How to increase FPS on PC: a 2026 guide that actually works

If a game sits at 40 FPS and the mouse feels like it is swimming in gel, do not start by downloading an internet “booster”. Most of those are junk or malware. Raising FPS is an order: free fixes first, five-minute tweaks next, hardware last.

Turn on the counter in GeForce Experience, Adrenalin or Steam. Note resolution, preset, and whether DLSS, FSR or XeSS is on. If you already have 140 FPS on a 60 Hz panel, you do not need more frames — you need VRR or vsync.

Close the 40-tab Chrome, Discord overlay if unused, RGB suites and the launcher you are not playing. Game Mode on, extra overlays off. An SSD will not raise in-game FPS much, but it cuts texture stutter. If the game lives on a 2014 HDD, move it.

Update the driver from this month. Power mode to max performance while you play. DLSS/FSR Quality often returns 15–40% FPS. Frame Generation helps single-player and hurts competitive latency.

Shadows, reflections, foliage and crowd density. High textures need VRAM: with 6–8 GB, skip Ultra. Volumetric fog is pretty and expensive. A Medium preset plus Quality upscaling often looks better than unstable Ultra at 50 FPS.

Dropping 1440p to 1080p is the biggest free jump if the GPU is tight. Frame generation inflates the counter; skip it in shooters where input lag is the game.

GPU at 99% and CPU at 40% means lower resolution or a stronger GPU. CPU at 100% and GPU at 60% means cut physics, view distance and background apps. Sustained 85 °C invites throttle: clean dust, redo paste on an old box, and do not game a laptop on a duvet.

When an AAA patch raises requirements, FlexChar files it under Gaming. This page stays the evergreen anchor — update it when a big driver drops.