Optimize NVIDIA Control Panel: Best settings for gaming performance (2024)

NVIDIA GPUs are like gold for gamers, however, not all of them offer top-of-the-line performance, and even if you have the flagship GPU, by optimizing it, you can improve its performance. By tweaking some settings we can optimize NVIDIA Control Panel for gaming to have a constant frame rate and get rid of abrupt crashing and other issues. So, if you have an NVIDIA GPU, this post is for you.

Optimize NVIDIA Control Panel: Best settings for gaming performance (1)

Optimize NVIDIA Control Panel settings for gaming performance

Before tweaking the settings, you need to first launch NVIDIA Control Panel. The best way to do the same is by right-clicking on the desktop and selecting NVIDIA Control Panel. Then, go to 3D Settings > Manage 3D Settings, this is the panel where you can make all the changes:

  1. Image Sharpening
  2. Ambient Occlusion
  3. Antialiasing
  4. DSR Factors
  5. Low Latency Mode
  6. Max Frame Rate
  7. Multi-Frame Sampled AA
  8. OpenGL rendering GPU
  9. Power Management Mode
  10. Texture Filtering
  11. Vertical Sync

Let’s see the function of each setting.

1] Image Sharpening

Optimize NVIDIA Control Panel: Best settings for gaming performance (2)

Image Sharpening may sound exciting to you as it adds some extra bit of sharpness to your game. One of the arguments that go in its favor is that you can lower the game’s resolution, and enable Image Sharpening and you are good to go without putting a lot of load on your computer. However, in reality, the added bit of sharpness is barely perceivable and the performance increase is not substantial, in some cases, turning on Image Sharpening can put extra load on the GPU decreasing its sustainable performance. You can find this feature inNVIDIA Control Panel > 3D Settings > Manage 3D Settings > Image Sharpening.We recommend you disable this feature if it’s enabled.

Read: Best Router settings for PC Gaming; Optimize Router for better Gaming

2] Ambient Occlusion

Optimize NVIDIA Control Panel: Best settings for gaming performance (3)

Ambient Occlusion enhances the Shadow effect allowing you realistic gameplay by improving the physics of the game. This way, you will be able to notice every little detail that wasn’t noticeable before. There are three options: SSAO (Screen Space Ambient Occlusion), HBAO (Horizon Based Ambient Occlusion), or HDAO (High Definition Ambient Occlusion). In reality, this setting isn’t very helpful, that’s why it should be turned off. If your game has a similar feature, just enable it from the game’s settings as that will be more beneficial. The Settings are under the Manage 3D Settings option.

3] Antialiasing

Optimize NVIDIA Control Panel: Best settings for gaming performance (4)

If you want to have smooth edges then go for Antialiasing. There are three kinds of Antialiasing in NVIDIA Control Panel, let us talk about all of them.

  • Antialiasing- FXAA: It should be turned off as most games don’t support this feature, but if you know there is a game in your library that supports FXAA, you can enable it.
  • Antialiasing- Gama Correction:Enabling it will help your game to manage Gama.
  • Antialiasing- Mode:Set it to Application-controlled to avoid any conflict.
  • Antialiasing – Transparency:Turn it off as it puts way too much load on your system and decreases its FPS

Just configure all the Antialiasing menus according to the aforementioned way and you will be good to go.

Read: Tips toimprove gaming performance in Windows PC

4] DSR Factors

From the name, Dynamic Super Resolution, we can get a hint about its functioning. If you are thinking about changing the resolution using DSR Factor then you are right. DSR Factor is almost similar to Radeon Virtual Super Resolution. Using this setting, in simple steps, you can have 4K resolution on a 1080P screen, hassle-free. Just keep in mind, if you have an inferior computer, avoid this setting, or just don’t go all the way to 4K. You can also tweak the DSR Smoothness option to increase or decrease the graphics.

Read:Bottleneck in Gaming explained

5] Low Latency Mode

Depending on what kind of latency you are experiencing, you can either enable or disable this feature. If you experience input lag, go ahead and turn it on, if not, leave it turned off. Just make sure to make this setting global, as it can affect all games in an unprecedented manner.

