What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
For a demanding game that misses 1440p at 60 frames per second on Steam Machine, disable ray tracing first. Then use the game’s FSR mode and reduce its most expensive quality settings. Treat frame generation as a separate option rather than proof of native 60 FPS, and judge the result by frame-time consistency in demanding scenes—not only the average counter.
There is no universal 1440p/60 preset
Steam Machine performance changes substantially from one game, engine and patch to another. A setting that is cheap in one title can be expensive in another, so a fixed “best” preset cannot guarantee 60 FPS at 1440p. The most dependable method is to establish a repeatable test scene, change one major variable at a time and keep the output resolution, upscaler mode and frame-generation state clearly identified.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Also separate four different ideas that are often collapsed into one number:
Recommended Free Tools
- Output resolution: the signal sent to the display, such as 2560×1440.
- Internal rendering resolution: the resolution at which the game actually draws its frames before any upscaling.
- Displayed frame rate: the frames shown after any upscaling and frame-generation processing.
- Base frame rate: frames produced by the game simulation and renderer before generated frames are inserted.
A game can output a 1440p signal while rendering internally below 1440p. It can also show a counter near 60 FPS while its base rate is around 30 FPS if frame generation is enabled. Those configurations may look and feel different from native 1440p rendering at a genuine 60 FPS.
#1 Best Overall
- QHD Resolution (2560 x 1440) has 1.7 times the pixel density of Full HD for incredibly detailed pinsharp images
- HDR10 provides brighter highlights and nuanced shadow for added depth - making every scene feel more vivid and realistic
- The 180Hz refresh rate minimizes lag for gameplay with ultra-smooth action. Plus, the 1ms response time helps capture your moves in real-time, allowing you to react fast for gaming precision
- AMD FreeSync reduces choppiness, screen lag and image tearing, ensuring that your fast-paced, complex in-game action is stable with minimal stutter
- Ergonomic stand allows for tilt, pivot and height adjustments to maximize gaming comfort
What Steam Machine Verified does—and does not—promise
Valve’s 2026 Steamworks presentation defines the Steam Machine Verified target as 30 FPS at 1080p. The program does not test display resolution or legibility. Therefore, a Verified badge is not a certification of 1440p output, native 1440p rendering or 60 FPS.
Steam Machine uses SteamOS and Proton, but compatibility and performance still depend on the individual game and its graphics options. A title can run correctly and meet the Verified criteria while requiring lower settings, upscaling or a lower refresh target for a smooth 1440p presentation.
Which settings should you change first?
1. Turn off ray tracing
Ray tracing is the first switch to test when a demanding game falls well short of 60 FPS. It can add expensive lighting, reflections and shadows to every frame. In PC Gamer’s Cyberpunk 2077 test, 1440p Medium with ray tracing enabled, FSR Quality and no frame generation averaged 28 FPS. GamersNexus recorded 21 FPS in its 1080p Cyberpunk ray-tracing test; after a tested patch, that particular result rose to 22.8 FPS.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Those numbers are measurements of Cyberpunk under the stated test conditions, not a universal percentage penalty for every game. They do show why ray tracing should be removed before you sacrifice resolution or attempt to hide a low base rate with generated frames.
2. Select a sensible FSR mode
If the game offers AMD FSR, choose a normal graphics preset first, then compare its Quality, Balanced or Performance modes. FSR renders internally below the selected output resolution and reconstructs the image. Moving toward Performance generally increases speed by lowering internal resolution, but fine detail and motion stability can suffer.
Rank #2
- Quality Visuals: The KG271U 27" IPS monitor with 2560 x 1440 QHD resolution in a 16:9 aspect ratio presents stunning, high-quality images with excellent detail. The zero-frame design does away with the thick frames found on conventional monitors freeing up precious screen space.
- AMD FreeSync Technology: Say “goodbye” to stuttering and tearing. With AMD FreeSync, the monitor’s frames are synced with the graphics card’s frames, which eliminates screen tearing and provide the smoothest gaming experience.
