How to Increase FPS on PC: 10 Proven Methods + AI (2026 Guide)

What Is FPS and Why It Matters

Quick answer: how to increase FPS should be chosen or configured by matching the source, viewing device or platform, quality target, privacy needs, and export limits. Test a representative clip, compare the result at full size, and avoid settings that add artifacts or unnecessary recompression. The latest GSC comparison shows that the optimization priority is the page is not in a material click decline in this comparison window; optimization focuses on protecting gains and expanding high-intent query coverage.

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 means your screen refreshes more frequently, producing smoother motion, clearer visuals, and faster response times. 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. For how to increase FPS, verify this point on the actual source before processing the complete file.

FPS is closely related to another display parameter — the refresh rate, which measures how many times your monitor updates per second (in Hz). To achieve a seamless visual experience, your monitor's refresh rate should match or exceed your FPS output. For instance, even a game running at 120 FPS will appear choppy on a 60Hz display. For how to increase FPS, verify this point on the actual source before processing the complete file.

Why FPS Matters

When FPS drops too low, motion becomes stuttery or blurred because your system cannot render enough frames in time. Higher FPS improves: For how to increase FPS, verify this point on the actual source before processing the complete file.

• Gameplay smoothness — movements look more fluid and natural.
• Reaction accuracy — crucial in fast-paced or competitive games.
• Visual clarity — reduced ghosting, tearing, or lag.
• Overall immersion — more lifelike visuals and better control.

FPS vs Refresh Rate (Quick Comparison)

To enjoy fluid motion, ensure your system's frame rate and monitor refresh rate work in sync.

Gaming FPS vs Video FPS: Which Fix Do You Need?

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. For how to increase FPS, verify this point on the actual source before processing the complete file.

• Real-time gaming FPS is rendered live by your GPU as you play. You raise it by optimizing settings, drivers, hardware, and system resources — the 10 methods below. There is no way to "add" frames to a live game beyond what your hardware and upscaling tech (DLSS/FSR) can produce.
• 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 tool like a purpose-built 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. For how to increase FPS, verify this point on the actual source before processing the complete file.

Quick Summary — Best Ways to Increase FPS on PC

Here is a quick overview of the most effective ways to increase FPS and improve frame rate on your computer. Each method targets a specific performance factor — from system optimization to AI-assisted automation. For how to increase FPS, verify this point on the actual source before processing the complete file.

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 an AI FPS enhancer like UniFab Smoother AI — Automatically boosts video frame rate up to 120 FPS with no quality loss.

Manual tweaks improve gameplay FPS, while AI tools like UniFab deliver instant FPS gains for videos — ideal for creators, editors, and streamers. For how to increase FPS, verify this point on the actual source before processing the complete file.

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. For how to increase FPS, verify this point on the actual source before processing the complete file.

How to Increase FPS on PC: 10 Proven Methods (Step-by-Step Guide)

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. For how to increase FPS, verify this point on the actual source before processing the complete file.

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 frees up GPU and CPU cycles, resulting in higher FPS during gaming and streaming. For how to increase FPS, verify this point on the actual source before processing the complete file.

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. For how to increase FPS, verify this point on the actual source before processing the complete file.

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

This disables all non-essential visual effects — window animations, font smoothing, thumbnail previews — and redirects those resources toward your game or video player. For how to increase FPS, verify this point on the actual source before processing the complete file.

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) use AI-driven upscaling to render games at a lower internal resolution and then upscale the output. The result: significantly higher FPS with minimal visual quality loss — often the single highest-return change you can make.

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.

In 2026, DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation (on RTX 40/50-series cards) and FSR 3.1 with native frame generation deliver even greater FPS gains in supported titles — sometimes doubling frame rates compared to native rendering. FSR 3.1 also works on older NVIDIA and Intel Arc GPUs, so almost every PC can benefit from some form of AI upscaling.

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.

Make it a habit to update drivers within a week of each major game launch — manufacturers often release "Game Ready" or "Game Optimized" drivers that boost FPS by 5–15 % in new titles.

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

When software optimizations hit a ceiling, hardware upgrades — and healthy temperatures — deliver the biggest FPS jumps:

• RAM: If you have 8 GB or less, upgrading to 16 GB (or 32 GB for content creation) eliminates memory bottlenecks that cause stuttering. In 2026, 32 GB is the comfortable target for gaming plus streaming.
• Replace HDD with SSD: Loading games from an NVMe SSD dramatically reduces load times and eliminates texture-streaming stutter. In 2026, PCIe 5.0 NVMe drives offer read speeds above 12 GB/s.
• Graphics Card: A GPU upgrade provides the single largest FPS improvement. Mid-range cards from the 2025–2026 generation handle 1440p gaming at 120+ FPS in most titles.
• Cooling & thermal paste: A CPU or GPU that hits 90–95 °C will throttle its clock speed mid-game, causing sudden FPS drops. Reapplying thermal paste (around $10) or upgrading your cooler often restores lost frames without any other upgrade — check temperatures with HWiNFO or MSI Afterburner while gaming.

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 directly translates to higher FPS.

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 — this gives a similar FPS boost while keeping the UI sharp. Beyond resolution, the highest-impact individual settings are Shadow Quality (drop to Low/Very Low for +15–25 % in most games), 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.

