FPS (frames per second) is the measure of how many individual frames (images) your computer or device can display each second in video or gaming. It determines how smooth the motion appears on the screen.
- In general, 60 FPS is considered the minimum for smooth gameplay and viewing experiences.
- For fast-paced or competitive gaming, higher frame rates such as 120 FPS, 144 FPS, or even 240 FPS are preferred for a more fluid and responsive experience.
- Human vision can perceive around 10 to 12 distinct images per second as separate, but smoother motion becomes noticeable at 50 FPS and above.
- Beyond roughly 120 to 144 FPS, improvements are less noticeable to many people, but some can perceive differences up to around 240 FPS, especially in highly competitive gaming.
So how many FPS you need depends on your use case (movies, casual gaming, competitive gaming) and your hardware capabilities. Generally:
- 30 FPS is acceptable for movies or casual gameplay.
- 60 FPS is a good standard for smoothness.
- 120+ FPS is ideal for fast-paced games and competitive play.
- Going beyond 240 FPS usually has diminishing returns and requires very powerful setups.
