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Why is my fps locked at 120 despite high specs?

Frame Rate Frustrations | Gamers Stuck at 120 FPS Despite High-End Setups

By

Emma Turner

Aug 29, 2025, 07:16 AM

Edited By

Alex

Updated

Aug 30, 2025, 05:57 AM

2 minutes of duration

A gamer looking frustrated while adjusting their computer settings, with a game displayed showing locked FPS at 120.

A rising tide of gamers is voicing frustrations over frame rate limits in gaming, particularly a 120 FPS cap that defies their rigโ€™s capabilities. Reports indicate several players, including those with top-tier setups, are unable to break free from this restriction in games like Halo, where varying FPS readings complicate the situation.

The Setup Dilemma

Tech-savvy gamers are showcasing impressive builds featuring 5090 graphics cards and 9800X3D CPUs, yet many are still hindered by this peculiar locking issue. A reported user mentioned that Nvidia's Overlay displays 240 FPS, while Halo shows 120โ€”a stark contradiction. Despite multiple attempts to solve the problem, such as adjusting settings, the cap remains persistent.

Interestingly, the monitor is configured for a 240Hz refresh rate, but the issue crops up across platforms, affecting both the Xbox app and Steam versions. Gamers are left in limbo, seeking guidance on a problem that seems straightforward yet baffling.

Insights from the Community

Many community members are honing in on the Smooth Motion setting as a key culprit behind the 120 FPS cap. As one commenter accurately noted, disabling this feature helped them achieve a locked 240 FPS. "Turning it off fixed it and am at a locked 240. You are the man," expressed a grateful gamer after finding resolution.

"If you are rocking a 5090 at 1080p, youโ€™ll be able to destroy that game without any AI help," remarked another player, underlining the system's capabilities in light of unnecessary complications.

Tips shared among the forum include:

  • Disabling Smooth Motion: This setting, which utilizes AI to create additional frames, may inadvertently halve the displayed FPS.

  • Toggling Low Latency Mode: Adjusting low latency mode to "On" instead of ultra has reportedly enhanced FPS performance.

Mixed Responses

While many users found success with these adjustments, a few remained skeptical of the original post's claims. Comments varied from dismissals of the issue to discussions about whether users should cap their framerate at all.

In a related note, some participants pointed out:

  • Disable Vsync: Suggestions emerged about turning off Vsync to prevent further limitations from imposed frame rate caps.

  • Varying Experience Across Hardware: A user with a similar setup claimed to achieve stable FPS well above 400, stating, "Remove all the caps in all the different places."

Key Points to Consider

  • โ–ณ Disabling Smooth Motion resolves FPS issues for many players.

  • โ–ฝ Users report conflicting FPS readings across different platforms.

  • ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Recommendations include adjusting low latency mode and turning off Vsync for better performance.

The evolving discussion around these frame rate issues indicates that gamers are more engaged than ever in seeking practical solutions together. As these insights spread, developers would be wise to pay attention; ongoing troubles suggest a pressing need for patches and updates aimed at addressing the divergent experiences highlighted by the player community.

The Ongoing Quest for Optimal Performance

As this saga unfolds, we might witness a shift in how developers address frame rate settings amidst changing hardware capabilities. This collective dialogue among gamers emphasizes the necessity for reliable performanceโ€”one that canโ€™t be overlooked by companies in an increasingly competitive gaming landscape. Whether the gaming community's input will lead to meaningful changes remains to be seen.