As with many competitive shooters, the game from Riot Games, Valorant, is quite demanding in terms of FPS (frames per second). Many players believe that the higher your FPS, the more comfortable you will be playing and winning matches. However, it should be noted that constant fluctuations can cause discomfort and negatively impact your gaming experience. In this guide, we will look at how to limit FPS in the Valorant game settings.
Why Limit FPS?
Dynamic gameplay in Valorant requires smooth performance, but uncontrolled FPS can sometimes be a double-edged sword. While striving for the highest possible FPS might seem ideal, capping FPS can provide surprising advantages.
- Unlimited FPS can lead to frame instability, causing stuttering even with a high average FPS. Limiting FPS ensures a stable frame rate, resulting in smoother gameplay. Therefore, this setting should not be neglected as its use can only improve your gaming quality.
- If you are on the go or for some reason cannot charge your laptop, limiting FPS will help not only in providing smoother gameplay but also in saving power consumption, thereby allowing you to play longer.
- Though it’s a controversial topic, some players believe that capped FPS reduces input lag, creating a sense of improved reaction speed. However, this is a debatable topic based solely on players' perceptions.
How to Limit FPS in Valorant
Riot Games has made it easy for all players to access various game settings. By following a few simple steps outlined below, you can easily limit your FPS.
1. Launch Valorant and go to the settings menu.
2. Navigate to the "Graphics" tab.
3. Scroll down to the FPS settings section.
4. You will see two options: "Off" (unlimited) and "On while limiting" (limited only when the game window is inactive).
5. Select "Always" and set the desired FPS limit using the slider.
Finding the ideal FPS limit is a matter of personal preference. Start with the recommended limits based on your monitor's refresh rate and adjust them according to your experience. Remember, smooth and stable gameplay is often more valuable than chasing the highest possible FPS.
READ MORE: How to change enemy colors in Valorant
What is the Ideal FPS Limit?
The best FPS limit depends on the refresh rate of your monitor. Since hardware and monitor specifications vary, we've compiled some of the most popular options that might suit your needs.
- If you're playing on older hardware, an ideal balance would be limiting FPS to 60. This FPS cap ensures frame synchronization with your monitor's refresh rate, guaranteeing smooth, tear-free images. This is the minimum value for a comfortable gaming experience in Valorant, so it's not recommended to lower it further.
- As of 2024, 144 Hz monitors are the most popular choice among players. For these monitors, we recommend setting an FPS limit between 120 and 144. This will allow you to achieve maximum smoothness without putting excessive strain on your system. It's important to note that with a 144 Hz refresh rate, regardless of the number of frames per second generated by the game, you will only see a maximum of 144 Hz or less. Therefore, if your game generates over 200-300 frames per second but your monitor only supports 144 Hz, any FPS beyond this limit is effectively irrelevant.
- Despite 144 Hz being the most popular choice, new monitors capable of higher frame rates are becoming increasingly common. Another popular choice among players is the 240 Hz monitor, which can provide an extremely smooth image. However, be aware that the load on your system may increase.
The more powerful your hardware, the more frames per second it can support. If you have a high-end PC, don't hesitate to set a higher FPS limit for the most comfortable gaming experience.
Additional FPS Limiting Features
Apart from the classic FPS limit, the game offers several additional options to help optimize Valorant's performance for various scenarios.
- Limiting FPS when running on battery power: For laptop users, enabling the option to limit FPS when running on battery can help extend battery life. This is especially useful if you want to enjoy extended gaming sessions away from a power outlet.
- FPS Limit in Menus: Limiting FPS on the menu screen helps reduce system load without affecting performance in the actual game. However, be prepared for possible slight stuttering or delays in the menu interface due to the reduced FPS to the pre-set level.
- Background FPS Limit: If the option to limit FPS in the background is enabled, your game will run with limited FPS when you switch to another application or window. This helps free up system resources for other tasks when the game is not the active window.
- Consistent Maximum FPS: Along with settings for running on battery and in the background, this option determines the maximum number of frames per second for your game. By setting a limit, you ensure that FPS does not exceed the specified value, which can help achieve more stable performance and reduce system load.
- NVIDIA Reflex Low Latency: It may slightly reduce performance but can improve response time and overall smoothness of the gameplay.
Important: Experiment with these settings to find the optimal balance between performance, power consumption, and response time for your gameplay.
Conclusion
The FPS limiting settings in Valorant offer numerous options for optimizing game performance. Familiarize yourself with the available features and find the ideal configuration for yourself to achieve maximum comfort and efficiency in the game.
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