6] Max Frame Rate

Max Frame Rate is a one-in-all kind of feature that will help you out if you want to save power or want low latency. You can find Max Frame Rate in NVIDIA Control Panel > 3D Settings > MaxFrame Rate. It allows you to set the game frame rate and reduces the GPU frequency when used together with Power Management set at Optimal Power, thus long battery life. However, if you want to have low latency then enable Max Frame Rate with Power Management set at Prefer Maximum Performance. However, make sure to make this setting global as well, just configure it on a game-to-game basis, and see if you notice any performance difference.

Read:How to optimize Windows for Online Gaming.

7] Multi-Frame Sampled AA

Optimize NVIDIA Control Panel: Best settings for gaming performance (5)

If you want to have an MSAA-like Antialiasing feature but no compromisation in your performance then Multi-Frame Sampled AA or MFAA for short should be your pick. Although there will be a slight difference in the visual quality, you will have better performance, and for gaming that matters a lot.

Keep in mind that MFAA can only be used when an application that supports 2x MSAA or greater is rendering a file. To enable MFAA, launch the NVIDIA Control panel, then click on Manage 3D Settings > and switch on Multi-FrameSampled AA (MFAA). You can keep this feature enabled Globally as there will be no conflict.

8] OpenGL rendering GPU

If you are running an OpenGL application on your PC and have multiple GPUs, OpenGL Rendering GPU is the one for you. The feature come in handy when you have two GPUs but don’t know which one to use for better performance. In such cases, you can click on Auto Click to allow the driver to select the best GPU for that particular purpose. However, if you are certain which one is the best, pick the same from the drop-down menu.

9] Power Management Mode

Power Management Mode allows you to control your GPU when playing any DirectX or OpenGL games. Adaptive, Prefer maximum performance and Optimal performance are the three options that you can use accordingly to optimize NVIDIA for gaming.

10] Texture Filtering

Texture Filtering as the name suggests is used to determine the texture quality of the screen and you will have a better gaming experience. In Texture Filtering, there are four options, let us talk about each one.

  • Texture Filtering – Negative LOD Bias:Set it to Clamp if you don’t want glitches.
  • Texture Filtering – Quality:Set it to Quality.
  • Texture Filtering – Trilinear Optimization:Choose On.
  • Texture Filtering – Anisotropic Sample Optimization:Turn it off.

Once you have made these changes, let us go to the final settings.

11] Vertical Sync

Vertical Sync or commonly known as VSync adjusts the refresh rate according to the frame rate of your monitor. Doing so allows you better image quality as this stops screen tearing and there will be no more glitches and horizontal tearing on your screens. However, keep in mind, since it synchronizes the game’s FPS to that of your Monitor, keeping it as a global setting can cause serious conflicts, so, go to the game you want to configure and then enable this feature.

These were some of the best settings that you can configure in the NVIDIA Control Panel. We have mentioned all of them, as they should be not changed and left to their default settings. Keep in mind, you may not have to make all the changes mentioned here, or maybe not all changes work for you.

Read:NVIDIA Control Panel missing on Windows

How do I increase my FPS in Nvidia control panel?

First, you need to open the NVIDIA Control Panel on your computer. Then, open the Advanced Display Settings and find the Refresh rate option. Expand the drop-down list and choose the FPS you want to set or available. Finally, click the OK button.

How do I set NVIDIA for best performance?

To optimize NVIDIA Control Panel for gaming, you need to change some settings from the program. This will allow you to have a better gaming experience and use your GPU to the fullest. We have mentioned all the settings that you need to configure to optimize your settings.

Read:NVIDIA Control Panel only shows 3D Settings.

