Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallThe best settings for smooth team-based PvP play are the ones that keep frame times stable, present your monitor at its full refresh rate, and remove latency sources without making opponents difficult to see. There is no universal preset: start from a measured baseline, lower the most expensive visual options in small groups, test each change in practice or another low-stakes mode, and restore visual quality one option at a time once performance is dependable.
What “smooth” means in a team PvP game
Smoothness is more than a high FPS number. A game can report a large average while still feeling uneven if frame times spike during fights, effects, or crowded objectives. Conversely, a lower but consistent frame rate can feel easier to aim in because each input is presented at a predictable interval.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Three parts of the chain matter:
- Rendering: the game must produce frames quickly and consistently enough for your hardware.
- Display: the monitor must actually run at the refresh rate you intend to use.
- Input and presentation: your mouse, CPU/GPU queue, synchronization mode, and display pipeline determine how long an action takes to appear.
FPS and refresh rate are related but not identical. FPS is how quickly the game renders frames; refresh rate is how quickly the monitor can show them. Set the monitor to its highest supported refresh rate before judging whether your display is operating as intended.
Riot Games Support’s guidance, dated October 7, 2026, is the right starting principle: “There’s no single perfect setup for every PC.” The same guidance recommends, “Start by lowering a few settings at a time and testing the game again.” Use that method across games because menu names and the performance impact of individual options vary by title, graphics API, driver, and hardware.
#1 Best Overall
- 【INTEGRATED SPEAKERS】Whether you're at work or in the midst of an intense gaming session, our built-in speakers provide rich and seamless audio, all while keeping your desk clutter-free.
- 【EASY ON THE EYES】 Protect your eyes and enhance your comfort with Blue-Light Shift technology. This feature reduces harmful blue light emissions from your screen, helping to alleviate eye strain during long hours of use and promoting healthier viewing habits.
- 【WIDEN YOUR PERSPECTIVE】Our sleek minimal bezel design ensures undivided attention. The nearly bezel-free display seamlessly connects in a dual monitor arrangement, delivering an unobstructed view that lets you focus on more at once, completely distraction-free.
Establish a baseline before changing anything
A baseline prevents a placebo improvement from becoming your new “best” setting. Use the same map, replay, training range, or practice scenario for every comparison. Choose a scene that includes ordinary movement, combat effects, and the busiest situation you regularly encounter.
- Load a practice range or another low-stakes mode.
- Record the in-game FPS display. If the game provides frame-time or latency indicators, record those too.
- Repeat the same movement and camera route for each test. Do not compare a quiet spawn area with a team fight.
- Change only one small group of related options, then restart the game when the title or Windows requires it.
- Keep a note of the setting, the observed FPS and frame-time behavior, image quality, tearing, and how responsive aiming feels.
Do not claim a percentage improvement unless you have measured it on a specified PC, in a specified scene, with the same version and display conditions. There is no independent cross-game benchmark that establishes one universal “best” preset.
Which graphics settings should you lower first?
Lower the options that add scene complexity before sacrificing resolution. Riot’s general guidance identifies shadows, effects, post-processing, detail or environment quality, anti-aliasing, and textures as common high-impact categories. The exact cost differs by game, so treat the order below as a testing sequence rather than a promise that every option has the same effect.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
1. Shadows
Shadow quality can require additional shadow-map work and filtering, particularly in large or detailed scenes. Move from Ultra or High to Medium, then test a fight involving several characters and effects. Lower settings can make shadows less defined, so check whether you still notice useful enemy or map information.
2. Effects, particles, and post-processing
Explosions, smoke, spell effects, bloom, motion blur, depth of field, and other post-processing passes often become expensive when several teammates use abilities at once. Lower effects and particles first if slowdowns happen during ultimates or objective fights. Disable motion blur and depth of field if they make targets harder to track; these are visibility choices as much as performance choices.
3. Environment, detail, and material quality
Environment, object-detail, geometry, and material options control how much scenery and surface information the game draws. Reduce them one step and inspect long sightlines, doorways, and objective areas. A lower setting can reduce visual clutter, but it may also remove detail that helps you read cover or elevation.
