Severe Input Lag & Heavy Movement Despite High FPS and Hardware Changes

[jamal]

# Severe Heavy/Floaty Movement, Delayed Inputs and Terrible Aim Across Multiple Games — 10,000 Hours of Experience, Hardware Replacements, 3 ISPs, Countless Tweaks, Still No Solution

Hello everyone,

I'm writing this because I've been struggling with an extremely frustrating gaming responsiveness problem for a very long time.

I've reached a point where I'm honestly exhausted. I've spent countless hours troubleshooting my PC instead of enjoying games.

**I have approximately 10,000 hours of gaming experience**, particularly in PUBG. I know how movement, aiming, peeking, scoping, and throwing grenades are supposed to feel.

My problem is NOT simply low FPS, high ping, or occasional stuttering.

Even when my PC reports high FPS, my character feels extremely heavy, sluggish, floaty, and delayed. It feels as if something is constantly holding back my movements.

## 1. My Main Symptoms

- Character movement feels extremely heavy and unresponsive.
- Pressing W doesn't always feel immediate.
- Strafing left and right feels slow and unnatural.
- Peeking around corners feels delayed.
- Opening and closing scopes feels unusually sluggish.
- Weapon switching and grenade handling feel slower than normal.
- Even when I already have a grenade ready, throwing it feels painfully slow.
- When an enemy starts shooting at me, I feel unable to escape or move quickly enough.
- I frequently bump into doorframes instead of moving smoothly through doorways.
- My aim feels terrible, inconsistent, and almost disconnected from my mouse movements.
- Sometimes I can see an enemy clearly, but my character doesn't seem to respond quickly enough to what I'm trying to do.
- Even with 150–200+ FPS, the experience sometimes feels closer to 30–60 FPS.

**The FPS counter says one thing, but the actual gameplay feels completely different.**

Sometimes I wonder whether the frames are being displayed or presented properly, because the smoothness I see and the responsiveness I feel do not match the reported performance.

I've experienced similar problems in PUBG, Squad, Arma Reforger, and other games.

## 2. My Friend's Lower-Spec PC Is Much Smoother — Even With Lower FPS

This is probably the most frustrating and important part of my situation.

My friend has a PC with lower specifications than mine.

He knows practically nothing about PC optimization. He doesn't even know how to update his graphics card driver himself.

He doesn't tweak Windows, BIOS, NVIDIA settings, registry values, or anything else.

**Everything on his PC is basically DEFAULT.**

Yet his gaming experience feels incredible compared to mine.

His movement feels immediate, his mouse feels responsive, his aiming feels natural, and everything seems smooth.

His FPS is significantly lower than mine, but the actual gaming experience feels far superior.

And here's the most important part:

**I physically moved my own PC to the same location and tested it using the same internet connection, mouse, and monitor.**

His PC still felt noticeably smoother and more responsive than mine.

How is this possible?

How can someone with a lower-spec computer who doesn't know anything about PC optimization enjoy much better responsiveness, while I've spent an enormous amount of time trying to optimize mine?

I genuinely don't understand what is wrong.

## 3. My Current PC Specifications

- CPU: Intel Core i5-12400F
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3060 Ti
- Motherboard: MSI PRO B760-P WIFI DDR4
- RAM: 32GB DDR4 G.Skill
- Monitor: Casper Excalibur 200Hz
- Mouse: Logitech G502 Hero
- OS: Windows 10 Pro 22H2
- Ethernet: Realtek Gaming 2.5GbE RTL8125
- Wi-Fi: Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211

## 4. Hardware I've Replaced and Tested

I've replaced actual hardware components, not just changed software settings.

- Replaced the power supply (PSU).
- Changed the motherboard from ASUS PRIME H610M-K D4 to MSI PRO B760-P WIFI DDR4.
- Changed the RAM.
- Tested different SSDs and Windows installation drives.
- Removed my second monitor.
- Tested different internal and external hardware configurations.

### Three monitors

I've tried three different monitors:

- 144Hz
- 200Hz
- 260Hz

The underlying sluggishness remained.

### Five different mice

I've tested approximately five mice, including Logitech, Attack Shark, Glorious, other Chinese gaming brands, and inexpensive basic mice.

I've also tried various DPI, polling-rate, and sensitivity configurations.

Nothing permanently solved the problem.

### Different cables

I've tested and replaced Ethernet cables and DisplayPort cables.

Again, no permanent solution.

## 5. I've Tested Windows With Absolutely Default Settings

I want to emphasize something important.

**I have NOT only tested heavily tweaked or modified Windows installations.**

I've reinstalled Windows multiple times and tested the system after installation with default settings, without applying gaming optimizations.

I've tried using the default driver configurations and normal Windows settings.

