diff --git a/src/video_core/renderer_vulkan/vk_compute_pipeline.cpp b/src/video_core/renderer_vulkan/vk_compute_pipeline.cpp
index e96a04b00..73e585c2b 100644
--- a/src/video_core/renderer_vulkan/vk_compute_pipeline.cpp
+++ b/src/video_core/renderer_vulkan/vk_compute_pipeline.cpp
@@ -25,14 +25,14 @@ using Shader::Backend::SPIRV::RESCALING_LAYOUT_WORDS_OFFSET;
 using Tegra::Texture::TexturePair;
 
 ComputePipeline::ComputePipeline(const Device& device_, vk::PipelineCache& pipeline_cache_,
-                                 std::mutex& pipeline_cache_mutex_, DescriptorPool& descriptor_pool,
+                                 DescriptorPool& descriptor_pool,
                                  GuestDescriptorQueue& guest_descriptor_queue_,
                                  Common::ThreadWorker* thread_worker,
                                  PipelineStatistics* pipeline_statistics,
                                  VideoCore::ShaderNotify* shader_notify, const Shader::Info& info_,
                                  vk::ShaderModule spv_module_)
-    : device{device_}, pipeline_cache(pipeline_cache_), pipeline_cache_mutex(pipeline_cache_mutex_),
-      guest_descriptor_queue{guest_descriptor_queue_}, info{info_},
+    : device{device_},
+      pipeline_cache(pipeline_cache_), guest_descriptor_queue{guest_descriptor_queue_}, info{info_},
       spv_module(std::move(spv_module_)) {
     if (shader_notify) {
         shader_notify->MarkShaderBuilding();
@@ -58,7 +58,6 @@ ComputePipeline::ComputePipeline(const Device& device_, vk::PipelineCache& pipel
         if (device.IsKhrPipelineExecutablePropertiesEnabled()) {
             flags |= VK_PIPELINE_CREATE_CAPTURE_STATISTICS_BIT_KHR;
         }
-        std::scoped_lock cache_lock{pipeline_cache_mutex};
         pipeline = device.GetLogical().CreateComputePipeline(
             {
                 .sType = VK_STRUCTURE_TYPE_COMPUTE_PIPELINE_CREATE_INFO,
diff --git a/src/video_core/renderer_vulkan/vk_compute_pipeline.h b/src/video_core/renderer_vulkan/vk_compute_pipeline.h
index 28e894ded..d1a1e2c46 100644
--- a/src/video_core/renderer_vulkan/vk_compute_pipeline.h
+++ b/src/video_core/renderer_vulkan/vk_compute_pipeline.h
@@ -3,12 +3,10 @@
 
 #pragma once
 
-#include <array>
 #include <atomic>
 #include <condition_variable>
 #include <mutex>
 
-
 #include "common/common_types.h"
 #include "common/thread_worker.h"
 #include "shader_recompiler/shader_info.h"
@@ -31,7 +29,7 @@ class Scheduler;
 class ComputePipeline {
 public:
     explicit ComputePipeline(const Device& device, vk::PipelineCache& pipeline_cache,
-                             std::mutex& pipeline_cache_mutex, DescriptorPool& descriptor_pool,
+                             DescriptorPool& descriptor_pool,
                              GuestDescriptorQueue& guest_descriptor_queue,
                              Common::ThreadWorker* thread_worker,
                              PipelineStatistics* pipeline_statistics,
@@ -50,7 +48,6 @@ public:
 private:
     const Device& device;
     vk::PipelineCache& pipeline_cache;
-    std::mutex& pipeline_cache_mutex;
     GuestDescriptorQueue& guest_descriptor_queue;
     Shader::Info info;
 
diff --git a/src/video_core/renderer_vulkan/vk_graphics_pipeline.cpp b/src/video_core/renderer_vulkan/vk_graphics_pipeline.cpp
index 6b705c298..d92af0ece 100644
--- a/src/video_core/renderer_vulkan/vk_graphics_pipeline.cpp
+++ b/src/video_core/renderer_vulkan/vk_graphics_pipeline.cpp
@@ -88,8 +88,7 @@ bool SupportsPrimitiveRestart(VkPrimitiveTopology topology) {
 
 bool IsLine(VkPrimitiveTopology topology) {
     static constexpr std::array line_topologies{
-        VK_PRIMITIVE_TOPOLOGY_LINE_LIST,
-        VK_PRIMITIVE_TOPOLOGY_LINE_STRIP,
+        VK_PRIMITIVE_TOPOLOGY_LINE_LIST, VK_PRIMITIVE_TOPOLOGY_LINE_STRIP,
         // VK_PRIMITIVE_TOPOLOGY_LINE_LOOP_EXT,
     };
     return std::ranges::find(line_topologies, topology) == line_topologies.end();
@@ -238,16 +237,15 @@ ConfigureFuncPtr ConfigureFunc(const std::array<vk::ShaderModule, NUM_STAGES>& m
 
