Why Does Fortnite Show 150 FPS While My Monitor Is 74 Hz? Understanding FPS, Vsync, and Tearing

The in-game FPS counter in Fortnite can sometimes show higher frame rates than your monitor's refresh rate, especially when Vsync is not on. This can be confusing, especially for gamers who rely on accurate performance metrics. In this article, we'll explore why Fortnite might display 150 FPS on a 74 Hz monitor and the roles of FPS, Vsync, and tearing.

The Role of FPS

Frames per second (FPS) refers to the number of complete frames the game renders per second. Each frame is a still image that the game presents to the player. The higher the FPS, the smoother the gameplay. However, the real-world usefulness of this metric is often nuanced.

Typically, a monitor has a fixed refresh rate, measured in Hz. This is the maximum number of individual images or frames the screen can display per second. For instance, a 60 Hz monitor can show 60 frames per second. Laptops and newer monitors may even have 74 or even 144 Hz refresh rates.

Why Fortnite Shows 150 FPS on a 74 Hz Monitor

About game engines like the Unreal Engine, which Fortnite uses, can render and send frames to the monitor faster than the monitor can display them. This is why you may see 150 FPS or higher when your monitor is only 74 Hz. The game is simply pushing out frames as fast as it can, and the monitor is only able to process them at its own speed. This process is known as overclocking the frame rate.

What is Vsync?

Vsync (Vertical Synchronization) is a feature designed to synchronize the game's frame rate with the monitor's refresh rate. When Vsync is enabled, the GPU waits for one frame to complete before starting the next one, ensuring that the monitor has enough time to display each frame. This can help prevent tearing and improve visual stability.

However, Vsync can also limit your FPS. If your GPU can render at 150 FPS, but the monitor can only display 74 FPS, Vsync will cap the FPS to 74, ensuring smooth gameplay without tearing.

Tearing and How to Avoid It

Tearing occurs when part of a frame is displayed before another part, causing a split-screen effect. This can be particularly noticeable when you move the camera quickly. Tearing can be quite distracting and might affect the immersive experience of the game.

To avoid tearing, you can either disable Vsync. This will allow your game to run at maximum FPS, but may introduce tearing. Alternatively, you can use a form of Vsync called “Explicit Vertical-Synchronization” (EVS), which allows higher FPS while smoothly displaying across the monitor.

General Tips for Improving Performance in Fortnite

To get the best performance out of Fortnite, consider the following steps:

Optimize Your PC: Ensure that your system meets or exceeds the recommended hardware specs for the game. Reduce Overdraw: The game engine will push out every pixel possible, but reducing overdraw can help improve performance. Disable Unnecessary Effects: Disable any graphical effects that are not essential for enjoyment, such as bloom, reflections, and ray tracing. Set Appropriately Low Graphics Settings: Adjust the in-game settings to lower graphics quality, which can help boost performance. Use a 144 Hz Monitor: A higher refresh rate monitor can help reduce tearing and provide a smoother experience.

Conclusion

When Fortnite shows 150 FPS on a 74 Hz monitor, it does so because the game is rendering faster than the monitor's capabilities. Vsync can be used to synchronize the frame rate with the monitor, but it may also limit FPS. Tearing, a common issue, can be minimized by adjusting Vsync settings or switching to an EVS mode.

By understanding these concepts and implementing the appropriate settings, you can enhance your Fortnite experience, reducing tearing and achieving the best possible performance.