So, you’ve finally upgraded to a 144Hz monitor—great choice! But here’s the deal: simply owning a 144Hz display doesn’t mean you’ll instantly enjoy buttery-smooth gaming. To truly benefit, your system needs to push 144 frames per second (FPS) consistently. That’s where proper optimization comes in.
This tutorial will guide you How to optimize gaming pc for 144hz, step by step. If you’re a fan of FPS games such as Valorant or open-world games such as Cyberpunk 2077, these tips will ensure that you have a smooth experience every time.
What Does 144Hz Mean and Why It Matters
144Hz refresh means your screen updates the image 144 times each second, providing you with smoother graphics and quicker response time. That’s a big increase over 60Hz and will enhance both gameplay smoothness and response time—particularly for competitive or fast-paced games.
But to enjoy the full effect, your PC needs to provide a minimum of 144 FPS. If your hardware or settings aren’t optimized, your experience won’t vary much from 60Hz. That’s why optimizing your system is such a big deal.
Step-by-Step: How to Optimize Gaming PC for 144Hz
1. Set Your Monitor to 144Hz in Windows Settings
Let’s start with the basics. Even if your monitor supports 144Hz, it might still be running at 60Hz by default.
Here’s how to change it:
Right-click on your desktop and select Display Settings
Scroll down and click Advanced Display Settings
Choose the correct monitor (if multiple are connected)
Set the Refresh Rate to 144Hz
Also, make sure you’re using a DisplayPort or at least an HDMI 2.0 cable. Older versions of HDMI could cap your refresh rate at 60Hz or 75Hz.
2. Optimize In-Game Settings for Higher FPS
After your display is at 144Hz, your games must keep pace by reaching 144 FPS. Most newer titles have graphical tweaking options:
Lower texture quality and shadow detail
Turn off V-Sync, Motion Blur, and Depth of Field
Turn down or disable Anti-Aliasing
Turn on DLSS (for NVIDIA) or FSR (for AMD) to get a performance boost without significant loss of quality
This may require some adjusting, but once you hit the sweet spot, your game will run smoother and more responsively.
3. Update Your GPU Drivers
Graphics drivers can have a huge impact on your gaming performance. Keep them updated at all times.
For NVIDIA cards: Use GeForce Experience
For AMD cards: Use AMD Adrenalin Software
These tools automatically inform you of driver updates and allow you to one-click optimize games.
4. Turn on Windows Game Mode
Windows 10 and 11 include a native Game Mode that reserves system resources for gaming.
To turn it on:
Go to Settings > Gaming > Game Mode
Flip it to On
This prevents background apps and Windows processes from slowing down your game.
5. Set Power Plan to High Performance
By default, Windows could be in a “Balanced” power state, which saves energy by slowing down performance.
To switch it:
Open Control Panel > Power Options
Choose High Performance
This option instructs your system to always run at maximum speed—ideal for gaming.
6. Close Background Applications
If your computer is multitasking, your game might not receive adequate resources. Use Task Manager to close unnecessary apps:
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc
Under the Processes tab, sort by CPU or Memory
End unnecessary processes (but don’t touch critical system processes)
Less junk = more juice for your game.
7. Keep Your System Cool
High temperatures can cause thermal throttling, lowering performance.
Here’s how to keep cool:
Clean out dust from case fans and heat sinks
Reapply fresh thermal paste to CPU/GPU if it’s been years
Use high-quality air or liquid cooling systems
Ensure your case is well-ventilated (intake and exhaust)
A cooler PC not only runs better but also lasts longer.
8. Overclock Your GPU (Optional)
Overclocking your graphics card may deliver a free performance upgrade if you’re comfortable with it. Use software such as:
MSI Afterburner
EVGA Precision X1
Test your system with small increments and ensure stability. Check temperatures closely and only do it if you’re sure.
9. Upgrade to SSD or NVMe Drive
Your FPS can be good, but game loads and texture streams can hold you back if you’re still operating on an HDD.
Upgrade to:
SSD: Quicker loads
NVMe SSD: Even quicker speeds
It may not increase FPS directly, but it will give your overall gaming experience a good boost—particularly in open world games that stream assets in real time.
10. Lower the Resolution or Dynamically Scale
If you’re unable to get to 144 FPS at the resolution you currently play at
Try downgrading from 1440p to 1080p
Utilize Dynamic Resolution Scaling in games that support it
Yes, graphics may suffer a little, but the silky-smooth gameplay you get is well worth it—particularly on quick shooters.
11. Upgrade Hardware If Needed
Sometimes, optimization just isn’t enough. If your hardware is old, you may have to look at upgrading:
GPU: Largest FPS impact (shoot for RTX 3060+/RX 6600+ for 144Hz at 1080p)
CPU: Necessary for CPU-intensive games such as strategy or open-world games
RAM: 16GB is optimal; more can assist in extreme multitasking or big games
Ensure your power supply and motherboard are capable of supporting any hardware upgrades.
12. Enable G-Sync or FreeSync
If your monitor has G-Sync (NVIDIA) or FreeSync (AMD) support, turn it on! These technologies synchronize your monitor’s refresh rate with the FPS your system outputs, removing screen tearing and stuttering.
This proves to be particularly useful when FPS dips below 144.
Conclusion
This tutorial will guide you How to optimize gaming pc for 144hz, step by step. If you’re a fan of FPS games is crucial if you really want to maximize the potential of your high refresh rate monitor. Purchasing the hardware is not enough—you should calibrate all of it so that it is in harmony.
From adjusting your monitor to 144Hz, adjusting in-game settings, driver updates, and keeping your system clean and cool—every step contributes to achieving that elusive 144FPS milestone. And once you’ve tasted the smoothness of 144Hz gaming, you’ll never look back.
So sit back, follow these tips, and see your games spring to life like never before.
