How Many Frames Do You Really Need?

"How many frames do you actually need to play Star Citizen? In this video we look at 20, 30, 40 and 60 FPS, to see what is needed for a playable experience! "

Star Citizen is a game that encourages players to be well prepared. In this video, four different frame rates were tested to see if the player can discern which is which. After viewing the frames, they were revealed as 20, 30, 40, and 60 frames per second. 30 FPS is the lowest recommended frame rate for playing the game comfortably. Though 60FPS is smoother, 30FPS is adequate for most people. It is possible to reach 60FPS or higher on high refresh rate monitors, but it isn’t currently achievable. In conclusion, the answer to the question of how many frames do you actually need for Star Citizen is 30.

20 frames per second is borderline unplayable, not providing the level of smoothness necessary for enjoyable game play. 30 frames per second is the recommended minimum, creating a comfortable feeling for the majority of players. Though not quite as smooth as 60 frames per second, 30 is a comfortable midpoint and achievable on most systems.

Finally, those with high refresh rate monitors may be able to go higher, with the ultimate experience sitting at 60 frames per second or higher. However, this level isn’t currently achievable, so 30 is the target. Playing Star Citizen comfortably requires a minimum of 30 frames per second in order to keep up with the fast-paced gameplay.