From how much FPS does a computer game run smoothly?

Few topics cause as much Zoff as the necessary FPS number among computer gamers. But when does a game really run smoothly? We give you some guidelines that you can stick to.

The unit: what is behind the FPS?

The abbreviation FPS stands for "frames per second" and originally comes from film and video technology. Nowadays the term is used for all digital displays.

• The FPS number thus denotes the number of changing individual images that are projected onto the screen within one second.
• The higher the value, the smoother the game or movie runs. From a certain value, however, no difference can be determined.

For computer games: How much FPS are required for smooth animation?

The FPS number plays a special role in computer games: If the value is too low, the game starts to jerk. On the other hand, if it is so high that the human eye can no longer tell the difference, you are wasting valuable resources.

• The human eye perceives about 20 to 24 frames per second. This frame rate is sufficient for films, for example, to interpret them as fluid.
• However, the time intervals between the individual images play a decisive role in this calculation: if they are always the same - as is the case with a film - there are no problems. If, on the other hand, the images are projected onto the screen at different speeds, you often perceive these pauses as jerking. The latter is the case with every computer game, since each individual image must first be calculated.

You should therefore make sure that your games run constantly with at least 30 FPS. But there are also differences here:

• The value is usually only sufficient for simulations and less action-packed games such as Minecraft or Sims. Here the pictures do not change so quickly. As a result, the game appears smooth from a small FPS number.
• In the case of shooters and racing games, on the other hand, 30 FPS usually do not seem smooth. This is mainly due to the fact that the entire environment changes within seconds. Here you should aim for around 50 to 60 FPS. This value should also remain as constant as possible.
• In general, it is better to lower the graphics quality a bit to achieve a stable frame rate. You can also activate a motion blur effect in many games. This artificial blurring conceals hard image cuts. Fast movements and explosions appear smooth.

In addition to the FPS number, other elements also play an important role in PC games. In this practical tip, you can find out what is behind the term "antialiasing", for example.