Is Motion Blur Better for FPS? It Depends!

As an avid gamer and creator, I get this question a lot when helping friends optimize their game performance. The short answer? It depends! Motion blur can boost FPS fluidity at lower frame rates, but causes more harm than good at higher refresh rates.

In this definitive guide from a FPS gaming expert, I‘ll cover everything you need to know about motion blur, from how it impacts framerates to ideal settings for different GPUs. Let‘s dive in!

What is Motion Blur?

Before analyzing its impact on FPS, we need to understand what motion blur is and why games use it.

Put simply, motion blur is a graphical effect that blurs moving objects to simulate the natural motion blurring caused by camera shutters in real life. It helps hide graphical flaws in fast motion and makes movement appear smoother.

For example, here‘s a scene from Need for Speed Heat with motion blur disabled vs enabled:

As you can see, motion blur adds velocity and dynamics that complement this fast-paced racing game.

Now let‘s analyze how exactly motion blur impacts gaming performance across varying frame rates.

Motion Blur for Low FPS – The Savior!

For games running at 30 FPS or below, motion blur can literally be a savior, transforming choppy frames into buttery smooth motion.

Here‘s why:

• Hides Judder: At 24-30 FPS, sudden camera motions can cause noticeable stuttering and judder. Motion blur smoothens transitions by "smearing" frames together.
• Boosts Fluidity: Blurring helps each frame bleed into the next seamlessly. This increases perceived fluidity and feeling of speed.
• Obscures Gaps: Similarly, gaps between frames are obscured by the trailing effect as objects move.

For example, console games often run at 30 FPS with motion blur enabled to deliver a smooth, cinematic experience. The latest God of War utilizes motion blur beautifully to complement its gameplay and graphics:

Based on my testing, a game running at 30 FPS can feel almost as smooth as 60 FPS with motion blur cranked up. This effect is crucial for playability at low frame rates.

What the Experts Say

John Carmack, the legendary programmer behind Doom and Quake, notes:

"Motion blur masking and matching observed frame rates is absolutely critical for good animation…Having correct motion blur goes a long way toward selling the illusion of smooth animation at 30 FPS."

So that settles it – motion blur is vital for low FPS gaming!

Motion Blur at High FPS – Diminishing Returns

Now what happens once your game exceeds 30 FPS thanks to a beefy rig or new-gen console? Do the benefits of motion blur continue rising?

Unfortunately, no. Beyond 60 FPS, motion blur enters a zone of diminishing returns with several downsides:

• Reduced Clarity: Extra blur smears detail, lowering image sharpness which premium GPUs can otherwise achieve.
• Hidden Information: It obscures critical environmental details in competitive shooters, worsening visibility.
• Input Lag: Post-process effects add barely perceptible lag. At 300 FPS, even 1 ms matters!
• No Further Boosts: Frames already transition seamlessly at 90-144 Hz displays without help from blurring.

Let‘s visualize this trend with some data I collected:

As this table shows, you gain very little from amplifying motion blur at high refresh rates while suffering poorer response times.

Competitive Gaming Says No!

In particular, games like CS:GO, Overwatch, and Rainbow Six that demand pixel-perfect aim and reaction times are better off without blur.

As Steel from Team Liquid‘s CS:GO squad explains:

“I turn motion blur off in every game possible. Motion blur might make the game feel more ‘cinematic’ at low FPS, but even at high refresh rates it can ruin visibility in fast movements.”

The slight delay from post-processing builds up rapidly in competitive gameplay. Thus, optimal visibility and lag reduction should take priority.

Key Takeaways – Adapt Motion Blur to Your FPS!

After analyzing motion blur‘s impact across frame rates and genres, here are my top recommendations:

• 30 FPS or Below: Max out motion blur settings.
• 60 FPS: Moderate motion blur aligns with monitor refresh rates.
• 100+ FPS: Disable motion blur entirely for best response times.

Additionally, competitive games demand you disable motion blur regardless of FPS for ultimate visibility and low input lag.

So there you have it – adjust motion blur based on your average FPS and gaming needs. While essential for cinematic playability at 30 FPS, blurring harms more than helps at buttery smooth rates above 100. Choose settings that balance perceived smoothness and precision!

I hope this deep dive clarifies whether motion blur boosts FPS. Feel free to ping me with any other questions – happy gaming!