Whether you’re watching videos, playing games, or experiencing virtual reality, FPS is a term that frequently comes up. But what exactly is FPS, and why does it matter in gaming?
If you’re not entirely sure, there’s no need to worry. This blog will provide a detailed introduction and vivid illustrations to guide you through everything you need to know about FPS. Get ready!
Table of Contents
What Is FPS?
FPS is a metric that describes how many frames can be displayed per second, with the full term being Frames Per Second.
It is widely used in video production, filmmaking, and the gaming industry, and is one of the most critical factors in measuring the smoothness of visual content, representing the scientific magic behind visual enjoyment.
Frame
Imagine you are watching an exhilarating action movie or trying to eliminate enemy heroes in a rank — the exciting dynamic scenes on the screen are actually formed by a series of static images flashing swiftly.
Many people have had some childhood experience: drawing a little shark performing continuous actions on each page of a book, and then flipping through the pages quickly to make the shark appear to “dance” vividly. This primitive animation effect illustrates that videos or animations are composed of a large number of sequential static images, and each static image is a frame.
A flipbook
Frame Rate
In a flipbook, each page is a Frame, and the total number of pages is the Frames. The Frame rate = Frames/Time(Second), usually expressed as FPS – which is essentially a unit of Frame rate.
So for example, if an animation maintains 60 FPS, it updates 60 static images per second, displaying 120 images in two seconds.
Persistence of Vision
Frame creates an animation effect mainly due to the persistence of vision in the human eye. When the eye observes a rapidly moving object, it forms an image on the retina and transmits it to the brain via the optic nerve. Even when the image disappears, the optic nerve retains the impression of the object for 0.1 to 0.4 seconds, allowing people to still see the image during this period.
This dynamic compensation is the foundation for the development of visual media such as movies, animation, and games. As long as the update interval of each frame does not exceed the duration of persistence of vision(typically above 16 FPS), the video is perceived as smooth.
A GIF played at 16 FPS
What we commonly refer to as “stuttering” occurs when the FPS is too low, resulting in a jerky visual experience. Conversely, the higher the FPS (higher frame rate), the smoother and richer the visual content becomes.
15 FPS vs. 30 FPS vs. 60 FPS
Therefore, if a video’s clarity is determined by its resolution, then FPS is the standard by which the fluidity of a film or game is assessed.
Scenarios for Different FPS
While a higher FPS usually means a video is more refined and smooth, not all types of videos are suited for high frame rates.
For example, when watching a basketball game from the field, your eyes capture a certain degree of motion blur. If you record the athletes’ movements with a camera, a high FPS will eliminate this motion blur, making the footage appear very polished but also lose some sense of realism.
Different frame rates offer varied viewing experiences. So when selecting the FPS, video producers need to consider various factors, such as whether a realistic visual presentation is needed or if there are plans to use effects like slow motion or motion blur in post-production.
Below are some common scenarios for different FPS:
24 FPS
24 FPS is a frame rate widely used when converting video signals (captured footage) into film. This frame rate originated from the physical limitations of early film techs, but it was later discovered that 24 FPS balances data transmission and storage while ensuring fluidity, and makes the visual effects closer to real-world experiences. Therefore, this frame rate is still the standard choice for films and documentaries today.
30 FPS
30 FPS is the default frame rate for smartphone cameras and is one of the most common frame rates. Compared to 24 FPS, 30 FPS offers smoother visuals that capture natural and realistic movements, making it often used in TV shows, short videos, or live sports and news broadcasts.
60 FPS and Above
60 FPS can capture fast-paced actions while preserving detail, providing a more seamless and fluid viewing experience, which is widely used in HD television and gaming.
Even higher frame rates are typically employed for special photographic purposes, such as in slow-motion photography, where the frame rate can reach 120 FPS or more to capture subtle movements, offering viewers a visual experience that’s different from the regular one.
Why Does Frame Rate Matter in Gaming?
We often hear gamers discussing FPS, as the frame rate is very important in gaming and can directly affect the player’s gaming experience, both in terms of visual quality and the player’s actions.
Here are the gameplay factors that FPS can affect:
1. Smoothness and Fluency:
・Higher frame rates significantly improve the smoothness of animations and transitions. This is especially critical in fast-paced games, such as first-person shooters like CS: GO, whose frequently changing screens and rapid-fire action require higher frame rates.
・Typically, games are already smooth at 60 FPS, silky at 144 FPS, and reach the ultimate experience at 240 FPS.
2. Visual Clarity:
Higher frame rates make fast-moving objects and scenes sharper and reduce motion blur, which provides a significant advantage in games that require tracking fast targets, such as racing games and shooters.
3. Game Responsiveness:
Higher frame rates mean that more frames are rendered per second, so the system processes input (such as the keyboard/mouse) to display output more frequently. This reduces the input delay, making the player’s actions feel more immediate and responsive.
