Solved How can I cap FPS at the GPS level? (Nvidia 3050 Ti)

Hey everyone,

I play a little bit of CSGO on my laptop (not a gaming laptop) the GPU manages to run CSGO between 150 to 300FPS.

However, my screen is limited to 60HZ so there are really no benefits for the GPU to render at 60+ fps. I'd rather lock the FPS to 60 save in power and also reduce heat.

There are commands in CSGO to enter in the console to limit the refresh rate to 60fps but that only applies to the screen and the GPU will still be rendering at 200+fps.

Is there any way to cap fps at the GPU level?

Thanks

Sephirote said:

Is there any way to cap fps at the GPU level?

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I've not used the method as I have no need for it.

The most easy way is switching the video mode to Fullscreen (Windowed), if the settings support this. If you don't have this mode but only Windowed, use it and expand window to full screen. As a result, refresh rate will be the same as supported by your monitor, usually 60 Hz. As for Frame rate, if it can be changed in the settings too, the same value is most suitable. But you can increase it to see the quick actions.

This is the most useful setting for me because it allows to launch the game and web browser and instantly switch between them, when you need to search in the Internet some advices or a walkthrough of hard mission. Contrary, in the Fullscreen mode you cannot switch the screens instantly.

If the game settings don't support Fullscreen (Windowed) mode, you can try to change the video driver settings for this particular game. For example, in NVIDIA Control Panel: 3D Settings > Manage 3D settings > Program Settings tab > select your game in drop-down list > Vertical sync. Instead of default global setting you can choose Adaptive or Adaptive (half refresh rate), usually 60 or 30 Hz, which is better for you.

Dru2 said:

I've not used the method as I have no need for it.

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I used the 2nd method and tweaked the settings directly in Nvidia control panel 3d settings and it works like a charm.

Another benefit I hadn't anticipated, fans are much quieter which is a welcome surprise. Also my laptop runs a lot of cooler.

Thanks

@Slavic, what game doesn`t support full screen, and who would play their game windowed ??

He wants to cap his GPU at 60 FPS, his screen is already capped at 60Hz.

As mentioned above, I would cap all the games you want to play @60 FPS in Nvidia control panel.

AddRAM, I didn't use this setting Max Frame Rate, maybe because in-game settings were enough.

Here is an example to illustrate my suggestion, with opened drop-down screen mode control (not every game supports all these modes, but it becomes more widespread)
Fullscreen - "classic" 3D setting, exclusive video game mode with max possible refresh and frame rates;
Windowed - game GUI works on the desktop with current OS screen settings, can be maximised, but it remains window controls;
Fullscreen (Windowed) - game GUI works on the desktop but always takes full screen and uses its own controls.

Understood :)

Max frame rate in Nvidia control panel will override any game fps limiters. Have you tried yet @Slavic?

Kol12 said:

Max frame rate in Nvidia control panel will override any game fps limiters. Have you tried yet @Slavic?

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Not yet, I think that intentional limiting much below 60 Hz, which is set in UI above, would be excessive for me. Usually I try to avoid high load of CPU and GPU, and 60 Hz is enough. I know that some people are constantly monitoring the performances and temperatures, maybe it's reasonable for intensive PC usage, but I make conclusion by the noise of the CPU and GPU fans, which are almost silent in idle. If the noise becomes too loud, something should be changed, like in-game environment or simply a camera orientation. But such cases are very rare.

Usually i would agree, But Counter strike especially, Higher frames are better, even if you cant see them on you're 60hz screen, you can feel em. Take this from someone who's global.
Any other kind of game, match you're refresh rate, Highly competitive fps games id take it off in this case and let it go to what it wants.
Im the same here, 60hz screen but running at around 300-400fps
I tried putting it back on and limiting to 60 just to see, and it felt like the most extreme imput lag ive ever felt by comparison xD

This is really a owner thing, he`s using a laptop and doesn`t want it to get hot.
You could slowly raise the FPS in the Nvidia Control Panel til you get it good enough for your eyes and gameplay.

