Game Settings and FPS: 20 Facts You Should Know

In the world of gaming, few things matter as much as the smoothness and responsiveness of your gameplay. The frames per second (FPS) you achieve can greatly impact your overall gaming experience. However, achieving the optimal balance between game settings and FPS can be a daunting task. In this post, we’ll explore 20 essential facts about game settings and FPS that every gamer should know.

20 Facts You Should Know

Does motion blur affect FPS performance?

Yes, motion blur can affect FPS performance in video games. Motion blur is an effect used to simulate the blurring of objects in motion, similar to what you would see in real life when tracking fast-moving objects with your eyes or a camera. While motion blur can enhance the realism and cinematic feel of a game, it does so at the cost of rendering performance.

Below you can see how much it affects your frames per second at multiple resolution settings.

As you can see in the image above, the change in FPS is mostly visible in 1660 x 900 resolution and after crossing the 1080p mark, there is hardly any change. This might not be true for every game but it’s a close estimation.

What is Tessellation in games?

Tessellation in games refers to a graphics technology and technique used to enhance the level of detail and realism in 3D models and environments. It involves subdividing a lower-resolution 3D model into smaller, more detailed parts in real time during rendering. This subdivision process creates additional vertices, which can be used to add more geometric detail to the model’s surface.

Should I turn Tesselation ON or OFF? What’s its FPS impact?

Whether you should turn tessellation ON or OFF in a game depends on your hardware capabilities, personal preferences, and the specific game you’re playing. Tessellation can significantly impact FPS (frames per second) because it increases the complexity of 3D models and environments.

Tessellation can greatly enhance the visual fidelity of 3D models and environments by adding more geometric detail. However, this comes at the cost of reduced FPS. Consider your priorities: if you prioritize visual quality and have the hardware to support it, you might choose to enable tessellation. If you prioritize higher FPS for a smoother gaming experience, you may prefer to disable or reduce tessellation.

Below you can see the enormous difference that tessellation makes in terms of image quality. You can notice the extra edges that it adds to objects. It’s advised to turn Tesselation ON as long as your PC can handle it.

And here is the impact that it has on your framerates:

As I mentioned above, tessellation is very unique and highly depends on your resolution. You can see the difference between 1680 x 1050 and 2560 x 1600.

Which game settings affect FPS the most?

1. Ray Tracing 
2. Resolution (2k+ resolutions are way more demanding than 1080p and lower)
3. Shadow Quality
4. Texture Quality
5. Game Physics (e.g. PhysX)³
6. Anti-Aliasing
7. Effects Quality
8. Tessellation (Hairworks, etc…)

Important

1. Texture quality can be way lower than what it is on the list since it only depends on your VRAM usage. If your video memory is not full, then your FPS won’t be affected at all.
2. Anti-Aliasing can also be higher or lower on the list depending on the type that you use. For example, MSAA x8 is way more demanding in terms of resources than FXAA.
3. PhysX can feel more demanding if you run it using your CPU. However, it’s recommended to use your graphics card combined with the Nvidia PhysX System Software to achieve a much higher FPS.

What game settings affect the GPU?

Several game settings can significantly affect the performance of your GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) in video games. These settings determine how demanding the game is on your graphics card. Here are some of the key game settings that have a notable impact on GPU performance:

