How to Increase Best FPS in Games (2026 Guide)

How to Increase Best FPS in Games

If you want to know how to increase fps in games, start with the settings that actually change performance. Update your graphics driver, fix your monitor’s refresh rate, use the right power settings, reduce waste from startup programs, and lower the most expensive graphics settings first. That approach improves gaming performance much more than random “FPS booster” apps.

This guide explains how to boost fps, improve frame consistency, reduce stutter, and get a better gaming experience on a gaming pc or gaming laptop. It covers Windows settings, nvidia control panel tuning, amd radeon software, in-game tweaks, and the point where software changes stop helping and hardware upgrades become the smarter move.

Introduction: What is FPS and Why Does it Matter?

FPS, or frames per second, is a key measurement of how smoothly your games run. It represents how many times your graphics hardware redraws the image on your screen every second. The higher the FPS, the smoother and more responsive your gameplay feels—making every movement, action, and animation look fluid and natural. Low FPS, on the other hand, can lead to choppy visuals, sluggish controls, and stuttering, which can break immersion and make fast-paced games much harder to play.

Achieving a higher FPS is essential for a great gaming experience, especially in competitive or action-heavy titles where quick reactions matter. Your FPS is influenced by several factors, including your graphics settings, the capabilities of your hardware, and how well your system is optimized. By fine-tuning these elements, you can significantly boost your FPS, improve performance, and enjoy a more seamless and immersive gaming experience.

Why is your FPS low in the first place?

Low FPS usually comes from one of five problems: outdated drivers, wrong settings, thermal limits, too many background tasks, or hardware that cannot keep up with modern games. Low FPS is a symptom, not one single issue.

A pc for gaming can feel slow even when nothing is “broken.” Your graphics card may be old, your graphics card drivers may be outdated, or your system may be wasting resources on browser tabs, launchers, overlays, and RGB tools. Some systems also run with the wrong display settings, the wrong power mode, or a 144Hz monitor stuck at 60Hz. That mistake does not raise rendered FPS by itself, but it damages perceived smoothness and makes a strong system feel weaker.

Common causes of low fps include:

Outdated graphics driver or old nvidia drivers—make sure you are using the latest drivers for your graphics card
Wrong in game settings
High graphics quality beyond what the GPU can handle
Incorrect monitor’s refresh rate
Weak power settings
Excessive startup programs
Overheating and thermal throttling
Slow or nearly full storage causing bad loading times
Too little memory, which creates pressure on memory management
Unrealistic expectations for the hardware and target resolution

The fix depends on the cause. A system with outdated software needs tuning. A system with an old GPU may simply need a replacement. The next step is the easiest and often the most effective: bring Windows and your GPU software up to date.

Update Windows and your GPU drivers first

The fastest legitimate way to improve fps is to update Windows and install the latest official GPU software. Using the latest drivers is crucial for optimal gaming performance and system stability. A current system runs more consistently, supports new game fixes, and avoids bugs that can cut performance.

Start with Windows:

Open Settings and run Windows Update.
Install all available updates.
Restart the PC.
Run Windows Update again until nothing important remains.

A half-updated system is a bad performance baseline. Many players test game performance before the operating system finishes driver, scheduler, and security updates. That produces misleading results.

Next, update the GPU software from the official source. Do not rely on random tools that claim to install drivers automatically. Use the proper app or official driver page for your hardware:

NVIDIA users should update through the official NVIDIA driver path and the control software ecosystem.
AMD users should update through amd radeon software.
Intel GPU users should use official Intel graphics packages.

The right gpu drivers matter because game patches often launch with specific driver optimizations. New modern games can perform worse on older drivers even if the hardware itself is fine. Updated graphics card drivers can also improve stability, reduce stutter, and fix broken features.

Why official drivers matter more than third-party tools

Official drivers are tested for your GPU family and gaming stack. Third-party updater tools often install the wrong package, add background junk, or create conflicts in Device Manager. If you need to confirm your device, open device manager, find your display adapter, and then install the matching package from the GPU vendor.

