Increase FPS on PC: 10 Settings and Hardware Fixes

What Is FPS and Why It Matters

If your PC game feels choppy, increase FPS by lowering demanding graphics settings and addressing system bottlenecks for smoother gameplay. These frame rate improvements affect live gaming; for recorded videos, frame interpolation creates intermediate frames after recording instead of improving game performance.

FPS (frames per second) is the number of individual images your computer displays every second while running a game or playing a video. A higher frame rate supplies more images per second; your monitor's refresh rate determines how frequently it can update the display. Whether you want to increase FPS in a competitive shooter or smooth out a choppy video clip, understanding what drives your frame rate is the first step.

FPS is closely related to another display parameter — the refresh rate, which measures how many times your monitor updates per second (in Hz). A 60 Hz display cannot show 120 complete frames per second, but a game running at 120 FPS does not necessarily appear choppy on it. Visible smoothness also depends on frame delivery and synchronization settings.

Why FPS Matters

When FPS drops too low, motion becomes stuttery or blurred because your system cannot render enough frames in time. Higher, consistently delivered FPS can improve:

• Gameplay smoothness: movements can look more fluid and natural.
• Reaction accuracy: more frequent visual updates can help in fast-paced or competitive games.
• Visual clarity: moving objects can be easier to follow; tearing and ghosting also depend on display settings and behavior.
• Overall immersion: steadier motion can make gameplay feel more responsive.

FPS vs Refresh Rate (Quick Comparison)

These pairings show the refresh rate needed to display each complete frame at a steady matching frame rate. Smoothness also depends on consistent frame delivery and synchronization settings.

Gaming FPS vs. Video FPS: Choose the Right Fix

Before you try to increase FPS, it helps to know which kind of frame rate you are dealing with, because the fixes are completely different.

• Real-time gaming FPS is rendered live by your GPU as you play. You raise rendered FPS by optimizing settings, drivers, hardware, and system resources using the 10 methods below. Supported upscaling renders at a lower internal resolution before reconstructing the output image. Supported in-game frame generation adds generated display frames between rendered frames; the higher displayed count does not mean the game processes input at that same rate. DLSS and FSR feature availability depends on the game and GPU.
• Video-file FPS is baked into a recorded clip. You cannot re-render it, but you can use AI frame interpolation to synthesize new intermediate frames and raise a 24/30 FPS clip to a smooth 60 or 120 FPS after the fact. A recorded-file FPS converter handles this in one pass.

Quick self-check: measure your current frame rate first. Press Windows + G to open the Xbox Game Bar and enable the FPS counter, or install MSI Afterburner with RivaTuner for an on-screen overlay. Knowing your baseline tells you how much headroom each fix below is actually buying you. If your problem is choppy playback of a recorded video rather than a live game, skip straight to the AI frame interpolation section.

Check FPS Caps Before Changing PC Settings

If FPS stops at a fixed value, inspect the game's frame limiter, the graphics driver's frame cap, and synchronization settings such as V-Sync, which coordinates frame presentation with the display. A deliberate cap is not necessarily a hardware bottleneck.

If FPS is not capped, compare CPU and GPU workload, clock speeds, and temperatures in the scene that feels slow. Heavy GPU load points toward lowering resolution or demanding graphics settings; a CPU limit or falling clocks calls for checking background tasks or cooling before buying hardware. If lowering graphics settings does not help, revisit those workload and temperature checks.

I recommend changing one setting at a time and replaying the same scene so you can judge whether that change helps. When average FPS is high but motion still skips, inspect frame times, the intervals between frames, and 1% lows, a measure of performance during the slowest portion of gameplay. Uneven frame delivery can explain stutter that an average FPS counter hides.

Quick Summary: Ways to Increase FPS on PC

Here is a quick overview of ways to increase FPS on your computer. Settings, drivers, and hardware checks address real-time gaming performance; AI frame interpolation increases the output frame rate of recorded video files, not live gameplay FPS.

Top 5 Methods at a Glance

1. Lower in-game graphics settings — Reduce shadow quality, resolution, and textures to lighten GPU load.
2. Update your graphics drivers — New drivers often include optimizations that improve FPS stability.
3. Enable Windows Game Mode — Focuses system resources on gaming and disables background apps.
4. Switch to High-Performance power plan — Prevents your CPU and GPU from throttling to save power.
5. Use UniFab Smoother AI for recorded video: Interpolates intermediate frames after recording, with output up to 120 FPS (as of November 2026).

Manual tweaks can improve gameplay FPS, while UniFab Smoother AI processes recorded videos to increase their output frame rate.