4. Anti-aliasing
Anti-aliasing smooths jagged edges, but some methods cost more GPU time than others. Test the next lower quality or a less expensive method before abandoning it entirely. Look at thin railings, character outlines, and distant objects while moving the camera; shimmering can be more distracting than a small FPS gain is useful.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Rank #2
- Vivid Color, Fast Response, Total Control - The 24" UltraGear FHD gaming monitor delivers vivid HDR10 color, ultra-smooth 120Hz speed, and 1ms MBR clarity. G-SYNC compatibility & FreeSync keep gameplay tear-free. The sleek, slim design keep you focused and in control.
- Vivid Color That Puts You in the Action - Step onto the battlefield with HDR10 visuals and up to 99% sRGB color gamut coverage. The IPS display delivers rich, vivid tones, so every explosion, shadow, and landscape appears exactly as the developers intended.
- 120Hz Native Speed (144Hz Overclock) - Enjoy fluid, crystal-clear gameplay with a 120Hz native refresh rate, boosted to 144Hz when overclocked. Minimized motion blur keeps every frame sharp, so you can stay locked in on the action.
- 1ms MBR: Fast-Paced Speed to Victory - 1ms Motion Blur Reduction (MBR) keeps gameplay smooth and sharp, cutting blur and ghosting so fast-moving action stays clear—helping you stay competitive when every millisecond counts.
- NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible & AMD FreeSync - NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible and AMD FreeSync deliver smooth, tear-free, low-latency gaming with high refresh rates—so every frame stays sharp.
5. Textures
Textures affect image clarity and usually depend heavily on available video memory. Lower them if you see stutter when turning quickly, entering new areas, or loading detailed character and map assets. If your card has sufficient memory, textures may be a better quality-preserving option than reducing resolution, but the correct choice is game- and hardware-specific.
6. Resolution
Lowering resolution reduces rendering work, but Riot notes that the image-quality hit is more noticeable. Use it after the settings above if your GPU remains the limiting factor. Check text, distant silhouettes, and fine reticles at the new resolution; a technically higher FPS is not useful if opponents become harder to identify.
| Setting group | Why test it | What to inspect after lowering |
|---|---|---|
| Shadows | Can add substantial shadow-map and filtering work | Useful shadow information and visibility around cover |
| Effects and particles | Heavy fights can produce many simultaneous effects | Clarity during abilities, explosions, smoke, and objectives |
| Post-processing | Adds extra image-processing passes | Motion clarity, bloom, depth of field, and target readability |
| Environment and detail | Controls scene complexity and object detail | Long sightlines, cover edges, and map information |
| Anti-aliasing | Can use GPU time to smooth edges | Edge shimmer on models, rails, and distant geometry |
| Textures | Uses video memory and can contribute to asset-loading stutter | Surface clarity and hitching while moving through the map |
| Resolution | Directly reduces the number of pixels rendered | Text, reticles, silhouettes, and overall image quality |
Choose a display mode deliberately
Test fullscreen against your current windowed or borderless mode when the game offers both. Riot says fullscreen may improve performance on some systems, but it is not a guaranteed uplift. Borderless mode can make switching applications easier, while fullscreen may reduce some desktop presentation overhead depending on the game and Windows configuration.
Use the same scene and the same synchronization setting when comparing modes. If one mode changes scaling, resolution, HDR behavior, or refresh rate, correct those variables before judging performance. A mode that reports a higher FPS but introduces inconsistent frame times or awkward alt-tabbing may not be the better competitive choice.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesSet the monitor to its maximum supported refresh rate
A high-FPS game cannot make a monitor refresh faster than the monitor’s configured limit. In Windows, open Settings > System > Display > Advanced display, select the correct display, and choose the highest refresh rate offered for that monitor. GPU control-panel display settings may also expose the mode. Then check the game’s own display menu and select the same supported refresh rate when the option is available.
Confirm the result with the monitor’s on-screen display or Windows’ advanced display page. If a game silently switches to a lower mode after launch, correct the in-game setting and test again. Refresh rate does not guarantee a particular FPS; it only defines how often the display can present a new image.
If you are considering hardware later, a 144Hz gaming monitor is an optional upgrade category, not a universal requirement. First use the maximum refresh rate your existing monitor supports. A new display cannot fix unstable frame times caused by graphics settings, CPU limits, background activity, or a poorly configured game.
