We all want more FPS, right? In this guide, we’re covering all the steps you can take to get more performance out of your gaming PC.
We’ve all been there. It’s the heat of the moment, clutch or kick time, and your FPS drops all the way down to two. Game over, man, game over! So, is it time for a new GPU? A whole new PC? Or is there something else you can do to get back to that sweet, sweet 60FPS and beyond?
The Basics
Okay, before we get into the meat of fixing your FPS, let’s get the basics out of the way. What is FPS anyway?
I’m glad you asked! FPS or Frames Per Second is the number of individual images (frames) your gaming rig can churn out every second. The higher your FPS, the smoother and more immersive your gaming experience will be.
TL;DR Low FPS = Laggy Gameplay. High FPS = Buttery smooth gaming nirvana.
Does Monitor Refresh Rate Affect FPS
Your monitor’s refresh rate is important and effects FPS, but not in the way you might assume. Having a 60Hz, 120Hz, 144Hz, or even a 360Hz monitor won’t change the amount of FPS your gaming PC can produce, but it will change how it looks.
A monitor’s refresh rate is measured in Hertz (Hz) and is simply the number of times the display refreshes and redraws every pixel per second. This means a 60Hz monitor refreshes sixty times a second. However, aiming for slightly higher frames per second in games such as 70 or 80FPS can help reduce motion blur and provide a potentially smoother gaming experience.
Syncing FPS and Refresh Rate
V-Sync:
Vertical Sync (V-Sync) is a technology that can be used to synchronise a game’s frame rate with the monitor’s refresh rate. It helps eliminate screen tearing but may introduce input lag.
G-Sync and FreeSync:
Adaptive sync technologies like NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync are designed to dynamically adjust the monitor’s refresh rate to match the FPS output of the GPU. This helps prevent screen tearing without the input lag associated with traditional V-Sync.
Learn how you can check your FPS on both Windows 10 and 11, so you can keep track while you game!
MORE FPS NOW!!!!
Okay, okay, calm down. So, you want more FPS from your current gaming setup? No worries, let’s start with some basic changes you can make to increase your frames per second right now.
DLSS: The Game-Changer
Ever heard of DLSS? If not, you’re missing out on a serious game-changer. DLSS, or Deep Learning Super Sampling, is like magic for your graphics card. So long as you have a somewhat recent NVIDIA GPU, DLSS is your ticket to more FPS for free! DLSS takes advantage of AI to upscale lower-resolution images in real time, making your games look stunning without the usual performance hit. With DLSS 4, this tech now generates frames for even smoother pictures.
Learn more about how NVIDIA AI DLSS 4 can improve your gaming!
AMD FSR: The AMD Alternative
Not an NVIDIA stan? Dw, we got you babes. AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) is here to rival DLSS. FSR also uses smart upscaling techniques, delivering a crisp and clear image without sacrificing precious frames.
In our AMD Radeon Uncovered Series, we take a look at AMD FSR and how all the different generations boost gaming performance.
How Do I Use DLSS or FSR?
It’s super simple to get started with NVIDIA DLSS and AMD FSR! All you’ll need to do is open up the graphics settings in compatible games and enable the setting. You’ll often have the option to choose how aggressive you want the AI upscaling to be. You can either prioritise performance, visual quality, or choose a more balanced profile.
Keep Updated
I know updating Windows, your graphics drivers, and even games themselves is a massive pain, but doing so can offer a significant performance boost in games. How can I update my GPU Driver? I hear you ask! Well, don’t panic, as once again, this is a super easy thing to do.
First, install either GeForce Experience for NVIDIA GPUs or AMD Radeon Software for AMD graphics cards. Once installed, both software will alert you when driver updates are available. These software applications even have other tools such as game optimisation!
