FPS Booster Tools for PC: What’s Worth Installing?

FPS Booster Tools for PC: What’s Worth Installing?

If you've ever felt your PC struggles to keep up during intense gaming sessions, you're not alone. The demand for smooth frame rates and stable performance grows as games become more graphically complex. Thankfully, FPS booster PC software promises to optimise your rig and push those frames higher. But with so many options out there in 2025, which FPS boosters actually deliver? In this article, we review and compare popular FPS booster tools for PC, helping you decide what’s really worth installing.

Why FPS Boosters Matter for PC Gaming in 2025

FPS boosters are software solutions designed to enhance your PC’s gaming performance, typically by managing system resources, optimising background processes, and sometimes tweaking in-game settings. With PC games regularly pushing hardware boundaries—think sprawling open worlds and ray tracing effects—a smooth FPS (frames per second) experience isn’t guaranteed, especially on mid-range or older machines.

In 2025, many gamers still use PCs that aren’t freshly built, or prefer to boost performance without investing in upgrades. That’s where smart boosters enter the scene, offering a digital way to squeeze more out of existing hardware. This review targets tech-savvy gamers and casual players alike looking to optimise pc performance efficiently and cost-effectively.

Let’s explore how these tools stack up based on ease of use, efficiency, customisation, and price.

What to Expect From FPS Booster Software

Any decent FPS booster software should:

• Free up RAM and CPU resources by shutting irrelevant background tasks
• Optimise your network to reduce latency spikes in online games
• Automatically adjust graphics settings based on your setup
• Provide real-time monitoring to track PC performance and temperatures
• Be lightweight, not consuming resources that could be diverted to gaming

Now, let’s dig into some popular options in 2025, with insights drawn from recent game booster reviews and real-world user experiences.

Top FPS Booster Tools for PC in 2025

1. Razer Cortex: Game Booster

What it is: Razer Cortex is a free game booster tool with a good balance of features and usability. It cleans RAM and disables background apps to deliver smoother gameplay.

Why it stands out:

• Simple one-click optimisation
• Integrated game launcher
• FPS monitoring overlays
• Free to use

Performance: Razer Cortex shines on mid-range PCs, often boosting FPS by 10 to 15% in popular titles like Valorant and Fortnite. It’s especially effective at shutting down unnecessary processes without user intervention.

Limitations:

• Limited advanced customisation options
• Some users report the UI can feel cluttered with ads/promotions

Price: Free

2. Wise Game Booster

What it is: Wise Game Booster is a lightweight utility focusing on manual control over system optimisations, letting you choose which services and apps to close.

Why it stands out:

• User-friendly interface with manual tweaks
• Custom game profiles to optimise per title
• Lightweight with minimal system overhead

Performance: On test systems, it produced modest FPS improvements (5–10%), particularly when paired with manual graphics settings tweaks. It is ideal for users who want a hands-on approach without complicated settings.

Limitations:

• No built-in FPS counter or overlays
• Lacks network optimisation features

Price: Free

3. MSI Afterburner

What it is: While mainly known as a GPU overclocking utility, MSI Afterburner offers comprehensive PC performance monitoring, including FPS tracking and custom fan profiles.

Why it stands out:

• Powerful overclocking for GPUs and CPU tuning (with appropriate hardware)
• Detailed real-time performance metrics
• Works with most graphics cards

Performance: Overclocking via MSI Afterburner can increase FPS substantially—often 15–25%. However, it requires technical know-how and carries risks if used improperly. The ability to control fan speeds also helps keep temps down under load, ensuring sustained performance.

Limitations:

• Not a pure “booster” but a tuning tool
• Steep learning curve for beginners

Price: Free

4. Smart Game Booster by IObit

What it is: IObit's Smart Game Booster combines system optimisation, driver updater, and GPU temperature controls aimed at novice users.

Why it stands out:

• One-click system optimisation and cleaning
• Integrated driver updater to keep GPU drivers current
• Temperature monitoring with alerts

Performance: This booster is effective on older PCs, noticeably improving pc performance by balancing background tasks. Users have reported FPS increases around 15–20% in games like Call of Duty and Cyberpunk 2077.

Limitations:

• Some features require premium subscription (approx $20/year)
• Occasional pop-ups promoting other IObit products

Price: Free basic, premium $20/year

5. Game Fire 7 Pro

What it is: A premium-focused software targeting hardcore PC performance optimisation and customisation.

