Subduck

From the link I sent, it looks like they're referring to a setting within DS4Windows to hide the virtual controller.

Further to this I came across an article on Reddit suggesting that in DS4Windows there is a setting to "Hide Virtual Controller". Check out the top comment:

Are the games you are playing all running from the same launcher? Are you having issues playing games from Epic Games for example as well as Steam?

The extra HID-compliant game controller driver that reappears seems to be tied to how Windows manages and initializes HID devices, particularly virtual ones. Here are some factors contributing to this behavior: DS4Windows uses the ViGEm Bus Driver to emulate an Xbox 360 controller for broader compatibility with games. The duplicate driver (with the same VID and PID) may appear due to Windows detecting multiple input interfaces or configurations for the same device. This can lead to a second hidden device being registered and later reappearing. The way the HID subsystem works in Windows can cause it to manage multiple "logical" devices under one physical connection, especially if multiple input methods are reported by the controller. For instance, PS4 controllers have multiple HID interfaces (e.g., touchpad, motion sensor), which might cause duplication. Since uninstalling the hidden driver doesn’t cause immediate issues, and it reappears randomly, this points to Windows automatically reinstalling drivers when it scans devices. This may not affect the controller's functionality, but the hidden driver’s reappearance is likely due to system-level reinitialization after detecting multiple input interfaces.

We can check what is the limiting factor by using GPU-Z: https://www.techpowerup.com/download/techpowerup-gpu-z/ After opening GPU-Z, go to the "Sensors" tab at the top. Scroll down until you find "PerfCap Reason." This will show you what is currently limiting your GPU's performance. Be sure to check this while running one of the games where you're experiencing performance issues, as it will give insight into the bottleneck.

Is this happening for every game or only Rust and Minecraft?

When monitoring the CPU Package Power in HWMonitor while using your browser normally, are you seeing spikes significantly above the 65W TDP? This is actually quite normal, as your CPU may be turbo-boosting a few cores for short bursts of performance when loading content. However, if the power consumption is significantly higher and causing temperature spikes, your fans are likely working harder to compensate. You might want to look into adjusting BIOS settings to reduce the turbo boost or tweak your fan curve to manage this more effectively.

Based on what you've shared, it seems like the lower FPS is due to your GPU running at a much lower usage than expected. Ideally, your GPU usage should be above 98% for optimal performance. Have you had a chance to verify if your GPU drivers are fully up to date?

Hi there! For your budget and requirements, I'd recommend the MSI MAG 274QRFW 27.0" 2560 x 1440 180 Hz monitor. It's currently priced at £189 on Amazon, which fits comfortably within your budget. This monitor offers a great combination of high refresh rate and 1440p resolution, perfect for gaming at 180Hz with your 7700XT and 7600X setup.

Running an ethernet cable to a second router and then to your PC is unnecessarily complex and inefficient. A second router adds potential issues like Double NAT and complicates network management without providing significant benefits for a single wired connection. Instead, a direct ethernet connection from the main router to your PC would be more efficient. If distance is an issue, simpler solutions like Powerline adapters or a WiFi extender with an ethernet port would achieve the same result without the hassle of managing multiple routers.

If your PC is going to sleep, that will pause the download even if its active. To change the sleep settings to never let your PC go to sleep, try: Open Settings: Click on the Start menu and select Settings (or press Win + I). Navigate to System Settings: In the Settings window, click on System. Go to Power & Sleep: In the left-hand menu, click on Power & sleep. Modify Sleep Settings: In the right-hand pane, you will see two sections: Screen and Sleep. Under the Sleep section, you will see options for when your PC should go to sleep: On battery power, PC goes to sleep after: Select Never from the dropdown menu. When plugged in, PC goes to sleep after: Select Never from the dropdown menu.

I've screenshared with @Zero0ne_hn and we've resolved the issue. Windows Superfetch (SysMain service) was caching their most used programs in memory to attempt to improve performance. Disabling this has reduced memory usage from 89% to ~38%.

Are you able to send a screenshot of Task Manager filtered by Memory Usage biggest > smallest?

Can you see what is using the most memory in Task Manager?

You might have some apps running at start-up that you don't realise are running. Here are the steps to check and also toggle which items start when your PC starts on Windows 11: Open Settings: Click on the Start menu (Windows icon) in the taskbar. Select Settings (gear icon). Navigate to Apps: In the Settings window, click on Apps from left the sidebar. Access Startup: Click on Startup from the list of options under Apps. Disable Startup Apps: You will see a list of apps that are set to run when your computer starts. Find the apps you want to disable. Toggle the switch next to the app to Off.