This step alone will not always significantly boost fps, but it often fixes hidden performance issues and gives you a clean starting point for everything else.

Make sure your monitor is running at the right refresh rate

Your monitor can make the system feel slower than it is if Windows uses the wrong refresh setting. Many players buy a fast display and never switch it from 60Hz.

To check it:

Open Settings.
Go to System > Display.
Open advanced display settings.
Choose your display from the drop down menu if needed.
Confirm the monitor’s refresh rate is set correctly.

The monitor’s refresh rate (measured in Hz) limits the maximum FPS your system can display. To fully utilize your GPU’s output and achieve smooth gameplay, set your monitor to its highest refresh rate.

A 144Hz or 240Hz screen running at 60Hz ruins motion clarity and responsiveness. This does not magically create more rendered frames, but it changes how smooth the gaming experience feels. It also affects perceived input response in fast shooters and racing games.

Why refresh rate matters for PC gaming

A higher refresh rate lets the display show more frames each second. If your PC can output higher fps, a properly configured monitor can show them. That is why fixing display settings is one of the most common easy wins in pc gaming. It is not a fake tweak. It is a basic setup correction.

If you play on a gaming laptop, also confirm the internal panel is running at its intended refresh rate. Some laptops drop to a lower refresh setting to protect battery life, especially when they are not connected to an external power supply. For serious gaming, keep the laptop plugged in and use the highest stable refresh setting.

Use Game Mode and Windows gaming features the right way

Game Mode helps when it reduces background overhead and keeps system focus on the game. It is not magic, but it can improve consistency. Features like Game Mode, DirectX updates, and system optimizations are especially important for users running Windows 10, as they are designed to enhance gaming performance on this operating system.

To enable game mode:

Open Settings.
Go to Gaming.
Open game mode.
Toggle enable game mode on.

On a healthy system, game mode helps Windows prioritize game workloads and reduce interference from background tasks. It can improve frame consistency and cut distractions from updates or heavy maintenance jobs running at the wrong time.

Should you also use Game Bar?

The game bar can be useful for quick captures and overlays, but if you notice stutter or extra background load, test performance with it disabled. Tools that look harmless can still consume resources. Keep the features that help you and turn off the ones you never use.

Should you enable hardware accelerated GPU scheduling?

Hardware accelerated gpu scheduling can improve responsiveness on supported systems by shifting some scheduling work more efficiently. It does not guarantee a huge FPS jump, but it can help frame consistency and reduce CPU overhead in some workloads.

To test it:

Open Settings.
Go to System > Display.
Open Graphics settings.
Turn on hardware accelerated gpu scheduling if your system supports it.
Restart and benchmark the same game scene before and after.

If it helps, keep it on. If performance worsens or becomes unstable, switch it back. Real tuning relies on testing, not assumptions.

Set Windows power settings for best performance

Your power settings affect how aggressively the CPU and GPU can respond under load. A weak power profile can hold back performance, especially on laptops and prebuilt desktops.

For gaming, use a high performance profile or the strongest appropriate power mode your system supports. Some systems also expose a “best performance” option or power options path inside Control Panel.

How to change it

Open Settings or control panel.
Go to Power or Battery settings.
Select high performance or the equivalent best performance option.
Retest the game.

A proper power profile helps maintain clocks, reduces hesitation under sudden load, and creates more stable frame delivery. It matters even more on a gaming laptop, where battery-focused modes can sharply cut GPU and CPU performance. When gaming on a laptop, connect the charger or external power supply. Many systems deliberately lower power to protect thermals and extend battery life when unplugged.

Why this helps more on laptops than desktops

Desktops usually have steadier power behavior, but laptops often shift aggressively between quiet, balanced, and performance modes. That is why a laptop can show dramatically different results depending on whether it is plugged in. If you want higher fps, always test while connected to power.

Close background apps and reduce startup bloat

Background activity steals CPU time, RAM, storage access, and sometimes network bandwidth. If you want to increase fps, remove the junk load first.