I have also tested different Windows 10 and Windows 11 installations.

I've tried older and newer graphics drivers and other driver configurations.

**The problem existed even without applying any tweaks.**

After seeing no improvement, I started researching optimization methods and experimenting with BIOS, Windows, NVIDIA, and other settings.

But none of them fixed the underlying issue.

## 6. I've Experimented Extensively With BIOS and Windows Settings

I've spent an unbelievable amount of time investigating almost every relevant setting I could find.

### BIOS

I've experimented with many available BIOS options, including:

- CPU power and performance settings.
- CPU C-States and power management.
- RAM frequency and timing configurations.
- CPU-related performance options.
- Various motherboard and system configuration options.
- Different BIOS configurations, including default settings.

I've tried both default configurations and numerous performance-oriented adjustments.

Sometimes a setting seemed to improve the feeling slightly. Other times it made things worse.

But the underlying problem always remained.

### Windows

I've also tried:

- Default Windows settings after fresh installations.
- Different Windows 10 and Windows 11 versions.
- Different power plans.
- Windows services and startup configurations.
- Various Windows performance optimizations.
- USB and input-related adjustments.
- Audio service and driver troubleshooting.
- Storage-related configurations.
- Different background process configurations.

### NVIDIA

I've tested different driver versions and settings, including:

- Default NVIDIA settings.
- Low Latency Mode.
- Power Management Mode.
- V-Sync configurations.
- FPS caps.
- Maximum refresh-rate options.
- Different driver installations.
- Various performance-related settings.

I've spent countless hours searching for the best configuration for every relevant option I could find.

**I've tested both untouched default configurations and extensively optimized configurations. Neither solved the problem.**

At one point, installing Windows on a SATA SSD felt slightly better than using my M.2 SSD, but it was not a complete solution.

Some changes occasionally produce a temporary or slight improvement, but the same heavy feeling persists.

Meanwhile, my friend does absolutely none of this.

His system remains at default settings, and his gaming experience is still much better.

This is genuinely driving me crazy.

## 7. I've Changed Internet Providers Three Times

I've tested three different internet services/providers, including fiber internet and satellite-based internet.

The problem remained.

I generally do not see packet loss during gameplay.

I've also tried different Ethernet cables and tested both Ethernet and Wi-Fi.

Changing from my Realtek RTL8125 Ethernet adapter to Intel AX211 Wi-Fi produced a slight difference in feeling, but the underlying issue remained.

### My actual Waveform Bufferbloat results

I recently tested both Wi-Fi and Ethernet.

**Wi-Fi — Intel AX211**

| Measurement | Result |
|---|---|
| Bufferbloat Grade | C |
| Idle Latency | 15ms |
| Added Download Latency | +114ms |
| Added Upload Latency | +13ms |
| Download Speed | 219.3 Mbps |
| Upload Speed | 47.7 Mbps |

**Wired Ethernet — Realtek RTL8125**

| Measurement | Result |
|---|---|
| Bufferbloat Grade | B |
| Idle Latency | 16ms |
| Added Download Latency | +32ms |
| Added Upload Latency | +4ms |
| Download Speed | 846.0 Mbps |
| Upload Speed | 54.4 Mbps |

Ethernet performed noticeably better during the bufferbloat test, particularly under download load.

However, the fundamental gameplay responsiveness issue has not been resolved.

I understand that these tests measure latency under network load, not actual mouse-to-display input latency.

Given that I've tested different internet providers, different hardware, and different operating systems, I'm not sure how much of the problem is actually network-related.

## 8. What the Problem Feels Like in Actual Combat

Imagine having around 10,000 hours of experience in shooting games, knowing exactly what you want your character to do, but feeling unable to execute those actions properly.

When someone shoots at me, I struggle to escape.

When I try to move through a doorway, I bump into the frame.

When I try to peek, I feel delayed.

When I try to open a scope, I feel delayed.

When I pull out a grenade, I cannot throw it as quickly as I expect.

Even aiming at stationary or moving targets feels unusually difficult.

**My aim has become extremely poor, and I feel like I'm fighting the controls instead of fighting other players.**

I know there are normal animation timings and movement limitations in every game.

But after so much experience, I strongly feel that something is wrong with how my system responds.

This is not something that can be explained simply by saying I need more practice.

## 9. What I Want to Understand

I've changed the PSU, motherboard, RAM, monitors, mice, cables, Windows installations, drivers, internet providers, and countless settings.

I've tested default Windows and BIOS configurations as well as heavily modified ones.

Nothing has permanently fixed the problem.

Meanwhile, my friend's lower-spec PC, running completely normal default settings, feels much more responsive.

