How To Get Better Fps On Pc

If your games are stuttering or feeling sluggish, learning how to get better FPS on PC is the key to a smoother experience. A PC failing to deliver high frames per second can be caused by issues ranging from outdated drivers to overly aggressive graphical settings.

This guide provides clear, step-by-step methods to improve your gaming performance. We’ll cover both simple software tweaks and more advanced hardware considerations.

By the end, you’ll have a toolkit of strategies to boost your FPS. Let’s start with the easiest fixes first.

Improving your frames per second (FPS) is a systematic process. You don’t always need new components. Often, optimizing what you already have makes a massive difference.

We’ll break this down into logical sections. Start at the beginning and work your way through for the best results.

Update Your Graphics Drivers

Outdated graphics drivers are one of the most common causes of poor FPS. Manufacturers like NVIDIA and AMD regularly release updates that include performance optimizations for new games.

Here is how to update them properly:

Identify your graphics card model. You can find this in Windows Task Manager under the “Performance” tab.
Visit the manufacturer’s website: NVIDIA GeForce Experience, AMD Adrenalin Software, or Intel Arc Graphics.
Download the latest driver for your specific card model and operating system.
Run the installer. Choose “Custom Installation” and select the “Perform a clean installation” option. This removes old driver files that might cause conflicts.
Restart your computer after the installation is complete.

Optimize In-Game Settings For Performance

Game settings have the most direct impact on FPS. The goal is to find a balance between visual quality and smooth performance.

These settings typically have the highest performance cost. Adjust them first:

Resolution: Lowering your resolution (e.g., from 1440p to 1080p) drastically improves FPS but makes the image less sharp.
Shadows: Shadow quality is very demanding. Set this to Medium or Low.
Anti-Aliasing: Techniques like MSAA and SSAA are heavy. Use FXAA or TAA instead for a good balance.
View Distance: Lowering this reduces how far you see objects, saving significant resources.
Volumetric Fog/Clouds: These atmospheric effects are often costly for minimal visual gain.

Most modern games offer a “Graphics Quality” preset. Start with the “Low” or “Medium” preset, then gradually increase individual settings you care about until your FPS starts to drop.

Use Built-In Upscaling Technologies

Technologies like NVIDIA DLSS, AMD FSR, and Intel XeSS are game-changers. They render the game at a lower resolution and then use AI or algorithms to upscale the image to your monitor’s native resolution.

This can give you a huge FPS boost with minimal loss in image quality. Always enable DLSS, FSR, or XeSS if your hardware supports it and the game offers it.

Adjust Windows Settings For Gaming

Windows has background processes that can interfere with gaming performance. Optimizing these settings can free up valuable resources.

Enable Game Mode

Windows Game Mode prioritizes system resources for your game when it’s running. To turn it on:

Open Windows Settings (Windows Key + I).
Go to “Gaming” and then “Game Mode.”
Toggle “Game Mode” to On.

Manage Power Settings

Make sure your PC is using a High Performance power plan. This prevents your CPU and GPU from downclocking to save energy during gameplay.

Open the Control Panel.
Go to “Hardware and Sound” > “Power Options.”
Select “High Performance.” If you don’t see it, click “Show additional plans.”

Disable Unnecessary Background Processes

Programs running in the background can consume CPU, RAM, and disk usage. Before launching a game:

Close web browsers, especially tabs with video streams.
Exit communication apps like Discord if you’re not using them.
Check the system tray (bottom-right corner) and close any non-essential software.

You can use Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) to see which processes are using resources. Be cautious not to end system-critical processes.

Keep Your System Clean And Cool

Thermal throttling occurs when your CPU or GPU gets too hot and reduces its performance to cool down. This directly leads to lower FPS.

Dust Buildup: Regularly clean dust from your PC case, fans, and heatsinks using compressed air.
Airflow: Ensure your case has good airflow. Cables should be managed to not block air intake or exhaust fans.
Thermal Paste: If your PC is several years old, the thermal paste between your CPU and its cooler may have dried out. Reapplying it can lower temperatures significantly.

Use monitoring software like HWMonitor or MSI Afterburner to check your temperatures under load. Ideally, CPUs and GPUs should stay below 85°C during gaming.

