[Desktop] How to deal with low FPS and less-than-expected performance in games?

The frame rate (FPS) during gaming is a crucial factor that affects the overall gaming experience. Generally speaking, a higher FPS correlates to smoother gameplay. However, the frame rate in games can be limited by the specifications of your computer's hardware and software. If you encounter issues with low FPS and stuttering in games, this article will provide possible reasons and methods to optimize and enhance your gaming experience.


Verify game system requirements

Please visit the official website of the game or the game distribution platform to confirm the system requirements for the game. If your software and hardware specifications are below the requirements, try adjusting the resolution or graphics settings to optimize your gaming experience.

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Using Grand Theft Auto V as an example for the system requirements.



MSI Center performance optimization

MSI Center is a dedicated application designed for the MSI gaming series devices and provides optimized performance and efficiency for gamers and other types of users.

Open MSI Center → "Features" → "User Scenario" → Select "Extreme Performance".

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For more information about MSI Center, please refer to MSI CENTER User Guide.



Use the dedicated graphics card to run games in Windows graphics settings

The dedicated graphics card usually provides higher graphical performance as compared to integrated graphics. It is recommended to configure applications that require more graphic processing, such as games and graphic design software, to utilize the dedicated graphics card for better performance.

Note: Some applications may prioritize their own Windows graphics preferences over the graphic settings in the hardware manufacturer's control panel (e.g., NVIDIA Control Panel and AMD Radeon Software). It is advisable to synchronize settings in both the Windows graphics settings and the control panel of the graphics card manufacturer.

1. Search for "Graphics settings" on the taskbar and click "Open."

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2. In the dropdown menu, choose either "Classic App" or "Microsoft Store App" to select the application you want to configure.

If you cannot find the application in the list, you can click on "Browse" directly to select the application manually.

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3. After finding the application you want to configure, click on "Options."

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4. Once you have selected "High Performance" to set the graphics preference to the dedicated graphics card, click on "Save."

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Install the game on a Solid State Drive (SSD)

Solid State Drives (SSD) have faster loading speeds compared to traditional Hard Disk Drives (HDD). Storing games on an SSD usually helps improve the gaming experience, and in some AAA games that require significant loading of high-quality graphics, SSDs can even increase the frame rate (FPS).

Please refer to [Desktop] Precautions when upgrading SSD on MSI Desktops.

Check the machine's temperature and cooling conditions

To ensure system stability, when the machine's temperature becomes too high, it may automatically reduce power and operating frequencies to maintain a reasonable working temperature. During gaming, this could lead to decreased FPS and game stuttering.

Please ensure proper ventilation of the machine and refer to the MSI CENTER User Guide to learn how to check the system temperature.

Adjust resolution and graphics settings

Resolution and graphics settings in games are one of the crucial factors affecting frame rates (FPS). Adjusting these settings appropriately and according to your hardware specifications can result in a smoother gaming experience.

Common settings that significantly impact FPS include resolution, shadows, global illumination, reflections, and ray tracing. It is recommended to try adjusting these settings to improve your gaming experience.

Check your Internet connection

For online games that require an internet connection, a poor network environment can result in excessive latency. It is recommended to use a wired connection when playing games as wired connections tend to offer better stability compared to wireless connections.

You can also refer to [Desktop] How to troubleshoot when network speed is slow and has high latency during online gaming or general network purposes to diagnose and address network issues during gaming.

Ensure BIOS and drivers are up to date

Software updates can sometimes improve system stability, performance, and resolve known issues. Please refer to the following articles to ensure that your BIOS and drivers are up to date.

[Desktop] How to update BIOS?

[Desktop] How to update the driver?




If you have tried the above troubleshooting and settings but still cannot resolve your issue, please contact MSI's customer service center for further assistance.




Reference Information and Related Articles

[Desktop] Precautions when upgrading SSD on MSI Desktops
[Desktop] How to troubleshoot when network speed is slow and has high latency during online gaming or general network purposes.
[Desktop] How to update BIOS?
[Desktop] How to update the driver?

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