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Glossary:Frame rate (FPS)

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
Revision as of 19:56, 25 September 2018 by Aemony (talk | contribs) (→‎Frame rate capping: removed "currently" from GeDoSaTo disadvantage (the tool isn't updated any longer, it'll never supprot anything more than dx9 at this point))
Visualization about frames shown in tenth of a second.
Visualization about frames shown in tenth of a second.

For a list of games, see List of games that support high frame rate.

For a list of games, see List of games that support 60 FPS.
See also List of Games Without Native 60 FPS Support.

Key points

Higher frame rates makes gameplay feel and look smoother, with reduced input lag
Screen tearing and stuttering are less visible when more frames are shown.
Higher frame rates reduce blurring significantly (especially combined with technologies such as ULMB).
Higher frame rates give you ability to play in stereoscopic 3D with active shutter glasses on certain monitors (e.g. NVidia 3D Vision)
High frame rates will make the GPU / CPU work much harder, resulting in high temperatures. This is more significant if there is no frame cap set.[1][2]
Many games with physics simulation are not optimized for frame rates other than a single fixed number, causing glitches, especially noticeable the more FPS increase
Many therefore employ a cap, but others have one (usually at 30 or 60 FPS) for no reason, particularly common in ports.

General information

Frame Rate at Wikipedia
120hz.NET - Source for 120hz 1440p Monitors
The Blur Busters

Frame rate or frame frequency, often measured in frames per second (FPS), is the frequency (rate) that images (frames) render. It is a general concept not unique to computer video games.

Frame rate affects the quality of a game experience, very low fps can hinder or distract from gameplay. High FPS looks good - smooth and fluid and low FPS looks bad - choppy and laggy. This is because in games frames are generated perfectly and interactively controlled so it's easier to notice jerky movement where in other media motion blurring is occurring naturally. Many games do offer motion blurring as graphical option but it's simulated and can distract even more as you can't clearly see what's happening in fast-paced points.

There are several different frame rate comparison sites including 30vs60, Bo Allens comparison and UFO test. Content on YouTube and GIFs are usually bad to compare as they usually lower overall quality significally[3] as well as show only FPS to certain degree; Gifs are 50 FPS max and most content on YouTube is 30 FPS as 60 FPS support was only announced June 2014[4]. Also keep in mind that games are interactive media so smoothness doesn't only show but it also feels when you are actually playing.

FPS is different for every game and setup, it depends on both software and hardware. Rendering is very complicated. Generally, more powerful and expensive hardware has higher FPS. However, problems with FPS are not always easy to solve, and there may be no solution.

Measuring FPS

An FPS counter is a simple way to show frame rate, and averages FPS over a short period of time.

Most games will have a key combination or console command to show or toggle a counter. See game-specific articles.

Alternatively, many overlays can show counters, including Fraps, MSI Afterburner, EVGA Precision, RivaTuner Statistics Server, and others. Steam and Uplay clients also have an option to display an FPS counter in their respective overlays.

Increasing FPS

Generally easiest and most effective way to increase games FPS is to simply lower graphical fidelity. This is also one of the greatest advantages of PC gaming overall as some users may want to have smoother experience at the cost of overall eye candy. Generally speaking, the newer the game and the higher the settings, the harder your computer has to work to make frames which results in lower overall FPS.

However, if you are experiencing surprisingly low FPS there may be issues in the game itself; see games article to see if there are fixes for the issue.

If you have really low FPS even with minimum settings, the best solution is to try to upgrade the hardware. Some games allow going even lower with settings by editing configuration files but usually this is manual work and results may not be satisfactory.

High frame rate

Regular 60Hz monitor refreshes 60 times per second so it can only show 60 FPS and it's usually useless to go beyond that. With higher refresh rate monitors it's possible to show more frames which result even smoother and even more responsive gameplay, but just like with resolution differences with higher values are smaller, but still make gameplay more enjoyable and reduce need for features like motion blurring and vsyncing but also require more powerful machine.

Without Vsync you see less tearing and stuttering as time those are shown is much lower. However, there are technologies that can adjust screen's refresh rate according to game's frame rate, these include Nvidia Gsync[5] and Dynamic Refresh Rate aka FreeSync which is part of DisplayPort standard[6]. Gsync is available in selected models and can be installed in some older models where FreeSync should be available in models supporting 1.2a Display port standard.

Stereoscopic 3D

Stereoscopic 3D in Nvidia Control Panel. For example Batman games have native support.
Stereoscopic 3D in Nvidia Control Panel. For example Batman games have native support.

