Summary
Configuring Windows 11 for gaming can be a nightmare. You’d need to de-bloat the OS to free up resources, make some optimizations within Windows itself, among other changes. Some Windows settings claim to boost gaming performance, but they have been a mixed bag for most. Specifically, Game Mode has a polarizing reputation. Though it claims to improve gaming performance, I noticed it was working negatively for me. Game Mode has been enabled on my Windows 11 PC for ages, and after disabling it, I freed up CPU resources that had been hogged all this time. What Game Mode does for your CPU More resources, fewer interruptions Game Mode works by giving your game a higher scheduling preference. Background tasks and some maintenance tasks are either paused or shut down to free up maximum resources for your game. In addition, Windows pauses background updates and notifications to avoid gameplay interruptions and bandwidth throttling caused by background downloads. For CPUs with hybrid cores, including performance and efficient cores, Game Mode works alongside the Windows scheduler. Windows Scheduler can reserve performance cores for your games by deprioritizing background processes, thereby improving performance rather than splitting resources across all applications and services. Where Game Mode’s logic breaks down Game Mode means well, but sometimes it misunderstands CPU workloads In my analysis, Game Mode interferes too much with CPU behavior on specific titles that are already utilizing the maximum resources. Game Mode’s attempt to prioritize games does more harm than good, and the reassignment can throw resource management off balance, causing delays and reduced 1% lows. Sometimes Game Mode also struggles to detect games properly, and that inconsistency is due to non-standard launchers and overlays. This can cause the mode’s results to apply unevenly, leading to lags and frame spikes due to CPU resource prioritization. Game Mode also isn’t aware of which part of the game needs more CPU usage, and since it sees the program as a whole, it may not prioritize the process that can benefit from the extra resources. What disabling Game Mode did for me The results painted a mixed picture I ran multiple games with and without Game Mode enabled and found the results quite mixed. Out of the three games I tested, I noticed improved frame rates in just one title, though not by a margin large enough to justify keeping the setting turned on. Here are the results I got on my humble AM4 setup featuring an RX 5600XT, 16GB DDR4 RAM, and the Ryzen 5 5600. | Title | Game Mode Off (Avg / 1% Low) | Game Mode On (Avg / 1% Low) | |---|---|---| | 007 First Light | 64.6 / 47.9 FPS | 61.8 / 42.3 FPS | | Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced | 52.4 / 36.8 FPS | 49.8 / 33.3 FPS | | Call of Duty: Warzone | 106.5 / 79.4 FPS | 107.2 / 82.1 FPS | Warzone had a slight bump in average FPS from Game Mode, but the 1% low is where the difference became notable. The game wasn’t entirely limited by CPU usage in the first place, and Game Mode’s CPU optimizations that reduce background tasks helped boost 1% lows, making the game feel much smoother. For 007 First Light and Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, those games were CPU-bound, and Game Mode reprioritization disrupted resource allocation on titles already maxing out CPU usage, reducing the average FPS and 1% lows. Xbox Mode is a better way to boost gaming performance Same goal but with less overhead Instead of Game Mode, there’s another Windows feature that you’ll find is better for gaming performance. I’m referring to Xbox Mode, which was brought over from the ROG Xbox Ally and is now rolling out on all Windows PCs. This new Xbox Mode isn’t just a cosmetic gimmick; aside from its Xbox-themed appearance, it reduces CPU and RAM usage. Overall, Xbox Mode uses an estimated 9% less RAM than normal Windows 11 usage, and as per my testing, I noticed a considerable FPS increase across multiple titles. Xbox Mode doesn’t interfere with how Windows works; instead, it replaces your desktop with a new Xbox-style skin, and the performance increase comes from disabling certain Windows background tasks that aren’t needed while in Xbox Mode. Should you turn Game Mode off? Game Mode isn’t always bad, and it’s certainly better than it was when it was first introduced in 2017. The performance difference it makes is game-dependent. Some titles may benefit from it while others won’t. Overall, Game Mode tends to help titles that don’t fully utilize CPU usage. Once resources are maxed out, the prioritization backfires. Higher-end systems also rarely show a difference, since the CPU no longer becomes a bottleneck at a certain point.