**I'm not claiming to have proven that my PC has a particular input-lag defect. I'm describing a consistent problem that I want to measure objectively and diagnose correctly.**

## 10. My Questions to the Blur Busters Community

1. Has anyone experienced this exact combination of heavy movement, terrible aim, delayed peeking, sluggish grenade throwing, and poor responsiveness across multiple games?

2. Has anyone permanently solved it, even after replacing hardware and reinstalling Windows failed?

3. Why would a lower-spec PC with lower FPS feel significantly smoother when tested with the same monitor, mouse, and internet?

4. Could a motherboard, CPU scheduling issue, driver, DPC/ISR latency, USB controller, or GPU frame-presentation problem produce these symptoms?

5. How can I reliably distinguish actual input latency from poor frame pacing, online desync, and game-engine animation delays?

6. Could there be a problem that doesn't appear in normal FPS, temperature, or packet-loss monitoring?

7. Which specific diagnostic tools and measurements should I use to find the real cause?

8. Has anyone tested both completely default configurations and extensive BIOS/Windows optimizations, only to experience the exact same issue?

I'm willing to provide logs, screenshots, videos, hardware details, and controlled test results.

But please understand that **I've already tried an enormous number of random tweaks, BIOS settings, Windows optimizations, driver versions, and hardware changes.**

I don't want to blindly change another 50 settings.

I want an evidence-based way to identify the actual cause.

I genuinely miss being able to sit down and enjoy gaming without constantly wondering why my character feels so heavy.

If anyone has experienced something similar or found a real, reproducible solution, I'd greatly appreciate your help.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

[unexpected8]

I have the exact same problem with PUBG.
I’ve logged nearly 6,000 hours, but around 2019/2020, everything changed—I’m experiencing the exact same symptoms you described: slow ADS (aiming down sights), sluggish mouse movement, heavy/sluggish character movement, and even the game’s colors look blurry. I’ve tried countless solutions, but nothing works; any improvement lasts an hour or less before the problem returns.
In 90% of direct gunfights, I end up dead. It feels as if the enemy acts like a magnet the moment they start firing at me, leaving me unable to retaliate; it’s also incredibly difficult to control recoil. I’ve also noticed that for those of us with this issue, the blood splatter effects on enemies appear minimal and simple, whereas for players who don’t have this problem, the blood splatter is much more distinct and visible.
I’m running a 9800X3D processor and an RX 9070 graphics card. I get high frame rates, but there’s no smoothness—even though I have a 240Hz monitor, it feels like 100Hz.

[unexpected8]

Your problem is exactly like this one.
What’s strange, though, is that even after testing your device at a friend’s place, the issue persisted. It almost makes me wonder if the components themselves can "catch an infection," or if the problem stems from voltage irregularities in certain motherboards—honestly, I’m not sure, as I’ve tested my own setup in more than three different homes.
Even stranger, at my brother’s house, he was playing PUBG on a PS4 connected to a 180Hz monitor, and the motion on the screen was much smoother than it is on my own setup.

https://youtu.be/y6avBfHuUgU?si=w_QfGmB0NbXeOpDq

[Sandy]

VBIOS!!! Realizing this sooner rather than later will save you a lot of unnecessary trouble.

[crack]

VBIOS!!! Realizing this sooner rather than later will save you a lot of unnecessary trouble.

Am I wrong or did you post something like theres gpu vendors that don't even have a good VBIOS version to flash available at all? What nonsense you pulled out of your ass.

People have swapped computers over these desync/input lag symptoms, including GPU manufacturer and vendor, still same shit.

I remember before 2019 I did not have this desync/input lag problem whatsoever, stock bios, windows with some disabled services I never used like fax and printer, 60Hz 2008 LCD felt MUCH better than my current 240Hz IPS, I looked at some phone footage my friend took of me playing a match, it's night and day difference how instantaneously I could flickshot and the motion of the 60Hz LCD was butter smooth, 83g office mouse I could use all day without straining my wrist, I could go on but ranted enough.

This same computer my friend recorded footage of me playing before 2019, now feels awful, that butter smooth 60Hz feels like 40-50, guaranteed wrist strain with an even lighter mouse over more than 3 hours of use and absolutely no way I could instantly flick again.

[Sandy]

VBIOS!!! Realizing this sooner rather than later will save you a lot of unnecessary trouble.

Am I wrong or did you post something like theres gpu vendors that don't even have a good VBIOS version to flash available at all? What nonsense you pulled out of your ass.

People have swapped computers over these desync/input lag symptoms, including GPU manufacturer and vendor, still same shit.