AddRAM said:

This is really a owner thing, he`s using a laptop and doesn`t want it to get hot.
You could slowly raise the FPS in the Nvidia Control Panel til you get it good enough for your eyes and gameplay.

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Without seeing the temps i wouldn't wanna assume that its making it run too hot. But yeah i guess that could be a possibility.
Depends on how competitive/serious you take CS.

Sephirote said:

I used the 2nd method and tweaked the settings directly in Nvidia control panel 3d settings and it works like a charm.

Another benefit I hadn't anticipated, fans are much quieter which is a welcome surprise. Also my laptop runs a lot of cooler.

Thanks

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Glad it worked for you.

Thanks :)

Slavic said:

AddRAM, I didn't use this setting Max Frame Rate, maybe because in-game settings were enough.

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Not all games have in-game frame limiter settings.

Devlin1888 said:

Usually i would agree, But Counter strike especially, Higher frames are better, even if you cant see them on you're 60hz screen, you can feel em. Take this from someone who's global.
Any other kind of game, match you're refresh rate, Highly competitive fps games id take it off in this case and let it go to what it wants.
Im the same here, 60hz screen but running at around 300-400fps
I tried putting it back on and limiting to 60 just to see, and it felt like the most extreme imput lag ive ever felt by comparison xD

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Maybe for competitive players?
I haven't noticed any difference, it's as smooth as it was when the game was running a 300 fps. Absolutely no difference to the eye or to the "feel".
For me, a casual player, 0 benefits for running CSGO at higher FPS than my screen's refresh rate.

I've enjoyed playing a lot more yesterday after I capped FPS to 60 FPS as the laptop was a lot quieter (I didn't realize how much of a difference it could make) and ran cooler to the touch as well.

Sephirote said:

Maybe for competitive players?
I haven't noticed any difference, it's as smooth as it was when the game was running a 300 fps. Absolutely no difference to the eye or to the "feel".
For me, a casual player, 0 benefits for running CSGO at higher FPS than my screen's refresh rate.

I've enjoyed playing a lot more yesterday after I capped FPS to 60 FPS as the laptop was a lot quieter (I didn't realize how much of a difference it could make) and ran cooler to the touch as well.

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Ahh cool man thats all good! Just casual and CS dont really usually come into the same sentence xD Usually its COD if you want casual but for sure if thats better for you go for it!
For me it was the difference between DMG and Global Elite :)

Sephirote said:

I used the 2nd method and tweaked the settings directly in Nvidia control panel 3d settings and it works like a charm.

Another benefit I hadn't anticipated, fans are much quieter which is a welcome surprise. Also my laptop runs a lot of cooler.

Thanks

Click to expand...

And that exactly what you wanted, good job :)

Devlin1888 said:

Usually i would agree, But Counter strike especially, Higher frames are better, even if you cant see them on you're 60hz screen, you can feel em. Take this from someone who's global.

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While you have a great point, I don't think that was the OP's situation. Some old games run on new hardware can run at 250+fps and become so fast as to become an unenjoyable annoyance. You may also experience tearing and other graphical anomalies.

Anyway, we all want fast frame rates, but not at the expense of enjoyment and graphical issues

Dru2 said:

While you have a great point, I don't think that was the OP's situation. Some old games run on new hardware can run at 250+fps and become so fast as to become an unenjoyable annoyance. You may also experience tearing and other graphical anomalies.

Anyway, we all want fast frame rates, but not at the expense of enjoyment and graphical issues

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Oh no no dont get me twisted, Im 60 fps only in every game but CS xD Its literally my only exception to matching refresh rate xD, It does tear for me on cs at high frames ofc but i dont notice it, it only tears at the sides of the screen and well im looking at a crosshair 90% of the time xD But yeah tearing is horrific in any other scenario xD

I can't do it. I tried running Unreal, and Deus EX GOTY, and found I had to use a limiter as the games were a total annoyance running 250+ frames per second. Had to use a limiter just to slow the game down - What Games Are You Playing? - Windows 7 Help Forums