Optimize NVIDIA Control Panel: Best settings for gaming performance (2024)

FAQs

What are the best Nvidia Display settings for gaming? ›

Best NVIDIA Control Panel Settings for Gaming
  • 3D Settings: Adjust Image Settings with Preview. ...
  • Ambient Occlusion. ...
  • Anti-aliasing - FXAA. ...
  • Antialiasing Mode. ...
  • Anti-aliasing Settings. ...
  • Anti-aliasing – Transparency. ...
  • Texture Filtering and Optimizations. ...
  • Power Management Mode.
Nov 16, 2022

How do I maximize my Nvidia GPU performance? ›

Press the Start button and search for Graphics Settings. Then click to turn on Hardware-accelerated GPU Scheduling. Scroll down and view the settings for "graphics performance preference" from there you can choose the app to set your preference. For Nvidia, this is the Nvidia Control panel.

How do I set my Nvidia to 240Hz? ›

Or you can do the setting via GPU control panel; If it is NVIDIA GPU, please open the NVIDIA control panel, and then head to “Change Resolution” tab under the “Display” option, and then choose your preferred resolution under “PC (not Ulta HD, HD, SD)”, and choose “ 240Hz/360Hz” under “refresh rate” option.

How do I optimize my PC for gaming? ›

How to optimise your PC for gaming
  1. Turn on gaming mode. Windows is already conveniently built for gaming. ...
  2. Disable notifications. ...
  3. Turn on Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling. ...
  4. Adjust for best performance. ...
  5. Turn off enhanced pointer precision. ...
  6. Update your drivers. ...
  7. Turn on Nvidia G-Sync. ...
  8. Set your monitor refresh rate.
Aug 20, 2022

What graphics settings affect FPS the most? ›

Anti-aliasing and shadows are usually the two biggest settings that affect FPS. Anisotropic filtering could also be a setting that can affect FPS depending on the game. Textures could affect your game based on what your CPU/GPU is, but as long as it's not a really low end one it won't affect it that much.

How do I make my GPU full performance? ›

How to overclock your GPU: Step-by-step instructions
  1. Step 1: Launch your overclocking tool. ...
  2. Step 2: Overclock the GPU clock. ...
  3. Step 3: Overclock your memory. ...
  4. Step 4: Increase power & temp limit.
Sep 29, 2019

How do I optimize my GPU performance? ›

Optimizing GPU performance
  1. On this page.
  2. Disabling autoboost.
  3. Setting GPU clock speed to the maximum frequency.
  4. Using network bandwidths of up to 100 Gbps. Creating VMs that use higher bandwidths. Checking network bandwidth.
  5. Using higher network bandwidth speeds with Fast Socket. Using Deep Learning VM images. ...
  6. What's next?

How do I get 120 fps in Nvidia? ›

Go to play.geforcenow.com > GeForce NOW Settings menu > Streaming Quality > Custom and set the Frame rate to 120 FPS.

How to set nvidia graphics card settings to get maximum performance and fps during gameplay? ›

NVIDIA Graphics Card Settings
  1. Right-click on your computer's desktop and select 'NVIDIA Control Panel. ...
  2. Under Select a Task select 'Manage 3D Settings. ...
  3. Select the 'Global Settings tab' and choose 'High-performance NVIDIA processor' under the preferred graphics processor drop-down bar.

Does Nvidia sharpening lower FPS? ›

When adjusting Image Sharpening through the Control Panel does not affect performance.

What is the best scaling mode for gaming? ›

We recommend choosing “85% or 77%” for the best gaming experience without losing too much image quality. Here is an example that shows you what difference it makes when you enable NVIDIA Image Scaling in-game.

Does 240Hz increase FPS? ›

That's just the number of times a monitor can refresh the entire screen per second. The Hertz or Hz can also be described as frames per second, or FPS. The two are the same. So, a 240Hz monitor is four times faster than a 60Hz monitor and 70% faster than a 144Hz display.

How many FPS do I need for 240Hz? ›

As a rule of thumb you want a setup that can exceed the refresh rate of your monitor in frames per second. A setup with a 240Hz monitor hooked up to a system producing 350 frames per second is still better than a system with a 240Hz monitor that produces just over 240 frames per second.

