Chasing Peak Performance: Unlocking the Secrets to Higher FPS in Genshin Impact
You’re jumping into Genshin Impact’s bright world. You’re gliding in Mondstadt, fighting hilichurls in Liyue, or exploring Inazuma’s depths. It feels amazing, right? But maybe it feels slightly slow. You look at your screen and wonder, “Can I improve my FPS?” If you want to enhance your Genshin Impact’s visual performance, you’re in the right place. We will explore FPS details in Genshin, from official limits to clever tricks. This is your guide to boosting performance in Genshin Impact’s landscape without needing an advanced computer science degree.
1. Understanding the FPS Ceiling: Genshin Impact’s Official and Practical Limits
Let’s pinpoint the official stance. Genshin Impact, wisely or not, has capped your frame rate. As of May 27, 2024, battling on your Android, gaming PC, or PlayStation means hitting a 60 FPS limit. This number is the sweet spot that developers believe works for wider compatibility.
In-game settings reveal a reassuring “FPS” choice in the graphics menu. As of July 30, 2024, pushing this setting to 60 is indeed reaching the ceiling. There’s no hidden “90 FPS” button, especially for Android phones. If you hoped for that smooth mobile experience, it’s time to ease those expectations, at least for now.
Now for a twist: 120 FPS. Hold on, didn’t we just say 60? Officially, yes. But in PC gaming’s wild world, tech wizards always experiment. As of October 16, 2023, rumors of achieving 120 FPS in Genshin Impact emerged. However, this seldom happens without significant tweaks. This requires using AMD Fluid Motion Frames, which is not for the faint-hearted or for those with older GPUs. A 6000 or 7000 series AMD GPU is necessary. Plus, you’re often playing with preview drivers that may not be stable. So, while 120 FPS could be possible for a few PC enthusiasts, it isn’t mainstream or officially endorsed.
Keep in mind the hardware landscape constantly evolves. New mobile devices are gaining 120Hz refresh rate screens. Consider iPads Pro, OnePlus 8 Pros, or Samsung Galaxies—all can display visuals at 120 FPS. But just because the screen can doesn’t mean Genshin Impact will. The game must support higher frame rates fully, which it doesn’t officially or widely.
Speaking of limitations, let’s check out another game from the same developer: Zenless Zone Zero. As of July 18, 2024, it offers options for 30, 60, and “unlimited” FPS. This suggests technology exists within their ecosystem for higher frame rates. Whether Genshin Impact will embrace this is uncertain. For now, 60 FPS is the official word, with very specific, unofficial exemptions for dedicated PC players.
2. Pushing the Limits: Methods to Potentially Increase Your FPS in Genshin Impact
Sure, 60 FPS is the official limit, but can we escape these bounds? Can we squeeze out a few more frames? Let’s explore FPS manipulation methods in Genshin Impact.
FPS Unlockers: Tread Carefully
The internet, vast and often chaotic, presents promises of “FPS unlockers.” These are usually third-party tools that claim to bypass limitations and unleash your hardware’s full potential. Some actually work and can technically uncap your FPS in Genshin Impact. However, there’s a significant caveat. Using FPS unlockers carries risks for your Genshin Impact account. Developer policies on third-party software are seldom lenient: unauthorized modifications are prohibited. In layman’s terms, using these unlockers can get you banned. Is that extra visual smoothness worth potentially losing all your effort and built characters? That’s up to you to decide; proceed with caution.
Among available FPS unlockers, one frequently mentioned name is LagoFast. LagoFast claims to be a “versatile” tool that can unlock Genshin Impact FPS up to 120 FPS or even 144 FPS. While this is technically viable using frame generation techniques, the associated account ban risk remains true for any third-party tool. If tempted to explore this route, do thorough research and understand the risks first. (Curious? Check out LagoFast’s guide on unlocking FPS in Genshin Impact. Remember, we share information, not endorsements!)
In-Game Settings: Your First Line of Defense
Before venturing into third-party territory, revisit the official in-game settings. They won’t unlock 120 FPS but can help optimize performance within the 60 FPS cap and ensure you maximize frames due to demanding settings.
- Graphics Settings: The “FPS” option caps at 60. Ensure it’s set to 60 to utilize your target frame rate efficiently (July 30, 2024).
- Render Resolution: This setting works as a performance lever. Lowering your render resolution can significantly raise your FPS, sacrificing some sharpness. Try values like 0.8 or even 0.6. It may sound drastic, yet in fast action, you might not notice softening while boosting your frame rate.