Start with task manager:

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open task manager.
Check active apps and sort by CPU, memory, or disk usage.
Close anything unnecessary before launching a game.

Then check startup:

Open task manager.
Go to the Startup section.
Disable nonessential startup programs.

Common offenders include browsers, chat apps, launchers, RGB software, peripheral suites, cloud sync tools, and monitoring overlays. None of these are evil on their own, but together they eat into available headroom.

Why startup cleanup improves gaming performance

A cleaner startup reduces background interruptions and frees memory. That improves gaming performance, especially in systems with less RAM. It also helps memory management, since Windows has fewer background processes competing for resources.

This matters more than many players think. Systems with only 16GB of RAM, several background apps, and a demanding game can begin paging data to storage. That hurts smoothness, worsens 1% lows, and increases stutter even if average fps looks acceptable.

Optimize NVIDIA Control Panel settings for more FPS

If you use nvidia control panel, you can improve responsiveness and prioritize performance with a few practical adjustments. These are not universal magic values, but they are real tuning points.

Open the nvidia control panel and review these areas under global settings or per-game profiles:

Power management mode: prefer high performance
Low latency options where appropriate
Texture filtering quality: set to a performance-focused mode if you want more fps
Vertical sync behavior
Shader or cache-related defaults if supported by your driver branch

Which NVIDIA settings matter most?

The settings that usually matter most for performance are power behavior, latency behavior, and texture filtering bias. Setting texture filtering quality toward performance can free a bit of GPU load. It will not transform a weak GPU into a strong one, but it can help in edge cases where you need a small fps boost.

Should you change global settings or game-specific settings?

Use global settings carefully. If you play many different games, aggressive global changes can create visual or latency tradeoffs where you do not want them. A cleaner approach is to use default global behavior and then tune heavy titles individually.

What about vertical sync?

Vertical sync can reduce tearing, but it can also add latency and hold frame rate to divisors of your refresh rate. For players chasing the lowest input lag, it is often better to test with V-Sync off and use adaptive sync technologies if your display supports them. For slower single-player games, V-Sync may still look better. The correct answer depends on your monitor and preferences.

Optimize AMD Radeon Software settings for better FPS

If you use an AMD card, amd radeon software gives you the same kind of control from the AMD side. It lets you tune graphics settings, reduce latency, and manage game profiles.

Useful AMD-side actions include:

Update to the latest stable driver package
Review per-game profiles
Use performance-focused texture and anti-lag behavior where appropriate
Check sharpening, sync, and frame cap features based on your game type

AMD users should test changes one at a time. The goal is not to enable every feature. The goal is to improve smoothness and boost fps without creating instability or visual issues.

Lower the right graphics settings first

If you want to significantly boost fps, lower the settings that cost the most performance. Many players drop everything to Low immediately. That works, but it often throws away visual quality where it is not necessary.

Start with the heaviest options first:

Ray tracing
Shadows
Reflections
Volumetrics
Ambient occlusion
View distance in some titles
Post-processing extras such as motion blur
Heavy anti aliasing

Lowering the game’s resolution is also an effective way to reduce GPU load and improve FPS, especially on less powerful systems.

Which settings usually cost the most?

Ray tracing is usually the first thing to reduce or disable when fps is poor. After that, shadows, reflections, volumetrics, and high ambient effects often deliver the largest gains. Motion blur does not usually cost as much performance as ray tracing, but many players disable it because it reduces clarity during fast camera movement.

What should you keep higher?

Texture quality is often less expensive than people think if your GPU has enough VRAM. Lowering texture quality too early can make the game look much worse without giving a big fps gain. Instead, reduce the settings that increase lighting complexity, effect density, and rendering resolution first.

A practical order for in-game tuning

Use this order:

Lower ray tracing or turn it off.
Reduce shadows.
Lower reflections and volumetric effects.
Reduce heavy anti aliasing.
Lower the game’s resolution or resolution scale only if needed.
Retest in the same gameplay area.

This method usually produces a real significant fps boost while protecting visual quality better than dropping every slider blindly.

