Ping vs FPS: What Slows You Down in Games and How to Fix It?

Whether you are a casual online gamer or a professional, you have probably encountered issues that prevent you from having a smooth gaming experience. The two most common culprits are ping and FPS (frames per second). However, they work on completely different principles. Below, we have prepared a comprehensive guide for you that tells you how to identify and fix these errors.

What is ping and how does it affect gaming?

Ping is one of the main indicators of the quality of your gaming experience. In short, ping is a measure of the responsiveness between your device and the game server. It is measured in milliseconds (ms) and represents the time it takes for data to travel from you to the server and back. The lower the ping, the faster you are communicating with the game server.

A low ping, usually below 50 ms, ensures smooth responsiveness in games, especially those where speed is crucial, such as shooters or MOBA games. Conversely, a high ping, for example over 100 ms, causes delays between your actions and their execution in the game.

This can lead to issues like 'lag', where the character moves jerkily or actions do not occur on time.

The causes of high ping can vary. The main one is poor internet connection, whether slow or unstable. The distance from the server also plays a significant role — the farther you are from the game server, the higher the ping. Network congestion can also be an issue, such as when you are sharing the connection with other devices or applications.

How to lower ping?

There are several ways to lower ping and thereby improve the quality of your gaming experience. One of the most effective solutions is to switch to a wired connection instead of Wi-Fi. Ethernet connection offers higher stability and speed, which can significantly reduce the response time between your device and the game server.

Another important step is choosing an appropriate game server. If you play on a server geographically close to your location, it significantly shortens the distance that data has to travel, thereby reducing ping. Additionally, limiting network usage by closing applications that consume bandwidth, such as streaming services or large file downloads, is advisable.

Do not forget to update your network drivers. Modern drivers often contain enhancements that can improve your device's performance. The last option to consider is using VPN or specialized gaming network services. These tools can optimize data routing.

What is FPS and how does it affect gaming?

FPS (frames per second) indicates the number of frames your graphics card renders per second. The higher the FPS, the smoother the gaming experience. A high FPS, such as 60 or more, ensures smooth movement and better responsiveness. Conversely, a low FPS, below 30, causes graphics stuttering and delays.

The causes of low FPS can vary. Often, it is due to insufficient hardware, such as an old or weak graphics card, processor, or low RAM capacity. High graphics settings, where the game runs at the highest details, can also burden your system.

How to increase FPS?

We have several methods for you to help increase the frames per second (FPS). The first step is adjusting the graphics settings in the game. Try reducing the resolution, turning off shadows, or limiting texture details.

The next step is updating your graphics card drivers. Manufacturers regularly release new driver versions with enhancements that can boost hardware performance.

System optimization is also key. Closing running applications frees up capacity for the game. If you use an older computer, consider a hardware upgrade. Remember also to cool your computer—overheating can lead to reduced performance.

How to diagnose issues?

To find out if you have a ping or FPS problem, you can use various tools. To test ping, you can use the "ping" command in the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Mac/Linux). This command gives you the server response and helps identify connection issues.

To measure FPS, you can use a built-in FPS counter directly in games or tools like MSI Afterburner or FRAPS. These provide precise data on frames per second and help you identify performance issues with your hardware.