Computer Hardware
Frame Rate
Definition
Frame rate (or frames per second, FPS) is the frequency at which consecutive images (frames) are captured or displayed. The term applies equally to film and video cameras, computer graphics, and motion capture systems.
Why It Matters
In the context of computing and gaming, frame rate is a measure of how smoothly a game or application is running. A higher frame rate results in more fluid and responsive gameplay. A low or inconsistent frame rate appears choppy and stuttery.
Contextual Example
Competitive gamers aim for a high and stable frame rate, often 144 FPS or higher, to match their high-refresh-rate monitors. 60 FPS is generally considered the standard for smooth gameplay, while 30 FPS is often the target for console games.
Common Misunderstandings
- Frame rate is produced by the GPU. Refresh rate is the capability of the monitor.
- Your perceived smoothness is limited by the lower of the two values. For example, getting 200 FPS on a 60Hz monitor will still only display 60 unique frames per second.