Last updated: July 8, 2026
PUBG can feel unstable even when the average frame rate looks high. A system that averages 180 FPS may still feel difficult to aim on if the frame rate drops sharply during gunfights, smoke effects, vehicle movement, or entry into crowded cities.
The goal is not to copy every graphics setting to Very Low. First determine whether the problem is low average FPS, poor 1% lows, unstable frame times, a CPU bottleneck, a fully loaded GPU, limited memory, storage activity, or thermal throttling.
Record a baseline in the same location → lower only the most performance-heavy settings → compare DirectX 11 Enhanced and DirectX 11 → check refresh rate and FPS limits → monitor CPU, GPU, RAM, VRAM, and disk usage → close overlays and downloads → check drivers and temperatures → remove Steam launch options → verify the PUBG game files.
FPS problems make the whole image feel rough or delayed. If enemies teleport, hit registration is delayed, or items take too long to pick up, check ping, jitter, packet loss, and server conditions instead.
- Identify the type of lag
- Create a repeatable FPS baseline
- Use diagnostic graphics settings
- Compare DirectX modes
- Check FPS limits and refresh rate
- Find CPU, GPU, RAM, and VRAM bottlenecks
- Close overlays and background tasks
- Check graphics drivers
- Check RAM, SSD, and temperatures
- Remove Steam launch options
- Verify files and reset local settings
- Frequently asked questions
Identify the Type of PUBG Lag First
| Symptom | More likely cause | Check first |
|---|---|---|
| FPS is low from the beginning | GPU performance, resolution, or render scale | GPU usage and output resolution |
| FPS drops during gunfights or smoke | CPU load, effects, memory, or temperature | CPU cores, 1% lows, and temperatures |
| FPS is high but movement feels uneven | Frame-time spikes, FPS cap, overlays, or display settings | Refresh rate, frame cap, and recording tools |
| The game freezes briefly while moving around the map | RAM, VRAM, storage, or asset loading | Memory and disk usage |
| FPS becomes worse after 20 minutes | CPU or GPU temperature and power limits | Temperatures, clock speeds, and fan mode |
| Players teleport or hit registration is delayed | Ping, jitter, packet loss, or server problems | Network statistics |
A high average can hide large drops. Record the average FPS and 1% low, or at least the lowest repeated value, in a situation where the problem can be reproduced.
Create a Repeatable FPS Baseline
Performance comparisons are unreliable when the test location, weather, player count, background applications, and graphics settings change every time.
- Restart the PC.
- Close browsers, downloads, cloud synchronization, and recording applications.
- Use the Training Mode, a repeatable replay section, or the same route for each test.
- Test for at least three to five minutes.
- Record average FPS, 1% low or minimum repeated FPS, GPU usage, and temperatures.
- Change only one setting at a time.
- Repeat the same route before comparing the result.
An uncapped test can show the maximum performance and reveal a bottleneck. For normal gameplay, a stable limit can reduce temperature, power use, fan noise, and frame-time variation.
Use Simple Diagnostic Graphics Settings
These are not universal competitive settings. They are a clean starting point for identifying whether the GPU or another component is limiting performance.
| Setting | Diagnostic starting value | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Display mode | Fullscreen | Use a consistent test environment |
| Render scale | 100 | Avoid changing the internal resolution during the first test |
| Post-processing and shadows | Very Low | Reduce nonessential GPU load |
| Effects and foliage | Very Low | Compare smoke and combat-heavy moments |
| Textures | Medium | Balance image quality and VRAM use |
| V-Sync and motion blur | Off | Remove latency and blur variables |
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If GPU usage remains close to maximum, lower render scale or output resolution. If FPS barely changes, the main bottleneck is probably not the GPU.
Compare DirectX 11 Enhanced, DirectX 11, and DirectX 12
DirectX 11 Enhanced is designed to improve CPU performance and rendering multithreading. It is a sensible first test on a modern multi-core CPU, but the best option can still vary by system, driver, and PUBG update.
| Rendering mode | Use it when | Compare |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX 11 Enhanced | Testing a modern multi-core CPU | Average FPS, CPU bottleneck, and 1% lows |
| DirectX 11 | Enhanced mode causes stuttering or crashes | Stability and repeated frame-time spikes |
| DirectX 12 | Testing another rendering path on supported hardware | Shader loading, performance, and stability |
- Record the current result.
- Change the rendering mode.
- Exit PUBG completely.
- Restart the game.
- Run the same test route more than once.
- Compare average FPS, 1% lows, stuttering, and crashes.
- Keep the most stable mode rather than the mode with the highest single peak.
Do not judge a DirectX mode from the first few seconds. Repeat the same section so temporary shader or asset loading does not distort the result.
Check FPS Limits, Refresh Rate, and V-Sync
A 144 Hz, 165 Hz, or 240 Hz monitor can still run at 60 Hz if Windows is configured incorrectly. Check the selected display and current refresh rate before changing more PUBG settings.
| Situation | Test | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| FPS changes widely | Limit FPS to a value the PC can maintain | Improve frame-time consistency |
| GPU remains at 99% | Set a lower FPS cap | Create GPU headroom |
| G-SYNC or FreeSync is active | Keep FPS below the maximum refresh rate | Remain within the variable-refresh range |
| Heat and fan noise are excessive | Cap FPS near the display target | Reduce power and temperature |
Do not force different FPS limits or V-Sync settings in PUBG, the graphics-driver control panel, and multiple overlay tools at the same time.
