Optimizing FPS in Valorant: System Tweaks & In-Game Settings to Ensure Smooth Gameplay

Valorant is designed to run on a wide range of PCs, but achieving optimal performance can still be a challenge. Whether you’re playing on a high-end gaming rig or a more modest setup, improving your Frames Per Second (FPS) can significantly enhance your gameplay experience. In this guide, we’ll cover a range of techniques, from system-level adjustments to in-game settings, aimed at squeezing the best performance out of your system.

System Optimization

Managing Background Applications

Your PC’s resources are limited, and running unnecessary applications in the background can hinder game performance. Close non-essential programs to free up CPU and RAM. You can also manage startup applications to prevent them from running automatically when you boot your system:

• How to Disable Startup Apps:
  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
  2. Go to the Startup tab.
  3. Right-click on unnecessary applications and select Disable.

Adjusting Power Settings

Switching your PC’s power plan to ‘High Performance’ can prevent power-saving features from throttling your hardware’s capabilities:

• How to Change Power Plan:
  1. Open Control Panel.
  2. Navigate to Hardware and Sound > Power Options.
  3. Select High Performance.

Turning Off Background Apps

Windows runs certain apps in the background by default, which can consume resources:

• How to Turn Off Background Apps:
  1. Go to Settings > Privacy > Background apps.
  2. Turn off the switch for apps you don’t need.

Graphics Card Optimization

Updating Drivers

Keeping your GPU drivers updated is crucial for optimal performance and stability. Visit the manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD) to download the latest drivers.

NVIDIA Control Panel Settings

For NVIDIA users, certain settings can help improve performance:

1. Open NVIDIA Control Panel.
2. Go to Manage 3D settings.
3. Adjust the following settings:
   • Image Sharpening: Off
   • Low Latency Mode: On
   • Power Management Mode: Prefer maximum performance
   • Texture Filtering – Quality: High performance
   • Vertical Sync: Off (unless experiencing screen tearing)

In-Game Settings Optimization

Video Settings

Adjusting video settings in Valorant can have a significant impact on FPS:

• Resolution: Use your monitor’s native resolution.
• Display Mode: Fullscreen (provides the best performance and lowest input lag).
• Graphics Quality:
  • Material Quality: Low
  • Texture Quality: Low
  • Detail Quality: Low
  • UI Quality: Medium
  • Vignette: Off
  • V-Sync: Off
  • Anti-Aliasing: MSAA 2x or None
  • Anisotropic Filtering: 1x
  • Improved Clarity: On
  • Experimental Sharpening: On
  • Bloom: Off
  • Distortion: Off
  • Cast Shadows: Off

Additional Settings

• FPS Cap: Uncapped or set to a value just above your monitor’s refresh rate.
• Reflex Low Latency: On

Peripheral and Hardware Tips

Mouse Optimization

For wireless mouse users, interference from other devices like routers can impact performance. Using a mouse with adaptive frequency technology or switching your router to 5GHz can help reduce this interference.

Hardware Upgrades

If your FPS issues persist, consider upgrading key components such as your GPU, CPU, or adding more RAM. These upgrades can provide a significant boost to your gaming performance.

Conclusion

By following these tips and adjustments, you can optimize Valorant’s performance on your PC, ensuring a smoother, more responsive gaming experience. Remember that the best settings can vary depending on your specific hardware and personal preferences, so feel free to experiment and find what works best for you. Happy gaming!