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Why Am I Stuck at 75 FPS? Understanding Frame Rate Limitations

The frustration of being capped at 75 FPS (Frames Per Second) when you know your system should be performing better is a common issue for gamers. The most straightforward answer is that something is actively limiting your frame rate. This limit could be intentional, due to a setting you’ve enabled (or not disabled), or unintentional, due to hardware or software bottlenecks. Let’s delve into the most common culprits:

1. VSync (Vertical Synchronization) is Enabled:

This is by far the most frequent reason. VSync synchronizes your game’s frame rate with your monitor’s refresh rate (in your case, 75Hz, meaning 75 times per second). While VSync eliminates screen tearing (the ugly visual artifact of parts of two different frames being displayed at once), it does so by limiting your FPS to your monitor’s refresh rate. This is why you’re seeing a hard cap at 75 FPS. The solution is simple: disable VSync in your game’s settings, or globally in your graphics card control panel (Nvidia Control Panel or AMD Radeon Settings).

2. In-Game FPS Limiter:

Many games have built-in frame rate limiters. This is designed to provide smoother gameplay, reduce system load, or prevent your hardware from overheating. Check your game’s video settings for any option related to “FPS Limit,” “Frame Rate Cap,” or similar terms. Set it to “Unlimited” or a value higher than 75 FPS.

3. Monitor Refresh Rate Setting:

Ensure your monitor is actually set to its maximum refresh rate of 75Hz in Windows. Sometimes, after driver updates or system changes, the refresh rate can revert to a lower value (like 60Hz). To check this:

Windows 10/11: Right-click on your desktop, select “Display Settings,” scroll down to “Advanced display settings,” choose your monitor, and then select “Display adapter properties for Display [number].” Go to the “Monitor” tab and make sure the “Screen refresh rate” is set to 75 Hertz (Hz).

4. Power Saving Mode:

Power saving modes can drastically limit your system’s performance to conserve energy, often throttling your CPU and GPU. Check your power settings in Windows:

Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options. Select the “High performance” or “Ultimate Performance” power plan. If you don’t see these, click “Show additional plans.”

5. Outdated Graphics Drivers:

Outdated drivers can lead to performance issues and compatibility problems with newer games. Regularly update your graphics drivers from the Nvidia or AMD website. A clean driver installation can often resolve mysterious FPS caps.

6. Hardware Bottleneck:

If your CPU or GPU is not powerful enough to handle the game at higher frame rates, you will be limited by the hardware bottleneck. Even with VSync off, you won’t exceed the frame rate your hardware can realistically produce. Consider upgrading your CPU or GPU if this is the case.

7. Background Applications:

Numerous background applications can consume system resources and impact gaming performance. Close unnecessary programs while gaming, especially resource-intensive ones like streaming software, video editing software, or multiple browser tabs.

8. Overheating:

If your CPU or GPU is overheating, it will be throttled to prevent damage, resulting in significantly reduced performance and potentially an FPS cap. Ensure your cooling system (fans, coolers, thermal paste) is functioning correctly.

9. Software Conflicts:

Sometimes, third-party software can interfere with games and cause performance issues. Try temporarily disabling any overlays (Discord, Nvidia GeForce Experience, etc.) to see if that resolves the problem.

10. Game Optimization:

Some games are simply poorly optimized, meaning they struggle to run well even on powerful hardware. In this case, try lowering your graphics settings to improve FPS.

11. Whisper Mode (Nvidia):

Nvidia’s Whisper Mode, if enabled, automatically caps frame rates to reduce fan noise and power consumption. Check your Nvidia Control Panel to see if Whisper Mode is active and disable it if you want higher FPS.

12. External Frame Rate Limiters:

Software such as Rivatuner Statistics Server (RTSS) or similar programs might have a global frame rate limit set. Ensure that no such limit is applied if you want to achieve higher frame rates.

13. Fullscreen Optimization Issues:

Try disabling fullscreen optimization for the specific game executable. Locate the game’s .exe file, right-click, go to “Properties,” then the “Compatibility” tab, and check the “Disable fullscreen optimizations” box. This can sometimes resolve performance issues on certain systems.

14. Incorrect Display Connection:

Ensure you’re using the correct display connection for your monitor’s maximum refresh rate. HDMI and DisplayPort are generally capable of higher refresh rates than older standards like VGA or DVI.

