How To Increase Fps In Valorant With Settings And Hardware Tweaks

Valorant, Riot Games’ tactical first-person shooter, demands precision, quick reflexes, and consistent performance. While the game is designed to run on a wide range of systems, achieving high and stable frames per second (FPS) can be the difference between landing a clutch headshot or missing entirely. Low FPS leads to input lag, stuttering visuals, and inconsistent gameplay — all of which undermine competitive performance. The good news: even without upgrading your entire rig, you can significantly boost FPS through smart settings adjustments and targeted hardware optimizations.

This guide dives deep into both software and hardware strategies that deliver measurable improvements in Valorant’s frame rate. Whether you're playing on integrated graphics or a mid-tier gaming PC, these techniques are proven to maximize performance without sacrificing essential visual clarity.

Optimize In-Game Video Settings for Maximum FPS

Valorant’s video settings offer extensive control over graphical fidelity. Many players leave these on default, unknowingly capping their FPS potential. Adjusting them properly balances visibility and performance.

Start by navigating to Settings > Video. Here's what to change:

• Resolution Scale: Set to 100% unless you’re using dynamic scaling for specific monitors. Lower values reduce rendering load but may blur the image.
• Display Mode: Fullscreen offers the lowest input latency and highest FPS compared to borderless or windowed modes.
• Frame Rate Limit: Disable this unless you need it for screen recording or multi-monitor setups. Unlimited allows your system to push as many frames as possible.
• Graphics Quality Preset: Choose “Low” to minimize GPU workload. You can manually tweak individual options afterward if needed.
• Texture Streaming: Turn off. This feature loads textures dynamically and can cause micro-stutters, especially on HDDs.
• V-Sync: Always disable. It caps FPS to your monitor’s refresh rate and introduces input lag.
• Vertical FOV: Keep at default (70). Changing this affects hit registration perception and isn’t recommended competitively.

Tip: After changing settings, restart Valorant completely to ensure changes take full effect, especially texture streaming and resolution-related adjustments.

Key Graphics Options and Their Performance Impact

Setting	Recommended Value	Performance Gain	Visual Trade-off
Shadows	Very Low or Off	High	Reduced depth perception; enemies harder to spot in dark areas
Anti-Aliasing	None or FXAA	Moderate	Slightly jagged edges, but minimal impact on targeting
Post Processing	Low or Off	Moderate	Less bloom/light effects; cleaner sightlines
Particle Density	Low	High during ultimates/explosions	Fewer visual particles; clearer view during chaotic fights
Local Shadows	Off	Significant on older GPUs	Flatter lighting, but improves consistency
Clan Tags	Off	Minor	No clan identifiers above player heads

Players often overlook particle density and local shadows, but these settings consume substantial GPU resources during ability-heavy rounds. Turning them down ensures smoother performance when abilities like Reyna’s or Omen’s smokes are active.

Windows System Tweaks to Boost FPS

Even with perfect in-game settings, background processes and OS configurations can throttle performance. Windows runs dozens of services that compete for CPU, RAM, and disk access — all detrimental to real-time gaming.

1. Enable Game Mode: Go to Settings > Gaming > Game Mode and turn it on. This prioritizes system resources for active games.
2. Disable Fullscreen Optimizations: Right-click the Valorant shortcut > Properties > Compatibility > Check \"Disable fullscreen optimizations\". This reduces input lag and improves frame pacing.
3. Set Power Plan to High Performance: Navigate to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options and select “High performance”. Prevents CPU throttling during extended sessions.
4. Close Background Apps: Shut down Discord overlays, Chrome tabs, Spotify, and other non-essential apps. Use Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) to identify resource hogs.
5. Update GPU Drivers: Outdated drivers can bottleneck performance. Use NVIDIA GeForce Experience, AMD Adrenalin, or Intel Arc Control to install the latest version.
6. Adjust Graphics Preference: In Windows Settings > System > Display > Graphics, set Valorant.exe to use the dedicated GPU (if available).

“Many low-FPS issues in Valorant stem not from the game itself, but from competing system processes. A clean boot and proper power management can yield 20–30 extra FPS on mid-range systems.” — Mark Tran, Senior Systems Engineer at ApexPC Labs

Hardware Upgrades That Deliver Real FPS Gains

While software tweaks help, hardware limitations ultimately cap performance. If you’re consistently below 144 FPS at 1080p, consider targeted upgrades.

Most Impactful Upgrades (in Order of ROI)

1. SSD (Solid State Drive): Replacing an HDD with an SSD drastically reduces loading times and prevents texture pop-in and stutters caused by slow asset streaming.
2. RAM (Memory): Valorant uses around 4–6GB of RAM. Having at least 16GB DDR4/DDR5 at 3200MHz+ prevents bottlenecks, especially with multitasking.
3. Dedicated GPU: Integrated graphics (e.g., Intel UHD) struggle beyond 60 FPS. An entry-level GPU like the NVIDIA GTX 1650 or AMD RX 6400 can double or triple frame rates.
4. CPU Upgrade: Valorant is CPU-dependent due to its tick-rate-sensitive netcode. Older dual-core processors limit FPS regardless of GPU power. A quad-core CPU like the Intel i3-12100 or AMD Ryzen 5 5600 delivers noticeable gains.
5. Monitor Refresh Rate: Even with 300 FPS, a 60Hz monitor only shows 60 frames. Upgrading to a 144Hz or 240Hz display unlocks the benefit of higher FPS.

