> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://blog.brightpixel.work/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # How to Boost FPS on PC: 10 Tweaks That Actually Work - URL: https://blog.brightpixel.work/how-to-boost-fps-on-pc-10-tweaks-that-actually-work/ - Published: 2026-10-09T17:22:14.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-14T08:04:13.000Z - Description: Low frame rates ruin games. These 10 practical tweaks, from driver updates to smarter in-game settings, can noticeably raise your FPS without new hardware. - Author: BrightPixel - Tags: Games, Guides Nothing kills a good game faster than stutter and low frame rates. Before you spend money on a new graphics card, try these ten tweaks. Most take a few minutes, and together they can make a noticeable difference. ![Checklist of 10 FPS tweaks: drivers, display ports, refresh rate, Game Mode, background apps, graphics settings, upscaling, temperatures, XMP/EXPO and SSD](https://blog.brightpixel.work/content/images/2026/10/bp-fps-checklist.png) All 10 tweaks at a glance. ## 1\. Update your graphics drivers NVIDIA, AMD and Intel regularly release drivers with performance fixes for new games. Install the latest version from the manufacturer's app (NVIDIA App, AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition or Intel Arc Control) or website. If a new driver causes problems, you can always roll back. ## 2\. Plug your monitor into the graphics card On desktops, make sure the display cable goes into the ports on the graphics card, not the motherboard. Using the motherboard ports can mean the game runs on the much weaker integrated graphics. ## 3\. Set the right refresh rate If you own a 144 Hz or 165 Hz monitor, Windows may still be running it at 60 Hz. Open **Settings → System → Display → Advanced display** and pick the highest refresh rate available. ## 4\. Turn on Game Mode and use a high-performance power plan Windows Game Mode prioritises the game you're playing. Find it under **Settings → Gaming → Game Mode**. On laptops, plug in the charger and choose the best-performance power mode — running on battery often limits the GPU heavily. ## 5\. Close background apps Browsers with dozens of tabs, launchers, recording software and RGB utilities all compete for CPU and memory. Check Task Manager (**Ctrl + Shift + Esc**) and close anything you don't need while gaming. ## 6\. Lower the settings that cost the most Not every graphics option has the same cost. The biggest FPS gains usually come from lowering: - **Shadows** — often the most expensive setting, with little visual difference between High and Ultra. - **Volumetric effects** such as fog, clouds and lighting. - **Ray tracing** — beautiful, but very demanding. - **Anti-aliasing** — try a lighter mode. ![Bar chart of typical FPS cost: ray tracing very high, shadows and volumetric effects high, anti-aliasing medium, texture quality low with enough VRAM](https://blog.brightpixel.work/content/images/2026/10/bp-fps-settings-cost.png) Lower the settings at the top of this chart first. Texture quality mainly depends on your graphics card's memory (VRAM), so it can often stay high if your card has enough. ## 7\. Use upscaling (DLSS, FSR or XeSS) Upscaling renders the game at a lower resolution and rebuilds a sharp image, often giving a large FPS boost. Use DLSS on NVIDIA RTX cards, and FSR or XeSS on almost any modern GPU. The "Quality" preset is a good starting point. ## 8\. Check your temperatures When a CPU or GPU gets too hot, it slows itself down to stay safe (thermal throttling). Clean dust from fans and filters, make sure the case has airflow, and keep laptops on a hard surface instead of a bed or sofa. ## 9\. Enable XMP/EXPO for your RAM Memory often runs below its rated speed until you enable its profile in the BIOS — called XMP on Intel systems and EXPO on many AMD systems. Faster memory can help, especially in CPU-heavy games. ## 10\. Install games on an SSD An SSD doesn't directly raise average FPS, but it cuts loading times and can reduce stutter in open-world games that stream data constantly. ## Final thoughts Start with the free, quick wins: drivers, refresh rate, background apps and smarter graphics settings. If you still struggle after all ten, it may finally be time to look at an upgrade — and we'll cover how to choose the right one in a future guide. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the quickest way to boost FPS on PC? Update your graphics drivers, make sure your monitor runs at its highest refresh rate, close background apps, and lower the most demanding graphics settings such as shadows and ray tracing. ### Which graphics settings affect FPS the most? Ray tracing, shadows and volumetric effects usually cost the most performance. Texture quality mainly depends on your graphics card's memory (VRAM), so it can often stay high. ### Does DLSS or FSR increase FPS? Yes. Upscalers like DLSS, FSR and XeSS render the game at a lower resolution and rebuild a sharp image, often giving a large FPS boost. The Quality preset is a good starting point. ### Does installing games on an SSD increase FPS? Not average FPS, but an SSD cuts loading times and can reduce stutter in open-world games that constantly load new data. --- *Sources:* [*NVIDIA: DLSS*](https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/technologies/dlss/?ref=blog.brightpixel.work)*,* [*AMD: FSR technologies*](https://www.amd.com/en/products/graphics/technologies/fidelityfx/super-resolution.html?ref=blog.brightpixel.work)*,* [*Microsoft: Gaming on Windows 11*](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/meet-windows-11-gaming-2e537161-a578-4ebd-b399-366c855023e1?ref=blog.brightpixel.work)*. Results vary by hardware and game.*