- Up to 180Hz: The 180Hz refresh rate speeds up the frames per second to deliver an ultra-smooth 2D motion scene. With a rapid refresh rate of up to 180Hz, Acer Gaming Monitors shorten the time it takes for frame rendering, lower input lag and provide gamers an excellent in-game experience.
- Responsive!!: Up to 0.5ms GTG (Gray to Gray) response time enhanced gamers’ in-game experience. No matter the fast-moving action or any dramatic transitions will be all rendered smoothly without the annoying effects of smearing or ghosting with KG271U Gaming Monitor.
- New Depths of Color Accuracy: is monitor is ideal for color-critical projects producing accurate colors, supporting DCI-P3 95%. An amazing monitor for graphic designers, photographers, and film editors.
“1440p with FSR” therefore describes the output target, not necessarily native 2560×1440 rendering. Record the FSR mode beside the resolution whenever you compare results. Valve explicitly includes upscaling in its performance target, so an upscaled image is part of the intended way to reach higher output resolutions on this hardware.
3. Reduce the expensive quality options
After ray tracing and upscaling, lower the settings that materially affect GPU or CPU workload in that particular title. Depending on the engine, these can include shadows, volumetric effects, reflections, ambient occlusion, crowd density, view distance and foliage. The available evidence does not establish one fixed order that applies to every game, so use the game’s own performance impact rather than blindly moving every slider to Low.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Keep texture quality high enough for the available memory when it does not materially change frame time; lowering textures can make an image blurry without fixing a GPU bottleneck. Conversely, if frame time spikes occur when many characters or vehicles appear, crowd or simulation settings may matter more than another small reduction in texture detail.
4. Treat frame generation as an optional final layer
Frame generation inserts generated images between conventionally rendered frames. It can raise the displayed counter, but it does not make the base renderer faster. PC Gamer reported a 58–61 FPS average in Cyberpunk at 4K using Medium settings, ray tracing off, FSR Performance and 2× frame generation. The same review put the base rate at about 30 FPS and noted added latency and visible image artifacts.
Use frame generation only after the base rate is reasonably stable. A generated 60-FPS counter built on an erratic 25–30 FPS base can still feel delayed or uneven, especially during camera movement. Report both rates when you describe such a setup.
Rank #3
- 27-inch 2560 x 1440 HDR gaming monitor with ultrafast 180Hz refresh rate designed for professional gamers and immersive gameplay
- ASUS Fast IPS technology enables a 1ms response time (GTG) for sharp gaming visuals with high frame rates
- ASUS Extreme Low Motion Blur Sync (ELMB SYNC) technology enables ELMB together with variable refresh rate, eliminating ghosting and tearing for sharp gaming visuals with high frame rates.
- DisplayWidget Center enables easy OSD access and monitor settings adjustments with a mouse.
- USB Type-C hub supports video transmission in DisplayPort signal; can serve as a USB hub, meaning that you can connect your device to your wired peripherals with clutter-free set-up
5. Check frame pacing, not just the average
Average FPS hides pauses and uneven delivery. Two configurations can both average 60 FPS while one produces regular frame times and the other alternates between fast and slow frames. Look at frame-time graphs or at least the lows during traversal, combat and busy city areas. GamersNexus reports frame-time behavior and lows alongside averages in its testing; that is the more useful model for evaluating smoothness.
What the published Cyberpunk tests actually demonstrate
| Test conditions | Reported result | How to interpret it |
|---|---|---|
| PC Gamer: 1440p, Medium, ray tracing on, FSR Quality, no frame generation | 28 FPS average | Ray tracing can make a 1440p target unattainable even with an upscaler. |
| GamersNexus: 1080p ray-tracing test | 21 FPS average; 22.8 FPS after the tested patch | A game-specific illustration of the cost of ray tracing; not a universal Steam Machine result. |
| PC Gamer: 4K, Medium, ray tracing off, FSR Performance, 2× frame generation | 58–61 FPS average, with a base rate around 30 FPS | The displayed rate can approach 60 while the game itself is rendering at roughly half that rate, with added latency and artifacts. |
The tests use different resolutions, settings and software versions, so their numbers should not be averaged together. Their value is diagnostic: they show why ray tracing state, FSR mode and frame-generation state must accompany every FPS claim.