- V-Sync: V-Sync can both aid and limit. We will discuss this more later. For now, understand that V-Sync can restrict your frame rate. If V-Sync is forced on through your graphics card control panel (NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Radeon Settings), or enabled in-game with a 60Hz display, your frame rate is likely capped at 60 FPS. If your monitor supports 144Hz and V-Sync is active, you might reach 144 FPS. To troubleshoot, try turning V-Sync off in-game and through graphics drivers to check if it limits your FPS.
PC Configuration Tweaks: Unleashing Exclusive Fullscreen
For PC players, specific system-level tweaks may improve performance and ensure you achieve the best possible 60 FPS experience (or explore uncap methods). One commonly cited trick involves disabling fullscreen optimizations.
As of May 1, 2024, a method to potentially boost FPS and stability is to disable fullscreen optimizations for the Genshin Impact executable. You must locate the executable file (usually in the game folder), right-click it, go to “Properties,” then select the “Compatibility” tab. Find “Disable fullscreen optimizations” and check that box. Simultaneously, create a shortcut to the executable and add -window-mode exclusive as a launch option in its properties. This forces the game into exclusive fullscreen mode, potentially improving performance by bypassing some Windows compositing issues. Always check that V-Sync remains off if you want to maximize your frame rate.
AMD Fluid Motion Frames: Frame Generation Frontier
We mentioned this earlier, but it’s important…
This section is for those with compatible AMD hardware. AMD Fluid Motion Frames (AFMF) generates frames to double your perceived frame rate. If your game is at 60 FPS, AFMF makes it look like 120 FPS. It’s not true 120 FPS rendering. It does provide a smoother visual experience. However, as of October 16, 2023, AFMF for Genshin Impact was in preview driver stage. It needs a recent AMD GPU (6000 or 7000 series). Frame generation can introduce artifacts or latency. It isn’t perfect. But it offers options for advanced users with compatible hardware wanting higher frame rates.
Chrome “Uncapping”: A Browser Curiosity
This topic is a bit odd and less relevant for many Genshin Impact fans. Still, we need to discuss it. You can “remove framerate limit and vsync from Chrome.” Why Chrome? Some games run in the Chrome browser. Genshin Impact isn’t primarily browser-based. But there may be web-based components where this applies. To modify your Chrome desktop shortcut, right-click and go to “Properties.” In “Target,” add: –args –disable-gpu-vsync –disable-frame-rate-limit. This starts Chrome without V-Sync and frame rate cap. Its relevance to Genshin Impact may be limited. But it’s an interesting tip for those interested in graphics settings.
3. The Risks of Uncapping: FPS Unlocker Concerns
We hinted at potential downsides of FPS unlockers. Let’s outline it clearly: using these tools has risks. Specifically, there are three main concerns:
- Account Bans: This is the major issue, a threat hanging over your Genshin Impact account. As warned (May 30, 2023), using third-party tools to modify the game client violates terms of service. Developers don’t support unauthorized changes, and FPS unlockers do exactly that. Consequences may be temporary suspensions or permanent bans. Think carefully before risking your account for extra frames.
- System Instability: Pushing your system past its limits can cause problems. Higher frame rates, if your hardware isn’t prepared, could lead to overheating. Your CPU and GPU work harder, creating more heat. If your cooling system is lacking, you’ll experience thermal throttling or system crashes (October 22, 2024). Ensure your system is well-ventilated if you push FPS limits.
- Warranty Void (Rare, but Possible): In rare cases, using third-party tools may void hardware warranties if damage occurs. This risk is less common with FPS unlockers. But it’s something to consider when tweaking system performance beyond limits (October 22, 2024). This risk is less likely than bans or instability, but remain aware.
In conclusion, while wanting higher FPS is natural, especially in demanding games like Genshin Impact, weigh the risks carefully. Account bans exist, and system instability can happen. Proceed carefully and explore safer optimization methods before risky third-party solutions.
4. Enhancing Performance: FPS Optimization Strategies
Now we’ll focus on safe and effective performance optimization techniques. Sticking to the official 60 FPS cap is fine. Yet optimizing your settings ensures you hit that target smoothly without dips. Here’s a toolkit for performance enhancement:
- Graphics Settings (Revisited): We mentioned this earlier. Experiment with lowering graphics settings. Start with “Render Resolution” (try 0.8 or 0.6), then lower shadow quality, effects, and environment detail. Seek a balance between visual quality and performance. V-Sync settings are crucial too (July 30, 2024).
