Performance Issue Fortnite

Fortnite High FPS with Frame Drops - PC Performance Fix Guide

📅 Published: 2026-02-06 🔄 Updated: 2026-02-06 👥 Reports: 3 ⚡ Severity: 🟢 Low

🎯 Quick Answer

Enable all CPU cores in your motherboard BIOS and apply AMD-specific Windows power plans to resolve FPS drops on Ryzen 7800X3D systems.

SECTION 1: OVERVIEW

This issue is defined as a performance regression and instability where a high-end PC configuration achieves a lower-than-expected average Frames Per Second (FPS) baseline and experiences periodic frame-time spikes (drops) compared to a previous, theoretically less powerful system. The problem manifests exclusively on the Windows platform, specifically affecting systems built around AMD's Ryzen 7000X3D series processors paired with current-generation NVIDIA GPUs. It occurs across all recent versions of Fortnite that utilize modern graphics APIs (DirectX 12, Performance Mode). This is a common configuration-specific issue, not a widespread game bug. The severity is moderate, causing gameplay disruption and inconsistent performance, but does not cause application crashes. No specific error codes are generated; the symptom is purely observed through in-game performance metrics.

SECTION 2: SYMPTOMS

The system achieves a high but suboptimal average FPS (e.g., 240) with periodic, observable frame-time inconsistency. The FPS counter shows rapid dips of 50-100 frames or more at irregular intervals, often during scene transitions, combat, or when rendering new assets. Frame pacing becomes erratic, leading to perceptible stutter or hesitation despite a high average frame rate. This occurs consistently during gameplay sessions in all game modes. Monitoring software confirms high GPU and CPU utilization, but may show improper thread distribution across the CPU's cores, particularly the non-3D V-Cache CCD (Core Complex Die).

SECTION 3: COMMON CAUSES

Category: Configuration Error Specific technical explanation: Motherboard BIOS/UEFI firmware applying incorrect or conservative default settings for AMD X3D processors, specifically related to Core Performance Boost (CPB), Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO), and asymmetric core utilization across the CPU's CCDs. Why this causes the problem: This can prevent the processor from reaching its full rated boost clocks or from efficiently distributing game threads across all available cores, creating a CPU bottleneck that induces frame-time spikes. Category: Software Conflict Specific technical explanation: Windows power plan settings overriding the AMD chipset driver's recommended power profile, forcing the CPU into a non-optimal power state. Why this causes the problem: Incorrect power states increase latency and reduce the responsiveness of the CPU's cache and cores, directly impacting game frame pacing. Category: Configuration Error Specific technical explanation: Outdated or corrupted AMD chipset drivers, which contain the critical power management and scheduling drivers for the Ryzen platform. Why this causes the problem: The system uses generic Windows drivers that do not properly optimize for the Ryzen 7000X3D's unique cache topology and power characteristics. Category: Software Conflict Specific technical explanation: NVIDIA graphics driver settings, specifically the "Shader Cache Size" being too low or corrupted, or "Power Management Mode" set to "Optimal Power" instead of "Prefer Maximum Performance." Why this causes the problem: This forces the GPU to recompile shaders during gameplay (causing hitches) or to downclock aggressively during low-load moments, increasing latency when load spikes. Category: Game Bug / Configuration Error Specific technical explanation: Fortnite's in-game "Rendering Mode" set to DirectX 12 with outdated or unstable shader compilation, or incorrect "NVIDIA Reflex Low Latency" mode. Why this causes the problem: DirectX 12 relies on extensive shader pre-caching; stutter occurs when new shaders compile in real-time. An incorrect Reflex mode can conflict with driver-level frame cap settings. Category: Hardware Issue Specific technical explanation: EXPO (AMD's XMP equivalent) memory profile instability or incorrect Fabric Clock (FCLK) to Memory Clock (MCLK) ratio. Why this causes the problem: Unstable RAM timings cause correctable memory errors that introduce latency, directly affecting the CPU's access to game data and causing frame delivery inconsistency.

