Last updated on Jun 9, 2024
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What is fps and refresh rate?
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Why is high fps desirable?
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What are the drawbacks of high fps?
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Why is low fps undesirable?
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What are the benefits of low fps?
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How to choose the best fps for your gaming?
If you are a PC gamer, you probably care about how smooth and responsive your games look and feel on your monitor. One of the factors that affects your gaming experience is the frame rate, or how many times per second your screen updates with a new image. Frame rate is measured in frames per second, or fps. In this article, we will explain what are the pros and cons of high fps vs low fps in gaming, and how they relate to your monitor's refresh rate and your hardware.
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- Joel Joboy Joseph Passionate About Finding and Securing the Best Talent for Your Team
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1 What is fps and refresh rate?
Fps and refresh rate are two different but related concepts. Fps is the number of frames that your graphics card (GPU) can produce and send to your monitor in a second. Refresh rate is the number of times that your monitor can display those frames in a second. Refresh rate is measured in hertz, or Hz. For example, a 60 Hz monitor can display up to 60 frames per second, while a 144 Hz monitor can display up to 144 frames per second.
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FPS (Frames Per Second): This refers to how many of these still images, called frames, are shown each second. Think of it as how fast you flip the pages in your flip book. A higher FPS means more flips per second, creating a smoother and more lifelike animation.Refresh Rate (Hz): This refers to how many times your monitor can physically show a new image each second. Think of it as the speed at which your flip book can change pages. A higher refresh rate means your monitor can keep up with a faster flipping speed (higher FPS).
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See AlsoUnderstanding Common FPS Values: The Advanced Guide to Video Frame Rates [2024 Update]120 frames per second is gaming’s future — and something PS5 Pro needs to deliverThe Number of Frames That Human Eyes Can See Per SecondWhy FPS, frames per second, and frame rate matter for Xbox, PlayStation, movies and TVInsightful
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2 Why is high fps desirable?
High fps is desirable because it can make your games look smoother, more realistic, and more immersive. High fps can also reduce input lag, which is the delay between your mouse or keyboard actions and the corresponding response on the screen. Input lag can affect your performance and accuracy in fast-paced or competitive games. High fps can also prevent screen tearing, which is a visual artifact that occurs when your GPU produces more frames than your monitor can display, resulting in a mismatched or split image.
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In simple terms, high fps means smooth gameplay. There won't be any lags. This is especially useful if you are into competitive gaming.
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3 What are the drawbacks of high fps?
High fps is not always better, and it can have some drawbacks. First of all, high fps requires more powerful and expensive hardware, such as a high-end GPU, CPU, and RAM. You may also need to lower your graphics settings or resolution to achieve high fps in some games. Second, high fps can cause more heat and noise from your PC components, which can affect their lifespan and performance. Third, high fps may not be noticeable or beneficial if your monitor's refresh rate is lower than your fps. For example, if you have a 60 Hz monitor and you get 120 fps in a game, you will only see 60 frames per second on your screen, while the rest will be wasted.
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You need to have the best setup which anyway will be expensive and also the heat that is emitted will be high. So to tackle the heat emission, a good cooling setup should be made.
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4 Why is low fps undesirable?
Low fps is undesirable because it can make your games look choppy, blurry, and laggy. Low fps can also increase input lag, which can make your games feel sluggish and unresponsive. Low fps can also cause stuttering, which is a sudden drop or spike in fps that can disrupt your gameplay and immersion. Stuttering can be caused by various factors, such as background processes, driver issues, or insufficient hardware.
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Low fps will cause a lot of lag, ruining your gameplay, and irritating you. So it's better to focus on a setup that can provide you with good fps while gaming or else you will have to tweak the graphics.
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5 What are the benefits of low fps?
Low fps is not always worse, and it can have some benefits. First of all, low fps requires less powerful and cheaper hardware, which can save you money and energy. You may also be able to enjoy higher graphics settings or resolution with low fps in some games. Second, low fps can reduce heat and noise from your PC components, which can improve their longevity and stability. Third, low fps may not be noticeable or detrimental if your monitor's refresh rate is higher than your fps. For example, if you have a 144 Hz monitor and you get 60 fps in a game, you will still see 60 frames per second on your screen, while the rest will be filled in by your monitor.
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I don't recommend going for a low fps setup. Games usually require at least 60 fps for smooth gameplay. If you are building a setup, build a good one with the budget. You can also mix with both fresh and used components for the pc.
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6 How to choose the best fps for your gaming?
Choosing the best fps for your gaming is a personal preference, as it depends on your game genre and hardware. Generally, aim for at least 30 fps for most games, as anything lower can be unplayable and unpleasant. For fast-paced or competitive games, such as shooters, racers, or fighters, aim for 60 fps or higher to benefit from smoother and more responsive gameplay. To avoid screen tearing or stuttering, match your fps to your monitor's refresh rate or use a feature like V-Sync, G-Sync, or FreeSync. Experiment with different graphics settings and resolutions to find the optimal balance between fps and visual quality for your games. Additionally, it is recommended to monitor your fps with tools like Steam overlay, MSI Afterburner, or FRAPS to see how your games perform and adjust accordingly.
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If you are a competitive gamer, I recommend having anywhere above 144fps. And if you are a casual gamer who wants to delve into the open world or embrace the storyline and graphics, then 60fps is more than enough.
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