Manual vs AI FPS Optimization

Now let us explore each of the 10 methods in detail, including simple performance tweaks and advanced hardware tips to help you maximize FPS on your PC.

10 Ways to Increase FPS on PC

Your computer's performance depends on several components — CPU, GPU, RAM, and storage. By optimizing these areas you can significantly increase FPS and enjoy smoother gameplay or video rendering.

1. Adjust Visual Effects to Optimize System Performance

Windows offers built-in visual effects settings that let you trade eye candy for raw performance. Disabling unnecessary animations and transparency effects reduces Windows desktop visual overhead; it does not guarantee higher FPS during gaming or streaming.

Step 1: Press Windows + R, type sysdm.cpl, and press Enter.

Step 2: In the System Properties window, go to the Advanced tab and click Settings under the Performance section.

Step 3: Select Adjust for best performance, then click Apply and OK.

This disables non-essential visual effects such as window animations, font smoothing, and thumbnail previews. Replay the same game scene after the change; if game FPS does not change, return to your existing game settings and the CPU/GPU workload checks described above before making further changes.

2. Defragment Your HDD to Optimize Read/Write Speed

Over time, your hard drive stores files in fragmented chunks scattered across the disk. This fragmentation forces the read head to jump between sectors, increasing load times and causing FPS drops during asset-heavy scenes.

Step 1: Press Windows + E, navigate to This PC, right-click your Local Disk (C:), and select Properties.

Step 2: Go to the Tools tab, click Optimize, select the drive, and click Optimize again. Restart your system afterward to verify the improvement.

Note: If you already use an SSD as your primary drive, skip this step — SSDs do not benefit from defragmentation and Windows automatically disables it for solid-state drives.

3. Enable Windows Game Mode

Windows Game Mode dedicates system resources to your active game and suppresses background activities that could interrupt gameplay. In 2026, Windows 11 Game Mode also integrates with Xbox Game Bar enhancements for better resource allocation.

Step 1: Press Windows + I to open Settings, then navigate to Gaming > Game Mode.

Step 2: Toggle Game Mode to On. Your system will now prioritize gaming processes over background tasks like Windows Update downloads and notification popups.

4. Switch to the High-Performance Power Plan

The default "Balanced" and "Power Saver" plans throttle CPU and GPU clock speeds to conserve battery. Switching to High-Performance mode unlocks your hardware's full potential.

Step 1: Press Windows + R, type powercfg.cpl, and press Enter.

Step 2: Under Hide Additional Plans, select High Performance. On laptops, consider using this only while plugged in to avoid rapid battery drain.

2026 Tip: Windows 11 24H2 introduced the "Best Performance" slider in Settings > System > Power & battery, which combines High-Performance mode with additional optimizations. Try it if your system supports it.

5. Enable NVIDIA DLSS or AMD FSR

NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) and AMD FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution) offer upscaling in supported games: the game renders at a lower internal resolution, then reconstructs the output at the target resolution. This can improve rendered FPS when GPU rendering workload is the bottleneck, with visual results depending on the game and selected mode.

Step 1: Launch your game and navigate to the Graphics or Display settings menu.

Step 2: Locate the DLSS or FSR option and choose Quality mode for the best FPS-to-visual ratio, or Balanced/Performance when you need maximum frames.

As of November 2026, NVIDIA lists Dynamic Multi Frame Generation for GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs and Frame Generation for GeForce RTX 40 and RTX 50 Series GPUs. Generated display frames are distinct from the frames rendered by the game: they can make motion look smoother without an equivalent improvement in input responsiveness. For AMD FSR, upscaling and frame-generation availability depend on the game's implementation and your GPU; enable only the features supported by that combination.

6. Update Your Graphics Driver

Your graphics driver acts as the bridge between your GPU and every game or application. Outdated drivers miss out on game-specific optimizations and bug fixes that directly affect FPS.

• NVIDIA: Open GeForce Experience (or the newer NVIDIA App) and click Check for Updates.
• AMD: Open AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition and navigate to Home > Driver & Software > Check for Updates.
• Intel Arc: Open Intel Arc Control and check the Driver section.

Manufacturers release "Game Ready" or "Game Optimized" drivers that can include game-specific performance optimizations and bug fixes. After an update, retry the same game scene before making another change.