A repeatable procedure for reaching 1440p and 60 FPS
- Update and start from a known state. Use the same game build for every comparison. Disable frame generation initially and select the game’s standard Medium preset unless you have a reason to begin elsewhere.
- Set the desired output. Choose 2560×1440 if that is the display target. Note whether the game is using exclusive fullscreen, borderless fullscreen or another presentation mode, because you need the same mode in each test.
- Record the baseline. Run through a demanding area for several minutes. Write down average FPS, the lowest observed behavior or one-percent lows if the game exposes them, and whether frame times are visibly uneven.
- Disable ray tracing. Retest the same route. If the result improves substantially, keep ray tracing off while you work on the remaining settings.
- Test FSR Quality, then lower modes only as needed. Keep the output at 1440p and change only the FSR mode. Inspect foliage, thin geometry, text and moving objects while checking frame time.
- Reduce costly effects one group at a time. Try shadows, volumetrics, reflections, view distance or crowd density according to what the game exposes. Stop lowering a setting when its visual loss exceeds its frame-time benefit.
- Recheck the worst scenes. A quiet hallway is not a useful 60-FPS test if the game later enters a crowded hub or combat encounter. Use the most demanding repeatable section available.
- Consider frame generation last. Enable it only when the base rate is stable enough for the added latency to be acceptable. Record the base and displayed rates separately.
How to compare two configurations fairly
Use the same game version and the same scene or route. For each configuration, report all of the following:
- Output resolution and display refresh target.
- Internal resolution when the game exposes it, or the exact FSR mode.
- Graphics preset and the ray-tracing state.
- Average FPS plus lows or frame-time consistency.
- Whether frame generation is enabled, including its multiplier if shown.
- Visible image-quality changes, latency and artifacts.
Do not describe generated output as equivalent to native 60 FPS. A transparent comparison might read: “1440p output, FSR Performance, ray tracing off, 31 FPS base, 60 FPS displayed with 2× frame generation.” That tells the reader what the counter cannot.
Choosing among the main 1440p compromises
Native 1440p at a lower frame rate
Native rendering preserves the most detail, but a demanding game may settle below 60 FPS. If the display supports variable refresh rate (VRR), a stable lower rate can look better than an unstable attempt at 60. Valve’s own qualification, reported by PC Gamer, says some titles may be better at a lower frame rate with VRR while maintaining a 1080p internal resolution.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesRank #4
- High-Resolution QHD Gaming Display: 27-inch QHD (2560 x 1440) gaming monitor with 180Hz refresh rate designed for professional gamers and immersive gameplay
- ASUS Extreme Low Motion Blur Sync Technology: ELMB Sync technology enables ELMB and variable-refresh-rate technologies to work simultaneously to eliminate ghosting and tearing for sharp gaming visuals with high frame rates
- Advanced Synchronization Technologies: FreeSync Premium, G-Sync compatible and AdaptiveSync technology delivers a seamless, tear-free gaming experience by enabling VRR (variable refresh rate) by default
- High Dynamic Range Support: HDR technology supports HDR-10 format to enhance bright and dark areas for improved visual depth and contrast
- Package Contents: DisplayPort cable, L-shaped Screwdriver, Power cord, Power adapter, Quick start guide, Warranty Card
1440p output with FSR
This is often the practical middle ground: the display receives 1440p while the renderer spends less time drawing each frame. Choose the highest FSR quality mode that maintains acceptable frame time in the hardest scene. Evaluate small text, distant foliage and motion rather than judging only a still screenshot.
