How to Improve FPS on PC

Low FPS can completely ruin the gaming experience. Stuttering, lag, and unstable performance make even great games frustrating to play. Fortunately, there are several ways to improve FPS on your PC without necessarily buying new hardware. Here are the best methods to boost gaming performance in 2026.

GUIDES

Kelly Carvalho

5/11/20262 min read

1. Update Your Graphics Drivers

Keeping your GPU drivers updated is one of the easiest ways to improve performance.

For NVIDIA Users:

Use the official GeForce Experience app or download drivers directly from:

NVIDIA Official Website

For AMD Users:

Download the latest drivers from:

AMD Official Website

New drivers often include:

  • FPS optimizations

  • Bug fixes

  • Better support for new games

2. Lower Graphics Settings

Some settings impact FPS much more than others.

Settings You Should Lower First:

  • Shadows

  • Ray Tracing

  • Volumetric Effects

  • Ambient Occlusion

  • Anti-Aliasing

Settings With Smaller Impact:

  • Texture quality (if you have enough VRAM)

  • Anisotropic filtering

Finding the right balance between visuals and performance is essential.

3. Enable Performance Modes

Many games now include:

  • DLSS (NVIDIA)

  • FSR (AMD)

  • XeSS (Intel)

These technologies increase FPS by rendering games more efficiently.

They can massively improve performance with minimal visual loss.

4. Close Background Applications

Programs running in the background consume:

  • RAM

  • CPU usage

  • Disk activity

Close unnecessary apps like:

  • Browsers with many tabs

  • Recording software

  • Unused launchers

  • Heavy RGB software

This frees up system resources for games.

5. Optimize Windows Settings

Recommended Changes:

  • Enable Game Mode

  • Disable startup apps you don’t need

  • Set power mode to “High Performance”

  • Turn off unnecessary visual effects

You can also keep Windows updated for better compatibility and stability.

6. Check Temperatures

Overheating can reduce FPS because your CPU or GPU starts throttling performance.

Ideal Gaming Temperatures:

  • CPU: under 85°C

  • GPU: under 80°C

If temperatures are high:

  • Clean dust from fans

  • Improve airflow

  • Replace thermal paste if necessary

7. Install Games on an SSD

SSDs improve:

  • Loading times

  • Texture streaming

  • Open-world stability

While SSDs don’t directly increase FPS in every game, they significantly improve overall smoothness.

8. Upgrade RAM

Modern games often need:

  • 16GB RAM minimum

  • 32GB for heavy multitasking

Insufficient RAM can cause:

  • Stutters

  • Frame drops

  • Slow loading

Dual-channel RAM also improves performance in many games.

9. Lower Resolution

Reducing resolution can dramatically improve FPS.

Examples:

  • 1440p → 1080p

  • 1080p → 900p

This is especially useful for older GPUs.

10. Keep Your PC Clean

Dust buildup affects cooling and performance.

A clean PC:

  • Runs cooler

  • Maintains stable FPS

  • Extends hardware lifespan

Cleaning your PC every few months helps a lot.

Best Quick FPS Boost Tips

If you want instant improvements:

  1. Update GPU drivers

  2. Lower shadow settings

  3. Enable DLSS or FSR

  4. Close background apps

  5. Use High Performance mode

These steps alone can provide noticeable FPS gains.

Final Thoughts

Improving FPS is about balancing:

  • Graphics quality

  • Hardware capability

  • System optimization

Even older PCs can achieve much better gaming performance with the right settings and maintenance.

Before buying expensive upgrades, try optimizing your system first — the difference can be huge.

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