Fullscreen Vs Borderless For More FPS? Answered

Welcome to the world of gaming, where each frame matters and counts for your performance. 

Gamers are constantly looking for ways to improve and make their games play smoother by increasing the FPS (frames per second). One debate that has been ongoing for a while now is whether gaming in fullscreen or borderless mode can affect FPS.

Whether fullscreen or borderless results in a higher FPS is debated. In this article, we will look at both modes and decide which one can offer more FPS. So buckle up and dive into the world of fullscreen and borderless!

Which is Better For More FPS? – Fullscreen or Borderless

Borderless mode undoubtedly gives more FPS than fullscreen mode, but this increase in FPS is very small. Borderless mode is better suited for multi-monitor setups because it allows gamers to switch between screens with a simple mouse click. 

Fullscreen mode, on the other hand, provides gamers with total immersion and a seamless gaming experience. This mode allows for greater GPU utilization as window management does not require additional resources. Fullscreen mode provides greater stability, as switching between windows can cause FPS drops.

It boils down to personal preference and what meets the gamer’s needs. Fullscreen mode is the way to go if performance is what gamers are after. However, if players desire greater convenience during gaming sessions, the borderless mode is the way to go. Here we have listed a few notable differences.

Overall FPS

FPS (frames per second) does depend on the screen size, and you can see a slight difference. If you have a screen with a smaller size, it means you have a low-resolution screen with fewer pixels. These are limited to fewer pixels will result in low FPS. So, in fullscreen mode, your game has limited pixels, but in un borderless mode, your screen has whole pixels extended to the edge of the screen. 

That is why Borderless gives more FPS. But these FPS are not significant or very high. The FPS may go up by between 0.5 and 1%. Therefore, gamers prefer borderless monitors that turn on borderless mode.

Screen Size

Screen size is the ratio of pixels or inches that contain the pixels. More pixels mean more FPS. But it also depends on the supporting hardware you are using. If you don’t have a competing GPU, your gaming performance may drop as your FPS drops. That is why screen size matters when thinking about fullscreen or borderless. It is because the borderless has a larger screen than the fullscreen and generally gives more FPS. 

Resolution & Performance

In fullscreen mode, you can choose the resolution you want for your games. It will give you better performance and reduce the strain on the GPU and CPU. On the other hand, in borderless mode, your resolution is equal to the size of your monitor’s edges. That is why it gives more FPS than fullscreen. It can affect your FPS widely, and your game can take more advantage of the CPU and GPU. 

Multiplayer Gameplay

In multiplayer gameplay, you need more FPS to compete with other players. Fullscreen mode is a classic gaming mode in which the game occupies the entire display. In this mode, the player is completely immersed in the game, with no other applications or programs to distract them. 

It also has a more stable frame rate because it does not have to share resources with other applications, which can result in a more fluid gaming experience. However, one of the disadvantages of fullscreen mode is that switching between the game and other applications may take longer. If a player needs to access another application, they must minimize or exit the game first.

In contrast, the borderless mode allows the game to take up the entire screen while allowing other applications to be visible in the background. This mode is helpful for players who frequently switch between the game and other applications, such as a web browser or a messaging app. 

It is also advantageous for players with multiple monitors, as they can easily switch between the game and other applications without switching screens. Since the game competes with other programs for available resources, the borderless mode can decrease the frame rate.

Does Borderless Affect Gameplay?

Numerous gamers favor borderless mode, which enables them to play games without a border around the screen. However, some players question whether playing borderless mode affects their FPS and overall performance.

To comprehend how borderless mode affects gameplay, we must first comprehend its operation. In borderless mode, the game is displayed in a full-screen window. It indicates that the game window is at the top of the desktop and that other windows cannot be seen unless the game window is minimized or closed. 

This model is popular with gamers because it enables quick switching between the game and other applications. Nonetheless, this feature requires additional computer resources.

There may be a slight decrease in FPS when running games in borderless mode compared to running the game in fullscreen mode. It is because the computer must simultaneously render the game and the desktop, which requires more resources. 

Nevertheless, the difference in FPS is typically negligible and may be imperceptible to the average gamer. The reduction in FPS can also vary depending on the computer’s specifications, the game being played, and the screen resolution.

Does Borderless or Fullscreen Cause Lag?

The borderless mode enables the game to be displayed in a full-screen window. This mode can provide better performance than fullscreen, particularly on multi-monitor configurations. Due to the operating system rendering other windows and interface elements concurrently with the game, input lag and frame rate may increase.

On the other hand, Fullscreen mode provides a dedicated display of the game, typically with enhanced performance and reduced input lag because the operating system is not rendering other elements. 

This mode may be less compatible with certain hardware configurations, such as multi-monitor setups or different aspect ratios, and less tolerant of system crashes and interruptions.

The graphics card, CPU, RAM, and storage device can influence latency in both modes. Game performance may suffer if any of these components are underpowered, regardless of the display mode. Online games can also experience lag due to network latency.

Moreover, some games and applications may perform better in one mode than the other. It is advised to experiment with both modes to determine which mode provides the best performance for a specific game or application.

Pros & Cons of Fullscreen 

Pros	Cons
Offers a viewing experience that is more engaging and immersive.	It’s possible that some monitor sizes won’t work well with this software.
Helps minimize the impact of visual distractions.	This can make it difficult to perform multiple tasks at once.
Makes the most of the available space on the screen.	It could make switching between applications or Windows more difficult.
Assists in maintaining focus on the current activity at hand.
Can increase productivity by reducing the number of interruptions that occur.

Pros & Cons of Borderless

Pros	Cons
A viewing experience that is more immersive.	Higher costs for production.
An aesthetic that is sleeker and more contemporary.	It can enhance the general design.
Superior for configurations involving multiple displays.
Can enhance general design.

Conclusion

Fullscreen versus borderless for higher FPS is a topic of ongoing debate. Although borderless mode offers more frames per second than full-screen mode, the difference is negligible. 

Fullscreen mode improves GPU utilization, stability, and immersion, whereas borderless mode is more convenient, particularly when switching between multiple screens. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and what meets the gamer’s needs.

Fullscreen provides a more engaging and immersive viewing experience by minimizing the impact of visual distractions while maximizing the available screen space. It also aids in maintaining concentration on the task at hand and can increase productivity by decreasing the number of interruptions.

In contrast, the borderless mode offers a more immersive viewing experience with a sleek, modern aesthetic. It is ideally suited for configurations involving multiple displays and can improve the overall aesthetic.

To determine which mode will provide the best performance, it is essential to consider the user’s hardware, budget, and the game or application being used. The fullscreen mode may provide a more stable frame rate, whereas borderless mode may be preferable for gamers who frequently switch between applications and screens.