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Xbox Frame Rate, Refresh Rate, and FPS Boost Explained

FPS is a game's rendering rate; Hz is a display's refresh rate. See what Xbox FPS Boost changes, how to check supported games, and whether you need a 120 Hz screen.
Length3 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
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FPS is how many frames a game renders each second; Hz is how many times a display can refresh each second. Xbox FPS Boost is a separate feature that raises frame rates in selected backward-compatible games on Xbox Series X|S—it does not make every game run at 120 FPS. To see 120 FPS, the game and the display path must both support it.

FPS and Hz measure different parts of the picture

Frame rate, measured in frames per second (FPS), describes how often a game produces a new frame. Refresh rate, measured in hertz (Hz), describes how often a display refreshes its image. The game renders; the screen displays. The two rates work together, but one does not set the other.

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  • A 60 Hz display can refresh up to 60 times per second.
  • A 120 Hz display can refresh up to 120 times per second, subject to its supported input mode and other capabilities.
  • A 120 Hz screen does not make a 30 or 60 FPS game render more frames. If a game renders above 60 FPS, a compatible display path is needed to see the higher rate.

Xbox’s Series X|S fact sheet qualifies 120 FPS as requiring supported content and a supported display. Xbox Series X|S Fact Sheet (PDF)

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What FPS Boost does—and what it does not do

FPS Boost is an Xbox backward-compatibility enhancement for selected games on Xbox Series X|S. It uses techniques to raise the frame rate of supported titles; it is not a universal setting for every Xbox game. Xbox’s current compatibility page says the feature can raise frame rates to nearly double the original on supported games and notes that features vary by title. Xbox backward-compatible games

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FPS Boost is distinct from both Auto HDR and resolution enhancements. Auto HDR changes the presentation of color and brightness in some older SDR games; it is not a frame-rate feature. Resolution concerns image detail and pixel dimensions, not how many frames the game renders each second.

FPS Boost does not guarantee 120 FPS

The result depends on the individual game. In its February 2021 launch examples, Xbox said New Super Lucky’s Tale could run “up to 120 frames per second (fps)” with FPS Boost, while UFC 4 reached 60 FPS on Xbox Series S. Xbox also described selected cases where the feature could nearly double, and in a few cases quadruple, the original frame rate; that description is not a general promise for all games. Xbox Wire’s FPS Boost announcement, February 17, 2021

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Those examples illustrate why the exact game and console matter more than the feature name alone. A game may receive a higher frame rate without reaching 120 FPS, and a 120 Hz display cannot change that game’s supported performance.

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Check whether a specific game supports FPS Boost

  1. Open the Xbox backward-compatible games page.
  2. Filter for FPS Boost and the relevant console, Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S.
  3. Check the individual game’s listing before relying on an old compatibility list or assuming support. Xbox notes that features vary by game and downloads may be required.

The compatibility listing is dynamic, so confirm the current entry for the title you want to play.

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Do you need a 120 Hz TV or monitor?

No. A 120 Hz display is not required to use FPS Boost at lower frame rates. It is useful if you want to view a supported game at a rate above 60 FPS, but only when the game, console output, display input, and connection all support the intended mode. Xbox’s stated requirement is supported content and a supported display; its fact sheet does not establish a universal cable specification or recommend a particular monitor.

When comparing screens for higher-frame-rate play, check the maximum refresh rate, the Xbox output mode supported by the display’s input, any resolution trade-offs, and whether the games you play support the target frame rate. A faster screen does not add FPS Boost to a game or raise its frame rate by itself.

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Where to find the FPS Boost setting

Xbox’s February 2021 announcement described a Compatibility Options button under Manage Game for toggling FPS Boost and Auto HDR, plus an indicator accessible through the Xbox button. This is historical menu guidance, not a guarantee that current console labels or locations are unchanged. If those labels differ, use the current game-management and console menus to check available compatibility options. Xbox Wire’s original FPS Boost announcement

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