop, maybe the power supply is going bad. While it's enough to turn on do what needs to be done over time it starts struggling giving enough power.

I know these sound off the wall, but if you've truly done everything else suggested this is going to be a super weird answer you are just going to stumble across sometime.

adeptusminor · September 2018

Running a 1080ti and a 4770k overclocked to 4ghz and 16g of ram and have the same issue. Particles set to minimum, view distance set to minimum, pretty much run this game on potato settings. For example if I do vCR+0, by the time I get to Za maja, my framerate will hover around 40. If I restart my game it jumps back up to 70-90. One thing with this game, while those are high frame rates, something particular to this game is no matter what the frame rate, it never feels smooth in trials. I'm using a gsync monitor, vsync is off, and even when getting 70fps, it feels like another games 30fps, it's kinda weird and really takes the enjoyment out of running trials.

Another example is in Hel Ra. As a magicka user I always go upstairs, and as soon as I get up there the framerate plummets and never recovers.

It is weird though. Randomly performance will be fine. Did a vAS+2 the other week and was running so smooth and felt great. Did nothing different from the previous attempts which ran awful.

I'm also run minimal addons in trials. Raid notifier, Bandits UI, combat metrics, and alpha gear. I've tried running trials with all addons turned off and it doesn't change performance (turning combat metrics off does add a few more frames, but nothing significant).

Meld777 · September 2018

@DMuehlhausen nope, not on a notebook. But yes, you're right, this can happen theoretically.

adeptusminor wrote: »

Running a 1080ti and a 4770k overclocked to 4ghz and 16g of ram and have the same issue. Particles set to minimum, view distance set to minimum, pretty much run this game on potato settings. For example if I do vCR+0, by the time I get to Za maja, my framerate will hover around 40. If I restart my game it jumps back up to 70-90. One thing with this game, while those are high frame rates, something particular to this game is no matter what the frame rate, it never feels smooth in trials. I'm using a gsync monitor, vsync is off, and even when getting 70fps, it feels like another games 30fps, it's kinda weird and really takes the enjoyment out of running trials.

Another example is in Hel Ra. As a magicka user I always go upstairs, and as soon as I get up there the framerate plummets and never recovers.

It is weird though. Randomly performance will be fine. Did a vAS+2 the other week and was running so smooth and felt great. Did nothing different from the previous attempts which ran awful.

I'm also run minimal addons in trials. Raid notifier, Bandits UI, combat metrics, and alpha gear. I've tried running trials with all addons turned off and it doesn't change performance (turning combat metrics off does add a few more frames, but nothing significant).

Yep, literally the same thing. vAS is the best trial for me as well. Can easily do 4 - 5 runs until the lag starts happening. vCR and vMoL are by far the worst, especially Rakkhat. But nothing is as bad as vCR +3.

eso_lags · September 2018

Meld777 wrote: »

The longer I play without restarting the game, the laggier it gets. In vCR, I usually initially have 90 - 100 FPS, which slowly go down to about 50 - 60 in the first run/pull. On the 2nd one, it's already noticeable that performance is worse: slight spikes, input lag, etc. After the third one, the real issues start: spells not casting. I cast Merciless Resolve (without cancelling it), S'rendarr shows it running (18... 17... 16...) and then it suddenly disappears after 1 - 2 seconds. And that disappearance isn't an addon bug, it's actually gone from character sheet and my Assassin's Will doesn't proc either. I need to cast it multiple times for it to actually stay. It completely ruins gameplay for me and only happens in raids.

When I restart the game, everything is fine - back to 100 fps - for one pull. In 4 - 5 pulls my fps manages to drop from 100 to below 10 in combat. I have no problems with any other games.