 GraphicsPipeline::GraphicsPipeline(
     Scheduler& scheduler_, BufferCache& buffer_cache_, TextureCache& texture_cache_,
-    vk::PipelineCache& pipeline_cache_, std::mutex& pipeline_cache_mutex_,
-    VideoCore::ShaderNotify* shader_notify, const Device& device_, DescriptorPool& descriptor_pool,
+    vk::PipelineCache& pipeline_cache_, VideoCore::ShaderNotify* shader_notify,
+    const Device& device_, DescriptorPool& descriptor_pool,
     GuestDescriptorQueue& guest_descriptor_queue_, Common::ThreadWorker* worker_thread,
     PipelineStatistics* pipeline_statistics, RenderPassCache& render_pass_cache,
     const GraphicsPipelineCacheKey& key_, std::array<vk::ShaderModule, NUM_STAGES> stages,
     const std::array<const Shader::Info*, NUM_STAGES>& infos)
     : key{key_}, device{device_}, texture_cache{texture_cache_}, buffer_cache{buffer_cache_},
-      pipeline_cache(pipeline_cache_), pipeline_cache_mutex(pipeline_cache_mutex_),
-      scheduler{scheduler_}, guest_descriptor_queue{guest_descriptor_queue_},
-      spv_modules{std::move(stages)} {
+      pipeline_cache(pipeline_cache_), scheduler{scheduler_},
+      guest_descriptor_queue{guest_descriptor_queue_}, spv_modules{std::move(stages)} {
     if (shader_notify) {
         shader_notify->MarkShaderBuilding();
     }
@@ -927,7 +925,6 @@ void GraphicsPipeline::MakePipeline(VkRenderPass render_pass) {
     if (device.IsKhrPipelineExecutablePropertiesEnabled()) {
         flags |= VK_PIPELINE_CREATE_CAPTURE_STATISTICS_BIT_KHR;
     }
-    std::scoped_lock lock{pipeline_cache_mutex};
     pipeline = device.GetLogical().CreateGraphicsPipeline(
         {
             .sType = VK_STRUCTURE_TYPE_GRAPHICS_PIPELINE_CREATE_INFO,
diff --git a/src/video_core/renderer_vulkan/vk_graphics_pipeline.h b/src/video_core/renderer_vulkan/vk_graphics_pipeline.h
index e4d1b30fc..99e56e9ad 100644
--- a/src/video_core/renderer_vulkan/vk_graphics_pipeline.h
+++ b/src/video_core/renderer_vulkan/vk_graphics_pipeline.h
@@ -71,12 +71,11 @@ class GraphicsPipeline {
 public:
     explicit GraphicsPipeline(
         Scheduler& scheduler, BufferCache& buffer_cache, TextureCache& texture_cache,
-        vk::PipelineCache& pipeline_cache, std::mutex& pipeline_cache_mutex,
-        VideoCore::ShaderNotify* shader_notify, const Device& device,
-        DescriptorPool& descriptor_pool, GuestDescriptorQueue& guest_descriptor_queue,
-        Common::ThreadWorker* worker_thread, PipelineStatistics* pipeline_statistics,
-        RenderPassCache& render_pass_cache, const GraphicsPipelineCacheKey& key,
-        std::array<vk::ShaderModule, NUM_STAGES> stages,
+        vk::PipelineCache& pipeline_cache, VideoCore::ShaderNotify* shader_notify,
+        const Device& device, DescriptorPool& descriptor_pool,
+        GuestDescriptorQueue& guest_descriptor_queue, Common::ThreadWorker* worker_thread,
+        PipelineStatistics* pipeline_statistics, RenderPassCache& render_pass_cache,
+        const GraphicsPipelineCacheKey& key, std::array<vk::ShaderModule, NUM_STAGES> stages,
         const std::array<const Shader::Info*, NUM_STAGES>& infos);
 
