How to Get More FPS From Your Gaming PC
Whether you're dealing with stuttering, low frame rates, or input lag, this guide covers every optimization trick from free software tweaks to hardware upgrades.
Step 1: Update Your Drivers
The single most impactful free optimization. Always keep GPU drivers current:
- NVIDIA: GeForce Experience or nvidia.com
- AMD: Adrenalin Software or amd.com
- Intel Arc: Intel Driver Support Assistant
Tip: Use "Clean Install" when updating NVIDIA drivers. Use DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) if switching GPU brands.
Step 2: Windows Optimization
Power Plan
- Open Power Options → Select High Performance
- Or create an Ultimate Performance plan:
powercfg -duplicatescheme e9a42b02-d5df-448d-aa00-03f14749eb61
Game Mode & Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling
- Game Mode: ON (Settings → Gaming → Game Mode)
- HAGS: ON for modern GPUs (Settings → Display → Graphics → Default graphics settings)
Background Processes
Close unnecessary apps:
- Discord hardware acceleration: OFF (saves 5-10% GPU)
- Browser tabs: Close them while gaming
- Startup apps: Disable non-essential via Task Manager → Startup
Virtual Memory
Set to 1.5x your RAM size:
- System Properties → Advanced → Performance Settings → Advanced
- Virtual Memory → Custom Size → Initial = 1.5x RAM, Maximum = 3x RAM
Step 3: In-Game Settings That Matter Most
Settings ranked by FPS impact (highest to lowest):
| Setting | FPS Impact | Visual Impact | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resolution | Very High | Very High | Native or DLSS/FSR |
| Ray Tracing | Very High | Medium-High | OFF unless RTX 4070+ |
| Shadow Quality | High | Medium | Medium |
| Volumetric Effects | High | Low-Medium | Low or OFF |
| Anti-Aliasing | Medium | Medium | TAA or DLSS/FSR |
| Texture Quality | Low* | High | High (uses VRAM, not FPS) |
| View Distance | Medium | Low | Medium |
| Post Processing | Medium | Low | Low |
*Texture quality uses VRAM, not processing power. Set it high if you have enough VRAM.
Step 4: Upscaling Technologies
NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling)
- Requires: RTX GPU
- Best setting: Quality mode (minor visual loss, 30-50% FPS boost)
- Frame Generation: Available on RTX 40 series, adds ~40% FPS
AMD FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution)
- Requires: Any GPU
- Best setting: Quality mode
- FSR 3 Frame Generation: Available on newer AMD GPUs
Intel XeSS
- Requires: Any GPU (best on Intel Arc)
- Performance: Between DLSS and FSR in quality
Priority: DLSS > XeSS > FSR for image quality at same performance level.
Step 5: Hardware Bottleneck Identification
Use MSI Afterburner + RTSS overlay to identify bottlenecks:
- GPU at 99%, CPU low = GPU bottleneck (lower resolution/settings)
- CPU at 99%, GPU low = CPU bottleneck (raise settings to shift load to GPU)
- Both low = Possible RAM, VRAM, or thermal throttling issue
Step 6: Quick Hardware Upgrades by Impact
| Upgrade | Cost | FPS Improvement | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Add SSD (loading times) | $50-80 | No FPS, faster loads | Easy |
| Add RAM to 16GB+ | $40-60 | 5-20% if under 16GB | Easy |
| Upgrade GPU | $200-800 | 30-200% | Medium |
| Upgrade CPU | $150-400 | 10-40% | Medium |
| Enable XMP/EXPO | Free | 5-10% | Easy (BIOS) |
FAQ
What's the most impactful free optimization?
Updating GPU drivers and enabling DLSS/FSR in supported games. Combined, these can boost FPS by 30-60% with minimal quality loss.
Is 16GB RAM enough for gaming in 2026?
16GB is sufficient for most games. 32GB is recommended for heavily modded games and futureproofing. Always run dual-channel.
Should I overclock my GPU?
Modern GPUs auto-boost effectively. Manual overclocking typically gains 5-10% FPS. Use MSI Afterburner for safe incremental increases.
How do I reduce input lag?
Enable Game Mode, use Fullscreen (not Borderless), turn off V-Sync (use G-Sync/FreeSync instead), and enable NVIDIA Reflex in supported games.