1. Resolution: The resolution at which you play the game directly affects GPU performance. Higher resolutions, such as 1440p or 4K, require more GPU power to render, resulting in lower FPS.
2. Texture Quality: Texture quality settings dictate the level of detail and clarity of in-game textures. Higher texture quality settings demand more GPU VRAM and processing power.
3. Anti-Aliasing (AA): Anti-aliasing is used to reduce jagged edges and smooth out the appearance of objects and edges in the game. More advanced AA techniques, such as MSAA and SSAA, can be very GPU-intensive.
4. Shadow Quality: Shadow quality settings determine the complexity and realism of in-game shadows. Higher shadow quality requires more GPU resources.
5. Reflections and Ray Tracing: Realistic reflections, especially those achieved through ray tracing, can significantly strain the GPU. Ray tracing, in particular, is extremely demanding but can deliver incredibly lifelike visuals.
6. Environmental Details: Environmental details, such as foliage density, environmental effects (like rain or snow), and dynamic elements, can impact GPU performance. More objects and dynamic elements require more GPU power.
7. Post-Processing Effects: Effects like motion blur, depth of field, bloom, and ambient occlusion are often GPU-intensive. Enabling or increasing the quality of these effects can reduce FPS.
8. Draw Distance: Draw distance settings determine how far into the game world you can see. Higher draw distances require more GPU power to render objects and terrain at a distance.
9. Particle Effects: Games often use particle effects for things like explosions, smoke, fire, and other dynamic elements. These effects can be demanding on the GPU, especially when there are many of them on the screen.
10. Physics and Simulation: Games with complex physics simulations, like destructible environments, can place a significant load on the GPU, as it needs to calculate and render the physics interactions in real time.
11. Character Models: The level of detail and complexity of character models in the game can also affect GPU performance, particularly in games with large crowds or highly detailed characters.
12. Tessellation: As mentioned earlier, tessellation is a technique that increases the geometric detail of 3D models. Higher levels of tessellation can strain the GPU.
13. VRAM Requirements: Some games have high VRAM (Video RAM) requirements, and exceeding your GPU’s available VRAM can lead to significant performance drops or even crashes.

It’s important to note that the impact of these settings on GPU performance can vary depending on your specific graphics card, CPU, and overall system configuration. To optimize your gaming experience, you may need to adjust these settings based on your hardware capabilities and personal preferences, finding the right balance between visual quality and FPS.

What game settings affect the CPU?

While the GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) is primarily responsible for rendering graphics in games, the CPU (Central Processing Unit) also plays a crucial role in ensuring smooth gameplay. Several game settings can affect CPU performance, as they involve calculations, physics simulations, and AI behavior. Here are some of the key game settings that can impact the CPU:

1. Physics Simulation: Games with complex physics simulations, such as destructible environments or realistic object interactions, can place a significant load on the CPU. Higher physics settings often lead to more CPU usage.
2. AI Behavior: Games with advanced AI systems, especially in open-world or strategy games, can require substantial CPU resources. AI-controlled characters or entities need to make decisions and react to the player’s actions in real-time.
3. Game World Complexity: The complexity of the in-game world, including the number of objects, NPCs (Non-Playable Characters), vehicles, and dynamic elements, can affect CPU performance. More objects and interactions mean more calculations for the CPU.
4. Crowd Density: Games featuring large crowds or swarms of characters, like sports simulations or city-building games, can strain the CPU as it manages the behavior and animations of numerous entities simultaneously.
5. Game Logic: Game logic, including scripting and event handling, is processed by the CPU. More complex game logic or scripts can lead to increased CPU usage.
6. Simulation Quality: Some games allow you to adjust the quality of various simulations, such as cloth, hair, or fluid dynamics. Higher quality simulations require more CPU power.
7. Multiplayer and Networking: In online multiplayer games, the CPU is responsible for handling network traffic, synchronization between players, and managing game sessions. High player counts or complex networking setups can impact CPU performance.
8. Frame Rate Target: If you aim for a very high frame rate (e.g., 240Hz), your CPU may need to work harder to keep up with the increased number of frames it must prepare for the GPU to render.
9. Game Engine and Optimization: Different game engines handle CPU tasks differently, and game optimization can vary. Some games are more CPU-intensive due to engine design or coding practices.
10. Script Mods: In some games, user-created script mods can add additional CPU load, especially if they introduce complex logic or interactions.

