In the high-stakes world of Valorant, every single frame per second (FPS) can be the decisive factor between a clutch victory and a frustrating defeat. Higher FPS translates to smoother visuals, quicker reaction times, and a tangible competitive advantage. The good news? You don’t necessarily need a top-of-the-line gaming rig to achieve optimal performance. With a few smart tweaks and settings adjustments, most systems can experience a significant boost in their Valorant gameplay.
1. Lower In-Game Graphics Settings: The Immediate Impact
The most direct way to improve your FPS is by reducing the visual fidelity of the game. Navigate to Settings > Video > Graphics Quality and set all available options to Low or Off. This significantly reduces the strain on your GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) and CPU (Central Processing Unit), leading to an instant and noticeable increase in frames.

Furthermore, if your PC boasts a multi-core CPU, ensure Multi threaded Rendering is enabled. This setting allows Valorant to efficiently utilize all available processor cores, further enhancing performance.
2. Optimize System Power and Background Processes: Unleash Your PC’s Potential
Your operating system’s power settings and background applications can silently siphon away valuable resources. To ensure Valorant gets the lion’s share:
- High Performance Power Mode: In Windows, go to Power & Sleep settings and switch your power plan to “High Performance.” This ensures your PC operates at its maximum capacity during gameplay.
- Close Unnecessary Background Apps: Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and meticulously close any applications running in the background that aren’t essential for your game. Browsers, communication apps like Discord, and automatic updaters are common culprits that consume valuable CPU and RAM.
3. Update Drivers and Windows: Staying Current for Peak Performance
Outdated software can be a major bottleneck for FPS. Regularly updating your system is crucial:
- Graphics Drivers: Keep your graphics drivers up to date through their respective software (NVIDIA GeForce Experience for NVIDIA cards or AMD Radeon Software for AMD cards). Graphics card manufacturers frequently release driver updates that include performance optimizations specifically for popular games like Valorant.
- Windows Updates: Ensure your Windows operating system is always up to date. Microsoft regularly rolls out updates that can include performance enhancements and crucial security fixes.

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4. Fine-Tune Display and Game Settings: Eliminating Performance Hogs
Specific display and in-game settings can have a surprisingly large impact on your FPS:
- Disable Fullscreen Optimizations: Locate your Valorant shortcut, right-click, go to Properties > Compatibility, and check the box for “Disable fullscreen optimizations.” This can prevent Windows from interfering with the game’s fullscreen performance.
- Turn Off V-Sync and Anti-Aliasing: Both V-Sync and Anti-Aliasing can introduce input lag and reduce your FPS. Disable them in Valorant’s graphics settings for a smoother experience.
- Lower Your Resolution: For older or less powerful systems, reducing your screen resolution (e.g., from 1920×1080 to 1280×720) can provide a significant FPS boost.
5. Advanced Tweaks: For the Tech-Savvy Player
For those comfortable with more advanced adjustments, consider these options:
- Adjust Frame Rate Limit: Set your in-game frame rate limit to 10–20 FPS above your monitor’s refresh rate. This provides optimal smoothness without unnecessary strain on your system.
- Enable Nvidia Reflex: If you have a compatible NVIDIA graphics card, enable Nvidia Reflex in your settings. This technology is designed to reduce system latency and input lag, making your actions feel more responsive.
- Tweak Valorant Config Files: For the truly adventurous, modifying Valorant’s configuration files (specifically GameUserSettings.ini) can unlock further FPS adjustments or advanced parameters. However, proceed with extreme caution and always back up your files before making any changes.
6. Additional Tips for a Smoother Experience
Beyond settings, a few other practices can contribute to a more stable and high-performing Valorant experience:
- Wired Ethernet Connection: Ditch Wi-Fi for a wired Ethernet connection to minimize lag spikes, which can often feel like sudden FPS drops.
- Minimalistic Weapon Skins: While tempting, flashy weapon skins with intricate effects can subtly impact performance on lower-end hardware. Consider using more minimalistic skins if you’re struggling with FPS.
- Monitor Temperatures: Utilize tools like HWMonitor to keep an eye on your CPU and GPU temperatures. Overheating can lead to “thermal throttling,” where your components intentionally slow down to prevent damage, resulting in sudden and significant FPS drops.
7. Consider Optimization Tools: A Helping Hand
Several tools can assist in optimizing your system for gaming:
- Windows Game Mode: Enable Windows Game Mode in Settings > Gaming. This built-in Windows feature prioritizes system resources for your active game.
Quick Reference Table: Key Settings for Maximum FPS
Setting | Recommendation |
Graphics Quality | Low/Off |
Multithreaded Rendering | On (if multi-core CPU) |
Power Mode | High Performance |
V-Sync/Anti-Aliasing | Off |
Resolution | Lower if needed |
Nvidia Reflex | On (if available) |
Background Apps | Close all unnecessary |
Frame Rate Limit | 10–20 FPS above refresh |
By systematically implementing these tips, most Valorant players can achieve a significant boost in their FPS, leading to a much smoother, more responsive, and ultimately, more enjoyable gameplay experience—even on older or mid-range systems. Every frame counts when victory is on the line.
Written by:
Christian