Best Settings to Boost FPS on Low-End PCs (2026 Guide)

Playing games on an old or budget computer can be frustrating. Stuttering, lag, and low frame rates ruin the fun. The good news is that you can often boost FPS on a low-end PC without spending any money. In this guide, you'll learn the best settings to get smoother gameplay right now.

1. Set Windows to High Performance Mode

Windows may limit your hardware to save power. Switch it off:

1. Press Windows + R, type powercfg.cpl, and hit Enter.
2. Select High Performance (or Ultimate Performance if available).
3. On a laptop, plug in the charger while gaming.

2. Turn On Game Mode

Game Mode tells Windows to prioritize your game over background tasks.

• Go to Settings > Gaming > Game Mode and turn it On.

3. Close Background Apps

Every open app steals RAM and CPU power.

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
• Under Processes, end browsers, launchers, and anything you don't need.
• Under the Startup tab, disable apps you don't need at boot.

4. Update Your Graphics Drivers

Outdated drivers are a common cause of low FPS. Download the latest version from:

• NVIDIA: GeForce Experience or nvidia.com
• AMD: Adrenalin Software or amd.com
• Intel: Intel Driver & Support Assistant

5. Best In-Game Graphics Settings for Low FPS

These settings give the biggest FPS boost with the least visual loss:

Setting	Recommended
Resolution	Lower to 1280x720 or 1600x900
Texture Quality	Low
Shadows	Off or Low
Anti-Aliasing	Off
Post-Processing	Off
Effects Quality	Low
View Distance	Low or Medium
V-Sync	Off
Motion Blur	Off
Frame Rate Limit	Match your monitor's refresh rate

Pro tip: Shadows and anti-aliasing usually cost the most FPS. Turn these off first.

6. Use Fullscreen Mode

Run the game in Fullscreen instead of Windowed or Borderless. It gives the game full control of your GPU and usually improves performance.

7. Adjust Visual Effects in Windows

1. Search for "Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows."
2. Select Adjust for best performance.
3. Click Apply.

This disables animations and transparency effects that use system resources.

8. Optimize NVIDIA or AMD Control Panel Settings

NVIDIA Control Panel:

• Power Management Mode: Prefer Maximum Performance
• Texture Filtering Quality: High Performance
• Vertical Sync: Off

AMD Radeon Settings:

• Texture Filtering Quality: Performance
• Wait for Vertical Refresh: Off
• Radeon Anti-Lag: On

9. Free Up Disk Space and Use an SSD

• Keep at least 15-20% of your drive free.
• Run Disk Cleanup to delete temporary files.
• If you can afford one upgrade, install games on an SSD. It greatly reduces loading times and stutter.

10. Increase Virtual Memory (Page File)

If you have little RAM, this can help prevent crashes and stutters:

1. Search "Advanced system settings" and open it.
2. Go to Performance > Settings > Advanced > Virtual Memory > Change.
3. Uncheck automatic management and set a custom size (about 1.5x your RAM as the initial size).

11. Disable Xbox Game Bar and Background Recording

Background recording can lower FPS.

• Go to Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar and turn it Off.
• Go to Captures and turn off Background Recording.

12. Keep Your PC Cool

Overheating causes thermal throttling, which lowers performance.

• Clean dust from fans and vents.
• Make sure airflow isn't blocked.
• Use a laptop cooling pad if needed.

13. Use Upscaling Technology

If your game supports it, enable NVIDIA DLSS, AMD FSR, or Intel XeSS. These render the game at a lower resolution and upscale it, giving a big FPS boost with little quality loss.

Quick FPS Boost Checklist

• ✅ High Performance power plan
• ✅ Game Mode on
• ✅ Background apps closed
• ✅ Drivers updated
• ✅ Shadows and anti-aliasing off
• ✅ Lower resolution
• ✅ Fullscreen mode
• ✅ PC kept cool

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I increase FPS on a low-end PC for free?
Close background apps, update drivers, lower in-game settings like shadows and resolution, and switch Windows to High Performance mode.

What is the best resolution for low-end PCs?
1280x720 (720p) gives the biggest FPS boost, while 1600x900 is a good balance between clarity and performance.

Does RAM affect FPS?
Yes. Low RAM causes stuttering and freezes. Upgrading to 16GB is one of the best budget upgrades, especially if you have 8GB or less.

Does lowering graphics improve FPS?
Yes. Lowering shadows, textures, and effects reduces the load on your GPU and CPU, which raises FPS.

Final Thoughts

You don't need an expensive gaming rig to enjoy smooth gameplay. By applying these settings, you can boost FPS on a low-end PC and make your favorite games far more playable. Start with the quick wins, like High Performance mode, closing background apps, and lowering shadows, then work down the list.

Did these tips help your FPS? Share your results in the comments below!