My build:
7700k (@4.9Ghz)
GTX 1080
16GB 3000Mhz RAM
M.2 Samsung 960 Pro SSD

I already tried just radically putting all graphics settings to down to min/0 incl. all the advice in the Tweaks Megathread, and I play on 1080p. Didn't help. Max vs. Min settings makes very little difference in raids. I can do dungeons all day long on max settings. Performance also goes down over time, but not nearly as quickly. After 10 dungeon runs, my game is still well-playable.

I know people with way worse computers who can raid for 4h straight without performance loss. I don't know what to do/try. If you have any ideas, please share.

Ive noticed this too on xbox. From a pvp perspective. Like when its unbearably laggy in pvp or dueling in wayrest i will restart my xbox and a lot of the time it will help for a bit. And thats usually when ive been playing for hours. But idk if its coincidence or if it actually helps.

maxjapank · September 2018

Some addons have memory leaks. Your performance will go down over time. There is an addon called info panel. It can show you how much memory your addons take and you can see if it goes up over time. Then you just have to find exactly which addon is causing it. One addon that has been doing this is Action Duration Reminder. Don’t know if it’s been fixed. But if you turn off all addons, except for this one. You will see your memory go up over time.

DanteYoda · September 2018

Meld777 wrote: »

DanteYoda wrote: »

DMuehlhausen wrote: »

So it's reacting like most types of software.

You probably have a memory leak in the game, or on something else running on your computer. Reinstall the game, or try rebooting your computer sometimes.

I get this too, i just reformatted my system and it still happens.

It doesn't feel like a memory leak, it feels like the server is dsyncing from me. Memory leaks bog a system down, i have none of that its just my skills and animations and interactions get longer and longer to do the longer i'm on ESO

Same thing exactly. But since my gf has the same internet connection, a worse computer and doesn't have these problems, it must be some kind of hardware incompatibility. I just can't pinpoint it.

I use
Core i5 2500 3.3ghz
GTX 1060 6gb
16 ddr 3 ram
Win 7 hp x64
Sata WD 1TB HDD 5400
Asus P8Z68-V/Gen3 mobo

Kilnerdyne · September 2018

Restarting your client after 1h30m-2h has become a common theme in pve raids. Reloadui doesn't affect the FPS drops but after restarting the game it is noticeably improved. i5 2500k @ 4.5ghz, 1060 6GB, 16GB.

danno8 · September 2018

maxjapank wrote: »

Some addons have memory leaks. Your performance will go down over time. There is an addon called info panel. It can show you how much memory your addons take and you can see if it goes up over time. Then you just have to find exactly which addon is causing it. One addon that has been doing this is Action Duration Reminder. Don’t know if it’s been fixed. But if you turn off all addons, except for this one. You will see your memory go up over time.

Nice advice, but I have removed entirely my addon folder and still get this degradation in FPS.

Meld777 · September 2018

@maxjapank I couldn't find that addon. There are only two info panels on ESOUI, and they do different stuff (show in-game related things). Would be nice if you could post a link.

Haashhtaag · September 2018

It’s definitely related to game. Over the past month or so performance has been very meh in this game. Other games run fine on my system no issue. Talking to other magblades in raid environments they’re noticing the merciless issue as well. Perhaps that’s something that zos needs to look into.

Zer0oo · September 2018

https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/367598/video-30-50-fps-drop-bug-almost-2-years-old-cryodiil-pov#latest

just forget it, they will never fix it

maxjapank · September 2018

@Meld777 http://www.esoui.com/downloads/info1831-InfoPanel.html

This is it.

ssorgatem · September 2018

I experience the same issue.
But since I play on Linux, I thought it was due to wine or DXVK...
Seems it's not. Not an issue with Windows, either...

It's not the RAM. I have 32Gb of RAM and the game barely ever uses slightly above 4Gb.

It's not temperature. It's not VRAM. It's not the CPU...
I think I've checked it all, and I ran out of ideas.

Also, for me, a way to trigger the performance degradation faster is to log in / log out of every one of my characters; after every log in there's a noticeable performance loss and lag increase, until it becomes barely playable.