Rank #3
- MSI's 23.8-inch Full HD IPS gaming monitor (1920×1080) delivers a 1500:1 contrast ratio with wide 178°/178° viewing angles — producing deeper blacks, brighter highlights, and accurate colors from virtually any position for gaming and productivity.
- TÜV Rheinland certified Flicker Free and Low Blue Light — eliminating the ~200Hz screen flicker common on standard monitors and reducing harmful blue light exposure to minimize eye strain during extended gaming or work sessions.
- 144Hz high refresh rate delivers ultra-smooth motion and sharper tracking versus standard 60Hz or 75Hz monitors — keeping every frame fluid and responsive for fast-paced FPS, racing, and action games without screen tearing or stuttering.
- MSI's built-in Eye-Q Check provides a vision assessment tool to help optimize display settings for healthier long-term viewing — designed for professionals and students spending extended hours in front of a Full HD IPS screen.
- Tilt-adjustable stand (-5°~20°) for comfortable viewing at any desk setup, with VESA 100×100mm wall mount compatibility for monitor arms, brackets, and multi-monitor arrangements — reducing neck strain during long gaming or work sessions.
Should VSync be on or off for competitive games?
VSync synchronizes rendered frames with the display to reduce tearing. Disabling it can improve performance or reduce input delay in some systems, but it can expose visible horizontal splits between portions of two frames. There is no source-backed setting that is best for every monitor, game, and player.
- Choose a repeatable practice scene.
- Test VSync on and note tearing, frame-time consistency, and aiming feel.
- Test VSync off under the same conditions.
- Keep the mode that gives you the best combination of stable delivery, acceptable tearing, and comfortable responsiveness.
Do not judge VSync from a quiet menu. Team fights, rapid camera turns, and dense effects reveal the tradeoff. If tearing is unacceptable with VSync off, synchronization may be worth the small responsiveness tradeoff on your system. If input delay is your priority and tearing is tolerable, off may feel better. Record the choice with your baseline notes so a future driver or game update can be compared fairly.
Windows 11 windowed-game optimization
Windows 11 includes Optimizations for windowed games for compatible DirectX 10 and DirectX 11 games running in windowed or borderless mode. Microsoft says the feature transitions compatible presentation to the flip model to reduce frame latency. It is not a universal setting and does not apply to every game or graphics API.
To test it, open Settings > System > Display > Graphics, find the game, open its options, and enable the windowed-game optimization when Windows offers it. Restart the game after changing the option, then repeat the same baseline route. If performance or stability worsens, return to the same menu and disable it. Keep fullscreen testing separate so you know which change caused an improvement or regression.
Reduce latency without blindly changing driver options
Latency includes peripheral, PC, and display portions. A graphics preset alone cannot eliminate every delay. Start with the game’s own latency tools, then test one driver or hardware change at a time.
NVIDIA Reflex, when the game supports it
NVIDIA Reflex is a vendor- and game-specific feature that synchronizes CPU and GPU work to reduce rendering-pipeline stalls. NVIDIA says it is most effective when the system is GPU-bound or GPU utilization is high. Use the current in-game guidance for the specific title and measure where possible; do not assume that a feature available in one game exists or behaves identically in another.
NVIDIA says Reflex overrides its own Ultra Low Latency functionality when both are enabled. Avoid enabling both blindly. NVIDIA also says Enabled + Boost can use more power and slightly lower frame rate. In its Counter-Strike 2 discussion, NVIDIA recommends that mode for players who prioritize the lowest latency over the highest frame rate. Decide based on your measured frame times, temperature, power behavior, and responsiveness rather than the label alone.
Rank #4
- up to 180Hz Refresh Rate: Pushing beyond the standard 144Hz, 165Hz gives gamers an edge in visibility as frames transition instantly, leaving behind no blurred images.
- IPS Panel: The IPS (In-Plane Switching) panel cannot be beat when it comes to consistently delivering top color performance and sharp visibility from multiple viewing angles.
- AMD FreeSync: With FreeSync, gamers now enjoy smooth video and seamless on the spot movement through their fast paced games. FreeSync is an AMD technology that nearly eliminates tearing and stuttering due to differences between a graphics card's frame rate and a monitor's refresh rate.
