Before you spend hundreds of dollars on a new GPU or CPU, there’s something most gamers miss.
I personally avoided a GPU upgrade by fixing three settings that were silently limiting performance. My hardware wasn’t weak, it just wasn’t configured correctly.
If your PC should be fast on paper but isn’t delivering in real gameplay, these are the highest-impact settings to check first.
Quick Summary: Best Performance Settings (Fix These First)
| Setting | Difficulty | Time Required | Expected Gain |
| Windows Power Mode | Easy | 2 min | Smoother FPS, better 1% lows |
| Dedicated GPU Selection | Easy | 2 min | Prevents massive FPS loss |
| XMP / DOCP (RAM Speed) | Medium | 5 min | Major CPU & FPS boost |
| NVIDIA / AMD Panel | Easy | 5 min | Stability + frame pacing |
| Thermals & Dust Check | Easy | 5 min | Prevents throttling |
| Windows Game Mode | Easy | 1 min | Stability improvement |
1. Windows Power Mode (The Silent Performance Killer)
The Problem:
Windows prioritizes power savings by default. This causes CPUs to downclock aggressively, parking cores mid-game and creating stutter or inconsistent frame pacing.
The Fix:
Force your CPU to stay responsive under load.
Step-by-Step:
- Press Windows Key + S than search “Choose a power plan.”
- Select High Performance.
- On laptops: Click the battery icon and slide the slider to “Best Performance.”
Expected Result:
- Average FPS: +0–5%
- 1% lows (smoothness): +10–15%
If your game still runs at consistently low FPS even after fixing power settings and GPU selection, the issue may be more fundamental.
→ Read next: Low FPS on High-End PC? Fix It in 15 Minutes (GPU, Driver & Temp Guide)
2. Make Sure Games Use Your Dedicated GPU
The Problem:
Many systems default to integrated graphics (iGPU) even when a powerful GPU is installed—especially on laptops and prebuilt PCs.
The Fix:
Windows Method:
- Go to Settings → System → Display → Graphics.
- Add your specific game exe.
- Click Options → Select High Performance.
Important: If this doesn’t stick, override it in your GPU software (NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Adrenalin).
✅ This setting alone has saved people 50–80 FPS.
Note: This guide uses standard Windows and manufacturer-supported settings. No unsafe tweaks, registry hacks, or risky changes are required. Always review settings carefully, as menus and options may vary by system.
3. Enable XMP / DOCP / EXPO (This One Is Huge)
The Problem:
Your RAM might be rated for 3200–6000 MHz, but it is likely running at a slow 2133 MHz due to default BIOS settings. This cripples CPU performance.
The Fix:
Enable the RAM profile in your motherboard BIOS.
What to Look For:
- Intel: XMP (Extreme Memory Profile)
- AMD (older): DOCP
- AMD (newer): EXPO
Steps (Generalized):
- Restart PC → Enter BIOS (Usually DEL or F2).
- Find “Memory,” “Overclocking,” or “AI Tweaker.”
- Enable XMP / DOCP / EXPO.
- Save & Exit.
Expected Result:
Massive improvement in CPU-bound scenarios, fewer stutters, and much better minimum FPS.
4. NVIDIA / AMD Control Panel (Stability Over Max FPS)
The Problem:
Default driver settings often prioritize power saving or “quality” over latency and speed.
Key NVIDIA Settings to Change:
- Power Management Mode: Prefer Maximum Performance.
- Low Latency Mode: On or Ultra.
- Vertical Sync: Off (Use G-Sync / FreeSync instead if your monitor supports it).
Why This Matters:
V-Sync can add input delay and cause uneven frame pacing. Adaptive sync (G-Sync / FreeSync) gives smoother gameplay without input lag.
Pro Tip: If you have updated your drivers 10+ times without a clean install, use DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) to wipe them clean and reinstall. This fixes “unexplainable” stuttering.
5. Windows Game Mode & Game Bar (Correct Configuration)
The Modern Truth (2025):
Windows Game Mode is actually good now—unlike years ago.
The Strategy:
✅ Leave Game Mode ON
❌ Disable Xbox Game Bar
Go to Settings → Gaming:
- Game Mode: Turn ON.
- Xbox Game Bar: Turn OFF.
- Captures: Turn OFF background recording.
This reduces unnecessary background hooks into your game engine while telling Windows to prioritize the game process.
6. Thermal Throttling & Dust (The Physical Bottleneck)
The Problem:
When temperatures spike, CPUs and GPUs cut clock speeds instantly to save themselves from melting. This causes sudden, deep FPS drops.
Quick Check:
Use HWMonitor or MSI Afterburner.
Warning Signs:
- CPU: Consistently over 85–90°C.
- GPU: Consistently over 83–85°C.
Easy Fix:
Clean your intake fans and dust filters. Ensure your PC has breathing room. No software tweak can fix a PC that is suffocating.
How to Measure If These Changes Worked
Don’t rely on “feeling.” Measure it.
Tools to use:
- MSI Afterburner (with RTSS overlay)
- CapFrameX (Best for detailed analysis)
What to track:
- Average FPS
- 1% Lows (This is your smoothness metric)
- Frametime consistency
If your Average FPS stays the same but your 1% Lows go up, the game will feel significantly smoother.
If your average FPS looks fine but gameplay still feels choppy, uneven, or freezes for split seconds, your problem isn’t raw performance, it’s stuttering.
→ Continue here: Why Games Stutter at High FPS (PC Stuttering Fix Guide), Fast Steps
When Settings Aren’t Enough
If you have done all the above and:
- RAM usage is pinned at 90%+
- Storage is a mechanical HDD
- GPU usage is maxed at 100% with low FPS
Then upgrades make sense. But by following this guide, you ensure that any new hardware you buy will actually perform at its best.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does High Performance mode damage hardware?
No. It simply prevents aggressive power-saving measures. It is perfectly safe for desktop PCs.
Is enabling XMP safe?
Yes. XMP profiles are factory-tested by the RAM manufacturer. It is an advertised feature, not “hacking.”
Should I disable V-Sync completely?
Yes, if you have a G-Sync or FreeSync monitor. If you have an older monitor, V-Sync helps prevent screen tearing but adds input lag.
Do these settings help laptops?
Absolutely. Laptops benefit the most from Power Plan and Thermal fixes because they are aggressively tuned to save battery life by default.