FPS is one of the most common things customers look at when buying a gaming PC. You may see gaming PCs advertised with estimated FPS numbers, but it is important to understand what FPS actually means and why it can change from game to game.
FPS stands for frames per second. It tells you how many images your PC can display each second while gaming. Higher FPS usually means smoother gameplay, faster response and a better overall gaming experience.
This guide explains what FPS you should expect from a gaming PC, what affects FPS, and how to choose the right Quantum PC based on the games you play.
Quick Answer
For most gamers, these are the FPS targets to understand:
| FPS Range | What It Feels Like |
|---|---|
| 30 FPS | Playable, but not very smooth |
| 60 FPS | Smooth for casual gaming |
| 100–144 FPS | Very smooth and ideal for most gamers |
| 144–240 FPS | Excellent for competitive gaming |
| 240+ FPS | High-end competitive performance |
For most customers, 60 FPS is the minimum target for smooth gaming.
For a better experience, 100–144 FPS is a great target.
For competitive games like Fortnite, Valorant and CS2, higher FPS can feel more responsive, especially with a high refresh rate monitor.
What Does FPS Mean?
FPS stands for frames per second.
A game is made up of many still images shown quickly one after another. Each image is called a frame. The more frames your PC can produce each second, the smoother the game can feel.
For example:
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30 FPS means 30 frames every second
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60 FPS means 60 frames every second
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144 FPS means 144 frames every second
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240 FPS means 240 frames every second
Higher FPS can make gameplay feel smoother, especially in fast-paced games.
Is Higher FPS Always Better?
Higher FPS is usually better, but only up to a point.
If you are playing a slow or casual game, 60 FPS can feel perfectly fine. If you are playing competitive games, higher FPS can make the game feel more responsive.
Higher FPS can help with:
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Smoother movement
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Faster response
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Better aiming feel
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Less input delay
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Better competitive performance
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A more premium gaming experience
However, FPS is not the only thing that matters. Your monitor, graphics settings, game type and internet connection can also affect how smooth the experience feels.
FPS vs Refresh Rate
FPS and refresh rate are related, but they are not the same thing.
FPS is how many frames your PC produces.
Refresh rate is how many times your monitor can update per second.
A 60Hz monitor can show up to 60 refreshes per second.
A 144Hz monitor can show up to 144 refreshes per second.
A 240Hz monitor can show up to 240 refreshes per second.
If your PC produces 200 FPS but your monitor is only 60Hz, you will not fully see all 200 frames. To properly benefit from high FPS, you also need a high refresh rate monitor.
What FPS Should You Aim For?
The right FPS target depends on how you play.
| Type of Gamer | Recommended FPS Target |
|---|---|
| Casual gamer | 60 FPS or higher |
| Regular gamer | 100 FPS or higher |
| Competitive gamer | 144 FPS or higher |
| Serious competitive gamer | 240 FPS or higher |
| Story/single-player gamer | 60–120 FPS |
| Esports player | 144–240+ FPS |
For most customers, 100–144 FPS is a very good target.
It gives a smoother experience than 60 FPS without always needing the most expensive gaming PC.
What Affects FPS?
FPS depends on several parts of your gaming PC.
The main things that affect FPS are:
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Graphics card
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Processor
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RAM
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Game settings
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Resolution
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Storage type
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Cooling
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Drivers
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Background apps
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The game itself
The graphics card is usually the biggest factor, especially at higher graphics settings or higher resolutions.
The processor also matters, especially in competitive games and high FPS situations.
RAM helps the PC handle games and background apps smoothly.
Cooling matters because if parts get too hot, performance can drop.
Why FPS Changes Between Games
Different games perform differently.
A PC might get very high FPS in Valorant or CS2 but lower FPS in Warzone or a modern open-world game.
This is normal because every game has different graphics, map size, player count and optimisation.
Lighter games usually run at higher FPS.
Heavier games usually run at lower FPS.
For example, esports games are often easier to run than large AAA games.
Why FPS Changes With Settings
Graphics settings can make a big difference to FPS.
Higher settings usually make the game look better, but they also make the PC work harder.
