In the world of gaming, there’s one term that’s often thrown around: FPS, or Frames Per Second.

It’s something that every gamer, whether you’re a casual player or a professional, should understand.

FPS is essential in determining how smooth your gaming experience will be, so let’s dive into what FPS is, how it works, and why it’s so crucial for online gaming.

What is FPS?

FPS stands for Frames Per Second, and it measures how many individual frames (or images) your computer or console (or almost any device with a screen) can generate and display in a second.

Think of it like a flipbook; each page in the book is a frame, and when you flip through the pages quickly, you get the illusion of movement. In gaming, the more frames per second, the smoother and more fluid the animation will appear.

In an online gaming context, FPS plays an even more critical role. The game’s FPS is directly linked to how fast the action on the screen happens, making gameplay smoother and more responsive.

A higher FPS means that the game will look better and respond faster, which is especially important in fast-paced genres like first-person shooters (FPS), racing games, or any title that involves quick reflexes.

Source: Digital Citizen

A Second Meaning: FPS as First-Person Shooter

The acronym FPS also has a completely different meaning within the gaming universe. In this case, a FPS game, or First-Person Shooter, is a genre of video game where the player experiences the game from the perspective of the character they're controlling.

The term "first-person" means that the player sees the game world through the eyes of the character, with the game's action happening in front of them, just as if they were physically in that world. The "shooter" part refers to the core gameplay mechanic, which involves using firearms or other projectile weapons to fight enemies.

Some popular examples of FPS games include:

•     Call of Duty series

•     Counter-Strike series

•     Overwatch

•     Valorant

•     Halo series

FPS games can vary in style and theme, from realistic military shooters to futuristic sci-fi battles or even fantasy-themed games. They can be single-player, where you face AI enemies, or multiplayer, where you compete against or cooperate with other players online.

How Does FPS Work?

Now, let's get back to the topic of the article, the frame rate. When you're playing a game, your computer or console is working hard to create a series of images, or frames, which get displayed on your screen.

The rate at which it can generate these frames is your FPS. This depends on several factors, including your hardware, the game’s graphical demands, and how well-optimized the game is.

CPU & GPU Performance

Your CPU (central processing unit) handles the game’s logic and calculations, while the GPU (graphics processing unit) handles rendering the images.

If either of these components is underperforming or outdated, your FPS will suffer.

Game Complexity

More detailed games, with realistic lighting, textures, and physics, will demand more processing power and will likely run at a lower FPS unless you have a high-performance setup.

Resolution

The higher your screen resolution (like 1080p, 1440p, or 4K), the more pixels the GPU needs to render, which can decrease FPS. For instance, running a game at 4K resolution will put more strain on your system compared to playing the same game at 1080p.

FPS is also impacted by latency and input lag, especially in online gaming. These factors can affect how quickly the game reacts to your inputs (like moving your character or shooting), making a smoother FPS essential for a competitive advantage.

How Can I Check My FPS?

It’s easy to check your FPS while gaming, and there are several ways to do it. Most gaming platforms and services have built-in tools or settings to monitor your frame rate.

• In-Game Settings: Many games come with an option to display FPS in the corner of the screen. Check the game’s settings or options menu, and you may find an option like “Display FPS,” “Show Performance,” or something similar.

• Third-Party Tools: If your game doesn’t have this option, you can use third-party software. Programs like FRAPS, MSI Afterburner, and NVIDIA GeForce Experience let you display FPS on-screen while you play.

• Steam Overlay: If you're playing a game on Steam, the platform has a built-in FPS counter. Just go to the Steam settings, find the “In-Game” section, and enable the FPS counter to show up in your games.

Why is it Important for Gaming?

FPS is a big deal for a lot of reasons in gaming, particularly in the context of online gaming. Here’s why it matters:

Smooth Gameplay

A higher FPS gives you smoother, more fluid gameplay. When you have a lower FPS, the game may feel choppy, and your character's movements will look jerky. For games where precise movement and timing are critical (like shooters or competitive online games), this can be a serious problem.

A higher FPS prevents ghosting. Source: NVidia

Responsive Controls

Higher FPS ensures that your inputs (like pressing a button or moving the mouse) are registered quickly and reflected on the screen with little delay. In fast-paced games, this responsiveness can be the difference between winning and losing.

Competitive Advantage

In multiplayer or online games, having a higher FPS often gives you an edge over other players. Not only will the game appear smoother, but it will also respond more quickly to your commands, letting you react faster than opponents with lower FPS.

