Are you tired of lag and low FPS ruining your Arc Raiders experience? You’re not alone. Many players struggle with performance issues even when they have capable hardware. The good news is that optimizing your Arc Raiders graphics settings can dramatically improve your gameplay experience, giving you the smooth, responsive action you need to excel in this extraction shooter. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the best settings, system requirements, and advanced optimization techniques to help you achieve maximum FPS and eliminate lag.
Key Takeaways
- Optimal settings for most PCs: Set overall quality to Low, disable Motion Blur and Post-Processing, use AMD FSR3 on Quality mode for the best balance of visuals and performance
- Biggest performance impacters: Shadow quality, Texture quality, and Post-Processing settings have the most significant effect on frame rates
- Essential system requirements: At minimum, you need an Intel Core i5-6600K or AMD Ryzen R5 1600 processor, 12GB RAM, and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 580
- Quick fixes: Update GPU drivers (especially Nvidia cards), close background applications, and ensure Windows is updated to resolve most performance issues
Understanding Arc Raiders Performance
Arc Raiders is built using Unreal Engine 5, one of the most advanced game engines available today. This powerful engine creates stunning visuals but can be demanding on your PC hardware. The game’s extraction shooter format means that smooth performance isn’t just about looking goodit’s crucial for competitive play. When you’re trying to loot and extract while avoiding enemies, every frame counts.
Performance optimization in Arc Raiders is about finding the right balance between visual quality and smooth gameplay. Unlike single-player games where you might prioritize graphics over frame rate, extraction shooters like Arc Raiders benefit from higher FPS and lower input lag. This is especially important during intense firefights when split-second reactions can mean the difference between success and failure.
The game is actually well-optimized compared to many other Unreal Engine 5 titles, but that doesn’t mean you can’t squeeze out extra performance with the right settings. Understanding how each graphics setting affects your game will help you make informed decisions about what to adjust for your specific hardware setup.
Arc Raiders System Requirements You Need to Know?
Before diving into graphics settings, it’s important to know if your PC can handle Arc Raiders. The system requirements give you a baseline for what kind of performance you can expect.
Minimum Requirements:
- OS: Windows 10 64-bit (latest update)
- CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K or AMD Ryzen R5 1600 processor
- RAM: 12GB RAM
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 580
- Storage: 50GB available space
Recommended Requirements:
- OS: Windows 10 64-bit or later
- CPU: Intel Core i5-9600K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 processor
- RAM: 16GB RAM
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 or AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT
- Storage: 50GB available space (SSD recommended)
Your CPU handles game logic, AI, and physics calculations, while your GPU is responsible for rendering all the visual elements. If you have a powerful GPU but a weaker CPU, you might experience bottlenecks where your processor can’t keep up with your graphics card. The opposite is also truea powerful CPU with a weak GPU will limit your visual quality and frame rate.
RAM is also crucial, especially in a game like Arc Raiders with large maps and many objects to track. 12GB is the minimum, but 16GB or more will provide a much smoother experience, especially if you like to have other applications running in the background.
Best Arc Raiders Graphics Settings for High FPS
Now let’s get to the core of this guidethe actual graphics settings that will give you the best performance in Arc Raiders. These recommendations are based on extensive testing and community feedback, and they’re designed to work for most PC configurations.
Optimal Settings
| Setting | Low-End PC | Mid-Range PC | High-End PC |
| Screen Option | Borderless Fullscreen | Borderless Fullscreen | Fullscreen |
| VSync | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| Resolution Scaling Method | AMD FSR3 | AMD FSR3 | Native |
| AMD FSR3 Quality | Performance | Quality | Quality |
| Motion Blur | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| Overall Quality Level | Low | Medium | High |
| Anti-Aliasing | Low | Medium | High |
| Shadows | Low | Medium | High |
| Post-Processing | Low | Low | Medium |
| Texture | Low | Medium | High |
| Effects | Low | Medium | High |
| Reflections | Low | Low | Medium |
| Foliage | Low | Medium | High |
| Global Illumination Resolution | Low | Medium | High |
Setting Explanations
Screen Option: Borderless Fullscreen is recommended for most users as it allows for quick alt-tabbing and generally provides better performance than exclusive fullscreen. However, if you have a high-end PC and want maximum performance, fullscreen might be slightly better.
VSync: This setting synchronizes your frame rate with your monitor’s refresh rate. While it can prevent screen tearing, it also introduces input lag. For competitive play, it’s best to disable VSync and cap your frame rate using other methods if needed.
Resolution Scaling Method: AMD FSR3 (FidelityFX Super Resolution 3) is a powerful upscaling technology that can significantly boost your frame rate with minimal visual quality loss. It’s especially useful for mid-range and low-end PCs.
Motion Blur: This effect adds blur during fast camera movements. While it might look cinematic, it reduces clarity during gameplay and can cause motion sickness for some players. Disabling it improves both performance and visibility.
Shadows: High-quality shadows are very demanding on your GPU. Lowering this setting can provide a significant FPS boost without dramatically affecting gameplay visibility.