Is 240Hz good for console gaming? ›

Console gamers should ignore 240Hz monitors. The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X support a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz, so the benefits of a 240Hz refresh rate are wasted. A 4K gaming monitor is better for use with a game console, preferably if it supports HDMI 2.1.

How do I optimize my PC for gaming and boost FPS? ›

How to optimise PC for gaming and increase FPS
  1. Update graphics card drivers. The graphics card is central to the gaming performance. ...
  2. Change video game settings. ...
  3. Enable Game Mode in Windows 10. ...
  4. Lower the resolution. ...
  5. Manage power option. ...
  6. Overclock graphics card. ...
  7. Increase RAM. ...
  8. Replace the graphics card.
Sep 25, 2022

Does overclocking increase FPS? ›

Does overclocking GPU increase FPS? Yes, one of the main benefits of overclocking your GPU is that it increases FPS for smoother, sharper graphics. The added computing power from a GPU overclock helps your graphics card crank out more FPS at higher resolutions.

What are the most demanding GPU settings? ›

By far the most demanding task for your graphics card is shadows and lighting. You may find them as separate settings — and in games like Call of Duty: Vanguard, split across several settings — but they work together. Shadows are demanding because they require your graphics card to render a second scene.

Can increasing graphics settings increase FPS? ›

Does a graphics card affect FPS? Yes. upgrading your graphics card or overclocking your graphics card can provide a significant FPS boost, even more than upgrading your CPU or RAM.

Does high performance mode improve FPS? ›

In essence, no, the high-performance mode doesn't unlock any hidden capabilities of your phone to provide magical performance. At the same time, however, it may significantly improve gaming performance on your phone if you usually have lots of background processes running.

Should my GPU be using 100%? ›

For heavy games, 100% GPU usage is good, while for low-ended games, they can't use all resources hence causing a low GPU usage. At the same time, keeping 100% GPU usage when idle for a long time may lead to higher temperatures, noise levels, and even an evident decrease in performance.

How do I increase my GPU acceleration? ›

Follow these steps to turn on GPU hardware scheduling:
  1. Click Start, then head to Settings > System.
  2. From the left-hand menu, select Display.
  3. Below Multiple Displays, click Graphics settings.
  4. Turn on the toggle for Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling.
  5. Restart your computer.
Jun 4, 2022

How do I use Nvidia performance tuning? ›

Press Alt + Z to summon GFE's overlay, then click the Performance option towards the right of your screen. Nvidia's Performance panel will appear. Near the middle you'll see the option to “Enable automatic tuning.” Simply click that and the performance tuning process will start.

How do I tune my GPU for gaming? ›

Here's how to do it.
  1. What You Need to Overclock. ...
  2. Step 1: Benchmark Your Stock Settings. ...
  3. Step 2: Increase Your Core Clock and Re-Benchmark. ...
  4. Step 3: Increase Your Voltage and Memory Clock (Optional) ...
  5. Step 4: Run a Final Stress Test and Play Some Games. ...
  6. Results and Final Words.

Does Nvidia control panel affect FPS? ›

In this guide, we'll share the perfect settings for your NVIDIA Control panel that increases your FPS, reduces input lag, improves the visual quality, and unlocks the true potential of your NVIDIA Graphics card.

What is the max FPS on GeForce Now? ›

Initially, it's limited to Chrome and Edge on PC, but the resolution has been bumped to a 1440p maximum and 120FPS. You do, of course, need to be on the RTX 3080 tier to have access to the higher resolution and frame rate.

What graphics card runs 120 FPS? ›

The GeForce GTX 1660 Ti includes 1,536 CUDA cores, 6GB of the latest GDDR6 memory, and a 1.8GHz boost clock. Nvidia says it has a power envelope of 120 watts, giving the GTX 1660 Ti “the best performance per watt of any GPU in its class,” according to the company.