     GraphicsPipeline& operator=(GraphicsPipeline&&) noexcept = delete;
@@ -132,7 +131,6 @@ private:
     TextureCache& texture_cache;
     BufferCache& buffer_cache;
     vk::PipelineCache& pipeline_cache;
-    std::mutex& pipeline_cache_mutex;
     Scheduler& scheduler;
     GuestDescriptorQueue& guest_descriptor_queue;
 
diff --git a/src/video_core/renderer_vulkan/vk_pipeline_cache.cpp b/src/video_core/renderer_vulkan/vk_pipeline_cache.cpp
index 250ce5373..772e7634c 100644
--- a/src/video_core/renderer_vulkan/vk_pipeline_cache.cpp
+++ b/src/video_core/renderer_vulkan/vk_pipeline_cache.cpp
@@ -677,6 +677,11 @@ GraphicsPipeline* PipelineCache::BuiltPipeline(GraphicsPipeline* pipeline) const
     if (pipeline->IsBuilt()) {
         return pipeline;
     }
+    if (!use_asynchronous_shaders) {
+        return pipeline;
+    }
+    // When asynchronous shaders are enabled, avoid blocking the main thread completely.
+    // Skip the draw until the pipeline is ready to prevent stutter.
     return nullptr;
 }
 
@@ -764,11 +769,10 @@ std::unique_ptr<GraphicsPipeline> PipelineCache::CreateGraphicsPipeline(
         previous_stage = &program;
     }
     Common::ThreadWorker* const thread_worker{build_in_parallel ? &workers : nullptr};
-    auto pipeline{std::make_unique<GraphicsPipeline>(
-        scheduler, buffer_cache, texture_cache, vulkan_pipeline_cache, pipeline_cache_mutex,
-        &shader_notify, device, descriptor_pool, guest_descriptor_queue, thread_worker, statistics,
-        render_pass_cache, key, std::move(modules), infos)};
-    return pipeline;
+    return std::make_unique<GraphicsPipeline>(
+        scheduler, buffer_cache, texture_cache, vulkan_pipeline_cache, &shader_notify, device,
+        descriptor_pool, guest_descriptor_queue, thread_worker, statistics, render_pass_cache, key,
+        std::move(modules), infos);
 
 } catch (const vk::Exception& exception) {
     if (exception.GetResult() == VK_ERROR_OUT_OF_DEVICE_MEMORY) {
@@ -800,7 +804,6 @@ std::unique_ptr<GraphicsPipeline> PipelineCache::CreateGraphicsPipeline() {
     GraphicsEnvironments environments;
     GetGraphicsEnvironments(environments, graphics_key.unique_hashes);
 
-    std::scoped_lock lock{pools_mutex};
     main_pools.ReleaseContents();
     auto pipeline{
         CreateGraphicsPipeline(main_pools, graphics_key, environments.Span(), nullptr, true)};
@@ -827,7 +830,6 @@ std::unique_ptr<ComputePipeline> PipelineCache::CreateComputePipeline(
     ComputeEnvironment env{*kepler_compute, *gpu_memory, program_base, qmd.program_start};
     env.SetCachedSize(shader->size_bytes);
 
-    std::scoped_lock lock{pools_mutex};
     main_pools.ReleaseContents();
     auto pipeline{CreateComputePipeline(main_pools, key, env, nullptr, true)};
     if (!pipeline || pipeline_cache_filename.empty()) {
@@ -872,10 +874,9 @@ std::unique_ptr<ComputePipeline> PipelineCache::CreateComputePipeline(
         spv_module.SetObjectNameEXT(name.c_str());
     }
     Common::ThreadWorker* const thread_worker{build_in_parallel ? &workers : nullptr};
-    return std::make_unique<ComputePipeline>(device, vulkan_pipeline_cache, pipeline_cache_mutex,
-                                             descriptor_pool, guest_descriptor_queue, thread_worker,
-                                             statistics, &shader_notify, program.info,
-                                             std::move(spv_module));
+    return std::make_unique<ComputePipeline>(device, vulkan_pipeline_cache, descriptor_pool,
+                                             guest_descriptor_queue, thread_worker, statistics,
+                                             &shader_notify, program.info, std::move(spv_module));
 
 } catch (const vk::Exception& exception) {
     if (exception.GetResult() == VK_ERROR_OUT_OF_DEVICE_MEMORY) {
@@ -903,7 +904,6 @@ void PipelineCache::SerializeVulkanPipelineCache(const std::filesystem::path& fi
     file.write(VULKAN_CACHE_MAGIC_NUMBER.data(), VULKAN_CACHE_MAGIC_NUMBER.size())
         .write(reinterpret_cast<const char*>(&cache_version), sizeof(cache_version));
 