- Edgeless Design: Edgeless Design completely immerses you in all the captivating action and wondrous scenery that 1080P resolution and 165Hz refresh rate have to offer.
- Multiple Digital Ports: While three HDMI ports each deliver an impressive 144Hz refresh rate, one DisplayPort produces a stunning 165Hz refresh rate, all in FHD resolution.
NVIDIA’s Counter-Strike 2 article, published September 27, 2023, reports up to 35% lower system latency for compatible players using Reflex. That is a vendor-reported figure for the cited context, not an independent test, a guarantee, or a result that applies to every PvP game or PC.
Mouse polling and sensitivity
NVIDIA’s latency guide presents a vendor estimate that 125Hz polling can add up to 3ms of average system latency compared with 1000Hz. Treat that as an NVIDIA estimate, not an independent measurement or a promise for a particular mouse. The same guide says mouse sensitivity does not significantly affect mouse latency and that higher DPI does not itself mean lower latency.
A mouse with an adjustable polling rate is an optional future upgrade, not a substitute for configuring graphics, display refresh rate, and synchronization. Test a higher polling rate only if your game and system remain stable; do not trade frame-time consistency for a setting that your hardware cannot sustain.
How to identify the real bottleneck
Use utilization and behavior, not assumptions. A GPU running near full utilization during the test scene suggests that visual quality or resolution changes may help. A CPU-limited scene may respond little to lower resolution but improve when simulation-heavy detail or background activity is reduced. A sudden hitch while entering an area points toward asset streaming or memory pressure rather than a simple average-FPS problem.
- GPU-bound signs: GPU utilization is high, lowering resolution or effects raises FPS, and frame times improve when pixel or shader work is reduced.
- CPU-bound signs: lowering resolution changes little, busy team fights cause drops, or one or more CPU cores remain heavily loaded.
- Memory or streaming signs: brief freezes occur while turning into new areas, textures appear late, or lowering textures reduces hitching.
- Display or synchronization signs: FPS appears adequate but tearing, uneven delivery, or a refresh-rate mismatch makes motion feel wrong.
- Background-process signs: stutters coincide with recording, updates, browser activity, overlays, or other programs consuming CPU, GPU, disk, or network resources.
Close unnecessary overlays and background applications for a controlled test, but do not permanently disable security or system services without understanding the consequences. If a change does not alter the bottleneck’s behavior, restore it and test the next category instead of stacking tweaks.
A repeatable optimization workflow
- Record the starting state: resolution, display mode, refresh rate, VSync state, graphics preset, FPS, and any frame-time or latency indicator.
- Verify the display: set the monitor to its highest supported refresh rate in Windows or GPU display settings, then confirm the game uses it.
- Lower expensive visuals in groups: test shadows first, then effects and post-processing, environment or detail, anti-aliasing, and textures as needed.
- Test resolution last among graphics changes: lower it only when the preceding changes do not provide stable delivery or the GPU remains the clear bottleneck.
- Compare display modes: test fullscreen against the current windowed or borderless mode using the same scene.
- Compare VSync states: evaluate tearing, frame-time behavior, and aiming response rather than FPS alone.
- Test Windows 11 optimization when applicable: use it only for compatible DirectX 10/11 windowed or borderless games, and restart afterward.
- Use game-integrated latency features carefully: if Reflex is available, follow the game’s current guidance and avoid simultaneously forcing a conflicting driver mode.
- Recheck in a real match: after practice testing, confirm the result in an ordinary match or scrimmage before locking the profile.
- Restore quality one option at a time: raise a setting, repeat the test, and keep it only if frame times and visibility remain acceptable.
How to compare two configurations fairly
When deciding between “higher quality” and “lower latency,” compare the same scene and capture the same evidence. The useful axes are:
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →| Comparison axis | Question to answer |
|---|---|
| Average FPS and frame-time stability | Does the configuration remain consistent during movement and team fights, not just in an empty area? |
| Input responsiveness or supported latency metric | Does aiming and firing feel quicker, and does the game provide a metric that can be recorded? |
| Visibility and image quality | Can you read silhouettes, reticles, cover, and effects without distracting blur or shimmer? |
| Tearing and display behavior | Does the synchronization choice introduce visible tearing or uneven presentation? |
| GPU/CPU utilization and power | Which component is limiting performance, and does a latency mode increase power or reduce frame rate? |
These are practical comparison dimensions derived from the rendering, display, and latency tradeoffs; they are not a universal benchmark protocol. Use your own repeatable scene and publishable measurements only when you can state the hardware, game version, map, mode, and display conditions.
