A MaximusFPS guide
What is the difference between low FPS, high ping and packet loss?
FPS describes how quickly your PC renders frames. Ping describes network round-trip time to a server. Jitter is variation in that delay, and packet loss means some data does not arrive. You can have smooth high FPS and a poor connection, or low FPS with low ping. Identify which measurement changes when the symptom occurs.
What to check first
- Show local FPS/frametime metrics and the game’s network indicators together.
- Compare local/training play with online play where available.
- Check whether downloads, Wi-Fi interference or server selection affect the symptom.
Likely causes and how to distinguish them
Slow or uneven local frames make camera motion choppy. Network delay can make an online action register late or produce rubber-banding even while the local camera stays smooth.
A distant server adds travel time that PC tuning cannot remove. Routing, congestion and wireless interference can add delay or variability beyond that distance.
Input-device and display latency are local too, but are not measured fully by either FPS or ping. Avoid labelling all of these simply as “lag”.
Diagnostic steps, in order
- Observe the same symptom with both graphs visible. Note whether a frametime spike, ping rise or loss warning accompanies it.
- Pause downloads and compare Ethernet with Wi-Fi using the same available server. A wired comparison can help identify local wireless problems.
- Use the game’s supported server/region selection and check official service status. Do not assume a VPN improves the route; Riot advises avoiding VPNs/proxies for its game connection troubleshooting.
- If only local rendering is slow, investigate settings, clocks and hardware. If network metrics are unstable, document the pattern for your ISP or game support.
Limitations and when help may be appropriate
Optimization may help local performance, but cannot guarantee a ping reduction, remove geographical latency or repair the game server. Professional assistance should distinguish these problems before selling work. Do not buy a local FPS service expecting it to fix every online delay.
Follow-up questions
Will a faster GPU lower ping?
No. It may improve local rendering, but server distance and network conditions remain separate.
Is Ethernet always lower ping?
It often avoids Wi-Fi interference, but cannot fix every ISP route or server issue. Compare actual stability, jitter and loss rather than assuming a guaranteed number.
Official sources and further reading
These documents support the technical explanations; game and driver options can change. Source language may differ from this guide.