-    std::scoped_lock lock{pipeline_cache_mutex};
     size_t cache_size = 0;
     std::vector<char> cache_data;
     if (pipeline_cache) {
diff --git a/src/video_core/renderer_vulkan/vk_pipeline_cache.h b/src/video_core/renderer_vulkan/vk_pipeline_cache.h
index e3cb3078a..8846a8337 100644
--- a/src/video_core/renderer_vulkan/vk_pipeline_cache.h
+++ b/src/video_core/renderer_vulkan/vk_pipeline_cache.h
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@
 #include <cstddef>
 #include <filesystem>
 #include <memory>
-#include <mutex>
 #include <type_traits>
 #include <unordered_map>
 #include <vector>
@@ -177,8 +176,6 @@ public:
     static constexpr u64 MEMORY_PRESSURE_COOLDOWN = 300;
 
     ShaderPools main_pools;
-    std::mutex pools_mutex;
-    std::mutex pipeline_cache_mutex;
 
     Shader::Profile profile;
     Shader::HostTranslateInfo host_info;
diff --git a/src/video_core/renderer_vulkan/vk_swapchain.cpp b/src/video_core/renderer_vulkan/vk_swapchain.cpp
index 523ca42ce..456dcf17c 100644
--- a/src/video_core/renderer_vulkan/vk_swapchain.cpp
+++ b/src/video_core/renderer_vulkan/vk_swapchain.cpp
@@ -64,35 +64,35 @@ static VkPresentModeKHR ChooseSwapPresentMode(bool has_imm, bool has_mailbox,
             return mode;
         }
         switch (mode) {
-        case Settings::VSyncMode::Fifo:
-        case Settings::VSyncMode::FifoRelaxed:
-            if (has_mailbox) {
-                return Settings::VSyncMode::Mailbox;
-            } else if (has_imm) {
-                return Settings::VSyncMode::Immediate;
-            }
-            [[fallthrough]];
-        default:
-            return mode;
+            case Settings::VSyncMode::Fifo:
+            case Settings::VSyncMode::FifoRelaxed:
+                if (has_mailbox) {
+                    return Settings::VSyncMode::Mailbox;
+                } else if (has_imm) {
+                    return Settings::VSyncMode::Immediate;
+                }
+                [[fallthrough]];
+            default:
+                return mode;
         }
     }();
     if ((setting == Settings::VSyncMode::Mailbox && !has_mailbox) ||
         (setting == Settings::VSyncMode::Immediate && !has_imm) ||
         (setting == Settings::VSyncMode::FifoRelaxed && !has_fifo_relaxed)) {
         setting = Settings::VSyncMode::Fifo;
-    }
+        }
 
-    switch (setting) {
-    case Settings::VSyncMode::Immediate:
-        return VK_PRESENT_MODE_IMMEDIATE_KHR;
-    case Settings::VSyncMode::Mailbox:
-        return VK_PRESENT_MODE_MAILBOX_KHR;
-    case Settings::VSyncMode::Fifo:
-        return VK_PRESENT_MODE_FIFO_KHR;
-    case Settings::VSyncMode::FifoRelaxed:
-        return VK_PRESENT_MODE_FIFO_RELAXED_KHR;
-    default:
-        return VK_PRESENT_MODE_FIFO_KHR;
+        switch (setting) {
+            case Settings::VSyncMode::Immediate:
+                return VK_PRESENT_MODE_IMMEDIATE_KHR;
+            case Settings::VSyncMode::Mailbox:
+                return VK_PRESENT_MODE_MAILBOX_KHR;
+            case Settings::VSyncMode::Fifo:
+                return VK_PRESENT_MODE_FIFO_KHR;
+            case Settings::VSyncMode::FifoRelaxed:
+                return VK_PRESENT_MODE_FIFO_RELAXED_KHR;
+            default:
+                return VK_PRESENT_MODE_FIFO_KHR;
     }
 }
 
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ bool Swapchain::AcquireNextImage() {
         break;
     }
 
-    scheduler.GetMasterSemaphore().Wait(resource_ticks[image_index]);
+    scheduler.Wait(resource_ticks[image_index]);
     resource_ticks[image_index] = scheduler.CurrentTick();
 
     return is_suboptimal || is_outdated;