Video stuttering - need advice!

[fml]

I am experiencing a "stutter" or perhaps a "microstutter" on my machine. This issue occurs both online (gaming, streaming, browsing) but it's also noticeable locally when watching video through Windows Media Player.

Here are my PC specs:

Quote

 

Operating System:
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit SP1

 

CPU:
Intel Core i7 4770K @ 3.50GHz

 

RAM:
16.0GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 799MHz (9-9-9-24)

 

Motherboard:
ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. Z97-A (SOCKET 1150)

 

Graphics:
4095MB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 (EVGA)

 

Storage:
465GB Samsung SSD 850 EVO 500GB ATA Device (SSD)
931GB Western Digital WDC WD10EZEX-22BN5A0 ATA Device (SATA)

 

Optical Drives:
ASUS DRW-24B1ST i ATA Device

 

 

I have exhausted all avenues without purchasing new parts. I've ran benchmarking software such as Memtest86, Prime95, and UserBenchmark in attempt to identify faulty hardware, all tests came up clean. I've also monitored temperatures - nothing out of the ordinary. My CPU idles around 25-30C and reaches a peak of 72C during Prime95's "maximum heat" test and my GPU idles around 60C but generally doesn't surpass 70C on a full load.

 

As it pertains to software, I am on my 5th Windows installation in four days. I've changed several "power saving" options in Windows 7 and the NVIDIA control panel, I've tried installing the bare minimum in terms of Windows Updates and drivers, changed BIOS settings, nothing has seemed to make a difference. I've flashed my BIOS to the latest version, removed the CMOS battery and utilized the jumpers on my Motherboard to ensure I've touched all bases.

 

I don't have excess hardware laying around but I was able to find a good 8GB DDR3 stick of RAM to determine whether or not RAM was the issue and the stuttering was still there. I have tried reseating the RAM, moving RAM from the recommended A1/B1 configuration to different memory slots - nothing has appeared to help.

 

I've disassembled my PC several times over the past week. I've cleaned every component of dust and even re-applied thermal paste to my CPU even though temps didn't appear to be the issue. I even tried removing my GPU and booting via integrated graphics... Same issue.

 

All in all, it sounds like a Motherboard issue but I'm not 100% certain. I'm ready to build an entirely new rig but I figured I'd post here to see if there's anything else I can do before I spend a bunch of money.

 

Sorry for the wall of text, any help would be very appreciated!

[Saieshan Dadi]

Try connecting different monitors as sometimes that could cause an issue like this. If the problem persists check your power draw and see if the stutters are accompanied by any power draw spikes or drops.  

[fml]

Just now, Saieshan Dadi said:

Try connecting different monitors as sometimes that could cause an issue like this. If the problem persists check your power draw and see if the stutters are accompanied by any power draw spikes or drops.  

Thank you for the timely response! Unfortunately I have tried another monitor and it did not help the issue. What software would you recommend for monitoring the power draw? I will test this out ASAP.

[Saieshan Dadi]

Actually the best way to do this measurement is to use a hardware link betwwen the wall and your psu such as a kill-a-watt. These are relatively cheap. 

 

https://www.amazon.com/P3-P4400-Electricity-Usage-Monitor/dp/B00009MDBU 

 

Software to do this is either paid or buggy

[fml]

4 minutes ago, Saieshan Dadi said:

Actually the best way to do this measurement is to use a hardware link betwwen the wall and your psu such as a kill-a-watt. These are relatively cheap. 

 

https://www.amazon.com/P3-P4400-Electricity-Usage-Monitor/dp/B00009MDBU 

 

Software to do this is either paid or buggy

I see. So could a PSU cause a "stutter" as I'm describing? Many of the forum posts I've read all claim stutter cannot be attributed to your PSU but it makes sense in theory.

[Saieshan Dadi]

I wouldn't say the PSU would cause it but monitoring it can help you to ascertain what is causing it. Spikes and drops along with you monitoring GPU-z and CPU-Z and other componenets could help. It does also depend on the PSU because sometimes defective or cheap units don't provide power continuously and with stability