What Are 1% Lows in Gaming? FPS Explained Simply
Lennon Byatt
You check your FPS counter and everything looks great.
120 FPS. 150 FPS. Maybe even 200+ FPS.
So why does the game sometimes still feel jerky, slow or nowhere near as smooth as you expected?
The answer could be something called your 1% lows.
If you’ve seen this term in gaming PC benchmarks and had absolutely no idea what it meant, don’t worry. Here’s the simple explanation.
Recommended 1440p Gaming PC Specifications
For the best balance of performance and value, we recommend:
| Component | Recommendation |
|
CPU
|
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
|
|
GPU
|
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 or AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT
|
|
RAM
|
32GB DDR5 6000MHz
|
|
Storage
|
2TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD
|
|
Motherboard
|
B650
|
|
PSU
|
750W 80 PLUS Gold
|
This specification is capable of running modern AAA games at high frame rates while providing plenty of headroom for future releases.
Browse AWD-IT's latest AMD Ryzen Processors:
https://www.awd-it.co.uk/components/cpu-processors/amd-cpu.html
What Are Shaders?
Shaders are small programs that help your graphics card create the visuals you see in a game.
They can help control things such as:
- Lighting
- Shadows
- Reflections
- Colours
- Water
- Special effects
- Materials and textures
Modern games can use thousands of different shader combinations to create their graphics.
Your graphics card then uses these shaders while rendering the game.
First, What Does Average FPS Tell You?
FPS means frames per second - essentially how many images your gaming PC is producing every second.
Generally, a higher FPS means smoother gameplay.
But there’s a catch.
Your average FPS is exactly that: an average.
A game could spend most of its time running at 150 FPS but occasionally drop much lower for a brief moment. Those sudden dips can be what you actually notice while playing.
That is where 1% lows become useful.
Your average FPS is exactly that: an average
What Are 1% Lows?
Your 1% low FPS gives you an idea of how your game performs during its slowest moments.
In very simple terms:
Imagine your PC averages 150 FPS, but its 1% low is only 60 FPS.
Most of the time, the game is running extremely quickly. But occasionally the frame rate drops significantly.
You may experience those drops as:
- Small stutters
- Jerky movement
- Brief pauses
- Inconsistent smoothness
- Sudden FPS drops
AWD-IT's guide to gaming PC stuttering similarly explains that inconsistent frame times can make a game stutter even when its overall FPS appears high.
That’s why the biggest FPS number isn't always the most important one.
Think of It Like Driving
Imagine two cars travelling on the same journey.
Car A averages 70mph but constantly speeds up and slows down.
Car B averages 65mph but maintains almost the same speed throughout the journey.
Even though Car A has the higher average speed, Car B would probably feel much smoother.
Gaming performance can work in a similar way.
A PC delivering a consistent 120 FPS can sometimes feel better than one jumping constantly between 80 FPS and 180 FPS.
That’s why the biggest FPS number isn't always the most important one.
Average FPS vs 1% Low
Here’s a simple example:
| Gaming PC | Average FPS | 1% Low |
|
PC A
|
160 FPS
|
65 fps
|
|
PC B
|
145 FPS
|
110 FPS
|
At first glance, PC A looks faster because it has the higher average FPS.
But PC B maintains much stronger performance during demanding moments.
For someone actually playing the game, PC B may therefore provide the smoother and more consistent experience.
This is one reason AWD-IT's existing performance guides sometimes refer to maintaining strong 1% lows alongside average FPS.
What Causes Poor 1% Lows?
There isn't one single cause.
Your Processor
Your CPU helps prepare information for your graphics card.
In processor-heavy games - particularly large multiplayer games, simulation titles and busy open-world environments - an older or slower CPU can sometimes struggle during particularly demanding moments.
You can compare AWD-IT's latest processors here.
Your Graphics Card
Your GPU has the job of actually rendering the game.
Higher resolutions, detailed textures and demanding graphical effects can put considerably more pressure on it.
If you're considering an upgrade, browse AWD-IT's range of graphics cards.
Background Programs
Your game isn't necessarily the only thing using your PC.
Browsers, launchers, recording software, Discord and other background applications can all use system resources.
If something suddenly demands additional CPU, RAM or storage resources while you're playing, you may notice a temporary performance dip.
Temperature
Gaming hardware automatically manages its performance based partly on temperature.
If components become too hot, performance can be reduced to keep them within safe operating limits.
Good cooling and airflow therefore aren't just about keeping your PC quiet — they can also help your hardware maintain consistent performance.
Gaming hardware automatically manages its performance based partly on temperature
What About 0.1% Lows?
If you've watched detailed PC benchmark videos, you might have also seen 0.1% low FPS.
This looks at even rarer slow frames.
For the average customer comparing gaming PCs, you don't need to obsess over it.
The easiest way to think about the numbers is:
Average FPS = How fast does it normally run?
1% low = How well does it hold up when things get demanding?
