Input Lag In Games Until Gpu Driver Reinstall Or Windows Fresh Install

Hello everyone, I've been having a ton of problems with my computer for the better part of a year. No matter what GPU I have installed (used to have an r9 390) I get input lag in all games until reinstalling my GPU drivers. After restarting later on in the day all the sudden the input lag is back; again until reinstalling the drivers.


I really hope someone can help me, I haven't been able to play Overwatch properly for a long time and I'm on a semi-pro team. I've replaced my motherboard, GPU, SSD, and memory so far. I've tried running in selective startup, and pretty much anything I could think of. If you need more details please let me know I'm hoping to get this resolved as quickly as possible before my next team's practice.

Motherboard:
Asus Maxiumus IX Hero
(Used to have an Asus z170-a)

GPU:
Nvidia EVGA 1080 ti (I've installed different drivers that all result in the same input lag upon restart, using DDU)

SSD:
Samsung 950 Pro (with latest NVME drivers)

Memory:
GSKILL 3200 16gb x 2

Power Supply:
EVGA 1000W

CPU:
Intel 6700k @ 4.0
Kraken x61 with CAM software

Note: I've contacted Blizzard a lot and they keep telling me my computer looks fine based on my msinfo/dxdiag. However I think I'm missing something. It only ever operates properly upon reinstalling the GPU drivers whether its the 1080 ti or the r9 390. I've suspected it might have something to do with my M.2 drive as well since the issues only return upon restart. No matter how much lag, I always have 200-300 fps (in overwatch, but other games as well).

Something important to note is the input lag seems to persist no matter what game I play. Feels like I'm dragging my cursor through mud is the way I would describe it. If you need more details please feel free to request it. I'm new to the site so any help would be amazing. I've deployed the following solutions so far:

• Replaced the motherboard, GPU, and memory
• Disabled game DVR
• Disabled Intel Speedstep
• Disabled Fast Boot in both BIOS and Windows
• Enabled Maximum Performance plan in windows (also disabled put hd to sleep)
• Disabled all AsMedia controllers in the BIOS
• Wiped the computer multiple times (windows 10)
• Disabled Cortana
• Disabled Windows Update
• Nvidia maximum performance enabled (as well as max pre-rendered set to 1)
• Installed NVME drivers (2.2) as well as Samsung Magician with latest firmware on the drive
• Monitored all temperatures and they're all well within the regular range
• And a lot more I can't remember anymore...

Hopefully this gives you guys enough info! If not make please don't hesitate to ask me for anything. I'm looking to solve the issue as quickly as I can (as having the issue for a year has left me frustrated).

This was my first build so I'm entertaining ideas about potentially wiring something incorrectly. However it seems unlikely since everything functions.

Most recently replaced my m.2 drive with a Samsung 850 Evo. The problem persists.

 

It would be hard to say the problem is with your computer when you have replaced the motherboard, GPU, RAM and drive. If your computer works fine otherwise, I don't see how it could be your CPU either.

What security are you using?

Since Overwatch is an online game how's your network connection?

 

Well that's another thing. I used to be with the ISP Shaw and if you look anywhere online they have an absolute catastrophic amount of people complaining about all their modems. The modems themselves fluctuate their connections and cause packet loss. All because the Intel Puma 6 chipset.

So knowing that was an issue I switched to Telus (which has double NAT). But the funny thing is the connection (according to winMTR and ping plotter) has no issues. And yet the lag feels the exact same. Is it possible the security that Telus has is having a similar effect?

On Shaw's connection I was getting 40ms and Telus 60ms. I've been talking to Blizzard as well about their servers showing upward of 15-40% packet loss. And the last response they gave me was "This is perfectly normal as its a security precaution to prevent DDOSing". So I don't know how much of that to believe. Though I've noticed this is happening in multiple games, I haven't tested any offline games as I don't know one that I would notice input lag in or not. So I'm compelled to believe Blizzard since other online games have the same issue for me.

In terms of security I always disable my firewall completely and on the modem I use a DMZ and port forwarding. Though with Telus DMZs and port forwarding are EXTREMELY questionable. Apparently they block a ton of ports by default. I've used port checkers and no matter what port I check they always say 'closed'. I talked to a Telus rep and he said I have to use a 'local port checker' of some kind because the sites are more or less reporting incorrectly. To me the logic there doesn't add up. Since ports are exposed to the internet and should be accessible from any port checking website. Maybe I'm wrong about that, but I'm learning as I go.

