If you’re a gamer, you can understand how irritating it is when you get low FPS.
You must be curious about the reason behind the frame rate fluctuation while playing games.
Well, there are various reasons for that. Monitor can be one of the reasons for that.
Let’s find out how it can monitor affect FPS.
Understanding FPS and Monitor Refresh Rates
What is FPS?
FPS, or Frames Per Second, refers to the number of images your computer can generate each second.
The higher the FPS, the smoother and more fluid the motion appears in games or videos.
What Is Refresh Rates?
A refresh rate, measured in Hertz (Hz), indicates how many times it can update the image on the screen every second.
A higher refresh rate means the monitor can display more frames per second, making the motion look smoother.
Can a Monitor Affect FPS?
Here’s the crux: while your monitor does not directly affect the FPS your computer can produce, it does affect how many frames you can see.
If your computer is generating 120 FPS, but your monitor has a refresh rate of 60Hz, you will only see 60 of those frames each second.
The remaining frames are not lost but not displayed, which can sometimes lead to an issue called screen tearing.
Does Monitor’s Refresh Rate Affect FPS?
The monitor’s refresh rate, measured in Hertz (Hz), refers to the number of times the screen updates with new images each second.
While the refresh rate doesn’t affect the FPS produced by your computer, it limits the number of frames you can see.
For instance, if your CPU is generating 120 FPS, but your monitor has a refresh rate of 60Hz, you’ll only see 60 of those frames each second.
The remaining structures are not lost but not displayed.
Does Monitor’s Response Time Affect FPS?
Monitor response time refers to how quickly a pixel can change from one colour to another, usually measured in milliseconds (ms).
A lower response time means faster transitions and less visible images creating an issue called ghosting.
However, response time doesn’t directly affect the FPS your computer can produce.
It mainly affects the clarity of fast-moving objects on the screen, not the speed at which frames are generated.
Does Monitor Size and Resolution Affect FPS?
Monitor size does not affect FPS. However, the resolution does.
Higher solutions, such as 1440p or 4K, require more processing power to display each frame because there are more pixels to render.
As a result, if your computer’s hardware isn’t powerful enough to handle high resolutions, you may notice a decrease in FPS when you switch from a lower solution to a higher one.
Does Having Multiple Monitors Affect FPS?
Using multiple monitors can affect FPS, but it depends on how you’re using them.
If you’re gaming on one monitor and using the others for less intensive tasks like web browsing or chatting, the impact on FPS should be minimal.
However, you’re trying to game across multiple monitors simultaneously.
In that case, your computer must render more pixels, which can significantly lower your FPS if your hardware needs to be up to the task.
Other Factors that Affect FPS
Several other factors can affect FPS, including:
- Hardware: Your computer’s CPU, GPU, and RAM significantly determine your FPS. More powerful hardware can generate higher FPS.
- Game Settings: Higher in-game settings can significantly lower your FPS, especially settings like texture quality, shadow detail, and anti-aliasing.
- Background Applications: If you have a lot of applications running in the background, they can take up system resources and lower your FPS.
- Drivers: Outdated graphics drivers can cause lower FPS. It’s essential to keep your drivers updated for optimal performance.
Remember, while higher FPS can provide a smoother gaming experience, the most important thing is that your setup meets your specific needs and preferences.
The Importance of Sync Technologies
Screen tearing happens when your monitor is not in sync with the FPS being produced by your computer.
Technologies like V-Sync, G-Sync, and FreeSync have been developed to combat this.
These technologies help synchronize the FPS with the monitor’s refresh rate, providing a smoother gaming experience.
Choosing the Right Monitor for Your Needs
When choosing a monitor, consider both its refresh rate and the FPS your computer can produce.
If you have a powerful computer that can generate high FPS, you might want to invest in a monitor with a high refresh rate to take full advantage of those extra frames.
FAQs
Ques 1: Can a better monitor increase my FPS?
Ans: No, a better monitor will not increase your computer’s FPS.
However, a higher refresh rate monitor can display more of your computer’s frames, potentially providing a smoother visual experience.
Ques 2: What happens if my FPS exceeds my monitor’s refresh rate?
Ans: If your FPS exceeds your monitor’s refresh rate, you may experience screen tearing.
Adaptive sync technologies can help mitigate this issue.
Ques 3: Is a higher refresh rate always better?
Ans: A higher refresh rate can provide a smoother and more responsive visual experience.
However, you also need a computer that can produce enough FPS to match the refresh rate.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while your monitor does not directly affect the FPS your computer can produce, it plays a crucial role in how many frames you can see.
Understanding the relationship between FPS and monitor refresh rates can help you optimize your gaming setup for the best possible experience.