SECTION 4: SOLUTIONS

Solution 1: Configure BIOS for AMD X3D CPU Optimization

Difficulty: Advanced Time Required: 10 minutes Success Rate: High Prerequisites: Knowledge of how to enter your motherboard's BIOS/UEFI. Steps:

Restart the PC and press the designated key (Del, F2, F10) to enter the BIOS/UEFI setup utility.
Navigate to the "Advanced" or "Tweaker" menu (terminology varies by manufacturer: ASUS, Gigabyte, MSI, ASRock).
Locate the "AMD Overclocking" or "Precision Boost Overdrive" menu. Ensure Precision Boost Overdrive is set to Enabled or Auto.
Find the Core Performance Boost (CPB) setting and confirm it is set to Enabled.
Navigate to the general CPU configuration menu. Verify that all CPU cores are active. Look for settings like "Active Cores" or "Core Enable" and ensure it is set to All.
Locate the "Global C-state Control" setting and set it to Disabled. This prevents the CPU from entering deep sleep states that can cause wake-up latency.
Save changes and exit the BIOS (usually F10). Allow the system to reboot.

Technical Explanation: This ensures the Ryzen 7800X3D processor is operating with its full complement of cores active and is permitted to use its proprietary boosting algorithms without restriction, eliminating artificial CPU-side bottlenecks. Verification: Boot into Windows, open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), go to the Performance tab, select CPU, and verify all 8 cores and 16 logical processors are visible and show activity.

Solution 2: Apply AMD-Specific Windows Power & Chipset Configuration

Difficulty: Medium Time Required: 5 minutes Success Rate: High Prerequisites: Administrator rights. Steps:

Download the latest AMD Chipset Drivers for your motherboard's chipset (e.g., AMD X670) from the motherboard manufacturer's support website.
Install the drivers, selecting the "Factory Reset" option during installation, and reboot.
Press Windows Key + X and select Power Options.
Click "Show additional plans" and select AMD Ryzen High Performance. If this plan is not visible, create it via the AMD Chipset Software installation.
Click "Change plan settings" next to the selected power plan, then "Change advanced power settings."
In the advanced settings window, expand Processor power management. Set Minimum processor state to 100% and System cooling policy to Active.
Click Apply and OK.

Technical Explanation: The AMD-specific power plan includes optimized scheduler directives for Ryzen processors, and setting the minimum processor state to 100% prevents clock speed fluctuations that contribute to frame-time inconsistency. Verification: In Windows Power Options, confirm the active plan is "AMD Ryzen High Performance." Use monitoring software like HWiNFO64 to observe consistent CPU clock speeds at idle desktop.

Solution 3: Optimize NVIDIA Control Panel Settings

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 3 minutes Success Rate: Medium Prerequisites: Latest NVIDIA Game Ready Driver installed. Steps:

Right-click the desktop and select NVIDIA Control Panel.
Navigate to "Manage 3D settings" on the left.
Under the "Global Settings" tab, configure the following:

* Power management mode: Prefer maximum performance * Shader Cache Size: Driver Default or Unlimited * Low Latency Mode: Ultra * Texture filtering - Quality: High performance

Navigate to "Program Settings" tab. Select Fortnite from the list or add it manually.
Ensure Monitor Technology is set to G-SYNC if applicable, and Vertical sync is set to Off.
Click Apply.

Technical Explanation: "Prefer maximum performance" prevents the GPU from downclocking during lighter loads, reducing latency spikes. "Shader Cache Size" set to Unlimited avoids cache purges that cause shader compilation stutter. Verification: Launch Fortnite and observe GPU clock speeds using NVIDIA's performance overlay (Alt+R). The clock speed should remain consistently high in the menu and in-game.

