The purpose of this topic is to identify and eliminate (or mitigate) a reproducible problem on my own PC setup, in my current location, using realistic and accessible methods.
This is NOT a discussion about:
- psychology, perception, placebo, or adaptation
- FPS numbers, frametime graphs, or game optimization
- network latency or internet-related issues
- other people's experiences or anecdotes
- proving that the problem exists
Goal:
My goal is not to prove a theory or convince anyone.
My goal is to understand the cause well enough to reduce, eliminate, or work around the problem in practice.
Measurements are useful only if they help narrow the search space or guide corrective actions.
I am not interested in building expensive measurement setups purely for demonstration or proof.
I am deliberately avoiding speculative explanations and am only interested in mechanisms that can be tested or constrained under the stated limitations.
Unfortunately I have hard constraints:
- I cannot relocate to another place.
- I cannot transport the system to a different location anymore.
- I cannot buy professional lab equipment costing thousands.
- The problem must be investigated and solved (if possible) at my current location.
- Quite limited with my budget.
Suggestions that ignore these constraints are not actionable.
1. Observed behavior (facts only):
- Visual smoothness is unstable over time.
- There are no system crashes, no driver errors, no logged hardware faults.
- The system spontaneously switches between "better" and "worse" states without software or configuration changes.
- Standard performance metrics remain stable between "good" and "bad" states.
- The behavior can change within minutes.
- The problem is not related to FPS, frametime graphs, or benchmark results.
- Motion appears uneven, with visible stutter, ghosting, and loss of clarity.
- Mouse input feels inconsistent over time (heavier, less precise).
- Keyboard input latency feels inconsistent even when typing.
- The issue is present:
- on the OS desktop,
- in offline applications,
- in offline games with no network activity.
- No system crashes, freezes, or application errors are observed.
- I am not asking whether this "should be possible". I am asking which physical parameters could plausibly influence timing and signal integrity under these constraints.
2. What is NOT the cause (tested and ruled out):
Software and OS:
- Multiple Windows versions (stock and custom).
- Driver changes and BIOS settings.
- System tweaks and optimizations.
Hardware:
- Different PCs, GPUs, monitors, mice, keyboards, cables.
- Different refresh rates (144–360 Hz).
Network:
- Different ISPs.
- Internet fully disconnected.
- Offline-only usage.
Power source:
- Normal grid power.
- Long power outages.
- City-wide blackout.
- 3 Portable power stations (battery operation).
- Generator power (with and without grounding).
Filtering and isolation:
- EMI filters (various types and ranges).
- Isolation transformer.
- Double-conversion UPS.
- Combinations of the above.
None of these produced a stable or lasting improvement.
3. Factors that partially affect the behavior:
This is my observations, not a conclusions.
1) Grounding configuration affects the behavior slightly as well as unstable neutral.
2) Cable routing (power, DisplayPort, USB) affects the behavior slightly.
3) Physical placement of the PC chassis affects the behavior slightly.
4) During unusual grid events (switching, outages), short-term changes are sometimes observed.
5) The old TV and the satellite receiver are completely disconnected and have no influence unless they are physically plugged into the mains.
When they are connected to the mains, the PC behavior clearly gets worse, so something is definitely coupling through the mains when those devices are powered.
However, even when they are fully disconnected and the PC is running only from the battery station, all the same core problems remain.
These effects are limited and do not resolve the problem.
6)Operating from a generator: Without grounding, there is extremely poor behavior, which results in severe desynchronization. After grounding the generator, it was slightly better, but it was still completely unstable.
7) When the voltage in the socket is constant, I see some changes on the screen, but only on mains.
8)Behavior changing after distribution transformer replacement
9) Day/night variation disappearing after adding a local ground reference
4. A radio-monitoring inspection was performed by the national regulator.
Results:
- No external RF interference above normal limits.
- No unacceptable emissions detected in public bands.
- The PC itself emits broadband noise roughly in the 300–700 MHz range at low levels.
- No violations or actionable findings were reported.
5. What is unknown
- Whether reference potential instability or common-mode effects can affect visual output and input timing without causing crashes.
- Which electrical or physical parameters are meaningful to observe with basic tools.
- Which simple experiments could falsify or confirm plausible mechanisms.
6. What kind of help is requested
I am looking for:
- Specific parameters worth monitoring with basic instruments.
- Simple, targeted experiments to narrow down the cause.
- Practical mitigation ideas that respect the stated constraints.
I am NOT looking for:
- General advice.
- Debates about perception or psychology.
- Statements like "this cannot happen" without a mechanism.
To sum everything up, this topic is about problem-solving, not debate. If you have a concrete technical idea, a measurable parameter, or a simple experiment that fits the constraints, please share it.
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