How to Fix Low FPS Issues in AAA Games

Low FPS (frames per second) in AAA games can turn an immersive experience into a frustrating slideshow. Whether you’re battling lag in Cyberpunk 2077 or struggling with stutters in Elden Ring, this guide provides step-by-step solutions to boost performance, optimize settings, and reclaim smooth gameplay—no expensive upgrades required.

Understanding FPS: Why It Matters

FPS measures how many frames your PC renders per second. Higher FPS (60+) ensures smooth visuals, while low FPS (<30) causes choppiness, input lag, and gameplay disruptions. AAA games demand significant hardware resources, but even mid-tier systems can achieve playable FPS with the right tweaks.

1. Diagnose the Problem

Before diving into fixes, identify the root cause of low FPS:

A. Check Hardware Utilization

Use MSI Afterburner or HWMonitor to monitor:
GPU/CPU usage (consistently >90% indicates a bottleneck).
Thermal throttling (temps >85°C for CPU/GPU).
RAM/VRAM usage (close to max capacity slows performance).

B. Run Benchmarks

Test your PC’s performance with 3DMark or UserBenchmark to compare against similar setups.

C. Identify Game-Specific Issues

Search forums like Reddit or Steam Community for known bugs (e.g., Star Wars Jedi: Survivor’s stuttering issues).

2. Optimize In-Game Settings

AAA games often default to ultra settings, which can overwhelm mid-range hardware. Prioritize these tweaks:

A. Graphics Settings to Lower First

Shadow Quality: High shadows tank FPS—set to Medium or Low.
Anti-Aliasing (AA): Use FXAA or TAA instead of MSAA.
Texture Filtering: Lower from 16x to 8x.
Volumetric Fog/Clouds: Disable or reduce.
Ray Tracing: Turn off unless you have an RTX 3070 or better.

Pro Tip: Use NVIDIA DLSS or AMD FSR for AI-powered upscaling without quality loss.

B. Resolution vs. Performance

Drop resolution from 4K to 1440p or 1080p for a significant FPS boost.

C. Frame Rate Caps

Cap FPS to your monitor’s refresh rate (e.g., 60Hz) to stabilize performance.

3. Update Drivers and Software

Outdated drivers are a common culprit.

A. GPU Drivers

NVIDIA: Download the latest Game Ready Driver via GeForce Experience.
AMD: Use AMD Adrenalin for updates.
Intel Arc: Update via Intel Driver & Support Assistant.

B. Windows and DirectX

Ensure Windows 10/11 is updated (Settings > Windows Update).
Install the latest DirectX Runtime and Visual C++ Redistributables.

C. Game Patches

Enable automatic updates on Steam, Epic, or other launchers.

4. Tweak Windows for Gaming

Background processes can hog resources.

A. Disable Bloatware

Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and end unnecessary tasks (e.g., Discord overlay, OneDrive).
Disable startup apps (Settings > Apps > Startup).

B. Enable Game Mode

Turn on Game Mode (Windows Settings > Gaming) to prioritize resources for games.

C. Adjust Power Settings

Select High Performance mode (Control Panel > Power Options).

D. Disable Fullscreen Optimizations

Right-click the game’s .exe > Properties > Compatibility > Check “Disable fullscreen optimizations”.

5. Optimize Hardware Performance

A. Overclocking (Advanced Users)

Use MSI Afterburner to safely overclock GPU core/memory clocks.
Caution: Monitor temps and test stability with Heaven Benchmark.

B. Free Up VRAM and RAM

Close Chrome, Discord, and other apps while gaming.
Increase virtual memory (Settings > System > Advanced > Virtual Memory > Set to 1.5x RAM).

C. Cooling Solutions

Clean dust from fans and vents.
Repaste GPU/CPU thermal compound if temps exceed 80°C.

6. Modify Game Config Files

Some games allow manual tweaks for better performance.

A. Edit Engine.ini (Unreal Engine Games)

For games like Fortnite or Hellblade:

Navigate to Documents\My Games\[Game Name]\Config.
Open Engine.ini and add:

   [SystemSettings]  
   r.ShadowQuality=0  
   r.TextureStreaming=False

B. Adjust Nvidia Control Panel/AMD Adrenalin

Force VSync Off, set Power Management to “Prefer Maximum Performance”.

7. Use Performance-Boosting Tools

A. Razer Cortex

Frees up RAM and suspends background tasks automatically.

B. Intelligent Standby List Cleaner (ISLC)

Clears standby memory to prevent stutters.

C. Process Lasso

Assign high CPU priority to games.

8. Upgrade Hardware (Last Resort)

If all else fails, consider cost-effective upgrades:

GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3060 Ti or AMD RX 6700 XT for 1080p/1440p.
RAM: 16GB DDR4 (32GB for future-proofing).
SSD: Install games on NVMe SSD for faster load times.

Game-Specific Fixes

Elden Ring: Disable EAC (Easy Anti-Cheat) for offline play via mods.
Hogwarts Legacy: Enable “Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling” in Windows.
Cyberpunk 2077: Use the “Slow HDD Mode” even on SSDs.

FAQ

Q: Why is my FPS suddenly low in a game that ran fine before?
A: Background updates, driver conflicts, or thermal throttling. Revert recent changes and monitor temps.

Q: Does RAM speed affect FPS?
A: Yes, but only marginally (5–10% gain with faster RAM in CPU-bound games).

Q: Should I use “Gaming” VPNs for better FPS?
A: No—VPNs increase latency and have no impact on FPS.

Conclusion

Fixing low FPS in AAA games requires a mix of software tweaks, hardware optimizations, and patience. Start with in-game settings and driver updates, then explore advanced tools and config edits. Remember, even high-end rigs benefit from optimization.

By following this guide, you’ll transform stutters into silky-smooth gameplay—and maybe even extend the life of your hardware. Now, go conquer Night City, the Lands Between, or whatever world awaits!