Windows Security Feature Costs up to 2.5% in Frame Rates

Many PC gamers are unknowingly losing a small portion of their frame rates due to a default Windows security feature called Memory Integrity. While the average drop in performance is modest, ranging from 1.7% to 2.5%, the feature can noticeably affect the smoothness of gameplay during critical moments. This security measure is not a bug or a deliberate throttle, but a protective layer that adds overhead to every system operation.

The feature, known technically as hypervisor-protected code integrity, works by isolating critical system checks in a separate environment. It verifies the signature of every driver and kernel-mode code before it runs, blocking any software that might have been tampered with. While this protects against severe kernel-level attacks, the constant verification process consumes processor resources that could otherwise be used for rendering game frames.

Security protection adds measurable overhead

Memory Integrity is designed to stop malicious code from executing at the kernel level, a privilege level that sits above standard antivirus software. Once malware reaches this level, it can hide from internal scans and compromise the entire operating system. By moving these integrity checks into an isolated environment, Windows ensures that no unverified code can run, effectively blocking sophisticated threats like ransomware from gaining a foothold.

However, this rigorous verification process requires CPU time. The hypervisor layer beneath the security checks adds a small but consistent delay to system operations. For users who prioritize absolute security, this trade-off is acceptable. For gamers seeking every possible frame, it represents a tangible, albeit small, performance cost that is always present when the feature is enabled.

Testing shows consistent minor losses

Testing conducted by XDA Developers on a system with an AMD Ryzen 5 7600X and an RTX 4070 Ti Super confirmed that the impact is nearly uniform across different types of games. Whether the titles were CPU-bound or GPU-heavy, the average frame rate dropped by between 1.7% and 2.5% when Memory Integrity was turned on. Interestingly, GPU-bound titles saw the higher end of this range, contrary to the expectation that CPU-heavy games would suffer more.

The most significant difference appeared in the 1% lows, which measure the smoothness of the least smooth moments in gameplay. In some titles, disabling the feature improved these lows by several frames per second, making the experience feel slightly more consistent. This suggests that the overhead from security checks can cause minor stutters that average frame rate metrics might not fully capture.

Most users should keep it on

For the vast majority of users, the small performance loss is not worth the security risk of disabling the feature. Unless you are a professional esports player where every single frame is critical, the 1.7% to 2.5% drop is unlikely to be noticeable in casual play. The protection against kernel-level attacks provides a significant safety benefit that outweighs the minor performance cost for everyday users.

Disabling Memory Integrity removes a key layer of defense against sophisticated malware that targets the operating system's core. While it may free up a tiny amount of CPU resources, it leaves the system more vulnerable to attacks that can bypass traditional antivirus solutions. The recommendation remains to keep the feature enabled, accepting the small performance trade-off for the added security.