How to increase FPS on PC: fixes ranked from biggest to smallest impact

When a game runs at low FPS (frames per second), the usual reflex is to set everything to "low" and hope. Sometimes it works, but you lose image quality unnecessarily and it doesn't fix configuration problems — which are more common than you'd think. This guide ranks the fixes from biggest to smallest impact, and from easiest to hardest. Start at the top and check your FPS after each change.

#Before you start: measure

Turn on an FPS counter so you know whether each change helps. Many games have one in their options; the Windows Game Bar (Win + G), NVIDIA's app and AMD's software also provide one. Note your FPS in the same in-game scene before and after each change.

#1. Plug your monitor into the graphics card

On a desktop with a dedicated GPU, the monitor cable must go into the graphics card's ports — usually horizontal, lower down on the back — not the motherboard's. Plugged into the motherboard, the game may run on integrated graphics, or much worse. It's a very common mistake and the biggest "upgrade" there is.

#2. Check your monitor's refresh rate

If you have a 144 Hz or faster monitor, check in Settings > System > Display > Advanced display that Windows is actually using that rate. Sometimes it's stuck at 60 Hz. It doesn't raise FPS, but it does raise the smoothness you see.

#3. Update your graphics drivers

Manufacturers release drivers optimised for new games. Download them from NVIDIA's, AMD's or Intel's official website or app. More detail in how to update drivers.

#4. Laptops: plugged in and in performance mode

• Play plugged in: on battery, most laptops heavily limit power.
• Choose the best performance power mode in Windows and in the manufacturer's app, if there is one.
• If your laptop has integrated and dedicated graphics, check under Settings > Display > Graphics that the game uses the dedicated (high performance) GPU.

#5. Use upscaling (DLSS, FSR, XeSS)

Upscaling renders the game at a lower resolution and reconstructs it at your screen's resolution. It usually gives a big FPS boost with little visible loss:

• DLSS (NVIDIA RTX cards).
• FSR (AMD; works on most cards).
• XeSS (Intel; also works on other cards).

Try "Quality" mode first. The differences are explained in PC graphics settings explained.

#6. Lower the settings that cost the most

Settings don't all weigh the same. Generally the most expensive are:

• Ray tracing.
• Shadow quality.
• Ambient occlusion and reflections.
• View distance and foliage density in open worlds.
• Render resolution above 100%.

By contrast, texture quality mainly depends on graphics memory (VRAM): if you have VRAM to spare, it barely affects FPS.

#7. Close what's running in the background

Browsers with lots of tabs, recording software, overlays from several apps and active downloads use CPU, RAM and bandwidth. Windows Game Mode prioritises the game and is usually on by default.

#8. Watch your temperatures

If your CPU or GPU runs too hot, it slows itself down to stay safe (thermal throttling) and FPS drops after a few minutes of play. Clean out dust and check airflow. Normal values are covered in CPU and GPU temperatures.

#9. Check your RAM

• Dual channel: two matching sticks outperform one stick of the same total capacity, especially with integrated graphics.
• XMP/EXPO profile: many memory kits run below their rated speed until you enable their profile in the BIOS.

More in how much RAM you need.

#10. Find the bottleneck before you buy anything

If FPS is still low after all of this, work out which component is holding you back: is the GPU at 99% usage, or is the CPU maxed out? Buying the wrong part is money wasted. See CPU vs GPU bottlenecks.

#What usually doesn't help

• "Optimiser" and "RAM cleaner" programs promising more FPS: at best they do nothing, and some install unwanted software.
• Randomly disabling Windows services following old guides — you can break system features.
• "Miracle" config files from dodgy websites.

#The bottom line

Before touching graphics settings, check the basics: cable in the GPU, monitor at its real refresh rate, drivers up to date and — on laptops — charger connected and dedicated graphics in use. Then turn on upscaling and lower only the most expensive settings. If your machine is modest, also follow our guide to gaming on a low-end PC or laptop.