Post-Processing: This includes various visual effects like color grading, bloom, and depth of field. It’s resource-intensive, so keeping it on Low or Medium is recommended for better performance.
Texture Quality: This setting affects the sharpness and detail of surfaces in the game. Higher settings require more VRAM. If you have a graphics card with less than 8GB of VRAM, keeping this on Medium or Low is advisable.
How to Optimize Your PC Beyond Graphics Settings?
Getting the right graphics settings is important, but there are other system-level optimizations that can further improve your Arc Raiders performance. These tweaks go beyond in-game settings and can make a significant difference in your overall gaming experience.
Update Your GPU Drivers
This is one of the most crucial steps for optimal performance. Graphics card manufacturers regularly release driver updates that include optimizations for new games. For Arc Raiders, Nvidia has released specific Game Ready drivers that can significantly improve performance and stability.
To update your drivers:
- Visit the Nvidia website or AMD website
- Download the latest drivers for your graphics card
- Install the drivers and restart your PC
- Launch Arc Raiders and check your performance
Manage Background Applications
Arc Raiders is a CPU-intensive game, and background applications can compete for system resources. Before launching the game, close unnecessary programs, especially those that use a lot of CPU or RAM. Common culprits include web browsers with many tabs, streaming applications, and system utilities.
You can use the Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) to identify and close resource-hungry applications. For a more thorough cleanup, consider using the Startup tab in Task Manager to prevent unnecessary programs from launching when Windows starts.
Windows Optimization Tips
Keeping your Windows operating system updated is essential for gaming performance. Updates often include performance improvements and bug fixes that can enhance your gaming experience. Additionally, consider these Windows optimizations:
- Enable Game Mode: Go to Settings > Gaming > Game Mode and turn it on
- Adjust power settings: Set your power plan to “High performance” in Control Panel
- Disable unnecessary visual effects: Search for “Performance” in Windows settings and adjust for best performance
- Consider enabling Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling if you have a compatible graphics card and Windows 10/11
Why Am I Still Getting Low FPS After Optimization?
Sometimes, even after following all the recommended settings and optimizations, you might still experience performance issues. Here are some common problems and their solutions:
CPU vs GPU Bottlenecks
If your CPU is struggling to keep up with your GPU (or vice versa), you’ll experience performance issues. You can check this using the Task Manager while playing Arc Raiders. If your CPU usage is consistently at 100% while your GPU usage is low, you have a CPU bottleneck. The opposite indicates a GPU bottleneck.
For CPU bottlenecks:
- Close background applications
- Lower in-game settings that affect CPU load (like draw distance or number of NPCs)
- Consider overclocking your CPU (if you know what you’re doing)
- In the long term, a CPU upgrade might be necessary
For GPU bottlenecks:
- Lower graphics settings, especially texture quality and shadows
- Lower your resolution or use upscaling technologies like FSR
- Update your graphics drivers
- Consider upgrading your GPU if it’s significantly below the recommended requirements
Network-Related Performance Issues
Arc Raiders is an online game, and network problems can manifest as lag or stuttering. If you’re experiencing issues that seem more like lag than low FPS, check your internet connection:
- Use a wired Ethernet connection instead of Wi-Fi
- Close applications that use bandwidth (streaming, downloads, etc.)
- Check your ping using the in-game network statistics
- Consider using a gaming VPN if you’re experiencing routing issues
When to Consider Hardware Upgrades
If you’ve tried all the software optimizations and still can’t achieve acceptable performance, it might be time to upgrade your hardware. The most impactful upgrades for Arc Raiders would be:
- GPU Upgrade: If you have a graphics card below the recommended requirements, upgrading will provide the most significant improvement in visual quality and frame rate
- RAM Upgrade: If you have less than 16GB of RAM, upgrading to 16GB or 32GB can improve overall system performance
- CPU Upgrade: If your CPU is below the recommended requirements and you’re experiencing bottleneck issues, a new processor can help
- Storage Upgrade: Moving from an HDD to an SSD will reduce loading times and can improve overall system responsiveness
Advanced Performance Optimization Techniques?
For those who want to squeeze every last frame out of their hardware, here are some advanced optimization techniques. These methods require more technical knowledge but can provide additional performance gains.
Overclocking Considerations
Overclocking your CPU or GPU can provide significant performance improvements, but it comes with risks. Overclocking means running your hardware at higher speeds than it was designed for, which can generate more heat and potentially reduce the lifespan of your components.
If you decide to overclock:
- Start with small increments and test stability
- Monitor temperatures carefully
- Ensure you have adequate cooling
- Be aware that it can void your warranty
For beginners, automated overclocking tools like MSI Afterburner for GPUs or your motherboard’s built-in overclocking features can be safer options than manual overclocking.
Third-Party Optimization Tools
Several third-party tools can help optimize your gaming experience:
- MSI Afterburner: Useful for monitoring performance metrics and overclocking
- Process Lasso: Helps manage CPU affinity and priority for games
- Razer Cortex: A game booster that optimizes system settings for gaming
- Windows Game Bar: Built-in tool for monitoring performance and capturing gameplay
While these tools can be helpful, be cautious about downloading optimization software from untrusted sources, as some may contain malware or bloatware.
