7 ways to boost computer FPS and enhance gaming performance

7 ways to boost computer FPS and enhance gaming performance

Boost Your Gaming Experience: Increasing FPS on Your Computer

When it comes to gaming on a computer, one of the most important factors is the frames per second (FPS). FPS refers to the number of images rendered and displayed every second during gameplay. Higher frame rates generally lead to smoother animations and gameplay. If you’re experiencing video lag or stutters, it may be time to optimize your PC and boost your FPS performance.

Understanding Your Frame Rate and Refresh Rate

To start, it’s important to understand your computer’s frame rate and your monitor’s refresh rate. The refresh rate is measured in hertz (Hz) and determines how many times your monitor updates the on-screen image per second. Most monitors and TVs have a refresh rate of 60Hz or 120Hz, while gaming monitors and laptops can support much higher rates, such as 144Hz, 240Hz, or even 360Hz.

Matching your frame rate to your refresh rate creates smoother animation. For example, if your computer is running at 60 FPS on a 60Hz monitor, each frame of animation will update perfectly with the display. If your frame rate is lower than the refresh rate, you may experience repeated frames, screen tearing, and other graphical glitches.

How to Increase FPS on Your Computer

Boosting your computer’s video performance can be achieved through several simple steps and troubleshooting tricks. Here are seven tips to help increase your FPS:

1. Find Your Monitor’s Refresh Rate

Knowing your monitor’s refresh rate is essential in optimizing your FPS. To find it, follow these steps:

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1. Click the Start button and then click Settings.
2. In the Settings window, click System.
3. Click on Display and then click Advanced display settings.
4. Note the monitor’s refresh rate.

Quick tip: Instead of steps 1 and 2, you can right-click on an empty area on your desktop and select Display settings, scroll down, and then select Advanced display settings.

2. Find Out Your Current FPS

Determining your graphics system’s frame rate is crucial. Here are several ways to find it, depending on the games you play:

• Many games allow you to display the frame rate as an overlay during gameplay. Check the video settings or game setup.
• If you have an Nvidia GeForce graphics card, use the GeForce Experience software to enable the in-game overlay and display the frame rate.
• Steam games offer an in-game FPS counter in the Steam overlay settings.
• You can use third-party utilities like Fraps to measure your frame rate.
• Some monitors have built-in FPS counters accessible through the monitor’s menu and settings.

3. Enable Game Mode in Windows

Game Mode is a Windows setting that configures various parameters to optimize your PC for gaming and maximize frame rate. To enable Game Mode:

1. Click the Search button and then click Settings.
2. In the Settings window’s search box, type “game” and choose Game Mode settings in the search results.
3. If Game Mode is not already enabled, swipe the button to the right.

Quick tip: You might need to restart your PC for the settings to take effect. Windows 11 has a Gaming tab within the Settings menu that offers the same Game Mode functionality as Windows 10.

4. Ensure You Have the Latest Video Driver Installed

Keeping your computer’s system updates and device drivers up to date is crucial for optimal performance. Here’s what you can do:

• Check for Windows updates by clicking the Start button, choosing Settings, typing “Updates,” and selecting “Check for updates” in the search results.
• Update your video card drivers. If you use Nvidia GeForce Experience, start the app, click “Drivers” at the top of the window, and then click “Check for updates” to see if there are any new ones to install.

5. Optimize Your Game Settings

Each game is different, so adjusting your in-game settings can greatly impact your frame rate. Look for options like image quality, viewing distance, shadows, and texture effects. Some games even allow you to set a target frame rate, utilizing dynamic resolution scaling to find a quality that matches your desired FPS.

6. Reduce Your Screen Resolution

Lowering your screen resolution can have a dramatic effect on frame rate. In your PC’s Settings, select System, then choose Advanced display settings and pick a lower-resolution option from the menu. Many games also have resolution settings in their graphics menu, which apply only while the game is running.

Reducing resolution may result in less detailed and sharp graphics, and it limits the available screen space when not gaming.

7. Upgrade Your Graphics Card

If all else fails, upgrading your graphics card can significantly improve your frame rate. This may not be possible for laptop gamers, but some laptops, like certain Alienware models, allow you to add an external “Graphics Amplifier” to upgrade display quality.

For desktop PCs, swapping out your graphics card can provide a significant performance boost. Alternatively, if your PC supports it, overclocking can also improve performance, although the benefits can vary depending on the game and other factors.

By following these tips and troubleshooting tricks, you can optimize your computer for gaming and enjoy a smoother and more immersive gaming experience.

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• Gaming