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Kerbal Space Program PC system requirements

Fix FPS Drops in Kerbal Space Program

Low FPS, stuttering, or random frame drops? Stop guessing, find out exactly what's wrong in 5 minutes.

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What Causes FPS Drops in Kerbal Space Program

videocamGPU Bottleneck

Your GPU can't keep up with the graphics settings you're running. If GPU usage hits 99% while CPU sits lower, your GPU is the limit.

How to fixLower resolution, reduce quality preset, or turn off ray tracing. If you're already on low settings, it's time for a GPU upgrade.

memoryCPU Bottleneck

Your CPU maxes out while your GPU sits idle. Common in open-world games, crowded multiplayer scenes, and CPU-heavy titles.

How to fixReduce draw distance, lower crowd density, close background apps. If CPU is always at 99%, consider a CPU upgrade.

thermostatThermal Throttling

Your GPU or CPU gets too hot and slows itself down to prevent damage. FPS starts fine but drops after 10–20 minutes of play.

How to fixClean dust from fans and heatsinks, improve case airflow, reapply thermal paste, or add case fans. Check if your cooler is seated properly.

appsBackground Apps

Chrome tabs, Discord overlays, antivirus scans, apps you forgot about can eat CPU and RAM. HowManyFPS logs every process running during your session.

How to fixClose browser tabs, disable startup apps, pause antivirus scans during gaming. Check the HowManyFPS process list for anything using high CPU or RAM.

storageNot Enough RAM

When Kerbal Space Program needs more RAM than you have, your system pages to disk and FPS tanks. Stuttering and long load times are common symptoms.

How to fixClose memory-heavy apps, add more RAM (16 GB is the minimum for modern games), or check if your RAM is running at its rated speed in BIOS.

tuneWrong Settings

Settings like ray tracing, ultra shadows, or high draw distance can crush FPS on mid-range hardware. Compare your FPS against other players to find the sweet spot.

How to fixStart with the medium preset and adjust up. Turn off ray tracing first, it's the biggest FPS killer. Compare your results in the community benchmarks below.

How to Increase Your FPS in Kerbal Space Program

1

Download HowManyFPS

Free, under 50 MB, installs in under a minute. Works on any Windows 10/11 desktop or laptop.

downloadGet HowManyFPS
2

Play Kerbal Space Program

Play normally. HowManyFPS records FPS, temps, and hardware usage in the background, under 1% CPU overhead.

3

View Your Benchmark Results

See exactly what's bottlenecking you (GPU, CPU, thermals, or background apps) and what to fix first.

Recent Public Kerbal Space Program Benchmarks

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Kerbal Space Program FPS Troubleshooting FAQ

Why is my FPS low in Kerbal Space Program?expand_more
Low FPS usually comes from a GPU bottleneck, CPU bottleneck, thermal throttling, or background apps eating resources. HowManyFPS logs all four while you play so you can see exactly what's limiting your frame rate.
How do I fix FPS drops in Kerbal Space Program?expand_more
First, find the cause. Run HowManyFPS while playing Kerbal Space Program, it tracks GPU/CPU usage, temps, and background processes. If your GPU hits 99%, lower graphics settings. If your CPU maxes out, reduce draw distance or crowd density. If temps spike, clean your fans or improve airflow.
Why does Kerbal Space Program stutter on a good PC?expand_more
Stuttering usually means inconsistent frame times, not low average FPS. Common causes: background apps stealing CPU cycles, thermal throttling under load, or a RAM bottleneck. HowManyFPS captures 1% lows and frame-time data so you can pinpoint the stutter source.
Is my GPU or CPU the bottleneck in Kerbal Space Program?expand_more
Check GPU and CPU usage while playing. If your GPU is at 99% and CPU is at 50%, you're GPU-bound, lower settings or upgrade your GPU. If CPU is at 99% and GPU is underused, you're CPU-bound. HowManyFPS shows this per-session on your dashboard.
What FPS should I get in Kerbal Space Program?expand_more
It depends on your hardware and settings. Use the FPS calculator for a quick estimate, or run HowManyFPS for your actual numbers. Compare your results against other players with similar hardware in the community benchmarks.
Why does my FPS drop randomly in Kerbal Space Program?expand_more
Random FPS drops usually come from background processes spiking, thermal throttling kicking in after extended play, or Windows updates running silently. HowManyFPS logs every process and your temps over time so you can see exactly when and why your FPS dipped.
Why is my FPS low in Kerbal Space Program with a good PC?expand_more
A fast GPU and CPU don't guarantee high FPS. Common culprits: RAM running in single-channel mode, XMP not enabled in BIOS, a CPU bottleneck at your resolution, or background apps eating resources. Run HowManyFPS to see what's actually limiting your frame rate.
Kerbal Space Program stutters but my FPS is high, why?expand_more
High average FPS with stuttering means inconsistent frame times. Check your 1% lows, if they're far below your average, you have frame-time spikes. Common causes: CPU thread contention, V-Sync frame pacing issues, or a background app causing intermittent load. HowManyFPS captures 1% lows and frame-time data to pinpoint the source.
Does HowManyFPS affect game performance?expand_more
No. HowManyFPS uses under 1% CPU overhead and adds zero input latency. It reads hardware sensors in the background, no hooks into the game, no frame rate impact.

Kerbal Space Program System Requirements

MinimumRecommended
OSWindows 7 SP1+Windows 10 (64-bit)
CPUCore 2 Duo 2.0 GHzCore i5
GPUDX10 (SM 4.0) capable, 512MB VRAMDX10 (SM 4.0) capable, 1GB VRAM
RAM4 GB8 GB
Storage3 GB4 GB

Why Is My PC Slow in Kerbal Space Program?

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