- Game Mode in Windows: If on Windows 10 or 11, enable Game Mode. It prioritizes game processes and allocates resources, reducing background interference. You can find Game Mode in the Windows Settings app under “Gaming.”
- Graphics Card Drivers: Outdated drivers often cause performance issues. Ensure your NVIDIA or AMD graphics drivers are current. Visit their sites to download the latest versions. Driver updates often provide optimizations for specific games like Genshin Impact.
- Power Options: Your power plan settings impact performance. In Windows, go to “Power Options.” Make sure you’re using a “High Performance” plan to prevent throttling your CPU and GPU for power saving.
- Overclocking Your Graphics Card (Advanced): For advanced users, overclocking can improve performance. However, it requires caution and knowledge about your hardware. Overclocking increases GPU clock speeds beyond factory settings. It may raise performance but also heat and instability. Research thoroughly before proceeding.
- Increase RAM: Low RAM may bottleneck performance in memory-heavy games like Genshin Impact. If you have 8GB or less, think about upgrading to 16GB or 32GB. More RAM can enhance overall system responsiveness and reduce stuttering or frame drops.
- Add an SSD: If you’re still using an HDD, switch to an SSD. SSDs provide much faster loading times, lessen stuttering, and improve overall responsiveness. Installing Genshin Impact on an SSD boosts performance.
- Close Background Applications: Running unnecessary background apps consumes system resources (CPU, RAM, disk I/O). This detracts from Genshin Impact optimization. Close unneeded applications while gaming, like browsers or music players. Use Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) to identify and close resource-heavy processes.
- Adjust Monitor Refresh Rate: Ensure your monitor refresh rate is correct in Windows display settings. If you have a 144Hz monitor set to 60Hz, you don’t use its full potential. Set the refresh rate to the highest supported value (e.g., 144Hz) for higher frame rates if achievable.
- Anisotropic Filtering: Anisotropic filtering is a texture filtering method that improves texture clarity at angles, making distant objects clearer. It has limited performance impact, so you can enable it without major FPS drops. Experiment with anisotropic filtering levels in graphics settings for a balance between quality and performance.
- Reduce Lag (General Tips): Besides FPS optimization, lowering lag enhances the gaming experience. Ensure your system meets the minimum Genshin Impact requirements. Free up storage space for better game performance. Close background processes and restart your network to solve lag issues.
Implementing these optimization strategies can ensure your system is at its best, maximizing FPS within the game’s limits for a smoother Genshin Impact experience.
5. VSync: Understanding the Double-Edged Sword
We’ve discussed V-Sync some already; now we’ll explore its function and effects. VSync (Vertical Synchronization) synchronizes your game’s frame rate with your monitor’s refresh rate. It prevents your GPU from rendering frames faster than your monitor displays.
As DeejeyCris puts it, “Vertical sync will lock
V-Sync synchronizes your framerates to your monitor’s refresh rate. For a 60Hz monitor with V-Sync enabled, the frame rate caps at 60 FPS. For 144Hz, it can cap at 144 FPS, provided your system renders that fast.
The primary pro of V-Sync is that it stops screen tearing. This artifact occurs when your GPU produces frames faster than your monitor’s refresh rate. It causes a distortion where two frames mix on screen, showing a horizontal tearing line. V-Sync fixes this by waiting for the monitor to finish displaying a frame before rendering the next, giving a smoother visual experience.
V-Sync has cons too. First, it can reduce your computer’s performance. If your system fails to render frames at or above your monitor’s refresh rate, V-Sync adds lag and drops in frame rate. If your frame rate dips below the refresh rate while V-Sync is on, it can halve your frame rate (say 60 FPS to 30 FPS on a 60Hz monitor), causing stuttering.
When should you use V-Sync? The general recommendation states that if you can keep your FPS above your monitor’s refresh rate, leave them uncapped. If your system runs Genshin Impact at 60 FPS or more consistently on a 60Hz monitor or 144 FPS on a 144Hz one, and you see screen tearing, V-Sync is useful to eliminate that tearing without reducing performance significantly. If your system struggles for high frame rates or you prefer responsiveness over tear-free visuals, disable V-Sync. Accepting some screen tearing may lead to better and steadier frame rates. It’s a trade-off based on your hardware and taste. Check this Reddit thread about getting more than 60 FPS on desktop for more discussion on V-Sync and frame rate capping.
