Why Did My FPS Drop After a Game Update?
Lennon Byatt
Your game was running perfectly yesterday.
An update installs, you launch it again, and suddenly your FPS is lower, you’re seeing more stutters or the game simply doesn’t feel as smooth.
It’s easy to assume something has gone wrong with your PC. In reality, game updates can change performance for several reasons - even when your hardware hasn’t changed at all.
Here’s what’s worth checking before you start replacing components.
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
Game Updates Can Change More Than You Think
A game update isn’t always just a new map, weapon or bug fix.
Developers can also change:
- Graphics and lighting systems
- Texture quality
- Ray tracing
- CPU workloads
- Shader behaviour
- Background processes
- Upscaling settings
That means the same graphics preset can behave differently after an update.
Your PC hasn’t necessarily become slower. The game may simply be asking more from it.
Check Your Graphics Settings First
This is the easiest place to start.
Large updates can sometimes reset or change graphics settings.
A game you previously had running on High might now have:
- Ray tracing enabled
- Resolution scaling changed
- Frame Generation disabled
- V-Sync enabled
- A different DLSS or FSR mode
- Higher texture or shadow settings
Before changing anything else, compare your current settings with what you normally use.
A single option can make a noticeable difference.
A single option can make a noticeable difference.
Your Shaders May Need Rebuilding
Some games compile shaders after major updates or graphics driver changes.
During this process, you may notice additional stuttering while the game prepares the graphical information it needs.
Once the shader cache has been rebuilt, performance may settle down again.
If you’ve ever wondered what that process actually does, our guide to shader compilation explains it in simple terms.
Check Your Graphics Driver
Game updates and graphics drivers often go hand in hand.
AMD, NVIDIA and Intel regularly release driver updates containing fixes and optimisations for newer games and major releases.
If performance changes after an update, checking that your graphics driver is current is sensible.
At the same time, newer doesn’t automatically mean better in every game. Occasionally a driver can introduce an issue that is later corrected.
If your FPS dropped immediately after both a game and driver update, it’s worth checking whether other players are reporting the same behaviour before changing hardware.
Sometimes the explanation is simply the area you’re playing in.
New Content Can Be More Demanding
Sometimes the explanation is simply the area you’re playing in.
A new map with:
- More players
- More NPCs
- Denser environments
- More reflections
- Larger draw distances
can be harder to run than older sections of the same game.
That is why benchmarking performance in one area doesn’t always tell you exactly how the entire game will perform.
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.
Watch More Than Your Average FPS
Average FPS is useful, but it doesn’t tell the whole story.
For example, your game could still average 120 FPS while having more frequent drops to 60 or 70 FPS.
Those dips can make gameplay feel less smooth even when the average number still looks good.
Our guide to 1% lows in gaming explains why consistent frame delivery matters alongside average FPS.
Check What Your CPU and GPU Are Doing
If performance has changed noticeably, monitoring your hardware can help identify where the problem is.
GPU close to 100%
This can be completely normal in a demanding game.
It usually means the game is making good use of your graphics card.
Try lowering GPU-heavy settings such as:
- Ray tracing
- Shadows
- Reflections
- Volumetric effects
CPU usage suddenly much higher
An update may have introduced additional CPU-heavy workloads.
Games with large worlds, lots of NPCs or complex physics can put significant pressure on the processor.
You can explore AWD-IT’s range of processors if you’re trying to understand the upgrade options available, but don’t assume a new CPU is required until you’ve ruled out software and settings first.
Games with large worlds, lots of NPCs or complex physics can put significant pressure on the processor
Background Downloads Are Easy to Miss
Modern games receive large updates, and your launcher may continue downloading additional content while you’re playing.
Windows, Steam, Discord, cloud storage and other applications can also be active in the background.
If your performance suddenly feels worse after installing an update, open Task Manager and check whether anything else is heavily using your:
CPU, RAM, storage or network connection.
Sometimes the simplest explanation is the right one.
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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.
Should You Lower Your Settings?
If an update has genuinely made a game more demanding, adjusting a couple of settings is often the sensible solution.
You don’t need to immediately jump from Ultra to Low.
Start with settings that tend to carry a larger performance cost and compare the visual difference.
In many games, High settings can look very close to Ultra while delivering better performance.
When Is It Actually Time to Upgrade?
One bad update isn’t a good reason to buy a new PC.
But if newer games are consistently forcing you to lower your resolution and settings below what you’re happy with, your hardware may be reaching the point where an upgrade makes sense.
The important word is consistently.
Look at performance across several games rather than judging your system based on one patch.
If you do decide it’s time for something newer, you can compare AWD-IT’s range of gaming PCs and graphics cards.
The Bottom Line
If your FPS drops after a game update, it doesn’t automatically mean your PC has developed a problem.
Start with the basics:
Check your settings. Update your drivers. Let shaders compile. Monitor CPU and GPU usage. Check background applications.
Then test the game again.
PC performance is affected by both hardware and software, and sometimes an update changes the balance.
Understanding what changed is far more useful than immediately assuming you need more powerful hardware.
Related Guides
- 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)
