FPS, or frames per second, is one of the most used measures to measure the quality of games. The higher the FPS of our game, in theory the better it will work, the better quality we will have and the experience will be more fluid. However, having the highest number of FPS is not always synonymous with a better experience. Most of the time, generating hundreds of FPS in a game is an expense of unnecessary resources and energy. In addition, that the frames we will see will be directly limited by the monitor itself.
The FPS that our computer can generate depend directly on our hardware. Especially from the CPU and GPU. The more powerful it is, the more frames per second we can get when playing.
Is it worth limiting FPS in games in Windows 10?
Most people believe that the more FPS the graphics process will be better for games. However, limiting FPS can bring us more benefits than we think.
The first of these, and probably one of the most important, is that by limiting the maximum FPS that the graph can generate, we will save energy . Rendering above the display’s refresh rate uses additional resources, but it can still affect responsiveness. A cap can reduce GPU load, power use and fan noise; the best limit depends on the game and whether you prioritize response time or quiet, consistent performance.
In addition, when the graph goes faster than the monitor, a synchronization often occurs, giving rise to what is known as Screen Tearing . Limiting the FPS in the games does not end this problem, but we will help reduce it a lot.
Of course, in some shooting games, such as Counter Strike, it may be interesting to have the more FPS the better. If, for example, we generate 300 FPS and we are using a 144 Hz monitor, it will seem that the game is more fluid and that the shots arrive earlier. You get less input lag.
Lower latency can be a real benefit of higher render rates, though FPS alone does not measure the full input-to-display delay. Queuing, GPU load and synchronization also matter. NVIDIA‘s latency explanation distinguishes frame rate from system latency.
How to limit game FPS in Windows 10 and Windows 11
Using the NVIDIA or AMD driver
One of the ways to limit the maximum FPS of our graphics card is by using the control panel of its own drivers. Recently, NVIDIA has included an option in its control panel that allows us to limit the maximum FPS that we want our graphics card to process.
In NVIDIA Control Panel, open Manage 3D settings > Program Settings, select the game and set Max Frame Rate. Apply and test the limit. With a variable-refresh display, a cap slightly below the top of its refresh range can help keep gameplay within that range; an FPS cap alone does not guarantee tear-free output. See NVIDIA’s Max Frame Rate guidance.
On a supported Radeon setup, Radeon Chill uses minimum and maximum frame-rate caps that respond to movement. Feature support and menu labels depend on the driver and game. Check the current AMD instructions before combining it with other latency or synchronization options. On a newly installed Windows system, complete our post-installation checklist before fine-tuning game performance.
Using Rivatuner
Another option to limit the FPS of our graphics card is to use Rivatuner. This is one of the most used programs by the most advanced users to control in detail the operation of their graphics cards. Among all the functions that appear to us, which are not few, the one that interests us is that of Framerate limit , which will allow us to limit the frames.
Stealth mode is not a required step. If a game or its anti-cheat blocks third-party overlays or limiters, use the game’s built-in limiter or a supported driver setting rather than trying to hide the tool.
We can download this program for free from the following link . If we opt for this alternative we can enjoy the FPS limit in both normal and UWP games.
From game settings
In addition to the two options above, most games also have a section within their configuration that allows us to limit the FPS of the games . Look for Frame rate limit or Max FPS in the graphics settings and test that option first. It is separate from V-Sync. Compare responsiveness and frame pacing after each change, using one limiter at a time.
Of course, not all games offer this option.
We must remember that the FPS limit is always an upper limit. It will not exceed that limit. But we will have to face the lower limits, as they can cause an even worse gaming experience.