Use in-game settings for smooth gameplay, not screenshots

The best in game settings are the ones that create stable frame delivery. Chasing the highest preset can wreck smoothness in most games, especially on midrange hardware.

A clean optimization strategy focuses on:

Stable average FPS
Better 1% lows
Lower stutter
Lower latency
Playable visuals

Additionally, adjusting mouse settings—such as disabling mouse acceleration or enhancing pointer accuracy—can improve precision and responsiveness in games.

A game that swings between 120 fps and 55 fps often feels worse than a game that stays around 85 to 95 fps consistently. That is why the right game settings matter more than a screenshot-ready preset.

What settings help competitive games?

If you play for reaction time and clarity, use:

Lower shadows
Lower post-processing
Lower motion blur or disable it
Lower heavy anti-aliasing
Lower effects clutter where it hurts visibility

That approach improves visibility and can reduce input lag while also delivering better fps.

Can upscaling and frame generation improve FPS?

Yes, upscaling can help a lot, and frame generation can help in the right scenario. Neither is magic.

Modern scaling tools render at a lower internal resolution and reconstruct the image for better output performance. This often delivers a meaningful fps boost, especially at 1440p and 4K. Frame generation can add smoothness, but it works best when your baseline frame rate is already healthy.

When upscaling helps most

Upscaling helps most when:

The GPU is the clear bottleneck
You play at higher resolutions
Your game supports a good implementation
Visual quality remains acceptable to you

When frame generation makes sense

Frame generation works best when you already have decent native or upscaled performance. If the game runs very poorly, generated frames can improve the number on the counter but still leave the game feeling sluggish because latency remains high. The best result comes from improving the base frame rate first, then layering advanced features if the game and hardware support them.

How to increase FPS at 1080p

At 1080p, the CPU often matters more than people expect. Lower resolutions reduce GPU strain, which can expose processor limits sooner.

To improve performance at 1080p:

Lower CPU-heavy settings such as crowd density or view distance where applicable
Reduce background apps
Use the right power settings
Make sure your graphics card drivers are current
Prioritize frame consistency over maximum graphics quality

High refresh targets like 144Hz or 240Hz make CPU limitations easier to notice. That is why some 1080p players see little improvement after only adjusting GPU-side settings.

How to increase FPS at 1440p

For many users, 1440p is the practical sweet spot. It looks much better than 1080p while still staying more realistic than 4K for a wide range of GPUs.

To improve FPS at 1440p:

Lower the most expensive GPU settings first
Use performance-focused upscaling if available
Keep ray tracing in check
Tune graphics settings rather than dropping everything
Monitor thermals and GPU utilization

This is often the resolution where careful tuning makes all the difference. A few smart changes can move a game from unstable to very smooth without destroying image quality.

How to increase FPS at 4K

At 4K, the graphics card is usually the main limiter. This is the most demanding common gaming resolution, and settings discipline matters much more here.

To raise fps at 4K:

Use upscaling if the game supports it well
Lower ray tracing first
Reduce shadows and reflections
Accept that some games need medium or mixed presets
Keep the GPU cool enough to avoid throttling

If you want optimum fps at 4K, you need both a strong GPU and realistic settings. This is where a weak or aging card runs into hard limits quickly.

Reduce stutter and improve smooth gameplay

Average FPS is not the whole story. Many players want to improve gaming performance because the game feels rough even when the frame counter looks fine. That is usually a stutter or frame pacing issue.

Common causes of poor smoothness include:

Too many background tasks
Insufficient RAM
Full or slow storage
Thermal throttling
Unstable overclocks
Driver conflicts
Network issues in online titles

Can more RAM help?

Yes, more ram can help if your current capacity is the problem. RAM does not always raise average fps dramatically, but it can reduce stutter, improve memory management, and create a smoother system during gaming, streaming, and browser use. If your system constantly nears memory limits, more RAM can noticeably improve performance.

Does internet connection affect FPS?

