Experiencing low FPS (frames per second) while gaming on Windows? Low FPS can cause lag, stuttering, and slow response times, making your gaming experience frustrating. Fortunately, there are several ways to optimize Windows for gaming and increase FPS in PC gaming without needing a hardware upgrade.

This guide will cover Windows optimizations, driver updates, in-game settings, and power management to boost FPS and enhance gaming performance on your PC.

Why FPS Matters in PC Gaming

FPS (frames per second) is a crucial factor in gaming performance. Higher FPS means smoother gameplay, reducing input lag and improving reaction times. Here’s a general FPS benchmark:

• 30 FPS – Playable but not ideal.
• 60 FPS – Smooth gameplay for most games.
• 120+ FPS – Best for competitive gaming (shooters, esports titles).

If your FPS drops below 60, follow these steps to increase FPS in PC gaming on Windows.

Update Your Graphics Drivers

Your GPU (graphics processing unit) plays the biggest role in FPS. Outdated graphics drivers can cause FPS drops in newer games.

A. Update NVIDIA Graphics Drivers

1. Right-click on the desktop and open NVIDIA Control Panel.
2. Go to Help → System Information to check your GPU model.
3. Open GeForce Experience or visit NVIDIA's official website to download the latest driver.
4. Select Express Installation and restart your PC.

B. Update AMD Graphics Drivers

1. Right-click on the desktop and open AMD Radeon Software.
2. Go to Settings → System → Updates.
3. Click Check for Updates and install the latest driver.
4. Restart your PC after installation.

Adjust In-Game Graphics Settings

Changing in-game settings can dramatically increase FPS in PC gaming.

A. Lower Graphics Settings

1. Open the game’s settings menu.
2. Lower these options:
   • Resolution: Set to 1080p instead of 1440p or 4K.
   • Shadows & Reflections: Set to Low or Medium.
   • Anti-Aliasing: Use FXAA instead of MSAA or TAA.
   • Textures: Set to Medium or Low for better performance.

B. Enable FPS-Boosting Features

Some games have built-in performance enhancers:

• NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) – Uses AI to improve FPS.
• AMD FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution) – Boosts FPS with upscaling.

Enable these settings if your game supports them.

Optimize Windows for Gaming

Windows has several built-in settings to improve performance.

A. Enable Windows Game Mode

Windows Game Mode prioritizes gaming performance.

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. Navigate to Gaming → Game Mode.
3. Toggle Game Mode ON.

B. Set High Performance Mode

1. Open Control Panel (Win + R, type control).
2. Go to Power Options.
3. Select High Performance mode.

For gaming laptops, always keep your device plugged in while gaming.

C. Disable Background Apps

Background apps use CPU and RAM, lowering FPS.

1. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
2. Go to Processes and look for non-essential programs.
3. Right-click → End Task on apps like Chrome, Discord overlays, and background updaters.

Disable Unnecessary Startup Programs

Unnecessary startup apps slow down Windows and use memory.

A. Disable Startup Programs

1. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
2. Go to the Startup tab.
3. Disable unnecessary apps (e.g., Spotify, OneDrive, Skype).

B. Turn Off Background Apps in Windows

1. Open Settings (Win + I).
2. Navigate to Privacy → Background Apps.
3. Disable Let apps run in the background.

Overclock Your GPU and CPU (Optional)

Overclocking can boost FPS by increasing your hardware’s clock speed.

A. How to Overclock Your GPU

1. Download MSI Afterburner.
2. Open MSI Afterburner and increase:
   • Core Clock Speed (+50 MHz at a time).
   • Memory Clock Speed (+100 MHz at a time).
3. Click Apply and test stability using 3DMark or FurMark.

B. How to Overclock Your CPU

1. Restart your PC and enter BIOS (DEL or F2 at startup).
2. Look for CPU Multiplier and increase it gradually.
3. Save changes and restart your PC.

🚨 Warning: Overclocking generates more heat. Ensure your cooling system is adequate before overclocking.

Reduce Windows Visual Effects

Windows visual effects use GPU resources. Disabling them can increase FPS in PC gaming.

1. Open System Properties (Win + R, type sysdm.cpl, press Enter).
2. Go to the Advanced tab → Click Settings under Performance.
3. Select Adjust for best performance.
4. Click Apply.

Use NVIDIA or AMD Control Panel Tweaks

A. NVIDIA Control Panel Optimization

1. Right-click on the desktop → Open NVIDIA Control Panel.
2. Go to Manage 3D Settings.
3. Change these settings:
   • Power Management Mode → Set to Prefer Maximum Performance.
   • Texture Filtering Quality → Set to Performance.
   • V-Sync → Turn OFF for higher FPS.

B. AMD Radeon Software Optimization

1. Open AMD Radeon Software.
2. Go to Graphics Settings.
3. Enable:
   • Radeon Anti-Lag
   • Radeon Boost
   • AMD FreeSync (if supported by your monitor).

Upgrade Hardware for Long-Term FPS Boost

If your hardware is outdated, no amount of software tweaks can increase FPS in PC gaming significantly. Consider upgrading these components:

A. Upgrade Your Graphics Card (GPU)

• For 1080p Gaming: RTX 3060 / RX 6600 XT.
• For 1440p Gaming: RTX 4060 Ti / RX 7700 XT.
• For 4K Gaming: RTX 4080 / RX 7900 XTX.

B. Increase RAM

• 8GB RAM (minimum) – Some games may stutter.
• 16GB RAM – Ideal for most modern games.
• 32GB RAM – Recommended for streaming and multitasking.

C. Upgrade to an SSD

HDDs slow down loading times. Move your games to an SSD to eliminate lag spikes.

Monitor FPS in Real-Time

To see if your optimizations are working, monitor FPS in real-time:

A. Enable NVIDIA FPS Counter

1. Open GeForce Experience.
2. Go to Settings → In-Game Overlay.
3. Enable FPS Counter.

B. Use MSI Afterburner

1. Install MSI Afterburner.
2. Enable On-Screen Display (OSD) to monitor FPS.

Conclusion

By following these Windows optimizations, GPU tweaks, and in-game settings, you can increase FPS in PC gaming and achieve a smoother, more enjoyable experience.

Final FPS Boost Checklist

✔ Update graphics drivers.
✔ Lower in-game settings (shadows, resolution, anti-aliasing, etc.).
✔ Enable Game Mode & High Performance Mode.
✔ Close unnecessary background apps.
✔ Overclock GPU & CPU (if needed).
✔ Optimize NVIDIA or AMD settings.
✔ Upgrade hardware if necessary.

Implement these tweaks and enjoy high FPS gaming on Windows!