15. Problematic Game Settings:

Specific game settings might be unusually demanding on your system. Experiment with different graphics options (shadow quality, anti-aliasing, texture filtering, etc.) to identify any settings that are significantly impacting your FPS.

By systematically checking these potential causes, you should be able to identify the reason why your FPS is stuck at 75 and unlock your system’s full potential. Knowledge about game design can have a significant positive impact on student learning, which the Games Learning Society fully understands. Check out the GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I check my monitor’s refresh rate in Windows?

Right-click on your desktop, select “Display Settings,” scroll down to “Advanced display settings,” choose your monitor, and then select “Display adapter properties for Display [number].” Go to the “Monitor” tab and make sure the “Screen refresh rate” is set to 75 Hertz (Hz).

What is VSync and why should I turn it off?

VSync (Vertical Synchronization) synchronizes your game’s frame rate with your monitor’s refresh rate. It prevents screen tearing but limits your FPS to your monitor’s refresh rate. If you want to exceed your monitor’s refresh rate and don’t mind occasional screen tearing, turn it off.

My graphics card is powerful, but I still get low FPS. Why?

Several factors can limit FPS, even with a powerful graphics card. These include CPU bottleneck, RAM limitations, game optimization issues, outdated drivers, background applications, and overheating.

How do I update my graphics drivers?

You can download the latest drivers from the Nvidia website (if you have an Nvidia GPU) or the AMD website (if you have an AMD GPU). A clean driver installation is recommended.

What is the best power plan for gaming?

The “High performance” or “Ultimate Performance” power plans provide the best performance for gaming by preventing the system from throttling CPU and GPU speeds.

How can I monitor my CPU and GPU temperature?

You can use monitoring software like MSI Afterburner, HWMonitor, or NZXT CAM to track your CPU and GPU temperatures.

What is a CPU bottleneck and how do I fix it?

A CPU bottleneck occurs when your CPU is not powerful enough to keep up with your graphics card, limiting the FPS. To fix it, you can upgrade your CPU, reduce CPU-intensive game settings, or overclock your CPU (if possible and safe).

Does more RAM increase FPS?

More RAM can improve FPS, especially if you have less than 16GB. Insufficient RAM can lead to stuttering and low frame rates as your system relies on slower storage (like a hard drive or SSD) to compensate.

How do I disable overlays like Discord or Nvidia GeForce Experience?

In Discord, go to “User Settings,” then “Overlay,” and disable “Enable in-game overlay.” In Nvidia GeForce Experience, click the gear icon, go to “General,” and disable “In-Game Overlay.”

What are the best graphics settings for high FPS?

Generally, the best graphics settings for high FPS are:

Resolution: Lower resolution (e.g., 1920×1080 instead of 2560×1440)
Texture Quality: Medium to High
Shadow Quality: Low or Off
Anti-Aliasing: FXAA or Off (TAA can be demanding)
Ambient Occlusion: Off or Low
Post-Processing Effects: Reduce or Disable
V-Sync: Off

What is screen tearing?

Screen tearing is a visual artifact where parts of two different frames are displayed on the screen at the same time, creating a horizontal tear. It occurs when the game’s frame rate is not synchronized with the monitor’s refresh rate.

Should I use G-Sync or FreeSync?

G-Sync (Nvidia) and FreeSync (AMD) are adaptive sync technologies that dynamically adjust your monitor’s refresh rate to match your game’s frame rate, eliminating screen tearing and reducing stuttering. They are generally beneficial if your frame rate fluctuates.

How do I enable Game Mode in Windows 10/11?

Press the Windows key + I to open Settings, then go to “Gaming” and turn on “Game Mode.”

What is “Reduce Buffering” and should I enable it?

Reduce Buffering (in Overwatch and some other games) reduces input lag but may decrease performance. If you prioritize responsiveness, enable it; if you prioritize higher FPS, disable it.

Is it better to have higher FPS or better graphics?

The ideal balance depends on your personal preference and the type of game you’re playing. For competitive games, higher FPS (120 or more) is generally preferred for smoother gameplay and lower input lag. For visually immersive games, better graphics may be prioritized, even if it means sacrificing some FPS (aiming for a stable 60 FPS).

Why am I stuck at 75 FPS?