What Is The Best FPS For Gaming?

If there’s anything that PC gamers love to debate about, it’s frame rates. In this article, we’ll be discussing the ideal FPS for gaming. Is there even such a thing?

FPS will vary based on several factors: how powerful the hardware is, how demanding and how well-optimized the game is, among many others. FPS requirements are ultimately very individual, and different people will inevitably have different standards regarding what constitutes a “playable” or “ideal” frame rate.

In this article, we’ll be going over some essential FPS-related questions. After reading this guide, you will hopefully have an idea of what frame rate to aim for.

What Is FPS?

First and foremost, let’s clarify what FPS is for those who are unfamiliar with gaming. FPS is an acronym that stands for frames-per-second. Essentially, it represents how many frames your GPU can produce each second.

For instance, if a game is running at 1 frame per second, you would only be seeing one image every second. This is more similar to a slideshow than a real-time experience, and a game would be unplayable at 1 FPS.

So, essentially, the higher number of frames rendered and displayed per second, the smoother and more fluid the gaming experience will become.

FPS Brackets

Read below to get an understanding of what FPS you can expect from different types of devices and monitors and how they perform.

• 30 FPS – This is the performance level usually targeted by consoles and budget gaming PCs. Keep in mind, though, that significant stuttering is only really noticeable at less than 20 FPS, so anything above 20 FPS can be considered playable.
• 60 FPS – This is the target goal for most gaming PCs. On consoles, only the less demanding or better-optimized games can manage a stable 60 FPS. However, the upcoming PS5 and the Xbox Series X will aim for it in most games.
• 120 FPS – This is the kind of frame rate that can only be displayed on monitors with 120-165 Hz refresh rates. Usually, only powerful high-end gaming PCs can run demanding games with this level of performance without any settings drops.
• 240 FPS – This FPS is reserved for the fastest 240 Hz monitors. 240 FPS is as high as modern displays go.

Don’t forget that it’s easier to push triple-digit frame rates in less demanding titles, which is precisely why monitors with high refresh rates are so common in the eSports scene.

In addition to this, we should note that there are some diminishing returns to consider when FPS is concerned. Namely, while it’s straightforward to spot the difference between 30 FPS and 60 FPS, the difference between 120 FPS and 240 FPS is much harder to perceive.

What Is The Best FPS for Gaming?

Let’s delve into the central question.

You might be amazed to know that there’s not really an answer for this. Why?

Well, simply because there is no single frame rate that is perfect for everyone or for every type of game. Personal preferences aside, here are our general recommendations:

• 30 FPS – Good enough for a single-player. It sometimes makes for a more cinematic experience.
• 60 FPS – The ideal frame rate for most people, as the extra fluidity makes games more responsive and can provide a more enjoyable experience overall. It’s also a good frame rate for games where reacting to animations is important.
• 120 FPS – Much more fluid and responsive than 60 FPS. You’ll have an important edge when it comes to multiplayer games. However, some appreciate the extra responsiveness in single-player games, too, even if it means lowering some graphics settings.
• 240 FPS – Finally, going for 240 FPS is usually only worthwhile if you’re playing competitively and need every edge you can get. Otherwise, getting a 240 Hz monitor might be a waste, as you could get similar responsiveness and, potentially, better visuals in some 144 Hz monitors.

Now that we have touched upon the subject, we should also mention a few additional factors that you should consider before deciding on what kind of FPS you’re going to aim for.

First, there’s the display.

As we’ve mentioned, the refresh rates vary, and so does the panel technology. For example, TN panels are usually more economical and swifter, but IPS panels offer better colors and viewing angles, while VA panels present a sort of balanced solution.

Therefore, chances are you might end up having to choose between visuals and performance if you want something more economical. Whatever the case, if you’re shopping for a new monitor, we recommend checking out our monitor buying guide for some good picks. 

Then, there’s the apparatus.

Naturally, it’s no use investing in a 144 Hz monitor if you only intend to get a budget GPU that can’t really do it justice. If you’re looking for a new graphics card, then we suggest you check out this article, where we offer a succinct selection of the best graphics cards presently available.

Now, as mentioned previously, not all games are equally demanding on the hardware, so you should also keep in mind the games that you usually play.

Hitting a triple-digit frame rate in the latest AAA games isn’t easy, but the same can’t be said for eSports games such as CS: GO, Overwatch, Dota 2, etc. So, if you mainly play less demanding games and want to focus on performance without spending too much, a combo of a 144 Hz display and a more economical GPU might be a reasonable choice.

If you instead play demanding AAA games and are more focused on graphics than on performance, going for a 60 Hz monitor and a more powerful GPU would be better.

Of course, you can still enjoy your cake and eat it too, by opting for a potent high-end GPU and combining it with a 1440p 144 Hz monitor, however, this would involve a considerable investment that not everyone may be prepared for.

Conclusion

In short, at the end of the day, the frame rate you should aim for will depend mainly on your preferences and finances.

Even 30 FPS is playable and can actually make for a more cinematic experience (especially if a game has not-so-stellar animations) but most people will agree that 60 FPS is the ideal middle ground between responsiveness and cost-effectiveness.

Meanwhile, triple-digit frame rates are superb for competitive multiplayer or just for people who prefer having additional responsiveness in their single-player games, even if that means dropping some visual settings.

However, getting a 144 Hz or a 240 Hz monitor means that you might end up spending a bit more on a monitor than you would if it were a conventional 60 Hz panel. While it might not necessarily be costlier, you should only get one if you truly need it and can make use of the extra responsiveness they offer.

Otherwise, you’d either just end up unnecessarily spending more money or missing out on the visual clarity that a comparably priced 60 Hz variant could have offered.

Finally, as we have already mentioned, if you’re currently on the hunt for a new monitor, we would advise checking out our comprehensive guide on the best gaming monitors currently available. We’re sure you’ll find a suitable match for your needs there.