Monitor Settings for Competitive Advantage
Your monitor settings can also affect your gaming performance:
- Refresh Rate: If you have a high-refresh-rate monitor (120Hz, 144Hz, or higher), make sure it’s set to its maximum refresh rate
- Response Time: Lower response times reduce motion blur
- Adaptive Sync: Technologies like G-Sync or FreeSync can eliminate screen tearing without the input lag of VSync
- Resolution: Sometimes lowering your monitor’s resolution can provide a smoother experience, though this is less common with modern GPUs
Input Lag Reduction Techniques
Input lag is the delay between your action (like moving the mouse) and the corresponding response on screen. Reducing input lag can make your gameplay feel more responsive:
- Use a wired mouse and keyboard instead of wireless
- Disable mouse acceleration in Windows
- Set your mouse polling rate to the highest setting (1000Hz if available)
- Consider using a gaming monitor with low input lag
- Disable unnecessary overlays and background applications
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best settings for performance in Arc Raiders?
The best settings for performance in Arc Raiders depend on your hardware, but a good starting point is setting the Overall Quality Level to Low, disabling Motion Blur and Post-Processing, and using AMD FSR3 on Quality mode. These settings provide the best balance between visual quality and frame rate for most PCs. If you have a more powerful system, you can gradually increase settings like Texture Quality and Shadows while monitoring your FPS to find the sweet spot for your specific hardware.
How can I get higher FPS in Arc Raiders?
To get higher FPS in Arc Raiders, start by lowering the most demanding graphics settings like Shadows, Texture Quality, and Post-Processing. Make sure your GPU drivers are up to date, especially if you’re using an Nvidia card. Close all background applications before launching the game, and consider using AMD FSR3 if your system supports it. Additionally, ensure Windows is updated to the latest version and check that your power settings are set to High Performance. If you’re still experiencing low FPS, you might need to upgrade your hardware, particularly your graphics card.
Is Arc Raiders well optimized for PC?
Yes, Arc Raiders is generally considered well optimized for a PC game, especially compared to other titles using Unreal Engine 5. Many players report smooth performance even on mid-range hardware, and the game includes several optimization features like AMD FSR3 upscaling. The developers at Embark Studios have experience with game optimization, and it shows in Arc Raiders’ performance. However, like any demanding game, you’ll still need hardware that meets or exceeds the minimum requirements for the best experience.
What system requirements do I need for Arc Raiders?
For Arc Raiders, you’ll need at least an Intel Core i5-6600K or AMD Ryzen R5 1600 processor, 12GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 580 graphics card. For a better experience, the recommended requirements include an Intel Core i5-9600K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 processor, 16GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 or AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT graphics card. You’ll also need Windows 10 64-bit (with the latest updates) and at least 50GB of available storage space, preferably on an SSD for faster loading times.
Why am I getting low FPS despite having a good PC?
If you’re experiencing low FPS despite having capable hardware, several factors could be at play. First, check that your GPU drivers are up to date, as outdated drivers can significantly impact performance. Background applications might be consuming system resources, so close unnecessary programs before gaming. Your CPU could be bottlenecking your GPU, or vice versamonitor usage percentages to identify this. Network issues can also cause lag that might be mistaken for low FPS. Finally, check for overheating issues, as thermal throttling can reduce performance even on high-end hardware.
How does Arc Raiders compare to other games in terms of optimization?
Arc Raiders compares favorably to many other modern games in terms of optimization. As an Unreal Engine 5 title, it performs better than many other games using the same engine, which is a testament to the developers’ optimization work. Players report that Arc Raiders runs smoother than other demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 or Starfield on equivalent hardware. The game includes modern optimization features like FSR3 upscaling and is generally stable with fewer crashes and bugs than many other recent releases. However, like any graphically intensive game, it still requires decent hardware to run at high settings with good frame rates.
Can I run Arc Raiders on a low-end PC?
Yes, you can run Arc Raiders on a low-end PC as long as it meets the minimum requirements. To get playable performance on lower-end hardware, you’ll need to use the lowest graphics settings, disable resource-intensive features like shadows and post-processing, and take advantage of upscaling technologies like AMD FSR3. Setting the resolution scaling to Performance mode can also provide a significant FPS boost, though it will reduce visual clarity. Additionally, make sure to close all background applications and update your drivers to get the best possible performance from your hardware. While you won’t achieve the same visual quality as on high-end systems, you can still enjoy smooth gameplay with the right settings.
Final Wordings
Optimizing your Arc Raiders graphics settings is the key to unlocking the best possible gaming experience. By following the recommendations in this guide, you can achieve higher FPS, reduce lag, and enjoy smoother gameplay regardless of your hardware configuration. Remember to experiment with different settings to find the perfect balance between visual quality and performance for your specific system. With these optimizations in place, you’ll be ready to drop into the world of Arc Raiders with the competitive edge you need to succeed.