4. Immersion:
High FPS delivers stunning, realistic graphics, enhancing immersion and player engagement. It boosts enjoyment and exploration, encouraging creativity like taking screenshots and character customization, ultimately enriching and extending the gaming experience.
The Influence Factors of FPS
To achieve a better gaming experience, some players pursue higher frame rates, but not all devices support high FPS. It requires powerful hardware configurations, including an efficient CPU and GPU, fast memory and storage, and a monitor that supports high refresh rates. These components must work together efficiently to rapidly convert data into images and display them instantly on the monitor.
If the monitor’s refresh rate and graphics card performance are limited, pursuing a higher FPS might be pointless. The graphics card is responsible for generating each static frame, while the monitor displays these frames according to its refresh rate. The refresh rate refers to the number of frames the monitor can update per second. For example, if you need 144 FPS to play CS: GO, but the monitor can only display 60 frames per second, your experience will still be capped at 60 FPS.
Higher FPS also increases the load on the graphics card, which must process pixels based on the frame rate and resolution. For example, when watching a video at 30 FPS with a resolution of 1024 x 768, the graphics card needs to handle 1024 x 768 x 30 pixels per second. When playing Warframe, if the minimum FPS for a smooth experience is 60, the number of pixels processed per second jumps to 1024 x 768 x 60. At high FPS settings, the graphics card may face significant computational challenges and can sometimes become overloaded.
Even if you purchase a powerful monitor and graphics card, high frame rates can still lead to overheating, increased fan noise, and affect the device’s stability if the CPU and storage performance are insufficient.
Therefore, while high FPS is a highly desirable goal, it is also a double-edged sword. Finding the optimal frame rate for your device that ensures smoothness while protecting the machine is an art worth exploring.
Ping vs FPS, What’s the Difference?
In gaming, especially in online multiplayer games, there are usually two key metrics to focus on: FPS and Ping. These are two completely different concepts related to computer or game performance.
As mentioned earlier, FPS concerns how your device processes and displays images. The higher the FPS, the smoother the actions and movements of game characters appear; the lower the FPS, the more choppy the visuals.
Ping, on the other hand, refers to the time it takes from when you press a button on your keyboard or move your mouse until the game responds to your action, measured in milliseconds. It focuses on your network connection speed. Low Ping indicates a faster and more stable network connection, while high Ping can lead to delays and game lag.
Therefore, as shown in the image below, in this League of Legends match, the player’s FPS is 142, and the Ping is 4ms. This means the game refreshes at 142 frames per second, providing very smooth graphics; simultaneously, it takes only 4 milliseconds for the hero to attack when the player clicks on a minion with the mouse.
🔥For more info, you can refer to the following:
FPS
・Definition: The number of frames displayed per second.
・Purpose: Primarily used to describe the smoothness of visuals in videos or games. For instance, the higher the FPS during gameplay, the smoother the visuals appear, leading to a better gaming experience.
・Limitations: Determined by hardware configuration, such as the graphics card, CPU, and monitor refresh rate.
・Performance: Generally, the higher the FPS, the better. Low FPS results in choppy or unsmooth visuals, which can particularly impact the gaming experience, especially in action games.
Ping
・Definition: The time it takes for info to travel from your computer to a network server and back, measured in ms.
・Purpose: Mainly used to measure network connection quality. It indicates how much network delay there is.
・Limitations: Affected by network connection quality, such as bandwidth, router performance, and the geo-distance between your location and the remote server.
・Impact: The lower the Ping, the better. High Ping results in network delays, such as your character only responds a few seconds after you perform an action while playing online games.
💡To get detailed steps on how to lower the ping in gaming, just read this blog: Why Is My Ping So High? 9 Tips to Lower Your Ping.
Pro Tip: The Best VPN for Gaming Recommended
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Conclusion
FPS is an essential component of modern visual experiences; higher frame rates often result in smoother motion and enhance the overall experience for gamers. Of course, while pursuing high-quality, fluid visuals, we also recommend using X-VPN to optimize your network connection, resolve game server issues, and unlock global game content.
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FAQs
How can I check the FPS on my computer?
Some online games have built-in tools that show the frame rate in real-time. You can also check FPS using software like MSI Afterburner, Fraps, or GeForce Experience. These tools provide on-screen overlays showing real-time FPS while you play games.
Can the graphics card limit my FPS?
Yes, your graphics card can limit FPS. If the GPU isn’t powerful enough to render frames quickly, FPS will drop, affecting game performance.
What FPS is ideal for optimal gaming performance?
For optimal gaming, aim for at least 60 FPS. This ensures smooth motion and responsiveness. Typically, games are already smooth at 60 FPS, silky at 144 FPS, and reach the ultimate experience at 240 FPS.