6. FPS Across Platforms: Device-Specific Performance
Genshin Impact plays on various platforms, but FPS performance varies with hardware. Let’s look at each platform:
- Android: Genshin Impact caps at 60 FPS on Android smartphones as of May 27, 2024. Even high-end devices with 120Hz screens usually limit the game to 60 FPS.
- iPhone:
- iPhone 13 Pro Max: Some users report seeing 120 FPS on their iPhones, even if this isn’t stated. One user noted that they achieved smoother gameplay at 120 FPS by turning off the “limit frame rate” option in iOS settings (December 10, 2023). Some iPhone models may handle higher frame rates in Genshin Impact.
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: Rumors hint that the iPhone 16 Pro Max will support 120FPS mode for Genshin Impact (October 4, 2024), suggesting better visual fluidity for high-end iPhones versus PC gaming.
- PS5: The PlayStation 5 (PS5) offers better frame rates than past consoles. It supports up to 120 FPS for suitable games, especially with an HDMI 2.1 port connected to a TV or monitor. Although Genshin Impact may be limited to 60 FPS on PS5, its hardware can achieve higher frame rates in other games and potentially future updates.
- Xbox One S: The Xbox One S is an older generation console. It is not as powerful as the PS5 or modern PCs. This console cannot run games at 120 FPS. It generally runs Genshin Impact at either 30 FPS or 60 FPS based on settings.
- Roblox (Comparison Point): In comparison, Roblox manages more flexible FPS settings. Users can adjust the maximum frame rate from 60FPS to as high as 240 FPS in the settings. The fixed 60 FPS in Genshin Impact seems a choice made for design or optimization, not a strict limit.
7. FPS vs. Hz: Decoding the Display Jargon
FPS (Frames Per Second) and Hz (Hertz) are common terms in gaming discussions, but they have distinct meanings.
- FPS (Frames Per Second): FPS represents how many frames your graphics card renders and sends to the monitor every second. It measures game performance and visual smoothness. A higher FPS tends to yield smoother motion and less input lag.
- Hz (Hertz): Hz indicates your monitor’s refresh rate. It shows how often per second your monitor can refresh the image on screen. A 60Hz monitor refreshes 60 times per second, while a 144Hz monitor refreshes at 144 times per second. Higher refresh rates contribute to smoother motion and reduce motion blur.
The critical relationship between FPS and Hz is that your monitor’s refresh rate (Hz) sets the maximum FPS you can observe. If the game renders at 120 FPS but the monitor is only at 60Hz, you only see 60 frames per second. Extra frames beyond your monitor’s refresh rate are wasted. To utilize higher FPS, you need a monitor with an equal or higher refresh rate. For instance, to view 120 FPS, a 120Hz or higher monitor is required. In simple terms, FPS relates to rendering performance and Hz relates to display capabilities.
8. The Sweet Spot? Optimal FPS and Human Perception
What’s a “good enough” FPS? Why pursue high frame rates? Let’s explore human perception and optimal FPS for gaming.
Experts suggest that effective FPS for human perception is between 30 and 60 FPS. Below 30 FPS, motion feels choppy and less smooth. Motion between 30 and 60 FPS generally feels smooth and playable for most titles. 60 FPS is often a target for enjoyable gameplay.
However, benefits exist past 60 FPS. At 120 FPS, you experience increased fluidity, making scenes appear more realistic (November 4, 2024). Many notice the difference between 60 and 120 FPS in fast-paced games. Motion feels even smoother, input lag reduces further, and visual clarity improves. Gamers who value visual smoothness or play competitively often want higher frame rates like 120 or even 144 FPS.
Your personal preference also matters here. Some individuals find 90 FPS “more than sufficient” (March 16, 2024), balancing smoothness with demands on performance. Others, such as ‘deathstalker_leiurus’, experienced no gameplay hindrance due to lower FPS (March 16, 2024), showing skill isn’t solely tied to frame rates. The ideal FPS differs based on individual sensitivity, game genre, and hardware setup. For Genshin Impact, aiming for steady 60 FPS is a solid goal; if you can achieve more, that’s even better but not necessary for enjoyment.
9. Troubleshooting FPS Woes: Potential Issues and Fixes
Suffering from frustrating FPS drops or performance troubles in Genshin Impact? Let’s explore common issues and possible solutions:
- FPS Drops: Sudden frame rate plunges can arise from numerous factors. One potential reason is viruses