7. Upgrade Key Hardware Components (and Fix Thermal Throttling)

Before choosing an upgrade, check CPU and GPU workload, memory use, temperatures, and clock speeds while the slowdown occurs. Match the next action to the component under pressure:

• RAM: If you have 8 GB or less and memory use approaches capacity during gameplay, upgrading to 16 GB (or 32 GB for content creation) can reduce memory-related stuttering. In 2026, 32 GB is the comfortable target for gaming plus streaming.
• Replace HDD with SSD: Loading games from an NVMe SSD can shorten load times and reduce stutter caused by slow asset loading, but it may not raise average FPS when rendering is the bottleneck. In 2026, PCIe 5.0 NVMe drives offer read speeds above 12 GB/s.
• Graphics Card: A GPU upgrade can improve FPS when GPU rendering capacity is the limiting factor. Results depend on the game, resolution, graphics settings, and the rest of your system; if lowering resolution barely changes FPS, investigate CPU workload and other bottlenecks before buying a GPU.
• Cooling & thermal paste: A CPU or GPU approaching its model-specific thermal limit may reduce clock speeds mid-game, contributing to FPS drops. Check temperatures and clock speeds with HWiNFO or MSI Afterburner while gaming; if they indicate thermal throttling, follow the hardware manufacturer's maintenance guidance before replacing thermal paste or upgrading the cooler.

8. Lower Your In-Game Screen Resolution and Heavy Settings

Reducing resolution decreases the number of pixels your GPU must render each frame. Fewer pixels means less processing workload, which can raise FPS when GPU rendering is the bottleneck.

Step 1: In your game's display settings, find the Resolution option.

Step 2: Drop from your native resolution (e.g., 2560x1440) down one step (e.g., 1920x1080) and test the FPS improvement.

For a less noticeable quality trade-off, try lowering the render scale to 80–90 % instead of reducing the full resolution to reduce rendering workload while keeping the UI at native resolution. Beyond resolution, the highest-impact individual settings are Shadow Quality (try Low/Very Low to reduce rendering workload), Ambient Occlusion (disable — heavy GPU cost, little competitive benefit), and Anti-Aliasing (use FXAA or off instead of demanding MSAA).

9. Disable Startup Programs and Background Apps

Startup programs and background applications silently consume CPU, RAM, and sometimes GPU resources. Disabling unnecessary ones frees those resources for your game.

Step 1: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Right-click any resource-heavy processes you do not need and select End Task.

Step 2: Switch to the Startup tab (or Startup Apps in Windows 11), right-click non-essential programs, and select Disable.

Common offenders include cloud sync clients (OneDrive, Dropbox), RGB lighting software, chat overlays, and browser extensions running in the background.

Disable one unnecessary overlay at a time, then retry the same game scene without changing other settings. Restore the overlay if it makes no difference.

10. Run Disk Cleanup to Free Storage Space

When your system drive is nearly full, Windows cannot efficiently manage virtual memory and temp files, leading to performance degradation and FPS drops.

Step 1: Press Windows + R, type cleanmgr, and press Enter.

Step 2: Select your system drive (usually C:) and click OK.

Step 3: Check the boxes for items to delete — Temporary files, Thumbnails, Recycle Bin, and Delivery Optimization Files are safe choices. Click OK to confirm.

For a deeper cleanup, click Clean up system files to also remove old Windows Update caches and previous installation files, which can free tens of gigabytes.

Summary Insight

Graphics settings, drivers, background workload, and thermal limits affect real-time game rendering. Video interpolation generates intermediate frames in a recorded clip. Once your PC settings are optimized, you can further improve video FPS using AI-based frame interpolation — covered next.

Increase Recorded Video FPS With UniFab Smoother AI

An AI FPS enhancer uses artificial intelligence and frame interpolation to create additional frames between existing ones, effectively increasing a video's frame rate. This technique can make motion smoother in recorded footage; it does not increase a game's real-time rendering performance.

UniFab Smoother AI is a Windows desktop application that increases recorded video frame rates to up to 120 FPS. It relies on true AI frame interpolation, analyzing motion vectors between frames to synthesize new ones rather than duplicating existing frames.

Key Benefits of UniFab Smoother AI

• AI Frame Interpolation: Generates intermediate frames to make recorded motion smoother.
• Versatile Use: Works for movies, sports, slow-motion footage, and game recordings.
• Built-in Editor: Trim and customize output format, resolution, and bitrate.

Interpolation can introduce motion artifacts around fast-moving subjects or scene cuts. Use the UniFab Smoother AI free trial to process a short clip and inspect those moments before exporting the full recording.

Ideal for creators, editors, and streamers who want smoother playback without system tweaks. If your goal is slow motion rather than everyday smoothing, interpolation can help you make a video slow motion by generating intermediate frames instead of simply holding existing frames longer.