Animations are smoother with a higher FPS. Source: NVidia

What’s the Difference Between Frame Rate and Hz?

This is a common point of confusion for a lot of people, especially when it comes to monitors. FPS and Hz (Hertz) are related, but they refer to different things.

• FPS (Frames Per Second) measures how many frames your computer is rendering per second.

• Hz (Hertz) measures how many times your monitor refreshes per second.

If your system is rendering 60 FPS, but your monitor can only handle 30Hz, you’re not going to get the full benefit of your high FPS.

Your monitor will be refreshing too slowly to keep up with the frames your computer is generating. On the flip side, if your system is running at 200 FPS, but your monitor is only 60Hz, you won’t see those extra frames either.

To get the best experience, you want your FPS and monitor's refresh rate (Hz) to match or be as close as possible. This is why gaming monitors with higher refresh rates (like 120Hz, 144Hz, or 240Hz) are becoming more popular—because they can match the higher frame rates modern gaming PCs are capable of generating.

What FPS is Ideal for the Best Performance?

The ideal FPS depends on the type of game you’re playing and the type of experience you want. Here’s a breakdown:

30 FPS

This is the minimum acceptable frame rate for most games.

It’s playable, but it might feel a bit sluggish, and it’s not ideal for fast-paced action or competitive gaming. Many consoles run games at 30 FPS.

60 FPS

This is the sweet spot for most gamers.

It provides a smooth and responsive experience, making it ideal for general gaming, including action games, RPGs, and single-player experiences.

Most PCs and gaming consoles can easily achieve 60 FPS in most games.

120 FPS or 144 FPS

If you’re playing fast-paced, competitive games like shooters (think Counter-Strike, Fortnite, or Call of Duty), this higher frame rate provides a noticeable improvement in smoothness and responsiveness, giving you a competitive edge. 

A 144Hz monitor is perfect for this.

240 FPS and beyond

Professional-level gamers often aim for frame rates this high.

With a setup that supports 240 FPS or higher, you’ll get incredibly fluid gameplay and ultra-fast responsiveness. These frame rates are mainly useful for competitive gaming and are typically paired with high-end hardware and monitors.

How Can I Increase My FPS?

If you’re not getting the FPS you want, there are several ways to improve it. Here are a few tips:

1. Lower Game Settings: One of the easiest ways to boost FPS is by lowering the graphical settings in your game. Reducing details like shadows, textures, and special effects can give your system more room to render frames faster.

2. Update Drivers: Make sure your graphics card drivers are up-to-date. Sometimes, new updates can improve performance in specific games.

3. Upgrade Hardware: If your FPS is consistently low, you may need better hardware. Upgrading your CPU, GPU, or adding more RAM can significantly improve frame rates.

4. Disable Background Programs: Close any unnecessary programs running in the background. They can use up valuable system resources, causing your FPS to drop.

5. Overclocking: For more advanced users, overclocking your CPU or GPU can boost FPS. However, this can also lead to overheating if not done carefully, so always monitor your temperatures.

How Can I Test My Computer’s Frame Rate?

Testing your computer’s FPS is simple. You can use the tools mentioned earlier (like FRAPS, MSI Afterburner, or the Steam overlay) to monitor the FPS in real-time while you play. Additionally, many benchmarking tools let you test your FPS across various games or scenarios to get a detailed readout of your system's performance.

Screenshot of MSI Afterburner. Source: MSI

If you’re new to testing FPS, start by using an in-game FPS counter, and then move on to more advanced programs if you want more detailed insights into your system’s performance.

Can My Graphics Card Limit My FPS?

Yes, your graphics card (GPU) can definitely limit your FPS, especially if it’s outdated or doesn’t have enough power to handle the game you're playing.

When this happens, your GPU may become the bottleneck in your system, and upgrading to a more powerful graphics card can have a significant impact on FPS.

Additionally, if you're playing demanding games or running games at higher resolutions (like 4K), your GPU will be under more stress, and you may experience lower FPS if it’s not up to the task.

In conclusion, FPS is one of the most important factors for a smooth, enjoyable gaming experience, especially in online gaming where every frame matters.

By understanding how FPS works, how to measure it, and how to improve it, you can enhance your gameplay, whether you're playing for fun or competing at the highest level.

So, make sure you keep an eye on your FPS, tweak your settings, and maybe even upgrade your gear to get the best performance possible.

Tools like NoPing have a Boost FPS feature, which increases frame rate by optimizing CPU and RAM usage. Try it for free now!