How to Boost FPS on Any PC: Basics That Work on Every Setup

Playing games on a PC can be an amazing experience—unless your frame rate drops, making everything choppy and frustrating. Whether you’re using an entry-level rig, a mid-range setup, or a high-end beast, knowing how to boost FPS on any PC is key to smooth gameplay. In this guide, we’ll cover reliable, practical tips to increase FPS on your PC, optimise your system, and improve gaming performance regardless of your hardware or setup.

This article is perfect for gamers who want better performance without jumping into complicated hardware upgrades or expensive software. It will help you understand what bogs down your frames per second (FPS) and how simple adjustments can create smoother gaming sessions in 2025 and beyond.

Why Boosting FPS Matters Now More Than Ever

Gaming continues to evolve with more realistic graphics, complex physics, and demanding engines. Titles like Cyberpunk 2077 next-gen updates, Call of Duty’s latest iterations, and open-world games require more from your PC than ever before. Higher FPS not only makes games look smoother but also improves responsiveness—a critical advantage for competitive gamers.

Moreover, with display technologies such as 144Hz and 240Hz monitors becoming mainstream, hitting higher FPS is more valuable. Rendering 60 FPS hits a limit on a 60Hz display, but for higher refresh rates, the visual benefit is obvious only when your PC delivers matching frames.

That said, boosting your FPS doesn’t always mean splashing out on the latest RTX graphics card or Intel CPU. Many improvements come from optimising your current system, improving software settings, and following a few hardware tweaks that suit all setups.

Understanding FPS and What Affects It

FPS (Frames Per Second) measures how many images your PC can render every second. A higher FPS number translates to smoother motion and better gameplay experience.

Several factors influence FPS:

• GPU Capability: The graphics card handles rendering graphics; a powerful GPU generally equates to better FPS.
• CPU Performance: Many games rely on CPU power for physics, AI, and general game logic.
• System RAM and VRAM: Adequate memory avoids bottlenecks in loading game assets smoothly.
• Storage Speed: SSDs reduce load times, helping stream game data quickly.
• Software Settings: Graphics options, background applications, drivers, and OS optimisations can all impact FPS.
• Thermal and Power Management: Overheating or power-saving modes throttle hardware, reducing FPS.

Most folks face FPS issues due to software bottlenecks or misconfigurations rather than pure hardware shortcomings. So, optimising system settings should be your priority before upgrading gear.

Practical Steps to Boost FPS on Any PC

Here’s a step-by-step guide to increase FPS regardless of your setup:

1. Keep Your GPU Drivers Up to Date

Manufacturers like Nvidia and AMD routinely release driver updates tuned to the latest games and system improvements. These updates can bring noticeable FPS gains, fix bugs, and improve stability.

• For Nvidia, use the GeForce Experience app or visit Nvidia’s official site.
• For AMD, Radeon Software Adrenalin Edition manages updates.
• Intel integrated GPU users should check the Intel Driver & Support Assistant.

Make a habit of updating drivers every few weeks or when a big game update lands.

2. Use Game Mode and Optimise Windows Settings

Windows 11 and Windows 10 both include a Game Mode feature that allocates system resources towards your game rather than background apps, improving gaming performance slightly.

• Enable Game Mode via Settings > Gaming > Game Mode.
• Disable unnecessary startup programs via Task Manager to free up CPU and RAM.
• Turn off notifications, automatic updates, and background apps temporarily when gaming.

Additionally, adjusting your system’s Power Plan to “High Performance” or “Ultimate Performance” prevents CPU throttling at lower power states.

3. Adjust In-Game Graphics Settings

This is a universal tactic. Lowering your graphics settings directly reduces the workload on your GPU and CPU, leading to higher FPS.

Focus on:

• Decreasing resolution (e.g., from 4K to 1080p).
• Lowering texture quality and shadows.
• Turning off anti-aliasing or using less demanding versions like FXAA.
• Reducing draw distance and disabling post-processing effects like motion blur or depth of field.

Start with presets like “Medium” or “Low” and then tweak individual settings. Many PC games allow you to see FPS changes in real time.

4. Disable Overlays and Background Recording

Overlays from apps like Steam, Discord, Nvidia ShadowPlay, or Xbox Game Bar add extra GPU and CPU load while gaming. Disable these overlays if you want to maximise FPS.

Also, background recording and streaming software can be resource-heavy. Stop or pause these while playing.

5. Optimize Your Storage for Faster Load Times

Switching your game installation to an SSD can improve load times and in some cases streaming performance, which affects FPS stability in large open-world games.

If you’re running games on a traditional HDD, consider upgrading to an SSD. Prices in 2025 remain reasonable, with 1TB SATA SSDs starting from around $50 and NVMe drives from $70.

Alternatively, defragment your HDD regularly if SSD upgrades aren’t an option.

6. Keep Your PC Clean Inside and Out

Dust buildup increases component temperatures, triggering thermal throttling which lowers FPS.

Regularly clean your PC’s fans, heatsinks, and air vents using compressed air. Also, ensure your PC’s case has adequate airflow with enough intake and exhaust fans.