Your internet connection does not directly control rendered fps, but it does affect responsiveness in online gaming. Packet loss, jitter, and unstable connections can feel like low fps because the game becomes inconsistent. If you mainly notice problems in multiplayer, check the network before blaming the GPU.

Check temperatures, airflow, and throttling

Heat reduces sustained performance. A system can benchmark well for a minute and then fall behind during real gameplay if it gets too hot.

Watch for these signs:

FPS falls after 10 to 20 minutes
Fan noise rises sharply
GPU clocks or CPU clocks drop under load
The case feels unusually hot
Stutter appears during long sessions

Dust buildup, blocked intakes, poor fan direction, or old thermal paste can all hurt performance. Good airflow helps maintain clocks and preserve stability. A cleaner system also reduces the chance of sudden drops during demanding scenes.

What should you do?

Clean dust from fans and filters
Make sure the case has a clear airflow path
Avoid placing the system on thick carpet
Check fan curves if your software allows it
Monitor temperatures while gaming

Thermal maintenance will not always significantly boost fps in a cool system, but it can restore lost performance in a hot one.

Gaming laptop optimization: Special tips for portable performance

Gaming laptops offer the convenience of portable play, but they also come with unique challenges like heat buildup, battery limitations, and fewer upgrade options compared to desktops. To get the best gaming performance and boost FPS on your gaming laptop, start by enabling Game Mode in Windows. This feature helps prioritize your game over background tasks, ensuring more system resources are dedicated to smooth gameplay.

Next, adjust your power settings to “Best performance” mode. This setting allows your laptop to use its full processing power, which can make a noticeable difference in FPS, though it may reduce battery life—so it’s best to game while plugged into an external power supply. To prevent overheating, use an external cooling pad and keep an eye on your laptop’s temperature levels. Excessive heat can cause your system to throttle performance, leading to lower FPS.

Upgrading to a faster storage drive, such as an SSD, can also significantly reduce loading times and improve overall gaming performance. Quick storage means your games load faster and your system can handle in-game assets more efficiently. By combining these strategies—enabling game mode, optimizing power settings, managing heat, and upgrading storage—you can maximize your gaming laptop’s potential and enjoy a smoother, more responsive gaming experience.

Which FPS boost tips are actually worth it?

Some tweaks matter a lot. Others are noise.

High-value ways to increase FPS

These steps are worth doing:

Update Windows
Install the latest official graphics driver
Use game mode
Fix the monitor’s refresh rate
Choose stronger power settings
Optimize nvidia control panel or amd radeon software settings carefully
Lower expensive graphics settings
Reduce startup programs
Keep the system cool
Free enough storage to avoid cramped operation

Low-value or risky ideas

These steps are usually not worth trusting:

Random registry hacks from forum posts
Shady fps booster apps
“One-click” cleaner suites that run constantly
Blind copy-paste config files for games you do not understand
Unstable overclocks without testing
Downloading “special” drivers from unofficial websites

If you need help with an unusual driver or crash issue, it is safer to use the official vendor pages or contact the vendor support team than to install mystery software.

PC gaming tips for smoother play and fewer distractions

For the smoothest gaming experience on your PC, it’s important to minimize distractions and make sure your system is running at its best. Start by disabling unnecessary startup programs and background applications, which can eat up valuable resources and lower your FPS. Use Task Manager to monitor which apps are using the most CPU, memory, or disk, and close anything you don’t need before launching your game.

Fine-tuning your graphics settings can also help improve FPS without sacrificing too much visual quality. Lowering texture filtering quality or disabling motion blur can free up GPU resources, making gameplay feel more responsive. Enabling hardware accelerated GPU scheduling in Windows can further optimize how your system handles graphics processing, reducing CPU overhead and helping to deliver a smoother gaming experience.

By keeping your startup programs in check, monitoring resource usage with Task Manager, and adjusting graphics settings like texture filtering and motion blur, you can improve FPS, reduce stutter, and enjoy a more immersive gaming experience with fewer interruptions.

When do you need hardware upgrades to get more FPS?

Software tuning has limits. If you already use current drivers, correct settings, good thermals, and sensible game options, then low performance usually points to hardware.

