All about FPS

When you are looking for a new computer on taurusgaming.com, you will see FPS values listed for each model. FPS stands for frames per second and indicates how many frames the computer can deliver to the screen every second. Here, we provide answers to the most important things to know about FPS, how many FPS you should aim for, and how best to understand how many FPS you can expect.

How we measure FPS

The FPS values shown on our product pages are simplified indicators intended to make it easier to distinguish between different models and to find a computer that delivers performance in the class you are looking for.

The values are aggregates of various available FPS measurements, with a normalized average for that specific combination of graphics card and processor. In other words, this is not an exact science, FPS measurements rarely are, but rather a rough generalization intended to provide a quick overview of the computer’s approximate performance level.

All games that we list have been tested using high or the highest graphics settings at the listed resolution, with the specified combination of processor and graphics card unless otherwise stated. Keep in mind, however, that FPS can vary greatly between tests and real-world gameplay depending on the type of game. To better understand the values, it is useful to know how FPS works.

Understanding FPS better

As mentioned in the previous section, FPS is not an exact science. There are many different factors that affect FPS. Starting with the software-related aspects, these include game settings, how measurements are performed, and the type of game.

Game settings and type of game

When testing a game, the highest in-game settings are usually used, as this makes it easier to keep results consistent. However, when playing the game, it is rarely worthwhile to use the highest settings. The difference between, for example, Ultra and Very High or High is not always particularly noticeable during gameplay, but the difference in achievable FPS can be significant. Therefore, always keep in mind that you can optimize game settings to achieve a better gaming experience, do not automatically set everything to the highest settings as the first step. Another important thing to be aware of is that performance seen in tests can differ significantly from real gameplay depending on how the game was tested. In many games, built-in benchmarking tools are used to provide an overview of expected performance, while in other cases only specific parts of the game can be tested at a time.

World of Warcraft and other large online games are classic examples where FPS can vary enormously depending on how testing is performed. This is largely due to the number of players visible on screen at the same time. Having other players nearby is usually not very demanding for the graphics card, but the processor usage can increase heavily if you suddenly find yourself in a capital city with several hundred other players. In other words, you may experience very high FPS in some parts of an online game, but struggle when participating in a raid or a large PvP battle. To get a clearer picture of expected performance in the games you plan to play, we recommend checking for tests where the same components are evaluated in the specific scenario that is relevant to you.

Hardware variations

The graphics card and the processor are by far the two components that most strongly determine gaming performance. In addition, system memory also plays a role, but if you have sufficient memory, the difference between various RAM speeds is usually only a few percent. In our Taurus Gaming computers, we always choose memory that suits well together with the other components.

Resolution determines FPS

When we list FPS on product pages, we always specify the resolution to which the numbers apply. This is because screen resolution has a major impact on how many FPS different computers can deliver. The higher the resolution, the more powerful components you need, especially the graphics card. The graphics card must process every pixel on the screen. A Full HD display (1920 × 1080 pixels) has approximately 2 million pixels, while a 4K display (3840 × 2160 pixels) has approximately 8 million pixels. In other words, you need a significantly more powerful graphics card for 4K than for Full HD, so always look at computers that match your monitor’s resolution.

Is the processor or the graphics card more important for FPS?

As mentioned earlier, both the processor and the graphics card are very important for gaming performance, but which one matters most depends on the type of games you play.

If you play visually impressive, modern games with lots of graphical effects, the graphics card is always the most important component, especially if you have a high-resolution display. If, on the other hand, you primarily play fast-paced, competitive games such as Counter-Strike 2, large online games, strategy games, or other titles that place extra strain on the processor, it is difficult to achieve high FPS with a weaker CPU. In our Taurus Gaming computers, we always choose a processor that pairs well with the graphics card, but if you want especially strong CPU performance, we recommend looking at models with AMD Ryzen X3D processors. These are particularly well suited for achieving very high FPS in those types of games.

How many FPS do you need?

For smooth gameplay, we recommend aiming for at least 60 FPS in games where fast reactions are not critical, such as adventure games and strategy games. In fast-paced games like Overwatch 2 and PUBG, however, we recommend aiming for at least 120 FPS to ensure a good experience.

Many popular games and esports titles are designed to be easy to run at high FPS, so you do not need an expensive computer to play them. All our Taurus Gaming computers deliver good performance in games such as Minecraft, League of Legends, Valorant, Dota 2, and Counter-Strike 2, which means our most affordable models in the Pro Gaming series are well suited for these titles.

If you play at a competitive level, however, it may be worthwhile to choose a more powerful computer from the Hardcore Gaming or Endgame series to achieve the highest possible FPS in those types of games.

Get in touch if you are unsure

If you feel that you need help choosing a computer that suits your needs, you are always very welcome to contact us. We offer English and Swedish, free-of-charge support, and our experts are happy to help you. Contact us either via support@taurusgaming.com or through chat for purchasing advice.