Frame pacing regression with Nvidia driver 581.94 on Intel hybrid CPU under Windows 11 25H2

[Fytox]

Summary:
After updating from Nvidia driver 581.80 to 581.94 (Hotfix), I observe reproducible micro‑stutters and lag in low‑load DirectX‑9/11 titles (e.g., Microsoft Solitaire) on Windows 11 25H2. Rolling back to 581.80 restores smooth frame pacing. This points to a regression likely involving scheduler/graphics stack interactions on hybrid Intel CPUs.
System specifications:
• Motherboard: MSI MPG Z790 CARBON WIFI, BIOS 1.H0 (2025‑07‑30)
• CPU: Intel Core i7‑12700KF (12th Gen, hybrid P/E cores)
• Memory: 32 GB DDR5‑4800 (2×16 GB Kingston KF548C38‑16)
• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti VENTUS 3X, 12 GB
• Storage: Samsung SSD 970 (1 TB) + Samsung SSD 970 (2 TB)
• Network: Intel I226‑V Ethernet; Intel Wi‑Fi 6E AX211 160 MHz
• Power plan: Balanced
Operating system and updates:
• OS: Microsoft Windows 11 Home 64‑bit, Version 2009 (OS build 26200.7171)
• Installed updates: KB5068861 (Security), KB5067931, KB5054156, KB5067035
Driver and module versions (relevant Intel components):
• Intel chipset drivers: 10.1.19899.8597
• Intel ME drivers: 2425.6.26.0
• Intel Serial IO: 30.100.2417.30
• Intel Dynamic Tuning Technology: 9.0.11911.64898
• Intel Wi‑Fi drivers: 23.40.0.4
• Intel Wireless Bluetooth: 23.170.0.3
• (Other installed items available upon request)
NVIDIA drivers:
• 581.80: Stable — Solitaire and similar DX9/11 titles are smooth, no stutter.
• 581.94 (Hotfix): Regression — consistent micro‑stutters/lag in Solitaire despite minimal GPU load.
Issue description:
• With 581.94, frame pacing degrades in low‑load DX9/11 scenarios. Stutters appear even when GPU utilization is negligible.
• Reverting to 581.80 immediately restores expected behavior.
• The change coincides with Windows 11 25H2 (OS build 26200.7171) and presence of KB5068861.
Expected vs. actual behavior:
• Expected: Even frame pacing in legacy DirectX titles regardless of load.
• Actual: Micro‑stutters/lag with 581.94; smooth with 581.80 under identical conditions.
Reproduction steps:
1. Install Windows 11 25H2 (OS build 26200.7171) with KB5068861.
2. Use Nvidia driver 581.94; launch Microsoft Solitaire (or similar DX9/11 lightweight title).
3. Observe micro‑stutters during animations and card moves.
4. Roll back to Nvidia driver 581.80; relaunch the same title.
5. Observe smooth animations with no stutter.
Additional observations:
• Issue appears CPU‑scheduler related (hybrid P/E cores) or graphics stack timing under 25H2, rather than raw GPU throughput.
• No abnormal VRAM usage or thermal throttling observed.
• Browser hardware acceleration changes do not affect the Solitaire behavior, reinforcing a frame‑timing/driver interaction hypothesis.
Request:
• Guidance on whether this aligns with known scheduler/graphics stack issues under 25H2.
• Any diagnostics (ETW traces, PresentMon, Intel Graphics Performance Analyzers) you’d like me to capture to aid triage.

[JeanetteC_Intel]

Hello Fytox,

Thank you for posting in Intel Communities.

I appreciate the thorough analysis you've provided regarding this performance regression.

I hope to inform you that since your Intel i7-12700KF processor doesn't include integrated graphics, and the issue appears to stem from NVIDIA driver 581.94's interaction with Windows 11 25H2, this would be best addressed through the appropriate vendor channels.

• NVIDIA: Best positioned to address the driver regression you've identified
• MSI: Can provide motherboard-specific optimizations and BIOS guidance
• Microsoft: May want visibility into 25H2 scheduler behavior with hybrid architectures

Your Intel system components appear to be functioning correctly based on your description.

I hope this helps direct you toward the most effective resolution path.

Sincerely,

JeanetteC.

Intel Customer Support Technician