How do I make my GPU run at 100% in game? ›

  1. give GPU a new task more often.
  2. make the GPU task heavier, use more compute operations per task, use more cuda threads.
  3. downgrade to a slower GPU (don't do this)
  4. upgrade to a better CPU.
  5. hack usage query application that it shows 100 always (pls just don't)

Does low latency mode decrease FPS? ›

By submitting the frames just before they're needed in the queue, this mode significantly lowers system latency. As a result, your gameplay will be much smoother, making gaming more enjoyable. Low latency is most impactful with GPU-bound games using frame rates from 60 to 100 FPS.

Should sharpness be 100 for gaming? ›

If sharpness settings are available, the best TV sharpness setting for gaming is zero percent . The best TV color setting for gaming is 50 percent. This setting will avoid potentially bizarre filters built into games.

Why is my FPS so low even though I have a good PC? ›

The most common reason for reduced FPS is graphics settings that create a larger workload than your hardware can handle. So how do you achieve better FPS? Getting a faster CPU, more RAM, or a newer graphics card is one solution.

Is high sharpness good? ›

Almost all TV's and projectors have at least a sharpness control. Setting this level to mid point or low is generally safer than putting it too high as an overly sharp image is generally much more distracting and annoying to watch than a slightly-under or normal sharpness setting.

Is GPU scaling good for FPS? ›

Unfortunately, while GPU scaling certainly makes retro gaming more enjoyable, it does introduce slight input lag. What this means is that your fps will not be improved by using GPU scaling.

Does GPU scaling cause lag? ›

Effect of GPU on Input Lag

The process of GPU scaling requires a lot of processing power. This is because the process displays the graphics or game images just as they are while preserving their quality. If you play a video, this slight delay while displaying will not be noticed easily.

Does GPU scaling improve FPS? ›

GPU scaling decreases the FPS a bit as it embraces the input lag. This, however, doesn't affect the performance if you own a good graphics card. Everytime you turn On GPU scaling, it takes time to stretch low aspect ratio graphics into high aspect ratio. This impacts the FPS(Frames Per Second).

What is better 60Hz or 240Hz? ›

Although everyone perceives motion and input lag differently, the vast majority of people will likely have a hard time seeing any difference above 240Hz. Going higher doesn't hurt performance, but for people who aren't competitive or esports gamers, the money is probably better spent on other features.

Is 165Hz better than 144Hz? ›

The simple answer to that is no, not a big difference. Since 165fps is just 21 frames per second more than 144. That's just a 13% increase. Most people aren't likely to notice those extra frames, but the clincher is that if you're getting a new monitor for gaming, you should know that 165Hz is basically the new 144Hz.

Is 120Hz better than 60Hz gaming? ›

The higher the number, the smoother the screen will appear to the human eye. This means that a 120Hz display – which updates itself 120 times a second – will look noticeable slicker and more natural than your average 60Hz screen which only updates itself 60 times a second.

Is 144hz or 240Hz better? ›

144hz monitors refresh their image every 6.94ms, and 240hz monitors refresh every 4.17ms. The difference between 60hz and 144hz is much more noticeable, but 240hz will give you a smoother experience. More products have 144hz refresh rates than they do 240hz.

Is 240Hz better than 165Hz? ›

165Hz vs. 240Hz. Avid eSports fans who cannot tolerate any input lag and want a completely smooth experience at all times should look for a 240Hz monitor.

Can you feel 240 FPS on a 144hz monitor? ›

Yes , you can get 240 fps on a 144HZ monitor.. Simple answer: Yes, but 96 of the FPS will be wasted. The monitor can only display 144 FPS, but your game can run at 240FPS, it isn't a problem. FPS is given by the GPU – yes you can get 240 in the screen.”

Is HDMI enough for 240Hz? ›

HDMI 2.0 carries combinations like 1440p 165Hz with no issue, and for 1080p, frame rates of 240Hz are no problem. On PC, HDMI is secondary to DisplayPort, which offers significantly more bandwidth, with DP 1.4 not that far from HDMI 2.1 and capable of 4K 120Hz.

