If your games feel choppy or sluggish, you do not always need new hardware. Smart Windows settings, in‑game adjustments, and a few safe utilities can unlock smoother frame rates, steadier frametimes, and lower input latency.
This guide focuses on the highest‑impact tweaks first, then moves into deeper optimizations and safe ways to automate them.
Establish A Gaming Performance Baseline
Before you change anything, measure where you are. A simple baseline tells you which tweaks help and which ones to roll back. Use a built‑in game benchmark when available, or replay the same two‑to‑three‑minute segment on the same map after each change.
Baseline steps: turn on an FPS overlay, capture average FPS and 1% lows, and note whether frame delivery feels even. Change only a couple of settings at a time, then re‑test the same scene.
| Metric | How To Capture | Why It Matters |
| Average FPS | Game benchmark or overlay | Overall throughput, helpful for comparing big changes |
| 1% Lows | Overlay that shows percentile stats | Indicates stutter and hitching that you can feel |
| Frametime Graph | GPU software or third‑party overlay | Reveals spikes even when the average FPS looks fine |
| GPU/CPU Temps | GPU control panel and monitoring tools | Confirms whether throttling is a factor |
| VRAM Usage | GPU control panel | Helps decide texture and resolution trade‑offs |
Best Windows Settings For Higher FPS
Windows includes gamer‑friendly toggles that can improve consistency and reduce background noise. They takega minutes to try and are easy to undo.
Start with these, then measure the effect before you move on.
| Setting Or Feature | Where To Change It | Why It Helps | Notes |
| Game Mode | Settings → Gaming → Game Mode | Prioritizes your running game over background tasks | Safe default for most systems |
| Optimizations For Windowed Games | Settings → System → Display → Graphics → Change Default Graphics Settings | Improves presentation timing in windowed and borderless modes | Restart the game after toggling |
| Hardware‑Accelerated GPU Scheduling (HAGS) | Same Graphics settings page | Shifts scheduling work to the GPU and can ease CPU bottlenecks | Benefit varies; test both ways |
| Disable Unused Overlays | Each app’s settings | Frees CPU, RAM, and a little GPU time | Keep only the overlays you use |
| Optional Security Tuning | Windows Security and Windows Features | Reduces overhead from features like Memory Integrity | Only for advanced users who accept the trade‑off |
Enable Game Mode And Windowed Optimizations
Game Mode reduces background activity while you play. Optimizations for windowed games improve frame pacing when you prefer borderless windowed instead of exclusive full-screen. These two settings are simple, reversible, and safe.
After enabling them, restart your game and run your baseline test again. If your games are mostly CPU‑bound or you use borderless windowed, the improvement often shows up in steadier 1% lows rather than a large jump in average FPS.
Try Hardware‑Accelerated GPU Scheduling (HAGS)
HAGS moves some scheduling work from the CPU to the GPU. On many systems, this helps CPU‑limited titles and reduces inconsistent frame delivery. On others, the impact is neutral.
Toggle it on, reboot if prompted, and retest your baseline scene to decide which side your system falls on.
If you upgrade drivers or switch GPUs, revisit HAGS. A change inthe driver branch can alter the result.
Read our many reviews of CPUs here.
Update GPU Drivers And Use Upscaling Or Frame Generation
Modern upscalers and frame‑generation technologies are the biggest software‑level performance wins in many games.
Update your graphics driver, then check if your titles support one or more of the features below. Turn them on in each game’s graphics menu and pick a quality preset that balances clarity and speed.
| Technology | Works On | What It Does | Use When |
| NVIDIA DLSS (including Multi‑Frame Generation) | GeForce RTX GPUs | Uses AI to upscale a lower render resolution and can synthesize intermediate frames to raise the displayed FPS | Great in GPU‑limited games or when enabling ray tracing |
| AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) | Broad support on AMD and non‑AMD GPUs | Spatial or temporal upscaling, with optional frame generation in newer versions | Cross‑vendor choice that appears in many titles |
| Intel XeSS | Intel Arc and many other GPUs | Super resolution upscaler with growing game support and optional frame generation in newer builds | Good alternative when DLSS is not available |
Tips for setup: pair frame generation with a sensible frame cap to avoid runaway heat, and keep your upscaler preset on a quality or balanced mode for the best image unless you are chasing maximum FPS.
