How to Boost Your Old GPU's Performance Without Buying a New One
Tech site Engadget has compiled tips for raising frame rates in PC games using the graphics card you already own. The advice covers AI-based upscaling, lower graphics settings and cleaning the card.
PC gamers who cannot afford a new graphics card can still improve the performance of their current one with a few adjustments. Tech site Engadget has published a roundup of tips for raising frames per second (FPS) in PC games without changing hardware. The author stresses that buying a new graphics card is difficult at the moment, and that many players have been unable to do so for years.
Upscaling and frame generation
One of the main recommendations is to use technologies that render a game at a lower internal resolution and then use deep learning to scale the image up to a higher one. Such solutions include AMD FSR, NVIDIA DLSS and Intel XeSS. The author says NVIDIA DLSS 4.5 and AMD FSR 4 deliver image quality on par with native resolution while substantially boosting performance.
In the author's experience, NVIDIA DLSS 4.5 Multi Frame Generation with the x6 modifier pushed Hogwarts Legacy past 200 frames per second, but it adds significant input latency. Earlier versions with x2 and x3 modifiers work well and produce fewer visual artifacts. On frame generation, the author suggests experimenting and forming your own opinion.
Lower settings and ray tracing
If a graphics card is dropping frames, the first step is to lower graphics settings. Most cards cannot handle the Ultra preset in modern big-budget games, so the Balanced preset is recommended, or Performance for older cards. Effects such as ambient occlusion or screen space reflections can be turned off. Budget cards should not use ray tracing, which can cut frame rates by roughly 20 to 40 percent.
Cleaning and the basics
Dust around a graphics card's fans can cause overheating, after which core clock speeds are reduced and frame rates fall. The card should be cleaned only when the PC is switched off and unplugged, using compressed air and a soft cloth. It is also advised to keep the driver updated and close background apps. Experienced users can overclock the card with MSI Afterburner, but should first research how to do so safely.
