is fullscreen better than borderless for fps

Is Fullscreen or Borderless Better for FPS?

By Richard HernandezJanuary 21, 2026

When it comes to gaming, every frame counts. Two popular window modes, fullscreen and borderless, often leave gamers wondering which one is better for maximizing their frames per second (FPS). Let's delve into the intricacies of these modes to help you make an informed decision.

Fullscreen and borderless window modes cater to different preferences and system configurations. Before we dive into which is better for FPS, let's understand what each mode offers.

Understanding Fullscreen Mode

Fullscreen mode is designed to provide an immersive gaming experience. It occupies your entire screen, hiding your desktop and other applications. This mode is ideal for gamers who want to minimize distractions and focus solely on their game.

However, fullscreen mode can be demanding on your system's resources. It often requires more processing power and can lead to higher CPU and GPU usage, potentially impacting your FPS.

Pros of Fullscreen Mode

Fullscreen mode offers an immersive gaming experience, reducing distractions and providing a consistent frame rate.

It's particularly useful for games that rely heavily on peripheral vision or have complex, detailed environments.

Cons of Fullscreen Mode

Fullscreen mode can be resource-intensive, potentially leading to lower FPS, especially on less powerful systems.

Switching between fullscreen and other applications can be disruptive, as it requires exiting and re-entering the game.

Windowed, Fullscreen, and Borderless Modes: Which One Is Best?

a blue and white sunburst background with light rays in the center, as if it were an optical illusion

Borderless Windowed Mode: A Middle Ground

Borderless windowed mode offers a compromise between fullscreen and traditional windowed modes. It displays the game in a borderless window that occupies your entire screen, but you can still interact with your desktop and other applications.

This mode is less demanding on system resources than fullscreen mode, as it doesn't require as much processing power to manage. As a result, it can often provide higher FPS, especially on less powerful systems.

Pros of Borderless Windowed Mode

Borderless windowed mode offers a balance between immersion and multitasking, allowing you to interact with other applications without exiting the game.

the sun shines through clouds over some trees

⃝🍥 ⋆ ࣪. ¡ 𝐏𝗅𝖺𝗇𝗍𝗂𝗅𝗅𝖺𝗌 𝐝𝖾 𝖼𝖾𝗅𝗎𝗅𝖺𝗋 𝗉𝖺𝗋𝖺 𝐇𝖾𝗅𝗉𝗌 𝖿𝗉𝗌 ! . 🐋 ۪ ꒰੭ ୨୧

a green screen with an image of a sheep on it's back and head in the air

a green background with pink and white flowers on the bottom, and an oval frame in the middle

a pink and green frame with hearts on the border, in front of a white picket fence

a pink and green photo frame with hearts

a hello kitty photo frame with pink flowers and hearts on the border, in front of a green screen

a green background with white flowers and an animal in the center, surrounded by clover leaves

a television screen with the sky and clouds in it

It's less resource-intensive than fullscreen mode, potentially leading to higher FPS, especially on less powerful systems.

Cons of Borderless Windowed Mode

Borderless windowed mode can be less immersive than fullscreen mode, as you can still see your desktop and other applications.

Some games may not support borderless windowed mode, limiting your options.

In the end, the choice between fullscreen and borderless windowed mode depends on your personal preferences and system capabilities. If you prioritize immersion and have a powerful system, fullscreen mode might be your best bet. However, if you value multitasking and have a less powerful system, borderless windowed mode could provide a better gaming experience. Why not try both and see which one works best for you? After all, every gamer is unique, and so are their gaming needs.