Tune In‑Game Graphics Settings For Fast Wins
A few heavy settings consume far more performance than they add in perceived quality.
Lower these first to preserve visual fidelity while raising FPS.
Settings To Lower First
- Resolution scale or render resolution: if your game lacks an upscaler, drop to 90 or 95 percent before touching anything else.
- Shadows and volumetric effects: medium often looks similar to ultra during play.
- Post‑processing effects: motion blur, depth of field, film grain, and chromatic aberration tend to add latency and reduce clarity.
- Ambient occlusion: step down one tier if you are GPU‑limited.
- Ray tracing: disable on mid‑range GPUs unless you also enable an upscaler plus frame generation.
- V‑Sync and caps: if you have G‑Sync or FreeSync, set a frame cap a few frames below your display refresh to reduce latency and avoid input queuing.
Optimize Storage And Background Activity
Fast storage and a quiet background improve loading times and reduce stutter that comes from asset streaming. Place games on an SSD, preferably an NVMe drive. Keep at least 15 to 20 percent free space on the game drive to maintain write performance.
Close bandwidth‑heavy apps, browsers with many tabs, cloud backup clients, and any launchers you do not need for the current session.
Disable unused in‑game overlays and screen recorders if you do not rely on them.
| Category | Examples | Why It Helps |
| Launchers You Are Not Using | Extra publisher clients, secondary storefronts | Reduces update checks and CPU spikes |
| Real‑Time Sync Tools | Cloud backup, file sync | Avoids disk and network contention while gaming |
| Overlays And Recorders | Extra FPS counters, capture tools, chat overlays | Cuts input delay and GPU overhead |
| Browsers | Multiple high‑tab windows | Frees several gigabytes of RAM and CPU time |
Memory Profiles, Thermals, And Light Overclocking
Many DDR4 and DDR5 kits run below their rated speed until you enable the proper memory profile. On Intel platforms, this is XMP, and on the AMD AM5 DDR5 platform, this is EXPO. Enabling the validated profile loads correct timings and voltage for a free gain in memory‑sensitive titles.
Keep an eye on thermals. Clean dust filters, set a sane fan curve, and ensure the CPU and GPU are not throttling. A mild GPU undervolt or a small overclock can improve sustained clocks and lower noise.
Move slowly, test thoroughly, and keep a way to revert if a setting does not agree with your system.
| Item | What To Do | Result |
| Memory Profile (XMP or EXPO) | Enable the advertised profile in BIOS | Higher real‑world performance in memory‑sensitive games |
| Fan Curves | Use motherboard or vendor tools to raise fans earlier | Reduces throttling during long sessions |
| GPU Undervolt | Reduce voltage slightly while maintaining target clocks | Lower temperatures and steadier boost behavior |
| Case Airflow | Ensure intake and exhaust are unobstructed | Better CPU and GPU stability under load |
BONUS: Use FPS Boosters For Gaming
“FPS boosters” are utilities that streamline a Windows PC for gaming by pausing non‑essential background processes, freeing memory, and applying performance‑friendly system or per‑game settings.
Utilizing a game booster does not replace good in‑game tuning, but it can automate safe, reversible tweaks that you might otherwise repeat manually.
1. Hone
Hone is a Windows PC optimizer that consolidates one‑click system and game tweaks to boost FPS and reduce latency for PC gamers.
Hone focuses on clarity and control. You can apply curated optimizations for Windows, GPU, and popular games, then revert them later. The interface groups changes into sensible presets so you can test in batches rather than hunting through the registry or services list. Backup and restore options make experimentation safer, which is ideal if you like to measure changes without committing permanently.
