An Engadget guide examines ways to improve an existing graphics card’s performance through game settings and basic maintenance.
It explains how DLSS, FSR and XeSS upscale images rendered at lower internal resolutions, and discusses the trade-offs of frame generation, including input latency in the author’s Hogwarts Legacy test.
Try image-enhancing features
NVIDIA's DLSS, AMD's FSR, and Intel's XeSS first render the image at a lower resolution and then upscale it. This allows the game to display more frames per second. The article states that DLSS 4.5 and FSR 4 offer image quality equivalent to that of normal resolution, with significantly better performance.
There are also features that generate extra frames. In my personal testing of Hogwarts Legacy, the author exceeded 200 frames per second using NVIDIA's frame generation feature at x6. However, he notes that this setting adds significant latency between the player's command and the game's response, in games that support it.
According to the author, older versions, with settings up to x2 and x3, had good performance and fewer visual errors. Try the feature in games that support it and decide if it works for you.
Reduce settings that weigh down the game
If the game is dropping frames, first lower your graphics settings. Try the “Balanced” option or, if you have a budget graphics card, the “Performance” option. The visuals may be less impressive, but the game may run smoother.
You can also disable effects that don't make a visible difference to you. Some games show before and after examples of changing a setting. If you don't see a difference, try turning it off. Advanced lighting with multiple reflections can often reduce frame rates by about 20% to 40%. That's why the article recommends leaving it disabled on budget graphics cards.
Clean up your computer and close programs.
Dust around the fans can block air circulation. If the graphics card gets too hot, it will slow down to cool down. This can cause frame rates to drop.
Before cleaning, turn off and unplug your computer. Use short bursts of compressed air on the fans and gently wipe the card with a soft microfiber cloth. Cleaning won't guarantee more frames, but it will help keep the card in good condition.
Also keep your card's software up to date and close as many programs as possible when gaming.
If you want to change the card's operating settings beyond the manufacturer's limits, the article mentions MSI Afterburner. Before using it, learn how to do this safely.
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