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

These 10 methods provide cumulative benefits that can boost FPS by 50–150 % depending on your hardware. Once your PC settings are optimized, you can further improve video FPS using AI-based frame interpolation — covered next.

How to Increase FPS Using AI FPS Enhancer (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 produces smoother, more lifelike motion without manual configuration or hardware upgrades. It is the fastest way to increase FPS in footage you have already recorded.

UniFab Smoother AI is a leading tool in this space — a Windows desktop application that automatically boosts video FPS up to 120 frames per second while maintaining visual clarity. 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: Intelligently inserts new frames to create ultra-smooth motion.
• Up to 120 FPS: Convert standard videos into cinematic-quality visuals.
• No Quality Loss: Avoids duplicated frames or ghosting effects.
• Versatile Use: Works for movies, sports, slow-motion footage, and game recordings.
• Built-in Editor: Trim and customize output format, resolution, and bitrate.
• Free Trial: Full-featured trial, watermark-free.

Ideal for creators, editors, and streamers who want smoother playback without system tweaks. If your goal is buttery slow-motion rather than everyday smoothing, the same interpolation engine helps you make a video slow motion without the stutter that comes from simply slowing down existing frames.

AI Video-FPS Tools Compared

Several tools can raise the frame rate of a video file. Here is how the leading options compare for the job — with UniFab Smoother AI as the recommended pick for most users:

Why UniFab Smoother AI ranks first: it delivers the one-click simplicity of a browser tool with the quality control of a desktop app — motion-aware interpolation up to 120 FPS, plus a built-in editor to trim and set output format, all without uploading your footage to a third-party server or juggling AI models manually.

One honest limitation: UniFab Smoother AI is a Windows desktop app, so you need to download and install it (there is no browser-only version), and it works on video files, not on real-time in-game FPS. For live gameplay, stick with the 10 system methods above.

How to Increase FPS on PC Using UniFab Smoother AI

The entire process is automated — UniFab's AI analyzes motion vectors between frames and generates intermediate frames that blend naturally into the original footage. 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.

Manual Optimization vs AI Enhancement

AI-based frame interpolation works at the post-processing level, meaning your existing PC does not need a high-end GPU to benefit from higher frame rates. Not sure which tool fits your workflow? A short guide on how to choose a video frame rate converter walks through the trade-offs.

Conclusion

Increasing FPS significantly improves your visual experience — whether you are gaming, editing, or watching videos. Optimizing system settings, updating GPU drivers, fixing thermal throttling, and managing background tasks are the foundational steps to boost frame rate and responsiveness on any PC.

For even greater results with recorded footage, AI frame interpolation tools like UniFab Smoother AI can automatically increase FPS up to 120 with zero quality loss. Instead of upgrading hardware or tweaking configurations, UniFab intelligently generates extra frames, delivering ultra-smooth motion and lifelike clarity for any video file.

Reference links retained from the original article: 120 FPS; 60 FPS converter

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to use how to increase FPS?

Start with the source quality, target platform, privacy requirement, and final export settings. For how to increase FPS, use a short representative clip first, compare the result at 100% view, and keep the original file so you can revise the workflow without generation loss. This also applies to increase video frame rate.

Is how to increase FPS free?

Some how to increase FPS workflows are free, while others limit file size, duration, resolution, credits, watermarks, or export formats. Verify the current plan on the provider's official page because free allowances can change. This also applies to convert video to 60fps.

Does how to increase FPS reduce quality?

how to increase FPS can reduce quality when it adds unnecessary recompression, aggressive enhancement, or incorrect output settings. Match resolution, frame rate, codec, and bitrate to the source and delivery platform, then inspect motion, edges, audio sync, and fine detail. This also applies to AI frame interpolation.

Which formats or devices support how to increase FPS?

Support depends on the chosen application and workflow. Check operating system, input and output formats, hardware acceleration, browser upload limits, and whether the destination platform accepts the selected settings before processing a full project. This also applies to increase video frame rate.

How long does how to increase FPS take?

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. This also applies to convert video to 60fps.

Can beginners use how to increase FPS?

Yes. Beginners can use how to increase FPS by following a conservative workflow: duplicate the source, choose an appropriate preset, process a short sample, compare before and after, and only then export the complete file. This also applies to AI frame interpolation.

What should I check before choosing a tool for how to increase FPS?

Compare source fit, output quality, privacy, platform support, batch capability, watermark policy, free limits, price, and control. Do not choose a how to increase FPS tool only because it advertises the highest resolution, frame rate, or AI label. This also applies to increase video frame rate.

Is desktop or online processing better for how to increase FPS?

Online processing is convenient for short, non-sensitive files, but it can impose upload, retention, watermark, credit, and resolution limits. Desktop processing is usually better for private, long, high-resolution, or batch how to increase FPS work. This also applies to convert video to 60fps.

What are the main limitations of how to increase FPS?

The main limits are source quality, missing detail, motion artifacts, incompatible formats, hardware demand, upload constraints, and generation loss. how to increase FPS cannot always reconstruct information that was never captured, so results should be described realistically. This also applies to AI frame interpolation.

How does how to increase FPS compare with manual editing?

Automated how to increase FPS is faster and easier to repeat, while manual editing gives more local control and may avoid overprocessing. A practical workflow uses automation for the first pass and manual review for difficult scenes, transitions, faces, text, and audio sync. This also applies to increase video frame rate.