Strengths: simple toggles, clear explanations of each change, backup and restore to roll back easily, and curated per‑title suggestions that save time. If you want gains without hours of manual tuning, Hone is a practical starting point.
Hone provides a free plan with up to 10 one‑click optimizations and a premium tier with unlimited optimizations, BIOS tweaks, and pro settings for Windows gamers.
2. Razer Cortex: Game Booster
Razer Cortex temporarily stops non‑essential processes and frees RAM when a game launches, then restores everything when you exit. It includes an in‑game FPS counter and modes that keep the CPU in a high‑performance state and prioritize gaming threads. It is widely used and easy to set up, which makes it a good choice for casual setups and older laptops that benefit from freeing background overhead.
Strengths: automatic activation when games start, simple recommendations that work with minimal effort, and basic system cleanup tools.
Windows Built‑Ins As A No‑Install Option
If you prefer not to install software, Windows already includes useful toggles like Game Mode and Optimizations for windowed games.
Pair those with closing unnecessary apps, and you can match a portion of what dedicated boosters do.
| Tool | How It Helps | Best For | Cost | Standout Features |
| Hone | Applies curated system and game tweaks with the ability to revert | Players who want measured, reversible changes | Free tier and paid premium | Backup and restore, per‑game presets, advanced options in premium |
| Razer Cortex | Suspends background processes and frees RAM when games launch | Casual gamers and older or mid‑range laptops | Free | Auto activation, FPS counter, simple system cleanup |
| Windows Built‑Ins | Prioritizes games and improves windowed presentation | Anyone avoiding extra installs | Free | Native, low overhead, easy to toggle |
Network And Latency Tweaks For Competitive Play
These steps will not raise FPS, but they can improve input feel and consistency for online games. Use Ethernet if you can. If not, connect on 5 GHz or Wi‑Fi 6 or 6E with a strong signal.
Close bandwidth‑heavy apps and background downloads before you queue for a match. If your router supports Quality of Service, prioritize your gaming PC.
When a game offers multiple server regions, choose the lowest average ping, even if the population is slightly lower. Lower variance in ping usually feels better than a higher peak bandwidth figure.
Conclusion
Make one change at a time and retest in the same scene so you can isolate what works. Keep a way to revert changes. Results vary by game and hardware, and the small wins add up.
With a measured approach and the right tools, most PCs can reach smoother, more consistent performance without a hardware upgrade.
FAQs
What Is A Good FPS For Competitive Gaming
For competitive shooters and fast action games, 120 to 240 FPS with stable frametimes feels responsive on high refresh displays. For cinematic single-player titles, 60 to 90 FPS often feels smooth if frametimes are even. Prioritize consistency over the highest peaks because steady delivery improves aim and camera control.
What Are The First Tweaks To Try For Higher FPS
Start with driver updates, enable Game Mode, turn on Optimizations for windowed games, and test Hardware Accelerated GPU Scheduling. Then enable an upscaler like DLSS, FSR, or XeSS in supported titles. These steps deliver quick gains without heavy trade-offs and set a solid baseline for deeper tuning.
Should I Use Game Mode In Windows 11 For Gaming
Yes, in most cases. Game Mode reduces background activity and can improve consistency. It is easy to toggle, safe to test, and works well alongside per-game optimizations. Recheck your baseline after enabling it to confirm the effect on your system.
What Does Hardware Accelerated GPU Scheduling Do
HAGS shifts some scheduling work from the CPU to the GPU. It can help if you are CPU-bound or if your game shows uneven frametimes from CPU overhead. Results vary by hardware and driver branch, so test both on and off using the same repeatable scene.
What Is The Difference Between DLSS FSR And XeSS
All three raise performance by rendering at a lower resolution and reconstructing detail. They differ in hardware support and reconstruction methods. Pick the quality preset that balances clarity and speed, then add frame generation when the game supports it and your input latency target is still met.