Solution 4: Configure Fortnite In-Game Settings for Stability

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 2 minutes Success Rate: Medium Steps:

Launch Fortnite and enter the main menu.
Open the Settings menu (gear icon) and navigate to the Video Settings tab.
Set the following:

* Rendering Mode: DirectX 12 (Perform a one-time shader compilation after changing, then restart the game). * NVIDIA Reflex Low Latency: On + Boost * Frame Rate Limit: Set to a value 3-5 FPS below your monitor's maximum refresh rate if using VRR, or set to Unlimited.

Navigate to the Game UI Settings tab.
Set FPS Limit in Background to Unlimited.
Apply changes and restart the game as prompted.

Technical Explanation: Using DirectX 12 with completed shader compilation provides the most stable and performant rendering path on RTX 50-series GPUs. NVIDIA Reflex Low Latency reduces system latency and can improve frame pacing. Verification: After the first launch in DX12, allow the "Compiling Shaders" process to reach 100%. Subsequent launches should not show this process.

Solution 5: Clear GPU Driver Cache & Perform Clean Installation

Difficulty: Medium Time Required: 7 minutes Success Rate: High Prerequisites: Internet connection to download Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) and latest driver. Steps:

Download Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) from Guru3D and the latest NVIDIA Game Ready Driver from NVIDIA's website.
Boot Windows into Safe Mode.
Run DDU. In the options, select "Clean and do NOT restart."
Select NVIDIA from the device type dropdown and click "Clean and shutdown."
After the PC shuts down, power it on and install the previously downloaded NVIDIA driver. Choose "Custom Installation" and check "Perform a clean installation."
Reboot normally.

Technical Explanation: A clean installation removes corrupted or conflicting driver files and shader cache, ensuring the GPU driver operates from a known-good state without legacy configuration interference. Verification: Open NVIDIA Control Panel, navigate to Help > System Information, and confirm the driver version matches the freshly installed build.

Solution 6: Verify Memory Stability & Fabric Clock

Difficulty: Advanced Time Required: 15 minutes Success Rate: Medium Prerequisites: System stability for running a memory test. Steps:

Enter the BIOS/UEFI.
Navigate to memory settings (often called "DRAM Configuration" or "Overclocking").
Ensure EXPO is enabled. Note the resulting memory speed (e.g., DDR5-6000).
Locate the Infinity Fabric Frequency (FCLK) setting. The optimal ratio is a 1:1 FCLK:MCLK. For DDR5-6000 (MCLK=3000), the FCLK should be set to 2000 or 2033 (a 3:2 ratio is common on Ryzen 7000). Do not set FCLK above 2100.
Save and exit BIOS.
Download and run TestMem5 with the Extreme1@anta777 profile for at least 3 cycles to test for memory errors.

Technical Explanation: An unstable or incorrectly configured Fabric Clock (FCLK) introduces latency between the CPU core complexes and the memory controller, causing micro-stutters that manifest as FPS drops. Verification: If TestMem5 completes 3 cycles with zero errors, the memory subsystem is stable. Monitor "WHEA Errors" in HWiNFO64 during gameplay; a non-zero count indicates an unstable FCLK.

SECTION 5: PREVENTION

Maintain system stability by updating the motherboard BIOS to the latest non-beta version that includes AGESA updates for AMD processors. Install AMD chipset drivers directly from the motherboard manufacturer's website upon every major Windows Update. Use the NVIDIA GeForce Experience application for notification of new Game Ready Drivers, but perform clean installations quarterly. Monitor system temperatures using HWiNFO64 to ensure no thermal throttling is occurring on the CPU or GPU. Avoid using generic system optimization utilities that may alter the recommended power or driver configurations established in this guide.

SECTION 6: WHEN TO CONTACT SUPPORT

Contact Epic Games Support only if all hardware-level solutions in this guide are applied and the performance deficit persists identically across multiple other games, indicating a potential game-specific bug. Before contacting support, gather the following diagnostic information: a full system specification list, the Fortnite game log located at C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\FortniteGame\Saved\Logs, and a video capture of the FPS counter during gameplay. Official support channels are accessible via the Epic Games Help page at epicgames.com/help.