Why it stands out:

• Advanced system tweaks and defrag tools
• Customisable game mode settings
• Real-time hardware and software analysis

Performance: With professional-grade tweaks enabled, users consistently see 20%+ FPS improvements depending on hardware. One standout feature is the game defrag option, which helps SSDs and HDDs deliver faster load times.

Limitations:

• Paid software around $30 one-time
• Slightly complex for casual users

Price: $30 one-time license

Expert Insight: What These Game Boosters Can (and Can’t) Do

While FPS booster software can help, it’s crucial not to expect miracles. The biggest FPS gains still come from hardware upgrades—better GPUs, faster SSDs, and improved CPUs. Software boosters mainly optimise how your PC uses existing resources.

What many users oversight is that not all boosts are about raw FPS numbers; reducing frame drops and stabilising latency are equally valuable. For instance, smart boosters like Razer Cortex and Smart Game Booster help reduce micro-stutters by managing background tasks efficiently.

A few tips if you decide to install a booster:

• Always backup your system before applying drastic tweaks
• Monitor temperatures actively, especially if overclocking
• Avoid installing multiple booster tools simultaneously to prevent conflicts
• Use built-in or third-party FPS counters for accurate before-and-after comparisons
• Regularly update your graphics drivers, either manually or with tools like Smart Game Booster

Alternatives to FPS Booster Software

FPS boosters are not the only way to improve PC gaming performance. Other methods include:

• Manual system optimisation: Disabling startup apps, uninstalling unused software, and updating drivers
• In-game settings adjustment: Lowering shadows, texture quality, or resolution for smoother gameplay
• Hardware upgrades: Investing in an SSD, upgrading RAM from 8GB to 16GB, or adding a mid-range GPU like Nvidia RTX 4060 at roughly $300 can yield larger improvements
• Windows optimisation tools: Built-in utilities for resource monitoring and Game Mode

These alternatives may sometimes be more suitable depending on your comfort level and budget.

Quick Summary of Best Picks

• Best budget option: Razer Cortex (free, straightforward boosting)
• Best for hands-on tweaking: Wise Game Booster (manual controls)
• Best for performance gains: MSI Afterburner (effective GPU overclocking)
• Best for all-in-one: Smart Game Booster (optimisation + driver updates)
• Best for advanced users: Game Fire 7 Pro (customisable premium tool)

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Does an FPS booster really improve gaming performance?
Yes, but primarily by optimising your system’s background resource usage rather than dramatically increasing your hardware’s power.

Are FPS boosters safe to use?
Most reputable boosters are safe, but be cautious with tools that advertise extreme performance jumps or require tweaks to system files.

Can these tools replace upgrading hardware?
No. Upgrades like a new GPU or adding RAM provide the largest FPS improvements. Boosters are supplementary.

Will using a booster drain more power or damage my hardware?
Generally, no. Some overclocking tools increase power usage and heat, so monitor temperatures to avoid risks.

Is it better to use the free or premium versions?
Free versions suffice for basic optimisations. Premium subscriptions offer extra features like driver updating and advanced tweaks.

Pricing and Availability

Most FPS booster tools reviewed here are free or offer free basic tiers:

• Razer Cortex: Free, downloadable from Razer’s official site
• Wise Game Booster: Free, available on WiseCleaner.com
• MSI Afterburner: Free from MSI.com
• Smart Game Booster: Free with premium subscription ($20/year) on IObit official site
• Game Fire 7 Pro: $30 one-time via Smart PC Utilities

Prices are current for 2025 but always verify on official vendor sites before downloading.

Final Thoughts and Recommendation

FPS booster PC software can be a valuable tool in your gaming arsenal, especially if you’re working with limited hardware or want to squeeze a bit more performance without costly upgrades. For casual gamers and those new to PC optimisation in 2025, Razer Cortex and Smart Game Booster offer solid performance with minimal fuss.

If you’re more tech-savvy and eager to dive deeper, MSI Afterburner is excellent for overclocking and hardware monitoring, while Game Fire 7 Pro provides advanced customisation for enthusiasts willing to pay a modest fee.

Remember, no software can replace good hardware or the benefits of thoughtful system and game settings optimisation. For a well-rounded approach, combine boosters with regular driver updates, Windows maintenance, and in-game graphical adjustments.

Ready to boost your PC’s fps and enjoy smoother gameplay? Explore these options, try a few free tools, and find what works best for your setup. For more tips on optimising your gaming experience, check out our guides on [PC gaming hardware upgrades], [network lag fixes], and [Windows optimisation tips]. Stay tuned and game on with confidence!