Analyzing frame time variance via 3DMark stress testing
The experience was like watching a slideshow. Using test env 2025-PERF-005, I ran a 3DMark CPU stress test and discovered a severe load imbalance in multi-core scheduling, causing 1% lows to crater to 22 FPS despite 65 FPS averages. I went to Control Panel Power Options, locked Minimum Processor State to 100%, and accessed BIOS to set Power Management to Maximum Performance. This pulled the 1% lows back to 41 FPS and narrowed frame time variance from 30ms to 8ms. The penalty is a 15W increase in idle power draw and constant fan roar, essentially trading electricity and noise for a playable frame rate.
