Why FPS Stability Matters More Than Average FPS
A game running at a constant 60 FPS feels significantly smoother than a game fluctuating between 40 and 80 FPS. This consistency is called Frame Pacing. When frame pacing is inconsistent, you experience "micro-stutters" — tiny hitches that disrupt the fluid motion, even if your average FPS looks high.
Understanding the Metrics
- Stability Score: A composite percentage of how consistent your frame delivery is. 100% means perfectly equal timing for every frame.
- Jitter (ms): The average variation between consecutive frames. High jitter means uneven frame delivery.
- Stutters: The number of times a single frame took more than twice the average duration to render.
How to Improve Stability
If you are experiencing low stability, try the following:
- Close Background Apps: High CPU usage from other programs can cause frame time spikes.
- Enable/Disable VSync: VSync can help with tearing but sometimes introduces irregular frame pacing.
- Check Temperature: Thermal throttling can cause the GPU/CPU to drop performance momentarily.