AI Video-FPS Tools Compared

Several tools can raise the frame rate of a video file. These options serve different recorded-video workflows:

I would use game settings for a modest gameplay FPS improvement and UniFab Smoother AI for a recording that needs smoother motion with trimming and export controls. Browser tools suit an upload-based workflow, while Flowframes suits users who want to work with interpolation models.

UniFab Smoother AI requires a Windows desktop installation rather than a browser session; use its free trial on your Windows PC to assess the workflow. It processes video files, not live gameplay; use the 10 system methods above for in-game performance.

Increase Video FPS With UniFab Smoother AI

This workflow processes local recorded files, not live gameplay. Use the UniFab Smoother AI free trial with a short recording to check how interpolation suits your footage.

1. Keep the original file unchanged and open a copy of the recorded clip in UniFab Smoother AI.
2. Inspect the source frame rate in the clip's media information before choosing an output setting.
3. Select an available higher output frame rate. For example, convert a 30 FPS source to 60 FPS while keeping its playback duration unchanged.
4. Process and export a short segment containing fast motion and a scene cut. Interpolation generates intermediate images; duplicating frames adds no new motion information, and changing playback speed changes the clip's duration.
5. Check moving edges, scene cuts, audio sync, and playback duration in the exported segment. Adjust the output settings if needed, then process and export the full clip as a separate file.

UniFab's AI analyzes motion between recorded frames and generates intermediate frames. If you are aiming for a specific delivery spec such as 4K at 60fps, you can set resolution and frame rate together in the built-in editor.

Process only material you own or are authorized to use lawfully for personal purposes. You are responsible for your use of the content and for following applicable law and the relevant tools' and services' terms.

Manual Optimization vs AI Enhancement

These workflows address different tasks: system settings affect game rendering, supported in-game frame generation adds displayed frames during gameplay, and UniFab Smoother AI interpolates recorded footage after capture. When you choose a video frame rate converter, match its processing workflow and export controls to the recording you need to deliver.

Conclusion

Increasing FPS can improve your visual experience, whether you are gaming, editing, or watching videos. For smoother gameplay, optimize demanding graphics settings, update GPU drivers, check for thermal throttling, and manage unnecessary background tasks according to the bottleneck you identify.

For recorded footage, UniFab Smoother AI generates intermediate frames to increase the video's output frame rate; it does not increase live gaming performance. I recommend keeping game-performance troubleshooting separate from recorded-video processing: use settings changes for gameplay and interpolation when an existing clip needs smoother motion.

A 60 FPS converter can help prepare recorded footage for a 60 FPS workflow. Whether to target 120 FPS depends on your footage, display, and delivery requirements.

Process only material you own or are authorized to use lawfully for personal purposes, and do not redistribute it without permission. You are responsible for your content use and for following applicable law and relevant tool and service terms; specific requirements depend on your use case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I increase gaming FPS without buying new hardware?

Yes. Lowering demanding graphics settings, enabling supported upscaling, updating drivers, and closing unnecessary applications can improve gaming performance without a hardware purchase. If your CPU or GPU is already the limiting component, these changes cannot add processing capacity, but reducing the game's workload may still help. Change one setting at a time and compare the same game scene before deciding whether an upgrade is worthwhile.

Can raising a video's FPS restore missing detail?

No. Frame interpolation creates intermediate images between recorded frames; it does not recapture a missed moment or restore detail absent from the source. Use the UniFab Smoother AI trial to process a short segment and choose an output frame rate that suits your clip, checking fast motion and scene cuts before processing the full recording.

How long does it take to increase a recorded video's FPS?

Processing time varies with duration, resolution, codec, AI model, hardware, and export settings. A short test provides the most reliable estimate; online tools also add upload and download time, while local tools depend more heavily on CPU and GPU performance.

Why does my gaming FPS drop after several minutes?

Heat buildup can cause your CPU or GPU to reduce its clock speed, lowering sustained gaming performance. Monitor temperatures and clock speeds as the slowdown appears, then check background activity and available memory. If temperatures rise while clocks fall, follow your hardware manufacturer's cooling guidance; otherwise, use the game's troubleshooting guidance for the observed symptom.

Can every PC reach 700 FPS?

No. The attainable frame rate depends on the game, resolution, graphics settings, CPU and GPU rendering capacity, and any active frame limiter. Some lightweight games may reach very high frame rates on suitable hardware, but 700 FPS is not a general PC performance target. Increasing your monitor's refresh-rate setting does not create additional rendered frames.