Lower settings usually improve FPS, but the game may not look as detailed.
Settings that can affect FPS include:
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Texture quality
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Shadows
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View distance
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Anti-aliasing
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Ray tracing
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Resolution
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Upscaling settings
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Effects quality
If you want higher FPS, lowering some settings can help.
If you want better visuals, you may need a stronger PC.
Why Resolution Affects FPS
Resolution has a big impact on FPS.
1080p is easier to run than 1440p.
1440p is easier to run than 4K.
The higher the resolution, the more pixels your graphics card has to render. This means the GPU has to work harder.
For example, the same gaming PC will usually get higher FPS at 1080p than at 1440p.
This is why a PC that is great for 1080p gaming may not always deliver the same FPS at 1440p or 4K.
1080p FPS Expectations
1080p gaming is the best choice if you want strong FPS without spending too much.
At 1080p, you can usually get smoother performance from more affordable gaming PCs compared with 1440p or 4K.
For 1080p gaming:
| Gaming Need | Typical Target |
|---|---|
| Casual gaming | 60 FPS or higher |
| Smooth gaming | 100 FPS or higher |
| Competitive gaming | 144 FPS or higher |
| High-end competitive gaming | 240 FPS or higher |
Quantum Lite and Quantum Core are usually the main ranges to consider for 1080p gaming.
Quantum Ultra is best if you want very high FPS or a more premium 1080p setup.
1440p FPS Expectations
1440p gaming looks sharper than 1080p, but it is harder to run.
At 1440p, the graphics card becomes more important because the PC has to render more pixels.
For 1440p gaming:
| Gaming Need | Typical Target |
|---|---|
| Casual 1440p gaming | 60 FPS or higher |
| Smooth 1440p gaming | 100 FPS or higher |
| High FPS 1440p gaming | 144 FPS or higher |
| Premium 1440p gaming | 144–240 FPS |
Quantum Core can be a good choice for value-focused 1440p gaming.
Quantum Ultra is the better choice for high FPS 1440p gaming and demanding games.
4K FPS Expectations
4K gaming is much harder to run than 1080p or 1440p.
It can look very sharp, but it needs a powerful graphics card to run smoothly.
For 4K gaming, many players aim for 60 FPS or higher. High FPS 4K gaming usually requires a much stronger PC.
For most customers, 1440p is a better balance than 4K because it offers sharp visuals while still being easier to run.
What FPS Should You Expect in Fortnite?
Fortnite can run well on many gaming PCs, especially with optimised or competitive settings.
For Fortnite:
| Player Type | Recommended Quantum Range |
|---|---|
| Casual Fortnite player | Quantum Lite |
| Regular Fortnite player | Quantum Core |
| High FPS Fortnite player | Quantum Core or Quantum Ultra |
| Competitive Fortnite player | Quantum Ultra |
If you play Fortnite casually, Quantum Lite can be a good value choice.
If you want smoother FPS and better long-term performance, Quantum Core is the better choice.
If you want high FPS competitive Fortnite, Quantum Ultra is the best option.
What FPS Should You Expect in Warzone?
Warzone is more demanding than Fortnite, Minecraft, Valorant or CS2.
Because of this, Warzone usually needs a stronger gaming PC to run smoothly.
For Warzone:
| Player Type | Recommended Quantum Range |
|---|---|
| Casual Warzone player | Quantum Core |
| Regular Warzone player | Quantum Core |
| High FPS Warzone player | Quantum Ultra |
| Competitive Warzone player | Quantum Ultra |
If Warzone is one of your main games, Quantum Core is the sensible starting point.
If you want high FPS or competitive performance, Quantum Ultra is the better choice.
What FPS Should You Expect in GTA V?
GTA V can run well on a wide range of gaming PCs, but FPS depends on settings, mods and resolution.
For GTA V:
| Player Type | Recommended Quantum Range |
|---|---|
| Casual GTA V player | Quantum Lite |
| Regular GTA V player | Quantum Core |
| Higher settings / mods | Quantum Core or Quantum Ultra |
| Best performance | Quantum Ultra |
Quantum Lite can be suitable for GTA V at 1080p.
Quantum Core is better for smoother performance and longer-term use.
