FPS & Refresh Rate Calculator

### Visualize Your Gaming Performance The "FPS & Refresh Rate Calculator" bridges the gap between your hardware capabilities and your in-game experience. It helps you understand the critical relationship between "Frames Per Second" (FPS) generated by your PC and the "Refresh Rate" (Hz) of your monitor. Knowing how these two metrics interact is key to fixing stuttering, reducing input lag, and eliminating screen tearing.

Most gamers blindly aim for "higher numbers," but an unstable 200 FPS can feel worse than a locked 144 FPS. This tool calculates frame times and potential bottleneck scenarios to help you optimize your settings.

### How to Use This Calculator 1. **Enter Monitor Hz**: Input your screen's refresh rate (e.g., 60, 144, 240, 360Hz). 2. **Enter Game FPS**: Input the average FPS your PC outputs in your favorite game. 3. **Analyze Frame Times**: The tool calculates the exact duration (in milliseconds) each frame stays on screen. 4. **Check for Bottlenecks**: See if you are "Monitor Bound" (wasting GPU power) or "GPU Bound" (underutilizing your monitor).

### Key Concepts Explained * **Frame Time (ms)**: The time it takes to render a single frame. Lower is better. 60 FPS = 16.6ms. 144 FPS = 6.9ms. 240 FPS = 4.1ms. Consistent low frame times are smoother than high but "spiky" FPS. * **Screen Tearing**: Occurs when the GPU pushes frames faster than the monitor can refresh (FPS > Hz). The monitor displays parts of two frames at once. Fix: Cap FPS below Hz or use G-Sync/FreeSync. * **Input Lag**: Higher FPS *always* reduces input lag, even if it exceeds your monitor's refresh rate, because the displayed frame is "fresher".

### Optimization Scenarios * **Scenario A (FPS > Hz)**: You have a 60Hz screen but run CS2 at 300FPS. * *Result*: Massive screen tearing, but very low input lag. Good for competitive gaming, bad for visual immersion. * **Scenario B (FPS < Hz)**: You have a 144Hz screen but run Cyberpunk at 60FPS. * *Result*: Stuttering or repeated frames. You aren't getting the smoothness you paid for. Turn down graphics settings to reach 144FPS.

### Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) **Q: Should I cap my FPS?** A: For consistent frame times and G-Sync, cap your FPS 3-4 frames *below* your max refresh rate (e.g., 141 FPS on a 144Hz screen).

**Q: Is 240Hz worth it over 144Hz?** A: The jump from 60Hz to 144Hz is massive. 144Hz to 240Hz is noticeable but diminishing. It helps mostly in ultra-fast games like Overwatch.

**Q: What is V-Sync?** A: V-Sync forces the GPU to wait for the monitor. It eliminates tearing but adds massive input lag. **Never** use V-Sync in competitive shooters.