DayZ initially runs smoothly with good performance, but after approximately 30–60 minutes of gameplay, performance progressively deteriorates. GPU VRAM usage steadily increases during the session, from approximately 4.7GB shortly after launch to 11.5GB when performance has become significantly worse.

At the same time, the GPU remains at normal operating temperatures and maintains approximately 2850MHz, so there is no indication of thermal or clock-speed throttling. Restarting DayZ clears the accumulated VRAM usage and restores the original performance.

This appears to be a VRAM memory leak affecting Intel Arc GPUs. It is not isolated to my system; similar reports exist across multiple Arc generations. Intel has reproduced the issue and, following investigation, concluded that the problem originates on the DayZ/game side.

Here is a forum link to a post with multiple users with the same issue and with Intels own research and reproduction of the problem: https://community.intel.com/t5/Intel-Arc-Discrete-Graphics/Intel-Arc-B580-VRAM-Overflow-in-DayZ-VRAM-Leak/m-p/1694023

• Launch DayZ using an Intel Arc GPU (I am using an Intel Arc B580 12GB).

• Join a server and play normally.

• Monitor GPU VRAM usage using Intel Graphics Software or another hardware monitoring tool.

• Shortly after launching, VRAM usage is approximately 4–5GB and performance is good.

• Continue playing without restarting DayZ. VRAM usage progressively increases over time.

• After approximately 30–60 minutes, VRAM usage can reach 11GB+, accompanied by significant performance degradation and stuttering.

• Exit and restart DayZ. VRAM usage returns to approximately 4–5GB and performance immediately returns to normal.

• Repeating the process causes VRAM usage to increase again during the subsequent session.

Result will be a continuing degradation of performance with increasing VRAM usage leading to an unplayable state.