I remember before 2019 I did not have this desync/input lag problem whatsoever, stock bios, windows with some disabled services I never used like fax and printer, 60Hz 2008 LCD felt MUCH better than my current 240Hz IPS, I looked at some phone footage my friend took of me playing a match, it's night and day difference how instantaneously I could flickshot and the motion of the 60Hz LCD was butter smooth, 83g office mouse I could use all day without straining my wrist, I could go on but ranted enough.

This same computer my friend recorded footage of me playing before 2019, now feels awful, that butter smooth 60Hz feels like 40-50, guaranteed wrist strain with an even lighter mouse over more than 3 hours of use and absolutely no way I could instantly flick again.

Every graphics card has many VBIOS versions, but finding the correct one is not guaranteed—it’s essentially a lottery. Even the VBIOS for integrated graphics (iGPUs) can contain errors, a fact that has left many people quite puzzled.

[ablemor]

VBIOS!!! Realizing this sooner rather than later will save you a lot of unnecessary trouble.

Am I wrong or did you post something like theres gpu vendors that don't even have a good VBIOS version to flash available at all? What nonsense you pulled out of your ass.

People have swapped computers over these desync/input lag symptoms, including GPU manufacturer and vendor, still same shit.

I remember before 2019 I did not have this desync/input lag problem whatsoever, stock bios, windows with some disabled services I never used like fax and printer, 60Hz 2008 LCD felt MUCH better than my current 240Hz IPS, I looked at some phone footage my friend took of me playing a match, it's night and day difference how instantaneously I could flickshot and the motion of the 60Hz LCD was butter smooth, 83g office mouse I could use all day without straining my wrist, I could go on but ranted enough.

This same computer my friend recorded footage of me playing before 2019, now feels awful, that butter smooth 60Hz feels like 40-50, guaranteed wrist strain with an even lighter mouse over more than 3 hours of use and absolutely no way I could instantly flick again.

Every graphics card has many VBIOS versions, but finding the correct one is not guaranteed—it’s essentially a lottery. Even the VBIOS for integrated graphics (iGPUs) can contain errors, a fact that has left many people quite puzzled.

Sandy, you're mentioning the VBIOS, but do you have any evidence for it? I assume you've already managed to solve it, otherwise you wouldn't be saying this is the issue. Could you please share more information about this with the community?

[Tell]

What are the specs of your friends PC that was working properly?

[Sandy]

VBIOS!!! Realizing this sooner rather than later will save you a lot of unnecessary trouble.

Am I wrong or did you post something like theres gpu vendors that don't even have a good VBIOS version to flash available at all? What nonsense you pulled out of your ass.

People have swapped computers over these desync/input lag symptoms, including GPU manufacturer and vendor, still same shit.

I remember before 2019 I did not have this desync/input lag problem whatsoever, stock bios, windows with some disabled services I never used like fax and printer, 60Hz 2008 LCD felt MUCH better than my current 240Hz IPS, I looked at some phone footage my friend took of me playing a match, it's night and day difference how instantaneously I could flickshot and the motion of the 60Hz LCD was butter smooth, 83g office mouse I could use all day without straining my wrist, I could go on but ranted enough.

This same computer my friend recorded footage of me playing before 2019, now feels awful, that butter smooth 60Hz feels like 40-50, guaranteed wrist strain with an even lighter mouse over more than 3 hours of use and absolutely no way I could instantly flick again.

Every graphics card has many VBIOS versions, but finding the correct one is not guaranteed—it’s essentially a lottery. Even the VBIOS for integrated graphics (iGPUs) can contain errors, a fact that has left many people quite puzzled.

Sandy, you're mentioning the VBIOS, but do you have any evidence for it? I assume you've already managed to solve it, otherwise you wouldn't be saying this is the issue. Could you please share more information about this with the community?

....

[jamal]

I have the exact same problem with PUBG.
I’ve logged nearly 6,000 hours, but around 2019/2020, everything changed—I’m experiencing the exact same symptoms you described: slow ADS (aiming down sights), sluggish mouse movement, heavy/sluggish character movement, and even the game’s colors look blurry. I’ve tried countless solutions, but nothing works; any improvement lasts an hour or less before the problem returns.
In 90% of direct gunfights, I end up dead. It feels as if the enemy acts like a magnet the moment they start firing at me, leaving me unable to retaliate; it’s also incredibly difficult to control recoil. I’ve also noticed that for those of us with this issue, the blood splatter effects on enemies appear minimal and simple, whereas for players who don’t have this problem, the blood splatter is much more distinct and visible.
I’m running a 9800X3D processor and an RX 9070 graphics card. I get high frame rates, but there’s no smoothness—even though I have a 240Hz monitor, it feels like 100Hz.

Unfortunately, I've tried four different GPUs: an RX 5700, an RTX 3060, a GTX 1080, and an RTX 3060 Ti. None of them made any difference. The problem remained exactly the same.