Fix Fps Drop When Switching Monitors (2024)

There are several reasons why a user may experience a drop in FPS when switching monitors. In some cases, the issue may be caused by the GPU not being able to support the new monitor's higher refresh rate. In other cases, it could be due to the use of multiple monitors with different refresh rates, causing the GPU to set the same refresh rate for all monitors, resulting in a lower FPS on the primary monitor. Additionally, the problem could be related to the type of cable used to connect the monitor, with some users reporting that switching from an HDMI to a DisplayPort cable resolved the issue. In some instances, the graphics card may not be utilised, leading to poor performance. Furthermore, certain games may have specific requirements or compatibility issues with certain monitors, resulting in FPS drops.

FPS drops when switching to a new monitor with a higher refresh rate

If you're experiencing FPS drops when switching to a new monitor with a higher refresh rate, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, check if your graphics card is powerful enough to support the increased refresh rate. If you're using multiple monitors with different refresh rates, your graphics card will need to render separate graphics for each monitor, which can impact FPS.

In some cases, the issue may be related to specific game settings or software configurations. For example, enabling G-sync or V-sync can sometimes cause FPS drops, especially when using multiple monitors. It's recommended to disable these settings and see if that improves your FPS.

Additionally, you can try adjusting your in-game graphics settings, such as lowering the resolution, turning down shadows, reflections, and lighting options, or disabling features like anti-aliasing, dynamic reflections, and ambient occlusion. These adjustments can reduce the workload on your hardware and potentially improve your FPS.

If you're using a Windows operating system, you can also try changing the refresh rate settings for each monitor. Right-click on your desktop and select "NVidia Control Panel". Click on "Change Resolution", then check the refresh rate and select the appropriate screen refresh rate from the drop-down menu. Make sure the settings for each monitor are compatible to avoid any display issues.

If none of these solutions work, there may be an issue with your graphics card or hardware configuration. Consider consulting a technical expert or seeking further troubleshooting advice online.

The GPU may be rendering frames for multiple monitors

If you're experiencing FPS drops when switching monitors, it could be because your GPU is now rendering frames for multiple monitors. This can put additional strain on your GPU, resulting in reduced performance and lower FPS.

When you extend your display across multiple monitors, your GPU has to work harder to process and render the game or application across all the connected screens. Each monitor will require its own frame to be rendered, which can increase the workload on your GPU, especially if the monitors have different refresh rates or resolutions.

In some cases, the GPU may not be powerful enough to handle the demands of multiple monitors, leading to a noticeable drop in performance. Additionally, if your GPU is rendering frames for a larger monitor with a higher resolution or refresh rate, it will require more processing power, which can also result in reduced FPS.

To improve performance and reduce the strain on your GPU, you can try lowering the resolution or refresh rate of your secondary monitor. Alternatively, you can close any applications or windows that are open on your secondary monitor while gaming, so that your GPU only has to render the game on your primary monitor.

If you're using a laptop with an integrated GPU and an external monitor, there may be additional factors affecting performance. Ensure that your external monitor is connected directly to your dedicated GPU and not the integrated GPU to avoid potential bottlenecks.

The monitor may be connected to the motherboard, not the graphics card

If you're experiencing FPS drops when switching monitors, it may be because your monitor is connected to your motherboard, rather than your graphics card. This can impact performance, as your motherboard may not have the same processing power as your GPU.

To address this issue, ensure that your monitor is connected to your graphics card, not your motherboard. You can do this by checking the connection type and location. If you're using an HDMI or DisplayPort cable, make sure it's plugged into the corresponding port on your graphics card, not the motherboard.

Additionally, if you're using a laptop, the output from your Nvidia GPU may be going through the integrated GPU before reaching the HDMI port, which can also cause FPS drops. In this case, you might consider using a display port connection if your laptop has one, as it may provide a direct connection to the Nvidia GPU.

It's also worth noting that some games may perform better when played in windowed mode, as it reduces the resolution and, therefore, the performance demand.

If you've confirmed that your monitor is connected to the correct port and you're still experiencing FPS drops, there may be other factors at play, such as the refresh rate or resolution settings, or the quality of your cables.

The monitor's refresh rate may not be set to native in Windows

If you are experiencing FPS drops when switching monitors, it may be because the refresh rate of your monitor is not set to native in Windows. The refresh rate of a display refers to the number of times per second that the image refreshes on the screen. For example, a 60Hz display will update the screen 60 times per second. A higher refresh rate can improve your gaming experience by reducing motion blur and screen tearing, as well as reducing input lag and increasing responsiveness.

To check if your monitor's refresh rate is set to native in Windows, follow these steps:

• Go to your Windows Settings by selecting the Start button, then choosing Settings.
• Navigate to System > Display > Advanced display settings.
• Under "Refresh rate", you will see the current rate that your monitor is set to.
• If the refresh rate is not set to the native rate, you can select the rate you want from the drop-down menu. The rates that appear will depend on what your display supports.

It is important to note that not all displays support higher refresh rates. Additionally, if you are using multiple monitors, you will need to select the display you want to adjust from the drop-down menu under "Choose Display".

By ensuring that your monitor's refresh rate is set to the native rate in Windows, you can help improve your gaming performance and reduce any FPS drops when switching between monitors.

The graphics card may not be being used

If you're experiencing FPS drops when switching monitors, it could be because your graphics card is not being used. This can happen if the monitor is not connected directly to the graphics card, or if the graphics card is not set as the primary display in your display settings.

To fix this issue, make sure that your monitor is connected to the graphics card and not the motherboard. If you're using a laptop, ensure that the output from the graphics card is not going through the integrated GPU before reaching the HDMI port. Check your display settings and make sure that your graphics card is set as the primary display.

Additionally, try updating your graphics card drivers and adjusting your game settings. Lowering the resolution or changing the settings to "low" can help improve FPS. You can also try limiting the default refresh rate in Windows and enabling G-Sync or FreeSync if your monitor supports it.

If you're using multiple monitors, the issue could be related to how your GPU renders graphics for each display. When using different types of monitors, your GPU has to render separate graphics for each monitor, which can cause FPS drops. Try disconnecting all other monitors and using only one at a time to see if that improves your FPS.

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