Quantum Ultra is best if you want higher settings, mods or stronger performance.
What FPS Should You Expect in Minecraft?
Minecraft performance depends heavily on how you play.
Normal Minecraft is much easier to run than Minecraft with shaders, high-resolution texture packs or lots of mods.
For Minecraft:
| Minecraft Type | Recommended Quantum Range |
|---|---|
| Normal Minecraft | Quantum Lite |
| Minecraft with mods | Quantum Core |
| Minecraft with shaders | Quantum Core or Quantum Ultra |
| Heavy shader packs | Quantum Ultra |
If you only play normal Minecraft, Quantum Lite is a good choice.
If you want shaders or mods, choose Quantum Core or Quantum Ultra.
What FPS Should You Expect in Valorant and CS2?
Valorant and CS2 are competitive games where high FPS can matter a lot.
These games are often easier to run than larger AAA titles, but competitive players usually want very high FPS and low input delay.
For Valorant and CS2:
| Player Type | Recommended Quantum Range |
|---|---|
| Casual player | Quantum Lite |
| Regular player | Quantum Core |
| Competitive player | Quantum Core or Quantum Ultra |
| High refresh rate monitor user | Quantum Ultra |
Quantum Lite can be a strong value choice for these games.
Quantum Core is better for most competitive players.
Quantum Ultra is best if you want very high FPS and a premium setup.
Quantum Lite FPS Expectations
Quantum Lite is best for value-focused 1080p gaming.
It is designed for popular games, casual gaming and first gaming PCs.
Quantum Lite is best if you play:
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Fortnite
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Minecraft
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Roblox
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Valorant
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CS2
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Rocket League
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GTA V
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Everyday games
Choose Quantum Lite if you want good value and smooth performance in popular titles.
It is not designed to be the highest FPS option in every game, but it is a strong choice for customers who want a sensible gaming PC at a lower price.
Quantum Core FPS Expectations
Quantum Core is the best all-round choice for most gamers.
It gives better performance headroom than Quantum Lite and is a safer option for heavier games.
Quantum Core is best if you play:
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Fortnite
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Warzone
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GTA V
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Apex Legends
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Forza
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Minecraft with mods
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Valorant
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CS2
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General 1080p gaming
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Some 1440p gaming
Choose Quantum Core if you want stronger FPS, better multitasking and a more future-ready PC.
For most customers, Quantum Core is the easiest recommendation.
Quantum Ultra FPS Expectations
Quantum Ultra is the best choice for high FPS and premium gaming.
It is designed for customers who want stronger performance, higher settings and better long-term power.
Quantum Ultra is best if you want:
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High FPS gaming
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1440p gaming
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Demanding games
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Competitive performance
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Streaming or recording
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Higher refresh rate monitor support
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A premium gaming setup
Choose Quantum Ultra if performance matters most.
It is the strongest option if you want the best FPS experience from the Quantum range.
Why FPS Estimates Are Not Guaranteed
FPS numbers are always estimates.
Actual FPS can change depending on:
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Exact PC specification
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Game updates
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Driver updates
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Graphics settings
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Resolution
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Background apps
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Windows updates
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In-game map or area
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Online server conditions
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Cooling and airflow
This is why FPS should be treated as a guide, not a fixed guarantee.
A gaming PC may perform differently depending on the game, settings and updates.
How to Get More FPS From Your Gaming PC
You can often improve FPS by changing a few settings.
Ways to improve FPS include:
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Lowering graphics settings
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Using performance mode where available
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Reducing shadows
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Lowering view distance
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Turning off ray tracing
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Updating graphics drivers
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Closing background apps
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Keeping Windows updated
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Making sure the PC has good airflow
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Using the correct monitor refresh rate setting
A well-optimised PC can often feel much smoother than a PC running with poor settings.
Does More RAM Increase FPS?
Sometimes, but not always.
RAM helps your PC handle games, Windows and background apps. If your PC does not have enough RAM, games can stutter or slow down.
However, FPS is usually affected more by the graphics card and processor.
16GB RAM is still enough for many games.
32GB RAM is better if you play heavier games, multitask, stream or want more long-term headroom.
