Increasing FPS (frames per second) can fundamentally change your gaming experience. The higher the FPS, the smoother the image without choppiness. In this article, we’ll look at the best steps and techniques to increase FPS and get the most out of your GPU.
Key Points
- Software updates: Latest drivers and automatic game updates
- Windows Optimization: Game mode, GPU settings
- Game Settings: Graphics detail reduction, upscaling technologies
- Advanced Tips: GPU overclocking, monitoring and settings
- Hardware Enhancements: SSD, RAM, graphics card
1. Software updates are essential
Keeping everything up to date is crucial for maximum performance.
Graphics card drivers
The latest graphics card drivers often include optimizations for newer games, so we recommend regularly downloading updates via NVIDIA GeForce Experience or AMD Software.
Automatic updates is another way to increase GPU FPS when gaming.
This regular updating can increase FPS by 5-10%, which is significant in games.
Automatic game optimization via GPU software
This option allows you to optimize game settings with a single click.
How to:
- In GeForce Experience, select the game and choose “Optimize”. For AMD graphics cards you can use the AMD Adrenalin Edition and for Intel graphics cards you can use the Intel Graphics Command Center
Benefits:
- Automatically adjusts graphics settings to your hardware to ensure the best possible performance.
2. Windows optimization for games
Game Mode
Game Mode is an essential step that many gamers overlook. This mode modifies various background processes, reducing the load on the GPU. In Windows Settings, activate Game Mode.
- Game Mode: Prioritizes system resources for games.
- Hardware GPU Acceleration.
- Preventspower saving modes that can reduce FPS.
Where to find game mode?
Open “Windows Settings” and select Games > Game Mode.
Turn on Hardware-accelerated GPU Scheduling
This feature offloads the GPU, which helps for higher FPS. If you have a newer graphics card, this setting helps significantly.
- How to activate it: Go to Graphics Settings in the Windows section and turn on Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling.
- Why it works.
Setting the power supply to high performance
Power settings can have a huge impact on performance. High performance means that the system supplies more power to the GPU and CPU.
- Procedure.
- Purpose: Prevents performance from degrading as everything runs at maximum power.
3. Changing settings directly in the game
Optimising in-game settings can do wonders. This is a guaranteed way to increase FPS in games, as long as you don’t mind losing some effects.
Elements like shading, reflections and lighting can be too GPU intensive. Try turning them down or off, which can instantly increase FPS.
We also recommend turning off V-sync if you suffer from low FPS. In an emergency, lower the resolution.
Reduce the game resolution
If you have a lower FPS, one of the quickest solutions is to lower the resolution of the game.
- What this means: At a lower resolution, the number of pixels the GPU has to render is reduced.
- Benefit: Higher FPS and less load on the graphics card.
Lower FPS and lower graphics settings in the game
For some games, high graphics settings can be demanding on the GPU.
- Key settings to adjust:
- Texture Detail – Reduce the quality of textures.
- Light effects – turn off or reduce.
- Shading – lower settings can significantly improve FPS.
For more tips on setting up your games for higher FPS, click here.
4. Take advantage of upscaling technologies
Modern GPUs offer upscaling technologies such as DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) or FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution) to maintain high image quality without heavy load.
- DLSS (NVIDIA), FSR (AMD) or XeSS (Intel) are suitable for improving visual quality with less load on the GPU.
- How they work: these GPU technologies render the image at a lower resolution and then upscale it using AI.
These technologies increase FPS while maintaining image quality. In demanding games, you’ll feel the difference immediately.
5. GPU overclocking: how to do it
Overclocking can significantly increase performance, but you need to be careful.
Use MSI Afterburner to change the settings. First increase the power limit by 10%, then increase the core clock by 10 MHz and monitor stability. Continue until the game is stable.
Also increase the memory clock by 50 MHz. Each graphics card responds differently, so test slowly.
Caution: overclocking is a process that can affect stability or even damage hardware if not done correctly.
6. Monitor settings
Many gamers don’t realise that the monitor can also affect the gaming experience.
- Set a maximum refresh rate (e.g. 144 Hz).
- Activate G-Sync (NVIDIA) or FreeSync (AMD) to avoid image choppiness at lower FPS.
Higher refresh rates and image synchronization will make the game smoother and more enjoyable.
7. Consider upgrading your system
If you’re still not getting the FPS you want, you may need better hardware.
- RAM: Upgrade to at least 8 GB, ideally 16 GB.
- SSD for games: Reduce game load times.
- Graphics card: If your FPS are still low, maybe it’s time for a new model.
Some components, such as an SSD, you can easily install yourself.
Not all graphics cards are created equally, and some models can handle more than others. Consider upgrading if your card can’t keep up with modern games.
- Compare graphics cards: find the right graphics card for you here in our GPU database
- Important graphics cardparameters: number of cores, VRAM size and clock speed.
8. PC maintenance
Don’t neglect the cleanliness of your PC. Dust can cause overheating, leading to reduced performance.
- Clean the inside of your PC at least once a month.
- Check that all fans are running properly.
This regular cleaning will ensure stable performance of your system.
9. Close unnecessary applications
The more apps running in the background, the less performance is left for the game.
Check the Task Manager and close unnecessary programs.
In particular, browsers and background applications can unnecessarily slow down performance – another way to increase FPS quite easily.
10. Monitoring
Track changes and adjust individual settings as you go along.
GPU temperatures
GPU temperature can greatly affect performance. MSI Afterburner or HWMonitor can help you monitor temperatures during gameplay.
Ideal temperatures should be below 85°C. If you reach higher temperatures, you may need to improve your cooling.
Test the performance after each change
We recommend running game tests after every adjustment, whether it’s to settings, hardware or software.
Some games have built-in performance testing tools, but there are also apps like 3DMark. These tests will show you if your FPS has improved.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
FPS (Frames Per Second) is the number of frames the GPU renders per second. A higher FPS means a smoother image.
Yes, but only if you have good cooling and know how to do it. It is always recommended to proceed with caution.
No, increasing the resolution will put even more strain on the GPU, which can reduce FPS. So it’s just the opposite, as long as you lower the resolution, you can achieve higher FPS and a smoother gaming experience.
Both have their advantages. DLSS is available for NVIDIA cards and uses AI, while FSR works on a wide range of AMD graphics cards.
To increase FPS in games, turn on Game Mode, update your drivers, lower your graphics settings, and take advantage of upscaling technologies like DLSS or FSR. GPU overclocking can also help, but requires good cooling.