Benchmarking Shows Minimal Performance Difference in PC Gaming Display Modes

Understanding the Fullscreen vs. Borderless Debate in PC Gaming

In the realm of PC gaming, the choice between borderless and fullscreen modes often sparks debate among enthusiasts. While many gamers seek the optimal settings for their experience, the nuances of these display options can lead to confusion. A straightforward guide may suggest that borderless mode offers convenience at the potential cost of performance, yet the underlying reasons for these differences remain a mystery to many.

My initial endeavor aimed to meticulously benchmark a variety of modern games, released within the last five years, to discern any performance discrepancies between fullscreen and borderless modes. After conducting five passes for each game in both display settings, I anticipated uncovering even minor variations. However, the results were surprisingly consistent across the board.

Among the titles tested, I encountered little to no difference in performance. While some games, like PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds and Fallout 4, are often cited as exceptions, my trials with major titles such as Horizon Zero Dawn and Red Dead Redemption 2 yielded no significant trends. The only notable anomaly was Hitman 3, which features an exclusive fullscreen option rather than a standard borderless mode, indicating that nomenclature plays a crucial role in understanding performance outcomes.

What Fullscreen Means

The term "fullscreen" can be misleading. Traditionally, it referred to exclusive fullscreen, where the graphics card takes full control of the display. In contrast, if a game operates without this exclusive mode, the Desktop Window Manager (DWM) manages the display. This transition, introduced with Windows Vista, allows for enhanced desktop features but may introduce resource overhead.

Conventional wisdom suggests that borderless mode incurs a performance penalty due to DWM's involvement. However, the landscape has evolved, and many modern games do not adhere strictly to these definitions. For instance, Horizon Zero Dawn lacks an exclusive fullscreen option, while newer titles like Black Myth: Wukong forgo fullscreen entirely. This inconsistency complicates the performance narrative.

Flipping Frames

With the advent of Windows 8, Microsoft introduced the DXGI flip presentation model, which revolutionized how frames are rendered. This model minimizes system resource load by allowing a rendered frame to be "flipped" onto the screen rather than copied, streamlining the process significantly.

Understanding the mechanics of frame flipping is essential. In graphics rendering, a swap chain is utilized, where images are drawn in a back buffer before being displayed. The flip presentation model enables DWM to access a pointer to a frame, eliminating the need for cumbersome read and write operations. Consequently, even games running in fullscreen mode often utilize DWM for composition, enhancing user experience through quick transitions and overlay functionality.

Settling a Debate That Doesn’t Matter

Historically, the argument for exclusive fullscreen mode was rooted in the belief that it offered superior performance. However, in 2024, this distinction has become less relevant. While certain older games may still exhibit performance differences, the modern gaming environment allows players the freedom to choose between borderless and fullscreen modes based on personal preference rather than performance concerns.

This nuanced understanding enriches the ongoing discussion surrounding display settings, moving beyond simplistic forum debates. Ultimately, gamers can confidently select their preferred mode, whether it be borderless or fullscreen, without the lingering worry of sacrificing performance.