Ever wondered why your games sometimes feel sluggish, even though your computer seems powerful enough? It could be a mismatch between your monitor’s refresh rate and the frame rate your graphics card is pumping out. But before you start tinkering with settings, you need to know what your monitor’s FPS (frames per second) actually is. This guide will walk you through the different ways to check your display’s FPS and help you understand why it matters.
Why Monitor FPS?
Imagine watching a movie where each scene jumps and stutters. Not exactly an enjoyable experience, right? That’s what happens in games when your monitor’s refresh rate and the game’s frame rate are out of sync. Refresh rate refers to how many times your monitor can redraw the image on your screen in one second, measured in Hertz (Hz). Frame rate, on the other hand, is how many frames (images) your graphics card can generate per second.
Here’s where it gets interesting:
Smooth Sailing: If your monitor’s refresh rate matches your game’s frame rate, you’ll get a smooth and tear-free experience.
Stutter City: If your frame rate is lower than your monitor’s refresh rate, you might see stuttering or lag.
Butter Overload: Exceeding your monitor’s refresh rate won’t necessarily make the game look better, but it can still be beneficial for competitive players (more on that later).
Types of Display FPS Tests
The display fps test can be done in two ways:
Built-in Display Options: Some high-end monitors have built-in menus that display the current frame rate. This is the easiest method, but not all monitors offer it. Consult your monitor’s manual to see if it has this feature.
Software-based Display FPS Tests: This is the more universal approach, and there are a few options:
Free Online Tests: Websites like [Subgadgets] offer online display FPS tests. These tests display moving objects on your screen and measure your monitor’s refresh rate based on how smoothly they move.
Software Overlays: Popular graphics card software like NVIDIA GeForce Experience or AMD Radeon Settings often have built-in FPS overlays. These overlays display the current frame rate in real-time on your screen while you’re gaming.
Steps to Check Your Monitor’s FPS with Online Tests
Here’s a quick guide on how to use a free online display FPS test:
Close Background Programs: Ensure your computer isn’t bogged down by other applications. Close any unnecessary programs running in the background.
Open the Display FPS Test: Head to a website like [Subgadgets]. Make sure you’re using a supported browser (usually Chrome, Firefox, or Edge).
Run the Test: The website will display a moving object on your screen. Focus on how smooth the movement appears.
Check the Results: The website should display your monitor’s estimated refresh rate based on the test.
Steps to Check Your Monitor’s FPS with Software Overlays
If you use dedicated graphics card software, checking your FPS is even simpler:
Open the Graphics Card Software: Launch your NVIDIA GeForce Experience or AMD Radeon Settings application.
Enable FPS Overlay: Look for settings related to the in-game overlay and enable the FPS counter. You can usually customize its position on the screen.
Run a Game: Launch your favorite game and the FPS counter should be displayed while you play.
The Benefits of Knowing Your Monitor’s FPS
Once you know your monitor’s FPS, you can:
Optimize Game Settings: Adjust your game’s graphics settings to maintain a frame rate that matches your monitor’s refresh rate. This will ensure the smoothest possible gameplay experience.
Decide on VSync: VSync is a graphics setting that synchronizes your graphics card’s frame rate with your monitor’s refresh rate. This eliminates screen tearing but may introduce input lag. Knowing your FPS helps you decide whether VSync is beneficial.
Future-Proofing: If you’re planning to upgrade your graphics card in the future, knowing your monitor’s FPS limit will help you choose a card that won’t be bottlenecked by your display.
Conclusion
Checking your monitor’s FPS is a simple yet crucial step for achieving optimal gaming performance. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a competitive esports player, understanding the relationship between refresh rate and frame rate can significantly improve your experience.