It’s important to note that the impact of these settings on CPU performance can vary depending on your specific CPU’s capabilities and the game’s design. To optimize your gaming experience, consider adjusting these settings based on your CPU’s performance and your desired frame rate. In some cases, you may need to lower certain settings to maintain smooth gameplay, especially if your CPU is the bottleneck in your system.

How many FPS can a 60Hz monitor display?

A 60Hz monitor can display up to 60 frames per second (FPS). This means that if your computer or gaming console is capable of producing 60 FPS in a game, your 60Hz monitor will be able to display each of those frames, resulting in smooth and fluid motion.

If the frame rate produced by your device exceeds 60 FPS, such as reaching 100 FPS or 120 FPS, your 60Hz monitor will still be limited to displaying a maximum of 60 FPS due to its refresh rate. In this case, you won’t see the additional frames beyond 60 FPS, but having a higher frame rate can still provide benefits such as reduced input lag and improved responsiveness, even if those extra frames aren’t visible on the monitor. Some users prefer higher frame rates for competitive gaming or a more responsive overall experience, even on a 60Hz monitor.

Does Field of View Affect FPS Performance?

Yes, the field of view (FOV) setting in a game can affect FPS (frames per second) performance, although the impact may vary depending on the game engine and other factors. The FOV setting determines how much of the game world is visible to the player on the screen at any given time. A wider FOV shows more of the game world, while a narrower FOV zooms in and shows less.

Here’s how the FOV setting can affect FPS performance:

1. Wider FOV: Increasing the FOV to show more of the game world typically requires the GPU to render a larger portion of the scene, including more objects and geometry. This can increase the GPU’s workload and lead to lower FPS, especially in open-world or graphically demanding games.
2. Narrower FOV: Reducing the FOV has the opposite effect. It focuses the view on a smaller area, requiring the GPU to render fewer objects and less detail. This can lead to improved FPS, particularly in situations where the GPU was previously struggling to maintain a high frame rate.
3. CPU Impact: While the GPU is primarily responsible for rendering graphics, the CPU also plays a role in determining what is visible in the game world. A wider FOV can increase CPU usage, especially in games with complex AI or physics simulations, as it may need to calculate and manage more objects and entities within the player’s view.
4. Personal Preference: FOV settings are often a matter of personal preference. Some players prefer a wider FOV for a more immersive experience, while others prefer a narrower FOV for better performance or a more focused view.
5. Optimization: Game developers may optimize their titles to handle different FOV settings efficiently. Some games may have a minimal impact on performance when changing FOV, while others may exhibit a more noticeable difference.
6. Resolution: The impact of FOV on FPS can also be influenced by your screen resolution. Playing at higher resolutions (e.g., 1440p or 4K) may reduce the impact of FOV changes on performance because the overall level of detail is higher.

Below you can see its impact when running Destiny 2 with a GTX 1060 at 1080p Ultra Settings.

Does view distance reduce FPS?

Higher view distance will decrease your FPS as more models and objects appear in the background. These have to be rendered mostly by the GPU but also by the CPU. These processes will increase the overall load which eventually leads to lower frames per second.

Below you can see the performance hit of View Distance in Fortnite while using an old graphics card in 720p resolution.

Important

1. The performance hit of View Distance highly depends on the game, the graphics quality, and the resolution. As you can see in the picture above, Fortnite on LOW settings and 720p resolution barely affected the increase of view distance. On the other hand, a more demanding game set on Ultra Preset and 4K will see a much bigger FPS drop.
2. View Distance is the setting that makes some objects or characters suddenly “POP UP” out of nowhere. This mostly happens when you have set it to low. It only affects non-player models!

What is Depth of Field in games?

Depth of field is a video game term that refers to the amount of “focus” that a player can see on the screen. It blurs the background or foreground to focus attention on the subject. In games, it is used to draw players’ attention to various elements of a scene and make it more realistic.

Should I Have Depth of Field ON or OFF?

Depth of field is a setting that highly depends on the player. It can make the game look more realistic but it also adds blur in the background which is something that many players despise. Besides, depth of field is GPU intensive so turning it off can save you a couple of FPS.

