Moonkin Form

FPS & Ping

Step Zero

Consistent FPS (frames per second) and ping in WoW is about more than just hardware. The right settings and maintenance can prevent issues like screen tearing, rubber banding, FPS drops, and input lag. This guide covers practical steps to improve your experience, from system setup to in-game tweaks.

Below you'll find a step-by-step approach to optimizing both FPS and ping, with troubleshooting for common issues.

System Preparation

Storage Space Matters

WoW and other programs need breathing room. Ideally, keep at least 20% of your drive free. Low storage can cause stuttering and slow load times.

Storage Space

Keep Your OS Up to Date

Games expect the latest version of Windows or MacOS. Updates often include performance improvements and security patches. Check for updates regularly.

Windows Update

Update Your Graphics Drivers

Outdated drivers are a common cause of FPS drops and crashes. Use official tools from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel to keep your drivers current. Avoid third-party driver sites.

Driver Update Options

NVIDIA: NVIDIA App (formerly GeForce Experience).

AMD: Download the latest drivers from AMD's official website.

Intel: Use Intel's support site for graphics drivers.

NVIDIA Update

Background Programs

Close unnecessary programs before launching WoW. Apps like browsers or game launchers can use CPU, RAM, and bandwidth.

Power Settings

On Windows, set your power plan to "High Performance" in Control Panel → Power Options. Laptops should be plugged in for best results.

My Setup (For Reference)

These settings are optimized for my system. Your results may vary based on your hardware.

CPU

Intel(R) Core(™) i7-9800X

GPU

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080

My Recommended Settings

Before and After Comparison

Before Optimization

Low FPS in Garrison

After Optimization

Improved FPS in Garrison

Graphics Settings

These settings balance visual quality and performance. Lowering settings for shadows, liquid detail, and render scale can have a big impact. Disable V-Sync unless you have screen tearing.

Graphics Settings 1
Graphics Settings 2
Graphics Settings 3

Network Optimization

Wired vs Wireless

Use a wired Ethernet connection if possible. Wi-Fi is more prone to interference and packet loss, which can cause lag spikes.

Router Settings

Restart your router occasionally. Make sure firmware is up to date. If you share your connection, ask others to avoid heavy downloads or streaming while you play.

Troubleshooting

  • Sudden FPS Drops: Check for background updates (Windows Update, game launchers). Lower graphics settings further if needed.
  • High Ping: Test your connection with ping google.com in a Command Prompt. If ping is high, restart your router or contact your ISP. It's possible that your in game ping is higher than your internet ping. If the difference is over 100ms, you should consider using a VPN.
  • Addons Causing Lag: Disable all addons and re-enable one by one to find the culprit. Or install the BugSack or BugGrabber to see which addon is throwing errors.

Challenge

0/4 completed
  1. Travel to Your Garrison:
    Head to your garrison for a controlled environment.
  2. Check Your Framerate:
    Hit Ctrl-R to see your FPS.
  3. Update Your Graphics Card and OS:
    Update your graphics card and OS to the latest version.
  4. Adjust Your Graphic Settings:
    Increase your FPS by at least 10% by adjusting your graphics settings.

Note: Check your monitor's refresh rate. Many 144Hz monitors are stuck at 60Hz by default. On Windows, go to System → Display → Advanced display settings to fix this.

Optional Enhancements

ExitLag & Alternatives

If you still get lag spikes, consider a network optimizer like ExitLag, WTFast, or NoPing. These can help with routing issues, especially if you play on servers far from your location.

Important Note

These tools can stabilize your connection but won't lower your ping if your route to the server is already optimal. Use free trials to test if they help before subscribing.

RAM

It's a common issue to have low RAM. You can check both your RAM usage and capacity in the task manager. If your RAM usage is maxed out, you should consider upgrading your RAM before upgrading your CPU or GPU. This is generally going to be more cost effective. I recommend 32GB of RAM for most players. Ensure any RAM you buy is compatible with your motherboard.

GEAR