60 FPS displayed through frame generation
This can make camera movement appear smoother when the base rate is sufficiently consistent, but input response follows the base-rendered frames more closely than the generated counter suggests. Added latency and artifacts make this a preference trade-off, not a free performance upgrade.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to troubleshoot common failures
The counter remains below 60 after disabling ray tracing
Confirm that frame generation is off and check whether the bottleneck appears during GPU-heavy effects or CPU-heavy crowds and simulation. Lower the relevant quality group, then retest the same demanding scene. If the game remains limited, use a lower FSR mode or accept a lower VRR target instead of lowering every option indiscriminately.
The counter reaches 60 but the game feels delayed
Check whether frame generation is responsible. Compare the same scene with it disabled and note the base rate. If the base rate is near 30 FPS, the displayed 60 FPS is generated output and may carry the latency trade-off reported in independent testing.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
The image looks soft or unstable
Move from FSR Performance to Balanced or Quality if frame time allows. Inspect thin wires, foliage, signs and fast camera pans. A higher output number does not restore detail lost by a very low internal resolution.
Best Value
- 27” QHD IPS DISPLAY: Enjoy stunning detail and vibrant color with a 2560x1440 Quad HD resolution on a 27-inch IPS panel, offering wide viewing angles and precise image quality.
- 240HZ REFRESH RATE & 0.3MS RESPONSE TIME: Take competitive gaming to the next level with a blazing-fast 240Hz refresh rate (via DisplayPort) and ultra-responsive 0.3ms MPRT for minimal blur and maximum clarity.
- ADAPTIVE-SYNC SUPPORT: Say goodbye to screen tearing and input lag with Adaptive-Sync for fluid, uninterrupted performance across both AMD and NVIDIA GPUs.
- TILT ADJUSTMENT: Customize your setup with -3° to +21° tilt range for ergonomic positioning.
- ENHANCED GAMING FEATURES: Includes Shadow Control, Game Mode presets, and a user-friendly graphical OSD menu for fast and intuitive performance tuning.
Performance collapses only in certain areas
Do not tune against an easy scene. Capture the worst repeatable area and use its lows and frame-time consistency as the decision point. A configuration that averages 60 in a quiet section may still fail the 60-FPS goal during traversal or combat.
Putting Valve’s 4K statement in context
PC Gamer quoted Valve saying, “In our testing the majority of Steam titles play great at 4K 60 fps with FSR on Steam Machine.” The same report included Valve’s qualification that some titles require more upscaling and may be preferable at a lower frame rate with VRR while maintaining a 1080p internal resolution. Valve engineer Yazan Aldehayyat also described a benchmark goal: “our benchmark has always been that it should have enough performance to play every game on Steam at 4K60 when you do some sort of upscaling like FSR.”
These are Valve’s performance goals and test claims, not independent verification that every game reaches 4K/60 or that every 1440p configuration will do so. The independent Cyberpunk results above demonstrate why the exact game, patch and settings remain decisive.
Practical checklist
- Start with ray tracing disabled in a demanding title.
- Keep output resolution and internal resolution conceptually separate.
- Test FSR modes before abandoning the 1440p output target.
- Lower the settings that are expensive in the specific engine.
- Measure demanding scenes, lows and frame-time consistency.
- Record base FPS separately from generated FPS.
- Use VRR and a stable lower target when that feels better than an uneven 60.
- Do not treat the Machine Verified 30-FPS-at-1080p target as a 1440p/60 guarantee.
Bottom line
For 1440p gaming on Steam Machine, ray tracing is usually the first setting worth sacrificing, followed by the game’s most expensive effects and then the FSR quality mode. Frame generation can raise the displayed number, but only a stable base rate delivers the same responsiveness as native 60 FPS. Test the exact game and patch in its hardest scenes, document internal resolution and frame-generation state, and choose the combination whose frame times, image quality and latency fit your priorities.
Quick Recap
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.
