Frame-Pacing Test
Tests whether animation frames are delivered with perfectly consistent millisecond intervals or suffer from irregular frame pacing, micro-stutter, and compositing latency spikes.
- Observe the moving indicator while monitoring the live Frame-Time Graph below.
- A flat, straight line indicates ideal frame pacing; erratic spikes indicate frame-pacing irregularities.
- Check whether micro-stutters correlate with background system tasks, browser extensions, or GPU power state changes.
Perfect motion requires both a high frame rate and consistent millisecond pacing between frames. If frames are delivered with alternating intervals (e.g. 8ms then 24ms instead of steady 16.6ms), motion will feel jerky despite high average FPS.
What This Test Checks
- Frame time delivery consistency (delta between consecutive animation frames).
- Presence of micro-stutter (erratic 8ms / 24ms alternating frame intervals).
- P95 latency percentiles and maximum frame spike amplitude.
- Correlation between background system tasks and render hitching.
How to Perform the Test
- Watch the moving cyber shuttle while observing the live Frame-Time graph below.
- A flat horizontal line aligns with your target cadence (e.g. 16.67ms for 60Hz, 8.33ms for 120Hz).
- Sharp vertical spikes on the graph indicate micro-hitches or compositing delays.
- Press F to verify if Fullscreen mode eliminates desktop window manager micro-stutter.
What to Look For
- Flat line: Optimal frame pacing. Every frame is delivered at exactly the display’s VSync tick.
- Jagged line: Uneven frame pacing. Motion will appear juddery despite high average FPS.
- Isolated spikes: Occasional background browser garbage collection or OS context switches.
Common Display Problems & Diagnostic Guidance
Browser Extensions Causing Micro-Stutter
Heavy browser extensions (e.g. ad blockers, password managers, script injectors) can periodically block the browser main thread, causing regular micro-stutter spikes.
Multi-Monitor Mixed Refresh Rates
Running a 144Hz gaming monitor alongside a 60Hz secondary monitor can confuse Windows DWM GPU scheduling when video plays on the secondary screen, locking the primary monitor into 60Hz or uneven pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is micro-stutter?
Micro-stutter is a phenomenon where the average frame rate is high (e.g. 120 FPS), but individual frame presentation times fluctuate irregularly (e.g. 4ms, 12ms, 3ms, 17ms), creating a noticeable visual jerkiness.
Can my monitor cause frame-pacing issues?
No. Physical displays merely refresh at their fixed clock rate or follow VRR signals. Frame pacing is dictated by your GPU, operating system compositor, and game/application render engine.