Higher FPS means lower input latency — even on a 144 Hz monitor, frames you do not see still reduce click-to-shot delay. Here is a prioritized checklist that works across titles.
1. In-Game Graphics (Do This First)
Valorant & CS2
- Disable VSync
- Low material/texture quality
- Multithreaded rendering: On
- Anti-aliasing: MSAA 2x or None
Apex Legends
- Texture streaming budget: low-medium
- Model quality: low
- Disable adaptive supersampling
Fortnite
- Performance mode (Alpha) for maximum FPS on mid-tier PCs
- View distance: near or medium in competitive
2. Windows & Driver Basics
- Enable Game Mode (Settings → Gaming)
- Use High Performance power plan on laptops
- Update GPU drivers — skip optional bloatware installs
- Close browser tabs, Discord hardware accel can help or hurt; test both
3. Resolution & Monitor
- Match in-game res to native panel res when possible
- Cap FPS slightly above refresh (e.g. 165 cap on 144 Hz) to reduce frame pacing spikes
- Use fullscreen exclusive where the game supports it
4. Estimate Before You Buy Upgrades
Not sure what FPS to expect? Use our FPS Calculator with your hardware tier and game — useful before spending on a GPU upgrade.
5. Download & Patch Management
Large updates tank perceived performance when your disk or network is saturated. Estimate patch time with the Download Time Calculator so you are not patching minutes before scrims.
Target FPS by Play Level
| Monitor | Minimum target | Ideal |
|---|---|---|
| 60 Hz | 120+ FPS | 200+ |
| 144 Hz | 144 stable | 240+ |
| 240 Hz | 240 stable | 300+ |
Stability matters as much as peak FPS — watch 1% lows in practice, not just the counter overlay.