The newly launched Nvidia App is causing FPS drops in certain games and on specific computer setups. This article delves into the framerate issues linked to Nvidia's latest game optimization software.

Nvidia App Impacting Game Performance

Unstable Framerates in Some Games and PC Builds

Recent tests conducted by PC GAMER on December 18 have shown that the Nvidia App can affect the performance of some PCs and games. Several players have reported experiencing stuttering issues while using the application. In response to these growing concerns, a Nvidia staff member suggested a temporary fix by disabling the "Game Filters and Photo Mode" overlay.

PC GAMER's tests included Black Myth: Wukong, using a high-end setup with a Ryzen 7 7800X3D and an RTX 4070 Super. They played the game at 1080p on Very High settings with the overlay disabled, which slightly increased the average framerate from 59 fps to 63 fps. At 1440p, there was no significant difference observed. However, when the overlay was enabled and the graphics settings were switched to Medium, a substantial 12% drop in frame rate was noted.

In contrast, tests with Cyberpunk 2077 on a Core Ultra 9 285K with an RTX 4080 Super showed stable framerates regardless of whether the overlay was on or off. These findings suggest that the Nvidia App's impact varies depending on the game and the PC configuration.

PC GAMER conducted these tests following player concerns voiced on X (formerly Twitter). The temporary fix, suggested by a Nvidia staff member on the company's website 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 X thread, some users suggested reverting to an older graphics driver to mitigate the performance issues, while others speculated on which games might be affected by the application. As of now, Nvidia has not released an update to address this issue beyond recommending the overlay be turned off.

Nvidia App's Official Launch

The Nvidia App was initially launched in beta on February 22, 2024, as a successor to GeForce Experience. Designed for PC users with Nvidia GPUs, the app facilitates GPU setting optimizations, game recording, and more.

After a period of beta testing, the Nvidia App officially launched in November 2024, replacing GeForce Experience entirely. This launch coincided with a graphics driver update in anticipation of upcoming game releases. The new application introduces a streamlined overlay system that does not require users to sign into their accounts.

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