7. Overclock Carefully if You Know What You’re Doing

Overclocking your CPU or GPU can significantly boost FPS but also raises temperatures and power consumption. Use manufacturer software like MSI Afterburner (GPU) or Intel XTU (CPU) for incremental overclocking with constant monitoring.

Be mindful that overclocking voids warranties and can shorten hardware life if done improperly.

8. Increase Virtual Memory/Page File Size

If your system runs out of RAM during gaming, Windows uses slower disk space as Virtual Memory or Page File.

Increasing the Page File size on SSDs can somewhat reduce stuttering and improve FPS stability when RAM is limited.

Go to System Properties > Advanced System Settings > Performance Settings > Advanced > Virtual Memory to adjust this.

9. Upgrade Your RAM if Possible

RAM capacity less than 8GB is increasingly insufficient for modern games. Aim for at least 16GB unless you’re on a tight budget or playing only older titles.

RAM speed also matters, especially on AMD Ryzen systems, so faster DDR4 or DDR5 RAM can give marginal FPS improvements.

10. Run a Malware Scan

Malicious software consumes system resources silently. Running antivirus or anti-malware scans ensures no background infection is dragging down your PC’s gaming performance.

Expert Insight: What Gamers Often Overlook

While many chase GPU upgrades, real-world FPS gains are frequently found through software tweaks. For example:

• Many players forget to check if their game is running on integrated graphics instead of the dedicated GPU.
• Windows system updates can sometimes cause performance dips; temporarily rolling back updates or tweaking GPU scheduler settings helps.
• Streaming gameplay on the same PC reduces FPS massively; consider offloading streaming to a second PC or console.

For budget-conscious gamers, focusing on maintenance, driver updates, and in-game settings changes can provide significant improvements for $0 upfront.

Alternatives and Comparisons: When to Upgrade Hardware

If after optimising your system you still struggle with low FPS, hardware might be the bottleneck. Here are quick pointers for upgrades:

• GPU Upgrade: Best for large FPS boosts in graphically intensive games. Cards like Nvidia RTX 4060 ($300) or AMD RX 7600 ($280) offer solid 1080p and 1440p performance.
• CPU Upgrade: Beneficial if your processor bottlenecks GPU performance. AMD Ryzen 5 7600X or Intel Core i5-13600K are popular mid-range choices (~$250-$350).
• RAM Increase: From 8GB to 16GB or more, especially if you multitask or run memory-heavy games.
• SSD Upgrade: Helpful for load times, though impact on FPS is usually smaller.

Quick Summary: Key Picks to Boost FPS

• Best budget option: Lower in-game settings + update drivers (free)
• Best for immediate gains: Enable Game Mode + high performance power plan
• Best for hardware boost: Upgrade GPU to mid-range in 2025 market (~$300)

FAQ: Boosting FPS on Your PC

Q: Is it safe to update GPU drivers regularly?
Yes. GPU manufacturers design updates to improve performance and fix issues. Just download them from official sources.

Q: Will lowering resolution seriously affect my gaming experience?
It can reduce visual quality, but FPS gains often make gameplay smoother, which many find more important than ultra HD visuals.

Q: Can overclocking damage my PC?
If done carefully with adequate cooling, it’s relatively safe. However, improper overclocking risks overheating and component damage.

Q: Does adding more RAM always increase FPS?
More RAM helps if you currently have less than 8GB, but past a point, it won’t boost FPS much.

Q: Should I close all background apps before gaming?
Yes, especially apps that use CPU, GPU, or network resources like browsers, video editors, or file-sync programs.

Q: Does installing the game on an SSD increase FPS?
It improves loading times and reduces micro-stutters but usually doesn’t increase raw FPS numbers significantly.

Pricing and Availability

Many optimisation steps in this guide cost nothing except some time and patience. GPU drivers and Windows Game Mode are free. Cleaning your PC requires just a can of compressed air (~$10).

For hardware upgrades:

• Budget SSDs from $50 (1TB SATA) to $70 (1TB NVMe).
• Mid-tier GPUs from $280–$350.
• Reliable 16GB DDR4 RAM kits from $60–$100.

Look out for deals on popular retailers like Amazon, Newegg, or specialist PC hardware stores. Avoid generic marketplace sellers that might sell counterfeit parts.

Final Thoughts

Boosting FPS on your PC doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Most users see significant improvements by keeping drivers current, tweaking game and system settings, and maintaining their hardware properly. This guide highlights universal steps relevant to almost any PC in 2025 and beyond.

If you’re serious about gaming performance, start here before investing in costly upgrades. Remember that smooth gameplay is a balance of hardware power and smart optimisations.

Ready to level up your gaming? Explore our related guides on best budget GPUs 2025 and top optimisation tools for PC gamers to keep pushing your rig to its limits.

Internal links:

• How to Choose the Best GPU for Gaming in 2025
• Windows 11 Gaming Mode: Is It Worth It?
• Best Budget SSDs for Faster Gaming Loading Times

By following these tips, you can boost FPS on almost any PC and enjoy smoother, more responsive gaming sessions. Happy gaming!