When customizing the game “for themselves” and especially trying to improve its performance, many players often ask themselves: which is better to choose full-screen or windowless mode without a frame? What speeds up the game and what slows it down? Or does it have no effect on FPS at all? While both modes allow the game to take up the entire screen, there are important differences between them that can affect gameplay. What we will talk about in our article today.
Full-screen mode
Full-screen mode completely captures the screen, disabling any other processes that may be displayed on top of the game. This can improve performance, as the system focuses entirely on the game, minimizing latency and increasing frame rates. However, this mode can cause inconvenience if you need to quickly switch between the game and other apps.
Full-screen mode gives the game full control over the processes displayed on the screen, which allows you to maximize the performance of the system. In this mode, the operating system allocates all available resources exclusively for the game. Users can adjust the display refresh rate and use V-Sync or G-Sync technologies to improve image quality and prevent frame breaks. The main advantage of full-screen mode is its simplicity and efficiency. The game gets full control over the display, which allows it to set the resolution correctly and can slightly improve performance, especially if the game is optimized for this mode.
Full-screen mode is especially useful for those using a single monitor, as it locks the mouse pointer in the game window, preventing accidental exits from its limits. This reduces the chance that the game will collapse if you accidentally click outside the game window. However, if you need to quickly switch between the game and other apps, full-screen mode may be less convenient. Moving the mouse pointer to an additional display or interacting with other applications requires using keyboard shortcuts such asAlt+Tab,Alt+Enteror pressingWin. These actions cause a time delay where the display turns black for a few seconds while the driver adapts to the changes.
Disadvantages of full-screen mode include locking the mouse cursor in the game window and difficulties with quickly switching to other screens or applications. When third-party programs, such as screenshot utilities, interfere, the game window automatically collapses, which can interrupt the gameplay and cause inconvenience.
Window mode without a border
Windowed Borderless mode also allows the game to take up the entire screen, but it also allows you to quickly change the active window. This can be especially useful for streamers or those who frequently use multiple monitors. In this mode, switching between games and other applications is almost instantaneous, which makes it more flexible, but sometimes it can lead to minor performance losses compared to full-screen mode.
Window mode without a border allows the game to stretch the image to fit the desktop, while maintaining all the features and disadvantages of the standard window mode. This mode provides freedom to switch between windows, which will be an advantage for those who work with multiple applications at the same time. This is achieved due to the absence of the usual window borders, which makes the game visually full-screen, despite the fact that technically this is not the case.
However, some useful features, such as vertical synchronization and fine-tuning of the image, which are available in full-screen mode, may not be available.
Switching to the second monitor will be easier here, since you are not limited to the game window. To access another application or window, just move the mouse cursor to it and select it, which will allow you to instantly switch to the desired application. This is especially useful for streamers who need to interact with the chat, or for players who use additional programs such as Discord.
However, despite all its advantages, the window mode without borders has its drawbacks. If the game requires heavy horizontal mouse movement, the cursor may accidentally move out of the game window, which will cause the focus to switch to another application.
In addition, some games are optimized to run in full-screen mode, and switching to windowed mode without a border can lead to a slight decrease in performance. In most cases, this reduction will be small, but in some games it may be noticeable.
Which mode is right for you?
If you’re using a single monitor and you’re looking for maximum performance, especially in games, full-screen mode is the best solution. This mode allows you to focus all your PC resources on the game, which can lead to better frame rates and lower latency.
If you need to have quick access to other applications, for example, to communicate in instant messengers, use the browser, or work with other programs, windowed mode without borders will be more convenient.
Performance in these modes may vary depending on your PC configuration. In some cases, the difference will be insignificant, but in others it can significantly affect the gameplay. Therefore, it is recommended to try both modes to determine which one is best suited to your PC and your needs.
What mode do you choose? Full-screen or window without borders? And why? Write in the comments!