Best Value
- 27" 1500R Up to 160Hz Curved Gaming Monitor FHD 1920x1080P 1Ms (MPRT) for Gaming, Movie, Working,support with 144Hz, 120Hz(depend on signal source device's hardware).
- Gamer-Centric Features: Game Assistant (Black Level Adjustment(shadow booster), Crosshair, Timer, Counter) | Preset Modes (FPS/RTS/Racing/Office/Movie/SRGB).
- Immersive & Clear Viewing: 1500R curvature reduces image distortion and eyestrain. 160Hz refresh rate, 1ms (MPRT) response time, FreeSync
- Color Control: 4000:1 Contrast Ratio, 300 nits Brightness & 110% sRGB color coverage, Low Blue Light, Anti-Flicker/Anti-Glare, HDR Mode(can be enabled in the OSD menu only when connected via an HDMI port). If color not showing great on games, try to change color setting or just turn on the HDR mode.
- Jacks: HDMI 2.0(160Hz max), DP 1.4(160Hz max), Audio Jack(No Speakers) | VESA 100x100mm | Tilt (-5°~15°±2°).
Common mistakes and recovery steps
Changing everything at once
If you switch resolution, VSync, display mode, driver latency settings, and every quality option together, you cannot tell what helped. Restore the last known profile, change one group, and repeat the baseline route.
Chasing average FPS while ignoring frame times
A higher average can hide severe fight-time drops. Use frame-time data when the game exposes it and judge the busiest scene you can reproduce.
Assuming fullscreen or VSync is universally best
Fullscreen may improve performance on some systems, while VSync may reduce tearing but add delay. Test both against your current mode instead of treating either label as a guarantee.
Lowering resolution before easier quality cuts
Resolution has a more noticeable image-quality cost. Lower shadows, effects, post-processing, detail, anti-aliasing, and textures first, then revisit resolution if the GPU remains limiting.
Forgetting the monitor setting
Even a game rendering many frames can feel wrong if Windows is using a lower refresh rate. Recheck Settings > System > Display > Advanced display after driver updates, cable changes, or connecting another monitor.
Stacking latency features
Reflex and a driver’s Ultra Low Latency mode should not be forced together when Reflex is active; NVIDIA says Reflex overrides its own Ultra Low Latency functionality. Change one latency control at a time and watch power use and frame rate when using Enabled + Boost.
When a hardware upgrade is justified
Settings changes are the first step because they are reversible and reveal the bottleneck. Consider a monitor upgrade only after confirming that your current display is already configured at its maximum supported refresh rate and that your PC can deliver stable frames at the desired quality. A 144Hz gaming monitor can provide a higher refresh ceiling, but the evidence does not establish it as a universal minimum or a guarantee of better play.
Recommended Free Tools
A mouse with adjustable polling rate is secondary. NVIDIA’s latency guidance makes clear that polling contributes only one part of the chain, and higher DPI alone does not guarantee lower latency. Do not buy a mouse to compensate for unstable frame times, an incorrect refresh-rate setting, or a poorly chosen VSync mode.
Quick Recap
Practical end-state checklist
- Baseline FPS and frame-time behavior are recorded in a repeatable practice scene.
- Windows and the game use the monitor’s highest supported refresh rate.
- Shadows, effects, post-processing, detail, anti-aliasing, and textures were tested in small groups.
- Resolution was changed only after easier visual-quality adjustments were evaluated.
- Fullscreen and the current windowed or borderless mode were compared under the same conditions.
- VSync was tested both on and off, with tearing and responsiveness considered together.
- Windows 11 windowed-game optimization was tested only where DirectX 10/11 compatibility applies, followed by a restart.
- Reflex or another game-integrated latency feature was enabled only when supported, with driver conflicts avoided.
- Any restored quality setting was checked again during a real team fight, not just in a quiet menu.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