One of less used features of high frame rate display is ability to play and view content in stereoscopic 3D. There are few reasons for this; it usually requires buying separate 3D glasses kit with transmitter, some displays only support certain GPU e.g. "Nvidia 3D Vision Ready" monitors usually only work with Nvidia GPU and if game haven't been done this in mind there may be problems with crosshair, shadows, object depth, etc.

Also virtual reality devices use stereoscopic 3D.

Using 3D HDTVs

Most 3D HDTVs do not accept a 120Hz input but this can be forced; see True 120Hz from PC to TV for testing results.

LightBoost

With some monitors it's possible to turn on LightBoost which almost completely eliminates motion blurring. As of Spring 2014, a few Asus, Samsung and BenQ monitors support it. It's normally used when viewing 3D image so it's not usable with regular use by default. There is few ways to enable this with Asus and BenQ monitors and easiest way is ToastyX Strobelight program. With Samsung monitors simply set refresh rate to 120 Hz from PC, then from monitor change “Response Time” to “Normal” and then turn 3D on.

LightBoost successors

LightBoost hack has shown that there is demand for such feature among PC gamers. Soon after some monitor manufacturers started to integrate it into official feature list of their monitors. Examples:

  • Eizo FG2421 (Turbo240)
  • BENQ XL2420Z (BENQ Blur Reduction)
  • Asus ROG Swift PG278Q (ULMB)

Main difference from LightBoost hack method is that they produce much better colors and gamma.

Frame rate capping

Skyrim's physics become buggy at above 100 FPS
Skyrim's physics become buggy at above 100 FPS
Can fix games that breaks on the wrong frame rate (such as the engine's clock running at over double the intended speed).
On fixed refresh rate monitors, may solve the micro-stuttering that happens when frames time is far from being a multiple of refresh period in (i.e. stable 45FPS on a 60Hz screen would have every odd frame delivered after 33ms, and every even after 16).[7]
Might disrupt frame time analysis algorithms that govern VRR[8], if the limit is placed just over the (dis)engaging threshold.
Capping the frame rate with external tools introduces input latency, particularly so if they are driver-provided ones.[9][10]

Capping (limiting) the frame rate of a game might be of interest to some as this have various use cases, whether that is to lower the temperature and noise levels to more manageable levels, lower the power draw of the system, solve high frame rate related issues of a game, provide an overall more stable frame pacing, or just in general decrease the FPS to a desired level and not allow it to go higher. Although the use cases varies, not all methods of capping the FPS of a game might be applicable as the methods differs and so does their (dis)advantages. See the table below for an overview of some of the common ways of capping the frame rate. There is also driver-provided solutions described further below.

Method OS
Advantages
Disadvantages
Dxtory
[Cap], Advanced -> Limit Video FPS.

Windows

Game profiles, automatic when game is opened.
Can be changed while game is running.
Supports DirectX 12 as well as Windows Store games.

Not freeware; requires a purchase after the trial have ended.
Program must be running in the background.
Requires administrator permissions to run.

GeDoSaTo
[Cap], modify fpsLimit value.

Windows

Predictive capping, which can reduce input lag introduced with traditional capping.[11]

Program must be running in the background.
Only supports DirectX 9 games.

RivaTuner Statistics Server
[Cap], instructions below.

Windows

Adds the least amount of input delay among external tools.
Game profiles, automatic when game is opened.
Can be changed while game is running.
Supports DirectX 12 as well as Windows Store games.

Program must be running in the background.
Requires administrator permissions to run.

Special K
[Cap] [Vsync], modify Framerate Limiter value via in-game OSD.
Ctrl+ Shift+← Backspace

Windows

Game profiles, automatic when game is opened.
Can be changed on the fly while playing.
Frame rate smoothness control for more consistent frame rates. Controls both Vsync and frame rate.

May run into compatibility issues with some games and external software.
Does not support DirectX 12 or Vulkan.

strangle
[Cap] [Vsync], instructions here.

Linux

Controls both Vsync and frame rate.

In-game FPS limiter
[Cap]

Windows, Linux

Can provide the lowest added input latency if implemented correctly by the developers.
No need for external tools.

Not available in all games.
Disadvantages depends on how the limiter is implemented by the developers. Some games might have a worse FPS limiter than the ones provided by external tools.

Change monitors refresh rate to the desired framerate number and enable Vsync.
[Vsync]

Windows, Linux

No need for external tools.
Should only be used based on the premise you already wanted to get rid of tearing to begin with.

Even slightly missing the vblank window will cause stuttering otherwise (input lag instead, if multiple buffering is used).
If the target refresh rate is not your usual one, and if the game doesn't support arbitrary ones, every time it is launched and closed they must be manually switched.

Adaptive/Dynamic Vsync with half refresh rate setting.
[Vsync]

Windows, Linux

Offered natively for both Nvidia and AMD in their control panels.
Applied automatic when game is launched.

