You have a decent gaming PC, and yet the game sometimes stutters, the image tears or it feels like the mouse responds with a delay? Smoothness is not only about computer performance. It is made up of several things, and it is enough for one of them to fall short. Let us break them down.

FPS versus Hz: two different numbers

Many people confuse these:

  • FPS (frames per second) is how many images per second your computer produces, mainly the graphics card.
  • Hz (refresh rate) is how many times per second the monitor can display the image.

To see a smooth 144 frames, the PC has to produce them (144 FPS) and the monitor has to display them (144 Hz). If you have a 144 Hz monitor but the game runs at 60 FPS, smoothness is only 60. And the other way round, you will not see 200 FPS on a 60 Hz monitor; the monitor cannot show more.

A gaming monitor: Hz, response and sync

With a gaming monitor, watch three things:

  • Refresh rate (Hz): 120, 144 or more Hz gives a noticeably smoother image than the usual 60 Hz. You appreciate it most in fast games.
  • Response time (ms): lower means less blur during fast motion.
  • Sync (FreeSync, G-Sync): it aligns the monitor with the graphics card and removes screen tearing. If the image “breaks” into two parts, this is the solution.

Input lag: when the mouse responds late

The feeling that the game responds with a delay comes from input lag. Enough FPS helps, as does a gaming monitor with a low response time, the monitor’s game mode turned on, and a quality mouse and keyboard. Small things that together make gaming feel snappier.

Network and ping: why cable beats Wi-Fi for gaming

In online games, ping (latency) matters, that is how fast data travels between you and the server. High or fluctuating ping causes “lag”, even when you have enough FPS.

The biggest difference comes from a wired (Ethernet) connection instead of Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi has higher and more variable latency and is more easily disturbed by neighbouring networks. For serious gaming, a network cable is therefore almost always better. If a cable is not possible, at least move the device closer to the router or use proper network coverage. Your own router instead of the provider’s box can help too.

Temperatures: why a PC slows down over time

Sometimes a game starts to stutter after a while of playing. A common cause is overheating. When the processor or graphics card overheats, they slow down automatically to protect themselves, and FPS drops. A clean interior and working cooling help; more in the article on repasting and cleaning a computer.

Quick tips for more smoothness

  • Close background apps that needlessly consume performance.
  • In the game, lower the most demanding settings (shadows, view distance) to gain FPS with little loss of looks.
  • Update your graphics card drivers.
  • For online games, prefer a cable over Wi-Fi.

Want your gaming to run smoothly and without stutter? Get in touch, we will check the build, temperatures and network and advise what makes the most sense for you. Or we will build a custom gaming PC for you.