Does SSD Storage Increase FPS?
SSD storage usually does not increase FPS directly.
However, it can make the PC feel faster by improving:
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Windows loading
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Game loading
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App opening
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System responsiveness
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Update handling
A 1TB SSD does not usually give more FPS than a 512GB SSD, but it gives you more space for games and makes the PC easier to use long-term.
Should You Choose More FPS or Better Graphics?
This depends on the type of games you play.
Choose higher FPS if you play:
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Fortnite
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Valorant
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CS2
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Warzone
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Apex Legends
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Competitive games
Choose better graphics if you play:
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Story games
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Open-world games
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Single-player games
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Cinematic games
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Games where visuals matter more than reaction time
Many gamers prefer a balance: good graphics settings with smooth FPS.
Our Recommendation
For most customers, we recommend aiming for at least 60 FPS.
For a smoother experience, aim for 100–144 FPS.
For competitive games, aim for 144 FPS or higher.
Choose Quantum Lite if you want a good value gaming PC for popular games at 1080p.
Choose Quantum Core if you want the best all-round FPS experience for most games.
Choose Quantum Ultra if you want high FPS, 1440p gaming or the strongest Quantum gaming performance.
If you are unsure, Quantum Core is usually the safest choice.
Browse Quantum Gaming PCs
You can browse all Quantum gaming PCs here:
https://quantumpcs.co.uk/collections/all-gaming-pcs
Compare our main gaming PC ranges here:
https://quantumpcs.co.uk/collections/quantum-lite
https://quantumpcs.co.uk/collections/quantum-core
https://quantumpcs.co.uk/collections/quantum-ultra
Not sure which Quantum PC is right for you? Read this guide:
https://quantumpcs.co.uk/blogs/buying-guides/which-quantum-pc-should-i-choose
You may also find these guides useful:
https://quantumpcs.co.uk/blogs/buying-guides/quantum-lite-vs-quantum-core-vs-quantum-ultra
https://quantumpcs.co.uk/blogs/buying-guides/best-gaming-pc-for-fortnite
https://quantumpcs.co.uk/blogs/buying-guides/best-gaming-pc-for-warzone
https://quantumpcs.co.uk/blogs/buying-guides/best-gaming-pc-for-1080p-gaming
https://quantumpcs.co.uk/blogs/buying-guides/best-gaming-pc-for-1440p-gaming
FAQ
What is a good FPS for gaming?
60 FPS is a good starting point for smooth gaming. 100–144 FPS feels even smoother, while 144–240 FPS is better for competitive gaming.
Is 30 FPS enough for gaming?
30 FPS is playable, but it can feel less smooth, especially in fast-paced games. For PC gaming, 60 FPS or higher is usually a better target.
Is 60 FPS good for gaming?
Yes, 60 FPS is good for casual gaming and many single-player games. It is the minimum smooth target for most gaming PCs.
Is 144 FPS worth it?
Yes, 144 FPS is worth it if you play fast-paced or competitive games and use a 144Hz monitor. It can make gameplay feel smoother and more responsive.
Do I need 240 FPS?
Most casual gamers do not need 240 FPS. It is mainly useful for serious competitive players using high refresh rate monitors.
Why does FPS change between games?
FPS changes because every game has different graphics, map size, optimisation, player count and system requirements.
Does 1440p reduce FPS?
Yes, 1440p usually reduces FPS compared with 1080p because the graphics card has to render more pixels.
Which Quantum PC is best for high FPS?
Quantum Ultra is best for high FPS gaming. Quantum Core is the best all-round choice for most players, while Quantum Lite is best for value-focused 1080p gaming.
Final Verdict
FPS depends on your PC, game, settings and resolution.
For most gamers, 60 FPS is the minimum smooth target.
For a better experience, 100–144 FPS is ideal.
For competitive gaming, 144 FPS or higher is recommended.
Quantum Lite is best for value gaming.
Quantum Core is best for most gamers.
Quantum Ultra is best for high FPS and premium performance.
If you want the safest all-round choice, choose Quantum Core.
If you want the strongest FPS performance, choose Quantum Ultra.