For some gamers, the concept of frames per second on a monitor is superfluous information. For others, it’s vitally important. Indeed, there is a long-running debate about what the ideal FPS is for gaming, and gamers often discuss how it relates to different games. Certain titles have FPS requirements where being too high or too low could hinder the smoothness of the experience. There are also some monitors on the market with interesting FPS capabilities that are worth assessing. With technology progressing, the discussion about ideal FPS is more pertinent than ever.
A video explaining why frames per second are important in games.
The FPS Requirements of Live-Streamed Games
During a live-streamed game, players are searching for an interactive and immersive experience with the feeling that it’s happening here and now. If there’s any lag or delay in the visuals, it breaks the illusion. One of the most demanding offshoots of gaming in terms of FPS is found at online casinos, where roulette online games require up to 200 FPS. These are found in the live casino option, which includes titles like Immersive Roulette, Ruby Roulette, and Speed Roulette. Players need to get absorbed in the action of these titles, which involves watching the ball rush around the wheel before landing on a number. That requires seamless visuals, hence the need for 200 FPS on the games.
High FPS can be found in other areas of gaming as well, especially in titles that are graphically intense like Fortnite and Call of Duty. These games also require a competitive edge, meaning that they demand frames per second to be at the upper end of the scale to enhance the overall gaming experience. These popular and much-loved shooter games need at least 60 FPS for smooth gameplay. Some professional gamers even opt for higher FPS because this helps to minimise input lag. Many of the best in the business think this helps them to maintain a competitive advantage.
Is There Such Thing as Excessive FPS?
There could be an argument that there is such a thing as excessive FPS. According to a recent article on the topic, some gamers think that going above the recommended 60 FPS could be unnecessary and even detrimental to gameplay. That’s only one side of the argument, however, and there’s also a subsection of the gaming population who believe that 200 FPS is the optimal frame rate. Part of the reason why some gamers opt for the lower frame rate is that it doesn’t push the graphics processor unit as hard as the higher rate. There are also limitations to the human eye when perceiving FPS, and some people believe that it is not possible to fully perceive the frame rate when it reaches higher levels.
There are some tangible benefits to higher FPS that are worth noting, though. There’s no doubt that higher FPS results in smoother motion on the screen. It is there to reduce the perceived latency between player input and the on-screen response. This is crucial in the growing esports scene, where so much is riding on players being able to make split-second decisions. Indeed, the rise of the esports industry that’s now worth more than $1 billion in 2023 suggests that higher FPS could soon be considered the norm. Esports athletes compete for vast amounts of money in today’s booming tournaments and can’t risk any lag when making their moves.
The Fortnite World Cup Solo Finals.
Another reason why a vast proportion of today’s online Fortnite and esports fanatics believe higher FPS is better is that it can help to reduce motion blur and screen tearing. This improves the overall visual experience, and few would contest that it results in a more immersive gaming session. There have been various significant advancements in display technology in recent years and monitors now have higher refresh rates than ever before. For instance, gaming screens with 144Hz and 240Hz are becoming more accessible. This new availability is allowing more gamers to experience the benefits of increased FPS. It could be that in the years ahead, as these monitors become more prevalent, more players come round to the idea that higher FPS is the way to go.
Monitors With Interesting FPS Capabilities
When picking a monitor, gamers need to carefully consider which games they are going to be playing and what their ideal FPS requirements are. People in the camp of 60 FPS being the best rate for play can save money nowadays, as monitors with these capabilities tend to come in cheaper than those offering the faster rates. However, gamers should accept the fact that higher FPS may soon be the norm in the industry and that they need to buy modern equipment that can offer that. The monitor market offers a wide range of choices for gamers with varying preferences, so everyone should be able to find what they are looking for.
For anyone looking for a monitor that’s up in the extreme FPS territory, the ASUS ROG Swift PG259QN is at the high end of the scale with its impressive 360Hz refresh rate. This is ideal for competitive gamers who need ultra-smooth motion. For a piece of hardware that strikes the balance between visual fidelity and smooth gameplay, the LG UltraGear 27GN950-B comes with 4K resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate. This could be one of the best options out there for people who want a breathtaking visual experience but don’t want to sacrifice high FPS too much. It meets players in the middle and could be the best option for players who enjoy immersive titles.
The debate about the ideal frames per second rate is likely to rage on for many years to come. It’s a complex discussion, as it involves considering multiple factors such as the genre of game and what different players prefer. However, it does seem that the idea that excessive FPS is detrimental to gameplay has now been debunked.