However its important to note 2 events happened at the same time when in input lag started:
1) I changed my modem
2) Built the PC with the specs above

So my dilemma is determining which is the cause.

 

I don't buy the 15 - 14% packet loss. I just pinged my ISP and go 0%. Same with www.google.com.

So this computer never worked right? Have you switched Ethernet cables? Ethernet cables are extremely critical network devices, but not very robust. One unlucky yank or trip-over can do them in.

I never, as in NEVER EVER use the modem supplied by the ISPs. I always buy my own. Typically, in less than 2 years, you get your money back in rental savings.

Is yours a "residential gateway"? That is, router, modem, Ethernet switch and wireless access point (WAP) in one device? Or separate router? Try a different port.

 

I'll try a different cable this evening but I have switched through the past year about 3 or 4 times. However with Telus I haven't swapped the cable out.

Are you saying you buy a modem from a different source other than your ISP? I was always under the impression you had to use theirs no matter what whether you decide to rent or buyout the modems they offer.

I believe it is a residential gateway. It has everything you said so I'm gonna say it is (sorry my networking terminology is quite rusty). I've bridged their modem to my own personal router with the same results.

I've tried different ports as well but I'll change that up as well tonight. Thanks for the suggestions so far I really appreciate the help. Been dealing with this issue for such a long time...

 

It may depend on your country, but in the US, you don't have to rent from them. You do need to buy compatible modems but your ISP should maintain a list of those.

For sure, ISPs want you to rent from them because they make a fortune renting them.

I bought this one and it works great, and I use it with a Netgear wireless router. I have had both of these for nearly 5 years so I know I have saved a lot of money.

The Arris (formally Motorola) comes in a residential gateway model (also called "modem router") too, as seen here. There are several models from several different companies.

 

None of the UK ISPs charge now to purchase or rent a modem and/or router. But they do charge 'postage and packing' if you accept their model/s, and require it returned if a contract ends before the contract term finishes.

 

I no longer live in the UK but I have several friends there and some ISPs sure do charge you to purchase a modem. I mean a "purchase" implies a "payment", right?

And there typically is a couple quid fee to rent though it may not say "Modem rental fee" on the bill. I note there are some ISPs that do indeed provide a modem, but you have to sign a contract for a 1 or 2 year service agreement. And if you do get a free modem, it sure will not be a top-tier model.

So it is like many cell phone carriers that give away a new cell phone when you sign up. They call it free, but make no mistake. You're paying for it.

 

There may well be small specialist ISPs that charge but none of those who make up 95% of the market do and that even includes non-Comm businesses such as the Post Office, supermarkets like Waitrose who offer broadband, nor do they charge any 'rental' for them. Over the last 15+ years from dial up onwards I've been with a good few and no one has ever charged me but if you choose to have their router they charge you a few bob for sending it to you.
The only 'non-contract' plans for the internet do charge if you want to buy it from them but they are few and far between and account for a tiny % of the market.

 

I live in Canada, and to be honest here the ISPs get away with whatever they want. Shaw has had horrible modems for 2+ years (that I know of, probably much longer) with persistent packet loss up to 50%.

Telus right now is strange...I've ran tests in WinMTR, PingPlotter, and tracerts with no signs of packet loss or ping fluctuation. Yet their connection feels as bad as Shaw's ping jumping and packet loss. I think somehow their Double NAT system is influencing the connection. However I don't know how to tell them about the issue because they just run speed tests and say 'its fine'. We definitely can't use any other modems than what they supply. I researched everything on that topic and they all enforce using whatever modems they want us to use.

Am I right in saying that Telus (with the extra security) is somehow influencing how the games feel without effecting the stats we all test for? I'm not sure how to measure if the extra security is effecting my games since it doesn't reflect ping, jitter, or packet loss seemingly. No matter which ISP I'm on, when I play overwatch animations will occasionally play twice when they shouldn't. Which I believe to be packet loss of some kind though it isn't reported.

Right now I feel my only course of action is to go back to shaw and downgrade my connection so they let me use a different modem that doesn't have the unstable Intel Puma 6 chipset. Their new docsis 3.1 modem is supposed to be coming out within a month so hopefully it doesn't have a similar issue.