Only works right with 120 Hz monitors if game has to be running at 60 FPS.
May not work as intended with all games.

Universal solution - RivaTuner Statistics Server (recommended)[citation needed]
  1. Download and install RivaTuner Statistics Server
  2. Run the program.
  3. Select desired profile or add custom profile.
  4. Set Framerate limit to desired value.

Notes

RTSS comes with EVGA Precision XOC and MSI Afterburner, but may be outdated.
Setting a locked framerate to a "global" configuration can result in worse frame times, as well as in severe input lag, for much better results refer to create individual profiles for each game/program.
In some cases, having it installed can produce erratic behavior for some games, such as frame pacing issues, stuttering, and capping fps without configuration.[citation needed]

Driver-provided solutions

Driver-provided solutions tend to have a higher cost of added input latency than built-in or external FPS limiters.[10]
AMD specific solution (FRTC or Chill) - AMD Radeon Software[12]
AMD provides two options to limit the frame rate of a game, FRTC (frame rate target control) and Chill. The intended goal of both are slightly different.[13]
  • FRTC ensures a steady output of frames from the GPU to the display, at the cost of input lag. Changes to the FRTC must be done prior to launching the game.[14]
  • Chill ensures a steady stream of frames is sent from the CPU to the GPU, at the cost of fluctuation in the output stream from the GPU to the display. This is intended for use with variable frame rate and refresh rate monitors and lowers input latency.
  1. Download and install the latest version of Radeon Software.
  2. While the game is not running, use Alt+R to open the Radeon Overlay.
  3. Enable either Radeon FRTC or Radeon Chill by clicking on the desired feature and tweak the settings as desired.
  4. Close the overlay and run the game.
AMD specific solution - RadeonPro (older AMD cards)[citation needed]
  1. Download and install RadeonPro
  2. Run the program and Add new profile.
  3. Select the corresponding game executable.
  4. Locate the Tweaks tab to the right and enable Dynamic Framerate Control.
  5. Set it as you desire.
  6. Right click on the just created profile on the left and press Apply now.
Nvidia Inspector
Nvidia Inspector
Nvidia specific solution - NVIDIA Profile Inspector[15]
  1. Download and run NVIDIA Profile Inspector.
  2. Select desired profile or add custom profile.
  3. Set Frame Rate Limiter to desired value.
  4. Apply the changes.

Notes

 The v2 FPS cap locks better.[16]
Introduces as much input lag as v-sync does.[17]

External links

Techquickie - Monitor & TV Refresh Rates as Fast As Possible - YouTube
Reality Check - Do we need 60 FPS on PS4 and Xbox One? - GameSpot - 60 FPS video
The case for 30fps PC gaming - Why frame-rate control is just as important as display resolution and quality presets.


References

  1. Patch 1.1 - Why 60FPS Cap? 120hz+ Experience Killed :: Gauntlet™ General Discussions - "The cap was made to try and stop the problem of people's gpu overheating"
  2. Patch Notes :: Shattered Planet General Discussions - "Frame rate capped at 60 FPS to prevent overusage of system resources."
  3. https://i.imgur.com/PnQNhbo.jpg
  4. Battlefield Hardline ushers in era of smooth YouTube trailers | Technology | theguardian.com
  5. G-SYNC Technology Overview | GeForce | GeForce
  6. VESA® Adds ‘Adaptive-Sync’ to Popular DisplayPort™ Video Standard | VESA
  7. Gamer's Graphics & Display Settings Guide - TweakGuides.com
  8. MechanizedConstruct's mtrai's Freesync FAQ on the comments of AMD's Robert Hallock : Amd - Reddit
  9. G-SYNC 101: External FPS Limiter HOWTO | Blur Busters
  10. 10.0 10.1 FreeSync vs. G-Sync Delay Analysis - YouTube
  11. GeDoSaTo FPS capping, modding controversies | metaclassofnilblog
  12. AnandTech - AMD Releases Radeon Software Adrenalin Edition: Overlay, App & More for 2017 - last accessed on 2018-09-23
  13. YouTube - Battle(non)sense - FreeSync vs. G-Sync Delay Analysis - Highlighted reply by Eugene Fainstain (AMD employee/creator of Radeon Chill) - last accessed on 2018-09-23
  14. AMD - Using Radeon™ Overlay to Adjust Gaming and Visual Settings - last accessed on 2018-09-23
  15. Verified by User:Hawaii_Beach on 2017-01-09
  16. Guru3D.com Forums - View Single Post - NVidia Inspector 1.9.7.6 + FPS limit 59.7 = microstutter
  17. FPS Limiter Lag Analysis For G-Sync & V-Sync - YouTube