That's really all you need to know.
Best Sim Racing Setup for Beginners: Start With the Essentials
You don’t need a full cockpit immediately. A well‑chosen beginner setup helps you develop skills faster and keeps costs under control.
1. Steering Wheel and Pedals (Top Priority)
Your wheel and pedals are the most important part of any sim racing rig. Force feedback allows you to feel grip changes, kerbs, and steering resistance—crucial for learning car control.
Beginner tip: Focus on force feedback quality rather than raw power.
Your wheel and pedals are the most important part of any sim racing rig. Force feedback allows you to feel grip changes, kerbs, and steering resistance—crucial for learning car control.
Creators in attendance
Stacked lineup
Experience zones
Arcades · Sim rigs · PCs
Tech on display
Latest gen builds
Verdict
Showroom certified
Pick Your Tier
We've named each tier after a tournament stage, because let's be honest, that's exactly the kind of thing we'd do. Find your budget and dive in.
Group Stage
Round of 32
Quarter Final
World Cup Final
Don't Forget Your Monitor
Your PC can produce hundreds of frames every second, but your monitor also needs to be capable of displaying high refresh rates for you to fully benefit from them.
A smoother combination of strong FPS, consistent frame delivery and an appropriate refresh rate can make games feel significantly better.
If you're unsure what Hz means, read AWD-IT's guide to why monitor refresh rate matters, or browse the latest gaming monitors.
A smoother combination of strong FPS, consistent frame delivery and an appropriate refresh rate can make games feel significantly better.
Expected Gaming Performance
|
Game
|
1440p High
|
1440p Ultra
|
|
GTA 6 (Predicted)
|
120 FPS
|
90 FPS
|
|
Cyberpunk 2077
|
120 FPS
|
95 FPS
|
|
Black Ops 7
|
180+ FPS
|
150+ FPS
|
|
Fortnite
|
240+ FPS
|
200+ FPS
|
Performance will vary depending on drivers, game updates and graphics settings.
1440p Gaming
1440p provides a sharper image than 1080p but requires additional graphics power.
The AWD-IT Ares Ryzen 5 RX 9060 XT Gaming PC is a suitable option for players who want higher graphical settings, stronger frame rates and the ability to move into 1440p gaming.
Players targeting high-refresh-rate 1440p or 4K should look towards graphics cards such as the Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT
High-End Gaming
Players targeting high-refresh-rate 1440p or 4K should look towards graphics cards such as the Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT.
These cards provide the additional performance needed for demanding modern games, detailed graphical settings and higher-resolution monitors.
Browse AWD-IT’s range of RX 9070 XT gaming PCs.
Should You Pair Radeon with Ryzen?
A Radeon graphics card does not need an AMD Ryzen processor, but pairing the two can create a well-balanced all-AMD gaming system.
The most important consideration is balance. Your processor should be powerful enough to support the graphics card, while sufficient RAM, SSD storage and cooling will help the entire system perform reliably.
You can explore AWD-IT’s AMD Ryzen and Radeon gaming PCs for complete systems using both technologies.
Prebuilt or Build Your Own?
Building a PC gives you control over every individual component, but it also requires additional research, assembly and troubleshooting.
A prebuilt gaming PC arrives assembled and tested, making it a more convenient option for many first-time buyers.
It also gives you one main point of contact if you require technical support or warranty assistance.
Which Radeon Gaming PC Should You Choose?
Before choosing, consider:
- The games you want to play
- Your target resolution
- The frame rates you expect
- Your monitor’s refresh rate
- How long you want the PC to last
An RX 9060 system can be a strong choice for 1080p gaming, while the RX 9060 XT provides more room for higher settings and 1440p. The RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT are better suited to demanding high-resolution gaming.
Should You Care About 1% Lows When Buying a Gaming PC?
You don't need to become obsessed with benchmark numbers.
But if you're comparing two gaming PCs, don't judge them purely by their highest or average FPS figure.
Consistent performance matters too.
The ideal gaming PC isn't simply one that can reach a massive FPS number for a few moments. You want a balanced system that can keep your gameplay feeling smooth when a game becomes more demanding.
That's why components such as the CPU, GPU, RAM, storage and cooling all matter when putting together a gaming system.
You can explore AWD-IT's complete range of gaming PCs to find systems designed for different games, resolutions and performance targets.
The Simple Answer
If you only remember one thing from this article, make it this:
Average FPS tells you how fast your game usually runs.
1% lows help show you how smooth it stays during its worst moments.
So the next time you see two PCs advertising similar FPS numbers, look a little deeper.
Because sometimes 150 FPS that feels smooth is better than 200 FPS that doesn't.
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- Best SSD for Gaming in 2026
- Best Graphics Card for 1440p Gaming
- Best CPU for RTX 5070
- What Is Resizable BAR?
- How Much RAM Do You Need for Gaming?
- GTA 6 PC System Requirements (Predicted)