Below you can see the difference that Depth of Field makes in terms of image quality and performance.

As you can see in the picture above, the effect is not very natural and you can literally make it with your eyeballs by just looking at something that’s close to you.

The performance hit varies per game since every game engine handles the depth of field differently. The expected performance loss should be as low as 3% (Rise of the Tomb Raider). Dying light is a great example of a game that’s highly impacted by DoF and can lose more than 10 frames per second when enabled.

Does VSync affect FPS performance?

Although Vertical Synchronization(VSync) does not lower FPS performance by itself, if you have higher framerates than the refresh rate of your monitor, it will lower them to match the refresh rate, and that might cause input lag.

People mostly use it to fix screen tearing or over-processing issues.

Double or Triple Buffered VSync?

Choosing between double and triple-buffered VSync is a personal preference.

Double buffering allows you to have steadier FPS (60, 30) but you might experience input lag at times. At the cost of stuttering, triple buffering offers you faster response rates and access to a bigger variety of framerates (60, 59, 58).

Does Anti-Aliasing Affect FPS?

Anti-aliasing is responsible for making the edges of your textures look smoother. It requires a decent amount of computing power from the GPU to process them, so it’s one of those graphic settings that can significantly affect your FPS if you increase it too much. 

Below, you can see its impact on a high-end GPU like the TITAN X SLI at 1620p resolution when playing GTA V.

Does Anti-Aliasing cause input lag?

Anti-aliasing doesn’t inherently cause input lag or any lag for that matter. However, it consumes some graphics processing power to work properly, so it can cause some type of lagging and FPS drop if your graphics card can’t handle that. 

Should ambient occlusion be ON or OFF? Does it affect FPS?

Ambient Occlusion will have a noticeable impact on your FPS when you change its value from OFF to SSAO. However, as you increase it to HBAO+ and higher, the difference in terms of performance is insignificant (1 or 2 FPS reduction) while you get a decent visual improvement in return.

In general, it’s advised to turn this option ON if your GPU can handle it. Below you can see its impact on Splinter Cell Blacklist and The Witcher 3 at 1440p resolution.

• You’ll notice in the image above that Witcher 3 gets nowhere near the hit that Splinter Cell gets in terms of performance. If you want to increase your FPS, make sure that you run benchmarks as some games might react to ambient occlusion differently.
• Ambient occlusion is very hard to notice if you have enabled your shadows as it will only affect the soft ones. Try disabling your shadows to see the full potential.

Does Texture Quality Affect FPS?

Texture quality will have a significant impact on your FPS but ONLY if you don’t have enough video memory available.

This setting mainly affects VRAM usage. Most modern games use extra settings such as “Model Quality” and “Object Quality” to tweak the quality of even more specific textures.

You can see its impact on a GeForce GTX 1060 6GB VRAM at 1080p – max game settings of Destiny 2. This might not apply to every game but the most FPS decrease you will experience is close to 3% unless your VRAM is full.

Does anisotropic filtering affect FPS?

Anisotropic filtering uses GPU resources to improve the quality of the texture when you look at them from an angle. In most cases, its impact on your FPS is minimal while it makes the game look WAY better. It’s recommended to turn it ON and set it to 16x.

Below you can see its impact on a GeForce GTX 980 Ti at max game settings of Rise of the Tomb Raider!

As you can see in the image above, the biggest difference is in the jump between Trilinear and 2x AF. After that, going from 2x to 16x barely makes a difference in performance. It might not be the same for every game, though.

Conclusion

Achieving the perfect balance between game settings and FPS is a delicate dance that requires an understanding of hardware, software, and personal preferences. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a competitive player, optimizing your gaming experience by considering these 20 facts can lead to smoother gameplay, enhanced visuals, and an overall more enjoyable gaming journey. Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, so take the time to fine-tune your settings to match your hardware capabilities and gaming preferences.