Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →To troubleshoot crashes, low FPS, or stuttering in a PC open-world RPG, first check the exact game’s requirements, then work through game files, graphics drivers and GPU selection, settings, background software, and hardware conditions. Change one thing at a time and retest the same area so you can tell what helped. Steps differ by game, launcher, and platform; Steam’s file-verification instructions apply to Steam installs, while the advanced examples below are specific to Starfield on PC.
First identify what is going wrong
Note whether the issue happens in one game or across several, and whether it is a crash, consistently low frame rate, or intermittent hitching. A problem confined to one title points you toward its requirements, installation, settings, or game-specific support. Problems across games may warrant checking shared drivers, background load, power behavior, or the PC itself. Symptoms alone do not identify the cause.
Before changing anything, record your current settings and reproduce the issue in the same location or activity after each change. That makes troubleshooting more informative and lets you revert a setting that makes performance worse.
Check the game’s requirements and your PC
Compare your PC with the current requirements for the specific game, using its store or publisher page. Steam cautions that meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee high FPS; its software performance guidance discusses requirements, graphics settings, resolution, and background applications. Bethesda likewise begins its Starfield PC performance guidance by asking players to confirm that their systems meet the game’s minimum requirements.
#1 Best Overall
- Powered by Radeon RX 9070 XT
- WINDFORCE Cooling System
- Hawk Fan
- Server-grade Thermal Conductive Gel
- RGB Lighting
If the game calls for storage or other hardware your system lacks, check both the game’s requirements and your computer’s compatibility before considering an upgrade. Steam identifies graphics card and memory upgrades as possible responses to a requirements shortfall. Bethesda recommends SSD storage for Starfield on PC rather than a hard disk drive. These address different constraints: an SSD is not a universal remedy for low FPS or crashes, and no upgrade guarantees a fix without identifying the limitation first.
For Steam crashes or missing content, verify the installed files
Steam Support says file verification can help when a game crashes or is missing textures or other content. For a Steam installation, use this path:
- Open Steam and go to Library.
- Right-click the game and select Properties.
- Choose Installed Files.
- Select Verify integrity of game files.
Steam notes that verification may take several minutes and that files which fail verification can be local configuration files; that can be normal. Avoid running the check while other system-intensive work is underway. The procedure is for Steam installs, not a general instruction for other launchers.
Rank #2
- NVIDIA Ampere Streaming Multiprocessors: The all-new Ampere SM brings 2X the FP32 throughput and improved power efficiency.
- 2nd Generation RT Cores: Experience 2X the throughput of 1st gen RT Cores, plus concurrent RT and shading for a whole new level of ray-tracing performance.
- 3rd Generation Tensor Cores: Get up to 2X the throughput with structural sparsity and advanced AI algorithms such as DLSS. These cores deliver a massive boost in game performance and all-new AI capabilities.
- Axial-tech fan design features a smaller fan hub that facilitates longer blades and a barrier ring that increases downward air pressure.
- OC Mode : 1500 MHz (Boost Clock)/Default Mode : 1470 MHz (Boost Clock)
Check drivers, GPU selection, and power behavior
Make sure the graphics driver is current for your hardware, following the instructions for your GPU and game. For laptops with more than one GPU, confirm the game is using the primary GPU rather than integrated graphics. Bethesda’s Starfield guidance also notes that power-saving behavior can select integrated graphics. Driver installation, clean resets, and GPU-selection controls vary by vendor and system, so use the relevant official instructions rather than applying a reset procedure indiscriminately.
Reduce settings and background load methodically
Lowering resolution or demanding graphics options can reduce the work the system must do, while closing unnecessary applications can free system memory and other resources. Steam’s software troubleshooting guide covers these general checks. For Starfield specifically, Bethesda recommends testing performance with Steam Overlay and/or Xbox Game Bar disabled.
- Change one graphics option or background-software setting at a time.
- Retest under the same conditions and compare how the game behaves.
- Restore the original setting if the change does not help or causes another problem.
These checks can help isolate a cause, but the cited guidance does not promise a particular FPS increase or elimination of stuttering.
Rank #3
- Powered by the NVIDIA Blackwell architecture and DLSS 4. System Requirements: Minimum 850W PSU with 16-pin 12V-2x6 (12VHPWR) connector required. Verify before purchasing.
- Military-grade components deliver rock-solid power and longer lifespan for ultimate durability. Compatibility: 348mm (13.7") length, 3.6 slots, 4.3 lbs. Confirm case clearance and slot spacing. GPU bracket included.
- Protective PCB coating helps protect against short circuits caused by moisture, dust, or debris
- 3.6-slot design with massive fin array optimized for airflow from three Axial-tech fans
- Phase-change GPU thermal pad helps ensure optimal thermal performance and longevity, outlasting traditional thermal paste for graphics cards under heavy loads
Consider heat and memory pressure if hitches persist
Steam’s hardware performance guidance discusses heat, airflow, and memory pressure as possible contributors to slowdowns or recurring hitches. Check that vents are not blocked and that the system has adequate airflow; close unnecessary applications if memory may be under pressure. Do not infer overheating from a hitch alone or rely on a universal temperature threshold—the cited guidance does not establish one.
Use advanced steps only when they fit the game
If ordinary checks do not resolve repeated crashes, consult the game’s own support guidance before trying deeper system changes. Bethesda’s advanced Starfield PC troubleshooting suggests testing with a new Windows profile, clean or factory-resetting the GPU driver, and avoiding simultaneous Xbox app and Steam conflicts. These are Starfield-specific escalation options, not required steps for every RPG. Follow the applicable support instructions and understand how to undo a change before proceeding.
Decide whether the problem warrants an upgrade
Do not buy hardware based on a crash or stutter alone. An upgrade is more defensible when the specific game’s requirements and a known or measured system shortfall point to the component that needs attention. Consider compatibility and cost as well as the bottleneck: a GPU or memory upgrade may address one kind of shortfall, while storage recommendations concern another. If the requirements are met and the cause remains unclear, continue with game-specific support rather than assuming a new component will solve it.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