Tip: Before buying new hardware, check your current specs using Task Manager or tools like HWInfo. Bottlenecks are often hidden — e.g., a powerful GPU hamstrung by an old CPU.

Step-by-Step Optimization Timeline

Follow this sequence to systematically improve FPS in Valorant:

1. Week 1 – Baseline & Diagnosis:
   • Check current FPS using Valorant’s built-in meter (Settings > Video > Stats).
   • Note average and minimum FPS in different scenarios (idle, gunfight, smoke usage).
   • Use Task Manager to identify CPU, GPU, RAM usage during gameplay.
2. Week 2 – Software Optimization:
   • Apply all in-game low settings listed earlier.
   • Disable fullscreen optimizations and enable Game Mode.
   • Switch to High Performance power plan.
   • Update GPU drivers and OS.
3. Week 3 – Background Cleanup:
   • Disable startup apps via Task Manager > Startup tab.
   • Close unnecessary programs before launching Valorant.
   • Run a clean boot (msconfig > Selective startup) to test performance gains.
4. Week 4 – Hardware Evaluation:
   • Determine if HDD is slowing load times — upgrade to SSD if so.
   • Check if RAM is maxing out — add more sticks if under 16GB.
   • Evaluate CPU/GPU models against known Valorant benchmarks.
5. Ongoing – Maintenance:
   • Clear temp files monthly using Disk Cleanup.
   • Reapply settings after major game updates.
   • Monitor temperatures — overheating causes thermal throttling.

Real-World Example: From 60 to 200 FPS on a Budget Rig

Jamal, a college student, played Valorant on a 5-year-old laptop with an Intel i5-8250U, 8GB RAM, and integrated Intel UHD 620 graphics. His average FPS was 45–60, dropping to 30 during ultimates. He couldn’t afford a new PC but wanted better performance.

He started by switching to fullscreen mode, disabling shadows and post-processing, and turning off V-Sync. FPS jumped to ~80. Then he upgraded his HDD to a $30 SATA SSD — reduced stutters and improved stability. Next, he added an 8GB RAM stick (total 16GB), allowing smoother multitasking. Finally, he adjusted Windows power settings and disabled background apps.

Result: Consistent 180–200 FPS in most scenarios, limited only by his laptop’s integrated GPU. While not ideal for tournaments, the improvement made ranked play far more enjoyable and responsive.

Essential Checklist for Maximum FPS

Checklist: How to Increase FPS in Valorant

• ✅ Set video quality to Low
• ✅ Disable Shadows, Post Processing, and Local Lighting
• ✅ Use Fullscreen mode (not borderless)
• ✅ Turn off V-Sync and Frame Rate Limit
• ✅ Enable Windows Game Mode
• ✅ Disable fullscreen optimizations for Valorant.exe
• ✅ Set power plan to High Performance
• ✅ Update GPU drivers
• ✅ Close background applications
• ✅ Install game on an SSD
• ✅ Ensure at least 16GB RAM
• ✅ Monitor CPU/GPU temperatures

Frequently Asked Questions

Does lowering resolution increase FPS in Valorant?

Yes. Dropping from 1920x1080 to 1280x720 reduces the number of pixels rendered, which lightens the GPU’s workload and increases FPS. However, lower resolution reduces visual clarity and targeting precision. Most pros use 1080p with downscaled rendering (e.g., 1280x720 stretched) for sharper crosshairs and better performance.

Can I get 300 FPS on integrated graphics?

It’s unlikely. Modern integrated graphics like Intel Iris Xe or AMD Radeon 740M might reach 120–150 FPS at lowest settings in ideal conditions. For 200+ FPS, a dedicated GPU like the GTX 1650 or better is required. Also, ensure your CPU supports high frame rates — dual-core processors typically cap out around 100–140 FPS.

Why does my FPS drop during ultimates or smokes?

Abilities like Phoenix’s fire walls or Omen’s smokes generate complex particle effects and shadow calculations. These spike GPU usage temporarily. To mitigate this, lower Particle Density and disable Shadows in video settings. Also, ensure your GPU isn’t overheating or throttling under sustained load.

Final Thoughts: Stability Over Peak Numbers

While chasing high FPS numbers is tempting, consistency matters more in Valorant. A steady 144 FPS is better than fluctuating between 120 and 220. Focus on eliminating stutters, reducing input lag, and maintaining thermal control. Small tweaks compound — combining optimized settings, updated drivers, and smart hardware choices creates a fluid, responsive experience.

Remember, every millisecond counts in a 1v1 duel. By fine-tuning both software and hardware, you give yourself a tangible edge. Don’t wait for the next update or tournament season — apply these changes today and feel the difference in your next match.

💬 Ready to dominate the server? Audit your setup now, follow the checklist, and share your FPS gains in the comments. Help others level up their game!