In Game Settings
As much as we all want to play the latest games in 4K at max settings with ray tracing on, it’s sadly not realistic… well unless you’re dropping £5K on a gaming PC. Optimising your settings is the best way to keep your FPS high. You won’t even need to sacrifice too much quality, either. Just make sure you’re changing the right settings. Knowing which settings to turn down is admittedly a game of trial and error. However, you can look up guides online for specific games or even use NVIDIA GeForce Experience to optimise all of your games.
Keep It Clean: PC Hygiene Matters
Believe it or not, a clean PC is a happy PC. Over time, dust can accumulate inside your rig, leading to thermal throttling. This is where your components slow down to stop from overheating. If you’re unsure where to start, check out this guide on PC spring cleaning.
Our Spring Cleaning post is filled with guides on how to clean all the different aspects of your gaming set-up. From PC care to cleaning casters, we got you, boo.
Still Not Getting High Enough FPS?
It might be time for an upgrade, then. Let’s be honest, there are some really cool games out right now, and a whole heck of a lot more on the way. But which GPU is right for me?
If you’re still in need of some more tasty FPS, then a new graphics card is a good path to head down. Not only will you see a leap in performance, but you can also take advantage of the latest features and maybe even crank up the settings a notch or two.
But which GPU should you choose? Ah, yes, a tale as old as time. Do you go for a shiny AMD card or maybe a sexy NVIDIA model? There has never been a better time to be a gamer in this situation! Both AMD’s and NVIDIA’s latest GPUs are jam-packed with performance. We’ve included options from both camps below for you to check out.
Asus Radeon RX 9060 XT Prime OC 8GB GDDR6 PCI-Express Graphics Card
GRA-ASU-05200
£479.99 GBP
(incl. VAT)
FREE SHIPPING
in stock
ADD TO BASKET
Asrock Radeon RX 9070 Challenger 16GB GDDR6 PCI-Express Graphics Card
GRA-ASR-04037
£749.99 GBP
(incl. VAT)
FREE SHIPPING
in stock
ADD TO BASKET
XFX Quicksilver Radeon RX 9070 XT Gaming Edition 16GB GDDR6 PCI-Express Graphics Card
GRA-XFX-05452
£899.99 GBP
(incl. VAT)
FREE SHIPPING
out of stock
ADD TO BASKET
Gainward GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Phantom GS 16GB GDDR7 PCI-Express Graphics Card
GRA-GNW-04472
£1199.99 GBP
(incl. VAT)
FREE SHIPPING
out of stock
ADD TO BASKET
Inno3D GeForce RTX 5080 X3 OC White 16GB GDDR7 PCI-Express Graphics Card
GRA-INO-06432
£1559.99 GBP
(incl. VAT)
FREE SHIPPING
out of stock
ADD TO BASKET
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 5090 Aorus Master Ice 32GB GDDR7 PCI-Express Graphics Card
GRA-GIG-04119
£6599.99 GBP
(incl. VAT)
FREE SHIPPING
in stock
ADD TO BASKETTime For a New Gaming PC?
If just a new GPU isn’t going to cut it, Overclockers UK still has you covered. Take your pick from a wide range of customisable and pre-built, pre-tested, and ready-for-next-day delivery gaming PCs.
Refract Gaming Jade – 1080p/1440p Pre-Built Gaming PC
- Pre-built gaming PC for mid-tier gaming and budding streamers
- AMD Ryzen 7 7700 CPU
- NVDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Ti GPU
- Great for GTA V, Fortnite, and PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds
- 32GB DRR5 RAM and SSD storage
- Comes with three years warranty, covering parts and labour
Looking for More PC Improvements?
Got More FPS Yet?
Hopefully, these tips and tricks have added a few frames to your games. Make sure to let us know of any tips we’ve not mentioned here in the comments.
PC specs are subject to change.
- 7 min read
Robert Mullane
Author
When not working, you'll find me in VR or losing in bottom-tier Valorant matches. I write about all topic's tech and gaming with a particular focus on representation in gaming, virtual reality, and LGBTQ+ themes. If you're still not fed up with me, you can also catch me over on the Overclockers UK TikTok and YouTube accounts.
Read More >>