Upgrade Your Hardware Components

If software optimizations aren’t enough, a hardware upgrade may be necessary. Focus on the component that is causing the bottleneck.

Graphics Card (GPU)

The GPU is usually the most important component for gaming FPS. Upgrading to a newer model will give you the most noticeable improvement. Research benchmarks for the specific games you play to see which card offers the best performance for your budget.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

If your GPU is powerful but your CPU is old, your CPU may bottleneck performance, especially in simulation or strategy games. Upgrading your CPU often requires a new motherboard and possibly new RAM.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Having insufficient RAM forces your system to use slower storage as memory. For modern gaming, 16GB is the recommended minimum, with 32GB becoming more common for high-end systems. Also, ensure your RAM is running at its advertised speed via your motherboard’s BIOS settings.

Storage Drive (SSD)

While an SSD won’t increase your average FPS, it drastically reduces game loading times and can minimize stuttering in open-world games where assets load dynamically. A fast NVMe SSD is the best choice for your primary drive.

Advanced Tweaks And Software Tools

For users comfortable with more technical adjustments, these steps can offer additional gains.

Overclocking Your GPU

Overclocking pushes your graphics card beyond its factory settings. Tools like MSI Afterburner make this relatively safe.

Install MSI Afterburner.
Increase the “Core Clock” slider by small increments (e.g., +15 MHz).
Test stability with a benchmark or game for 10-15 minutes.
If it’s stable, increase again. If it crashes, lower the clock or increase the “Power Limit.”
Repeat the process for the “Memory Clock.”

Overclocking always carries a small risk and generates more heat. Monitor your temperatures closely.

Optimize NVIDIA Control Panel Or AMD Adrenalin Settings

These control panels offer driver-level settings that override game options.

Power Management Mode: Set to “Prefer Maximum Performance.”
Texture Filtering – Quality: Set to “High Performance.”
Vertical Sync: Set to “Off” unless you experience screen tearing. Consider using Fast Sync (NVIDIA) or Enhanced Sync (AMD) if available.

Perform A Clean Windows Installation

Over time, Windows installations accumulate clutter. A fresh install removes all bloatware and corrupt files, potentially restoring performance. Back up your important data first before attempting this.

Monitor Your Frame Rate And Performance

You can’t improve what you don’t measure. Use these tools to track your FPS and identify problems:

Steam Overlay: Steam has a built-in FPS counter in its settings.
NVIDIA GeForce Experience / AMD Adrenalin: Both have overlay options with performance metrics.
Third-Party Tools: MSI Afterburner with RivaTuner Statistics Server is excellent for detailed on-screen displays showing FPS, temperatures, and usage for each component.

Monitoring helps you see exactly which tweaks are working and if your CPU or GPU is hitting 100% usage, indicating a bottleneck.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some common questions about improving PC FPS.

What Is A Good FPS For Gaming?

60 FPS is the standard target for smooth gameplay. Competitive gamers often aim for 144 FPS or higher to match high-refresh-rate monitors. The most important thing is that the FPS feels smooth and consistent to you.

Will More RAM Increase My FPS?

It can, but only if you are currently running out of RAM. If you have less than 16GB, upgrading to 16GB may improve FPS and reduce stuttering. Going beyond 16GB usually only helps with specific, very demanding games or heavy multitasking.

How Do I Know If My CPU Or GPU Is Bottlenecking?

Use a monitoring tool like MSI Afterburner. If your game is running poorly and your GPU usage is below 95-100% while your CPU usage is very high, your CPU is likely the bottleneck. Conversely, if your GPU is at 100% and your CPU isn’t, the GPU is the limiting factor.

Does A Better Monitor Improve FPS?

No, a monitor does not generate FPS. However, a high-refresh-rate monitor (e.g., 144Hz, 240Hz) allows you to see and benefit from the higher FPS that your PC is producing. A standard 60Hz monitor cannot display more than 60 FPS.

Are Game “Boost” Or “Optimizer” Apps Worth It?

Most are not necessary. They often perform the same tasks we’ve outlined manually, like closing background processes. Some can even cause system instability. It’s better to learn and apply the settings yourself for reliable and controlled results.