Gaming performance lab
Higher FPS. Better settings. Smarter upgrades.
Clear guides and free tools to get more out of your PC or console, for every game. No hype, no guesswork.
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FPS and PerformanceHow to Tell if Your CPU or GPU Is Limiting Your FPS
A simple test with an overlay and a resolution change shows whether your CPU or your GPU holds back your frame rate, what the numbers mean and what to try next.
FPS and PerformanceHow to Cap Your FPS Below Your Refresh Rate for Smoother Gameplay
A frame cap a few FPS below your monitor's refresh rate can even out frame pacing. Learn the numbers to use, where to set the cap and how to check that it helped.
FPS and PerformanceBackground Apps That Hurt Gaming Performance: How to Check and Turn Them Off
Find which apps start with Windows or use CPU and memory while you play, turn off the ones you do not need and keep the ones you should leave alone.
FPS and PerformanceLaptop thermal throttling: how to check it and what actually helps
Is your gaming laptop slowing down when it gets hot? Learn what thermal throttling is, how to spot it, and the power mode and cooling steps worth trying first.
How-toHow to Check Your PC Specs Before You Buy or Install a Game
Find your processor, RAM, graphics card and Windows version in a few minutes with Settings, DxDiag and System Information, then compare them with a game's requirements.
SettingsAnti-Aliasing Explained: MSAA, FXAA, TAA and DLAA
What anti-aliasing does, how MSAA, FXAA, TAA, DLAA and FSR Native AA differ, what each one costs and how to pick the right option in a game's graphics menu.
Free tools
All tools
Free toolMouse Sensitivity Converter
Convert mouse sensitivity between CS2, Valorant, Apex Legends, Overwatch 2 and Call of Duty, and calculate eDPI and cm/360. Free and instant.
Free toolFPS to Frame Time Calculator
Convert FPS to frame time in milliseconds and back. See how long each frame takes at 60, 120, 144 and 240 FPS and what it means for smoothness.
Free toolGame Download Time Calculator
Find out how long a game download takes. Enter the size and your internet speed in Mbps or MB/s and get the time in hours and minutes.
Free toolMonitor PPI Calculator
Calculate the PPI (pixels per inch), pixel size and real dimensions of any monitor from its diagonal size and resolution. Compare 1080p, 1440p and 4K.
Free toolResolution FPS Estimator
Estimate how your FPS changes when you switch resolution. Compare 1080p, 1440p, ultrawide and 4K pixel counts and the extra load on your graphics card.
Settings
See allSettingsAnti-Aliasing Explained: MSAA, FXAA, TAA and DLAA
What anti-aliasing does, how MSAA, FXAA, TAA, DLAA and FSR Native AA differ, what each one costs and how to pick the right option in a game's graphics menu.
SettingsHDR Gaming on PC: How to Set It Up Right, Including Auto HDR
How to turn on HDR in Windows 11, set SDR brightness, run the HDR Calibration app, use Auto HDR on older games, and fix washed out or too bright colors.
SettingsRay Tracing in Games: When Is It Worth the Performance Cost?
What ray tracing changes in a game, why it costs performance and video memory, how upscaling and ray reconstruction help, and how to decide if you should turn it on.
FPS and Performance
See allFPS and PerformanceHow to Tell if Your CPU or GPU Is Limiting Your FPS
A simple test with an overlay and a resolution change shows whether your CPU or your GPU holds back your frame rate, what the numbers mean and what to try next.
FPS and PerformanceHow to Cap Your FPS Below Your Refresh Rate for Smoother Gameplay
A frame cap a few FPS below your monitor's refresh rate can even out frame pacing. Learn the numbers to use, where to set the cap and how to check that it helped.
FPS and PerformanceBackground Apps That Hurt Gaming Performance: How to Check and Turn Them Off
Find which apps start with Windows or use CPU and memory while you play, turn off the ones you do not need and keep the ones you should leave alone.
Hardware
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HardwareHow Much VRAM Do You Need for Gaming? 1080p, 1440p and 4K
What VRAM does, how much video memory is a sensible target at 1080p, 1440p and 4K, what happens when it runs out, and which settings use the most of it.
HardwareMonitor refresh rate explained: is 144 Hz or 240 Hz worth it?
What refresh rate really does, how it connects to FPS, how much you gain from 60 to 144 to 240 Hz and which settings to turn on to get the benefit.
HardwareHow much RAM do you need for gaming? 16 GB, 32 GB and when it matters
Most games run well with 16 GB of memory, but some setups need more. Learn how RAM affects gaming, what dual channel does and when upgrading is worth it.
How-to
See allHow-toHow to Check Your PC Specs Before You Buy or Install a Game
Find your processor, RAM, graphics card and Windows version in a few minutes with Settings, DxDiag and System Information, then compare them with a game's requirements.
How-toPhantom Blade Zero on PC: requirements, DLSS, Denuvo and release time
Phantom Blade Zero PC requirements from Steam, DLSS 4.5 and path tracing support per NVIDIA, Denuvo, the 28 vs 29 October release date and what is still unconfirmed.
How-toCall of Duty Modern Warfare 4 on PC: requirements, TPM and Secure Boot
Official Modern Warfare 4 PC requirements for minimum, recommended and ray tracing, plus 115 GB storage, TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, Resizable BAR and AVX checks.