How to Increase FPS on PC: 10 Proven Methods + AI Solution [2026 Guide]

What Is FPS and Why It Matters

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.

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.

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:

• 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.

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.

Top 5 Methods at a Glance

1. Lower in-game graphics settings — Reduce resolution, textures, and shadows 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 all non-essential visual effects — window animations, font smoothing, thumbnail previews — and redirects those resources toward your game or video player.

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.

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

Step 2: Locate the DLSS or FSR option and choose Performance or Balanced mode for the best FPS-to-quality ratio.

In 2026, DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation and FSR 3.1 with native frame generation deliver even greater FPS gains in supported titles — sometimes doubling frame rates compared to native rendering.

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

When software optimizations hit a ceiling, hardware upgrades 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.
• 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.

8. Lower Your In-Game Screen Resolution

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.

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.

UniFab Smoother AI is a leading tool in this space — a cross-platform application that automatically boosts video FPS up to 120 frames per second while maintaining visual clarity.

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.
• Cross-Platform: Available on both Windows and macOS.
• Free Trial: 30-day full-featured trial, watermark-free.

Ideal for creators, editors, and streamers who want smoother playback without system tweaks.

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.

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.

Conclusion

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

For even greater results, 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.

FAQs About How to Increase FPS

Can AI increase FPS in videos?

Yes. AI tools like UniFab Smoother AI use frame interpolation to generate new frames between existing ones. This creates smooth 60–120 FPS playback without blurring, ghosting, or losing quality. The technology analyzes motion between consecutive frames and synthesizes intermediate frames that look natural and artifact-free.

Is there a free AI tool to increase FPS in videos?

Yes. UniFab Smoother AI offers a free 30-day trial to automatically increase FPS in videos with AI. It uses advanced frame interpolation to turn standard 24 FPS or 30 FPS footage into ultra-smooth 60 FPS or 120 FPS playback — all without quality loss or complex setup. Unlike manual editing or hardware upgrades, UniFab performs the process automatically, making it ideal for anyone who wants to test AI FPS enhancement before committing to a subscription.

How to get higher FPS instantly?

• For gaming: Enable High-Performance mode, update GPU drivers, lower in-game graphics settings, and close background applications.
• For video playback: Use UniFab Smoother AI, which instantly raises frame rate up to 120 FPS with AI automation — no system changes needed.

Is 120 FPS good for gaming?

Yes. 120 FPS provides a much smoother and more responsive experience compared to 60 FPS, making it ideal for:

• Fast-paced games: Shooters, racing, and action titles feel more fluid.
• Competitive play: Higher FPS reduces input lag, improving reaction times.
• Better visuals: Less motion blur and smoother animations across the board.

Most competitive eSports players in 2026 target 120 FPS or higher as the minimum for serious gameplay.

How can I convert a video to 60 FPS smoothly?

If you have a low-FPS video and want smoother playback, using a 60 FPS converter is the best solution. AI-powered tools like UniFab Smoother AI intelligently generate extra frames, eliminating stutter and motion blur while preserving the original video quality.

Does motion blur improve FPS?

No. Motion blur is a visual effect that simulates the look of fast movement but does not increase the actual frame rate your system renders. Enabling motion blur can actually lower FPS slightly because it adds extra GPU processing work. For genuinely smoother motion, disable motion blur in your game settings or use an FPS converter like UniFab Smoother AI to achieve true high-FPS results.

Why is my FPS so low?

Low FPS can result from several factors:

• Hardware limitations: Your GPU or CPU may lack sufficient power for the game or application.
• High graphics settings: Running at ultra presets can overload mid-range hardware.
• Background processes: Other apps consuming CPU/GPU resources reduce available performance.
• Thermal throttling: High temperatures cause your hardware to reduce clock speeds.
• Outdated drivers: Missing driver updates means missing game-specific optimizations.

If you are dealing with choppy video playback rather than gaming performance, try UniFab Smoother AI to boost FPS in your video files.

How to increase FPS to 120?

To reach 120 FPS in games, combine these steps:

• Use a monitor that supports 120 Hz or higher refresh rate.
• Adjust in-game settings to prioritize performance (lower shadows, textures, anti-aliasing).
• Update your graphics drivers to the latest version.
• Enable DLSS or FSR if your GPU and game support them.
• Ensure your hardware (GPU, CPU, RAM) meets the 120 FPS requirements for your target game.
• Enable any high frame rate or performance modes in your system and game settings.

What is frame interpolation and how does it differ from native FPS?

Frame interpolation is an AI technique that generates new intermediate frames between existing ones in a video file. Unlike native FPS — where your GPU renders each frame in real time — interpolated frames are synthesized after recording. The result is smoother playback without requiring more powerful hardware. Tools like UniFab Smoother AI use deep learning models to predict motion and create frames that blend seamlessly, turning 30 FPS footage into 60 or 120 FPS.

Does increasing FPS reduce input lag?

Yes, but only in gaming scenarios where frames are rendered in real time. Higher FPS means your display shows more recent game-state information, reducing the delay between your input (mouse click, key press) and the visual response on screen. At 120 FPS, each frame represents roughly 8.3 ms of game state compared to 16.7 ms at 60 FPS — cutting visual latency in half. This advantage is most noticeable in competitive shooters and fast-paced action games. For pre-recorded video, input lag is not a factor — but higher FPS still improves perceived smoothness.