Performance Issues with Intel Core i7-13700KF – Lag/Stuttering in Games and Multitasking

[S_North]

Hello Intel Support

I am experiencing significant performance issues with my CPU and would appreciate your help in identifying the cause and finding a solution.

System Specs:

• CPU: Intel® Core™ i7-13700KF

• GPU: ASUS ProArt GeForce RTX 4080

• OS: Windows 11

Problem Overview:

Recently, I noticed a sudden drop in performance while gaming and multitasking. Games—especially those made with Unity—exhibit frequent stuttering and lag. Additionally, running multiple tasks at once (e.g., playing CS2 on one monitor and watching YouTube on another) has become problematic due to heavy lag.

This issue affects both new and older games. Even after lowering all in-game settings to the lowest possible, the stuttering and lag continue.

Troubleshooting Performed:

• Reinstalled Windows 11 three times. Some issues briefly improved, but overall performance problems persist.

• Lowered all graphics settings in various games, with no noticeable improvement.

• Collected diagnostic data using the following tools:

  • Intel® System Support Utility

  • Intel® Processor Diagnostic Tool

  • Intel® Extreme Tuning Utility (XTU)

Stress Testing:

• Conducted two CPU stress tests:

  1. With the CPU multiplier set to 51x

  2. With the default multiplier of 53x

The performance issues remained consistent after both tests.

Please advise on the next steps. I have all relevant logs and test reports available and am ready to provide them upon request.

Thank you for your time and support.

Best regards,
Alex

[S_North]

Hello again,

I’d like to provide some additional details regarding the issues I’m experiencing with my Intel® Core™ i7-13700KF.

In addition to the performance problems I previously mentioned, I’m also experiencing frequent crashes in games, and in some cases, my entire system restarts, especially when loading into games or during shader compilation/downloading.

Here’s a list of some of the games I play and how they’re affected:

• Valorant – Occasional stutter and instability

• CS2 – Very poor performance, heavy lag

• Arma Reforger – Frequent stuttering

• Company of Heroes 3 – Inconsistent frame pacing

• Path of Exile 2 – Crashes regularly

• Diablo 4 – Minor stutters, occasional slowdowns

• GTA V – Noticeable lag

• Marvel Rivals – Performance drops

• Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord – Stutter issues

• Gray Zone Warfare – Frequent frame drops

• Enshrouded – Performance instability

• Cities Skylines 2 – Laggy and inconsistent

• Crusader Kings 3 – Slower than expected

• DayZ – Stuttering and slowdowns

• Satisfactory – Performance drops with larger builds

• Sid Meier's Civilization VI – General sluggishness

• Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 – Ran fairly well, though with some minor stuttering

• And many more...

I hope this additional context helps narrow down the issue. Let me know if there’s anything else you need from me — logs, crash reports, or specific test results.

Best regards,
Alex

[PC1997]

Hello,

This YouTube video may help you diagnose the issue: https://youtu.be/2-9GpV2CO_A?feature=shared

Video summary:
Downclock your CPU via the BIOS to run at its base frequency with turbo boost disabled, then test again for any crashes.