Summary

The “1% lows” and “0.1% lows” refer to the lowest frame rates a player experiences during 1% and 0.1% of gameplay, respectively. These metrics, which highlight potential stuttering or lagging issues, provide a more comprehensive understanding of game performance than average frame rate alone.

If you’re a hardcore PC gamer or even a casual one, you’ve probably heard of the term “1% lows.” and “0.1% lows” But what does this term mean, and why does it matter? Buckle up, because it’s lesson time.

What Is a 1% or 0.1% Low?

The term “1% lows” refers to the lowest frame rates you experience 1% of the time during your gameplay. Similarly, the “0.1% low” refers to the lowestframe rates (FPS)you experience 0.1% of the time.

These metrics provide a more holistic understanding of the gaming experience than just the average frame rate, as they give insight into the worst-case scenarios. They help identify instances of stuttering or lagging, which might significantly impair gameplay, even if the average frame rate seems satisfactory.

The Basics of Frame Rate

Before understanding the relevance of 1% lows, it’s essential to understand what frame rate is. In simple terms, the frame rate is the number of frames or images that your computer’sGPU (Graphics Processing Unit)can render and display on the screen in one second. This is typically measured in frames per second (FPS).

A higher frame rate generally equates to smoother gameplay. However, consistency in frame rates is just as important. Having an average of 60 FPS doesn’t mean much if your game keeps dropping to 20 FPS at crucial moments, causing stuttering and potentially affecting your gaming experience.

This is where the concept of 1% lows and 0.1% lows comes into play. They help gauge this consistency or lack thereof.

What Does Your Low Score Mean?

Now that we’ve established 1% lows and 0.1% lows, it’s time to interpret what these numbers mean for your gaming experience.

If your 1% low is close to your average FPS, that’s excellent news. It means that your game’s performance is consistent, and you’re unlikely to notice noticeable frame rate drops. However, if your 1% or 0.1% low is significantly lower than your average, you’re encountering considerable frame rate drops during gameplay, leading to potential stuttering or lagging.

These sudden drops, especially during critical gameplay moments, can detrimentally affect your experience. Therefore, it’s not just about chasing the highest average FPS—but also about minimizing these lows.

How to Get Better 1% and 0.1% Lows

Getting better 1% and 0.1% lows in game benchmarks or live performance counters ensures that your PC’s performance is stable and consistent. Here are a few steps you’re able to take:

You don’t need to do all of these things, of course, and starting with the cheapest and easiest methods (such as dialing down game settings) makes the most sense. Once you have those FPS lows closer to your average FPS, you’ll definitely feel a massive qualitative leap in your gaming experience.