FPS stands for "frames per second," which is a measure of how many frames a computer video game can produce and render per second. The more frames per second, the smoother and more engaging the gameplay will be for users. FPS is important in gaming, especially in competitive titles, because relatively few frames per second can put you at a disadvantage against your opponents. For example, playing a fast-paced first-person shooter game like Overwatch at 30 FPS can be hard because the frames are not accurately capturing what is going on in the game. Characters or animations will seem choppy, which hinders the gaming experience and limits how well you can actually do in the game.
The FPS number is determined by how many frames are produced every second by the computers graphics card. The higher the FPS number, the smoother and more realistic the game will appear. High FPS can also reduce input lag, which is the delay between your mouse or keyboard actions and the corresponding response on the screen. However, high FPS requires more powerful and expensive hardware, such as a high-end GPU, CPU, and RAM. High FPS can also cause more heat and noise from your PC components, which can affect their lifespan and performance.
Not all PC games measure frames per second (FPS). Turn-based strategy titles and role-playing games typically don’t require this type of speed measurement as they play out more slowly compared to fast-paced first-person shooters or real-time strategy titles which rely heavily on fluid animations due to their faster pacing.
To check your computers FPS, you can use in-game settings or enable monitoring programs to help track frame rates. Your Windows PC also comes with a built-in FPS counter (and screen recorder), thanks to the Xbox Game Bar overlay.
In conclusion, FPS is an important metric for evaluating your hardwares gaming performance, and often touted by PC enthusiasts looking to boast about their system. The higher the FPS, the smoother and more realistic the game will appear, but it requires more powerful and expensive hardware.
