Fallout New Vegas Fps Stuck At 144

2 min read 27-12-2024

Many Fallout: New Vegas players, even with powerful rigs, experience the frustrating issue of their frame rate capping at 144 FPS. This isn't a limitation of the game itself; rather, it's often a result of specific settings or conflicts within your system. Let's explore common causes and solutions.

Understanding the 144 FPS Cap

Before diving into solutions, it's crucial to understand why your FPS might be stuck. The game doesn't inherently limit you to 144 frames per second. The issue usually stems from:

V-Sync: Vertical Synchronization aims to synchronize your game's frame rate with your monitor's refresh rate. While this eliminates screen tearing, enabling V-Sync can cap your FPS at your monitor's refresh rate (in this case, 144Hz).
Refresh Rate Mismatch: If your monitor's refresh rate isn't properly detected or set within the game or your operating system, it could lead to the 144 FPS lock.
Driver Issues: Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers can cause various performance problems, including FPS limitations.
In-Game Settings: Certain in-game settings, especially those related to graphics quality, can impact performance. High settings naturally demand more processing power, but even medium settings can sometimes cause unexpected FPS caps.
Background Processes: Applications running in the background can consume valuable system resources, potentially limiting your gaming performance.

Troubleshooting Steps

Here's a step-by-step guide to troubleshoot and resolve this issue:

1. Disable V-Sync:

This is often the culprit. Go into your Fallout: New Vegas graphics settings (both within the game's menu and your graphics card's control panel - usually Nvidia Control Panel or AMD Radeon Settings) and disable V-Sync. Restart the game to see if this resolves the issue.

2. Verify Refresh Rate Settings:

In-Game: Check your Fallout: New Vegas settings to ensure the refresh rate is correctly set to match your monitor's capabilities.
Operating System: Go to your display settings within your operating system (Windows Display Settings) and verify that your monitor is correctly identified and set to 144Hz (or your monitor's native refresh rate).

3. Update Graphics Drivers:

Visit the website of your graphics card manufacturer (Nvidia or AMD) and download the latest drivers for your specific card model. Proper driver installation is vital for optimal performance and stability.

4. Adjust In-Game Graphics Settings:

Lowering the graphics settings (shadows, textures, anti-aliasing, etc.) can significantly boost your FPS. Experiment with different settings to find the optimal balance between visual quality and performance.

5. Close Background Applications:

Before launching Fallout: New Vegas, close any unnecessary applications running in the background. This frees up system resources and can lead to performance improvements.

6. Check for Mods:

If you're using mods, some may conflict with the game and cause performance issues. Try disabling mods to see if it resolves the problem. If a specific mod is the cause, consider seeking updates or alternatives.

7. Verify Game Files:

If all else fails, verify the integrity of your game files through your game launcher (Steam, GOG, etc.). This checks for any corrupted files that could be contributing to the problem.

By systematically working through these steps, you should be able to identify the root cause of your 144 FPS cap and reclaim your desired frame rate in Fallout: New Vegas. Remember to test after each step to see if the issue has been resolved.