What graphics card do you need for 1440p 240Hz? ›

Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090

All games are being built under this technology and Nvidia has the proper environment to show those advances. For that reason, the RTX 4090 is the best GPU for 1440p 240Hz gaming.

Can HDMI run 240Hz? ›

HDMI 2.1 cables can technically support 240Hz at 4K if it uses display stream compression, but that's not ideal for gaming as it can introduce visual artifacts. For lower resolutions, however, like 1440p or 1080p, it has no trouble managing that without compression.

What video setting should I set my monitor to for gaming? ›

Enable FreeSync/G-Sync

If you're gaming on a monitor that supports AMD's FreeSync, or Nvidia's G-Sync technology, you should enable them. Doing so makes sure that you don't get any screen tearing or stuttering, and means you don't need to use V-Sync to get it, which otherwise can result in worse input lag.

What is the best display setting for my monitor? ›

Many people find that the 75% range is the most comfortable on their eyes. Try this setting with both the room lights on and off to make sure it works for either. Color – When you increase or decrease the color setting, you adjust the color saturation of the monitor.

What should my NVIDIA image scaling be? ›

We recommend choosing “85% or 77%” for the best gaming experience without losing too much image quality. Here is an example that shows you what difference it makes when you enable NVIDIA Image Scaling in-game.

What should my NVIDIA color settings be? ›

Change resolution: Set the highest possible resolution and the highest refresh rate available. Select Use Nvidia Color Settings and set the color depth to the Highest, and the dynamic range to Full. Adjust desktop color settings: Set Digital Vibrance to 70-80% and see if you like it.

What color temperature is best for gaming? ›

Game players want to be immersed in the game's world and experience its mood while they play. The use of RGB colored light in lighting design applications is best for generating a cool ambiance. Cool colors like blue, green, and purple should be used when creating a cool vibe.

Which HDMI mode is best for gaming? ›

HDMI® Enhanced Gaming Features
  • Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) reduces or eliminates lag, judder and frame tearing for more fluid and better detailed gameplay. ...
  • Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) enables the ideal latency setting to automatically be set allowing for smooth, lag-free and uninterrupted viewing and interactivity.
Feb 2, 2023

Should I set my monitor to 144Hz or 165Hz? ›

That's because 165Hz is becoming the new 144Hz, the middle ground between 60Hz and really high frame rates like 240Hz and 360Hz. Being a newer standard means with 165Hz monitors you're more likely to get improved panels, better color accuracy, better HDR, and faster response. Given the choice, go with 165Hz.

Should FreeSync be on or off for gaming? ›

FreeSync can completely eliminate screen tearing and stuttering by providing you with a variable refresh rate if you have a compatible graphics card, so it's definitely worth it.

Should I calibrate my monitor for gaming? ›

That means even an LCD should be calibrated at least once every six months, though once a month is a good habit. Calibrating your monitor is essential to produce a neutral white with no color shift. It's also important that other colors be as accurate as possible with the ambient light conditions you're working under.

Which display is better 60Hz or 144Hz? ›

In this way, 60 Hz means that the screen can show 60 pictures in 1 second and 144 Hz means that the screen can show 144 pictures in 1 second, and so on. A higher number of hertz or a higher refresh rate means you get more pictures per second adequately which makes an increasingly smoother picture display on the screen.

Does Nvidia image sharpening increase FPS? ›

So while image sharpening can be part of a process to increase fps, by itself it doesn't do that. The availability of dynamic texture resolution depends on the game. Quite a few newer games have some form of it, but you won't find it in most older games. You can also do this when using Nvidia Ansel to take screenshots.

Does NVIDIA color settings affect FPS? ›

Nope, it is the resolution rather than the colours. The background programs might be working a little more or less from time to time, Thats why your FPS might vary.

How do I make my games more vibrant with NVIDIA? ›

Under How do you make color adjustments, select With the NVIDIA settings. If necessary, click the Color tab and then move the Brightness, Contrast, Hue, and Saturation sliders to achieve the optimum baseline color quality for your video. Click the Advanced tab, then check the Color enhancement check box.

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