Find the CPU, GPU, RAM, VRAM, or Storage Bottleneck
If lowering graphics settings produces almost no FPS improvement, the GPU may not be the main limitation. Monitor the system while reproducing the frame drop.
| Observed result | Likely bottleneck | First action |
|---|---|---|
| GPU remains at 95% to 100% | GPU | Reduce resolution, render scale, or GPU-heavy effects |
| GPU usage is low but one CPU core is saturated | CPU | Test DX11 Enhanced and close background tasks |
| RAM usage is close to full | System memory | Close browsers, launchers, and unnecessary applications |
| VRAM is at or near its limit | Graphics memory | Reduce textures, resolution, or render scale |
| Disk usage reaches 100% during freezes | Storage or background disk activity | Check downloads, synchronization, free space, and drive speed |
| Clock speed falls as temperature rises | Thermal throttling | Check cooling, fans, airflow, and power mode |
.png "PUBG CPU GPU RAM VRAM SSD and thermal bottleneck diagnosis")
One or two heavily loaded cores can limit PUBG while the overall CPU percentage remains moderate. Low GPU usage combined with little improvement from lower graphics settings often points toward the CPU or memory subsystem.
Close Overlays, Recording, Downloads, and Background Tasks
Background tools can consume CPU time, GPU encoding resources, memory, storage bandwidth, or add hooks to the game.
- Xbox Game Bar background recording
- NVIDIA or AMD Instant Replay and game filters
- Discord screen sharing and overlay
- Steam Overlay
- OBS or other recording software
- Steam, Epic Games, EA app, or browser downloads
- OneDrive and other cloud synchronization
- RGB, peripheral, macro, and monitoring software
- Close all nonessential applications.
- Disable recording and instant-replay features.
- Pause game and Windows downloads.
- Pause cloud synchronization.
- Run the same PUBG performance test.
- Re-enable programs one at a time.
Check NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel Graphics Drivers
An outdated or damaged graphics driver can cause performance loss, stuttering, and crashes. A new driver can also introduce a system-specific problem, so compare the date the issue began with the driver-installation date.
- Record the current driver version.
- Install drivers only from NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, or the PC manufacturer.
- Restart the PC after updating.
- Use the same PUBG rendering mode and test route.
- If performance became worse immediately after an update, test the previous stable version.
- Avoid forcing different V-Sync and FPS settings in both PUBG and the driver software.
Use a normal update first. A clean installation is more appropriate when installation fails, corruption is suspected, or crashes continue across update and rollback attempts.
Check RAM, SSD Activity, and Temperatures
RAM
When system memory is close to full, Windows may move more data between RAM and storage. Close browsers, unused launchers, recording software, and other memory-heavy applications before testing.
SSD and free space
An SSD does not directly make the GPU render more frames, but it can reduce delays caused by asset loading, updates, and a storage drive remaining at 100% usage. Keep enough free space on the drives containing Windows and PUBG.
CPU and GPU temperature
- Compare temperatures immediately after launch and after 20 minutes.
- Check whether CPU or GPU clock speed falls as temperature rises.
- Inspect case airflow and laptop vents.
- Use the manufacturer’s performance or fan mode.
- Return overclocking and undervolting to default values.
- Check that the laptop power adapter is connected.
A steady FPS decline combined with higher temperatures and lower clock speeds points more strongly toward cooling or power limits than a simple graphics-setting problem.
Remove All Steam Launch Options
Old PUBG optimization guides often recommend commands such as -malloc or -USEALLAVAILABLECORES. These options may no longer provide a benefit and can complicate troubleshooting.
- Open the Steam Library.
- Right-click PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS.
- Select Properties.
- Open the General section.
- Copy the current launch options into a text file.
- Delete all launch-option text.
- Restart Steam.
- Run the same PUBG performance test.
Changing launch commands, registry values, driver settings, Windows services, and graphics options together makes it impossible to identify which change helped or caused a new problem.
Verify PUBG Files and Use the Final Recovery Order
If the same frame drops continue after settings, background programs, drivers, and temperatures have been checked, verify the PUBG installation.
- Remove all Steam launch options.
- Close overlays and recording software.
- Compare DirectX 11 Enhanced and DirectX 11.
- Verify the PUBG game files.
- Install pending Windows updates.
- Update or roll back the graphics driver when appropriate.
- Return CPU, GPU, and memory tuning to default values.
- Check RAM, VRAM, disk use, temperatures, and clock speeds again.
- Back up PUBG local settings before resetting them.
Baseline test → diagnostic graphics settings → DirectX comparison → FPS cap and refresh rate → bottleneck monitoring → overlays and downloads → drivers and temperatures → launch-option removal → file verification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which PUBG setting increases FPS the most?
When the GPU is the bottleneck, resolution and render scale usually have the largest effect. When the CPU is limiting performance, lowering graphics settings may produce very little improvement.
Should every setting be set to Very Low?
No. Post-processing, shadows, effects, and foliage are useful settings to lower during diagnosis. Textures and anti-aliasing can be adjusted later according to VRAM capacity and visibility preferences.
Is DirectX 11 Enhanced always faster?
No. It can improve CPU-side performance on some systems, but the best option depends on the CPU, GPU, driver, and current PUBG version. Compare it with DirectX 11 in the same location.
Will installing PUBG on an SSD increase average FPS?
Usually not by a large amount. An SSD is more helpful for reducing loading delays, storage-related freezes, and stalls caused by a drive remaining at 100% activity.
Why does PUBG stutter even at 200 FPS?
The average FPS may be high while 1% lows or frame times remain unstable. Check the FPS cap, refresh rate, overlays, recording tools, CPU-core load, and background activity.
Why did FPS become worse after a graphics-driver update?
Restart the PC and repeat the same test. If the decline began immediately after the update and remains reproducible, compare the previous stable driver version.
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