You likely need hardware upgrades when:

Your GPU stays pinned near full usage in most modern games
Lower settings still do not get you near your target frame rate
Your CPU bottlenecks high-refresh gaming
You only have 16GB and multitask heavily
Your storage is tiny, slow, or constantly full
Your platform is old enough that every new game feels like a compromise

Which hardware upgrade helps most?

For most gamers, the first upgrade is the GPU. A newer graphics card usually creates the biggest uplift in frame rate and image quality. CPU upgrades matter more for high-refresh 1080p gaming and some simulation or strategy titles. RAM and storage mainly improve smoothness, flexibility, and loading times, although a move to a faster SSD can also significantly reduce loading times and improve the overall feel of the system.

Should you optimize your current PC or buy a better gaming PC?

Optimize your current system first if the issue is clearly software, settings, thermals, or clutter. Buy or build a better system when the hardware itself has become the limit.

Optimization is enough when:

Drivers were outdated
The monitor refresh rate was wrong
Power mode was too conservative
Startup junk was wasting resources
The game was running at unrealistic settings
The system was overheating

A better PC is the smarter move when:

The GPU is too weak for your target resolution
The CPU cannot keep up with your refresh goals
The platform is old and unbalanced
Multiple parts need upgrades at once

This is the honest line between tuning and replacement. Good optimization can absolutely raise fps and produce smoother gameplay. It cannot turn entry-level or outdated hardware into a high-end gaming rig.

Enhancing your overall gaming experience beyond FPS

While achieving high FPS is important, there’s more to a great gaming experience than just frame rates. Enhancing graphics quality by adjusting settings like anti-aliasing, texture filtering, and shadow detail can make your games look more vibrant and immersive. Using a gaming monitor with a high refresh rate—such as 144Hz or 240Hz—can further improve motion clarity and responsiveness, making every action feel smoother.

Investing in quality peripherals, like a responsive gaming mouse, mechanical keyboard, and comfortable headset, can also elevate your gameplay by improving precision, comfort, and communication during long sessions. Regularly updating your graphics drivers through tools like NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Radeon Software ensures you’re getting the best possible gaming performance and compatibility with the latest titles.

By focusing on both performance and overall setup—graphics quality, refresh rate, peripherals, and up-to-date drivers—you can create a more enjoyable and immersive gaming environment that goes beyond just chasing higher FPS. This holistic approach helps you get the most out of every gaming session, whether you’re playing competitively or just for fun.

Step-by-step FPS improvement checklist

Use this checklist if you want a direct action plan:

Update Windows fully.
Install the latest official graphics card drivers.
Check advanced display settings and set the correct refresh rate.
Turn on enable game mode.
Test hardware accelerated gpu scheduling if supported.
Set stronger power options or high performance mode.
Use task manager to close background apps.
Disable unnecessary startup programs.
Review nvidia control panel or amd radeon software settings.
Lower ray tracing, shadows, reflections, and heavy anti aliasing first.
Reduce or disable motion blur.
Match the game’s resolution and settings to your GPU.
Monitor temperatures and clean the system if needed.
Benchmark the same scene after each change.
Decide whether the remaining limit is software or hardware.

This process is better than changing ten things at once. Controlled testing shows what actually helps.

What is the best way to increase FPS in games in 2026?

The best way to increase fps in 2026 is to fix the fundamentals first, then tune game settings intelligently, and only then consider upgrades. Start with Windows, drivers, refresh rate, power mode, and background cleanup. After that, optimize video settings and graphics settings in the game itself.

That approach will:

Boost fps
Improve fps
Reduce stutter
Improve frame consistency
Create a better gaming experience
Help you reach higher fps without wasting time on fake tweaks

A real FPS strategy is simple. Use current software. Use the correct drivers. Use the right display settings. Keep the system cool. Lower the expensive options first. Then accept when the hardware needs to change. That is how you get better fps and a more consistent PC gaming experience

How to Increase Best FPS in Games (2026 Guide)