Hey there, fellow Raider! If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably experienced those frustrating moments in Arc Raiders when your FPS suddenly drops during a intense firefight, or when lag gets you killed right before extracting. I’ve been there, and let me tell you – it’s absolutely infuriating when you know you had the drop on someone, but your hardware decided to take a coffee break at the worst possible moment.
After spending countless hours testing every possible setting combination, reading through forums, and even consulting with some competitive players, I’ve finally cracked the code for getting the absolute best performance out of Arc Raiders. This guide is going to be your bible for optimizing Arc Raiders to run smoother than butter on a hot skillet.
Why Arc Raiders Performance Matters So Much?
Before we dive into the settings, let me explain why performance is absolutely crucial in Arc Raiders. This isn’t just some casual single-player game where a few dropped frames are no big deal. Arc Raiders is a high-stakes extraction shooter where every millisecond counts, and I mean that literally.
When I first started playing, I didn’t think much about my settings. I just cranked everything up to “Epic” because, hey, I have a decent gaming rig, right? Wrong. I was getting destroyed in firefights, and I couldn’t figure out why. Then I watched some kill cams and noticed something – my opponents were moving with this buttery-smooth precision while my character felt like he was wading through mud.
That’s when it hit me: in Arc Raiders, performance isn’t just about pretty graphics – it’s about survival. Higher FPS means better tracking, faster reaction times, and most importantly, actually hitting what you’re aiming at. After optimizing my settings, my KD ratio literally doubled overnight. No joke.
The Performance Philosophy: Competitive vs. Visual Fidelity
Look, I get it. We all want our games to look amazing. Arc Raiders is built on Unreal Engine 5, and when you crank up those settings, it can be absolutely stunning. But here’s the hard truth I had to accept: you can’t have both maximum visual fidelity and competitive performance. You have to choose.
I’ve tested this extensively, and I’m telling you right now – the players dominating the leaderboards aren’t the ones with ray tracing cranked to ultra. They’re the ones who’ve optimized their settings for maximum frames and minimum input lag. When I made the switch from “pretty” to “performant,” my gameplay improved dramatically.
Think about it this way: would you rather have a game that looks like a cinematic masterpiece but plays like a slideshow, or a game that looks slightly less impressive but runs so smoothly you can track enemies across the screen without any stuttering? For me, the choice was obvious once I experienced both.
Quick Start: My Go-To Settings for Instant Results
If you’re like me and just want to get straight to the good stuff, here are the settings I personally use that give me the best balance of performance and visuals. I’m running an RTX 3070 with a Ryzen 7 5800X and 32GB RAM, and these settings keep me consistently above 120 FPS even in the most chaotic firefights.
Display Settings
- Window Mode: Borderless Fullscreen
- V-Sync: Disabled
- NVIDIA Reflex Low Latency: On
- Frame Rate Limit: 144 (matches my monitor)
- Field of View: 90
- Resolution Scaling Method: DLSS
- NVIDIA DLSS Quality: Balanced
Graphics Settings
- Overall Quality Level: Custom
- View Distance: High
- Anti-Aliasing: Low
- Shadows: Low
- Post-Processing: Medium
- Texture: Medium
- Effects: Medium
- Reflections: Low
- Foliage: Low (this is CRUCIAL – more on this later)
- Global Illumination Resolution: Medium
- Motion Blur: Disabled
- Ray Tracing: Static
These settings give me that perfect sweet spot where the game still looks great but runs like a dream. But hey, everyone’s system is different, so let’s dive deeper into what each setting actually does and how you can customize them for your specific hardware.
Complete Settings Breakdown: What Each Setting Actually Does
Alright, let’s get into the nitty-gritty. I’m going to break down every single graphics setting in Arc Raiders and explain what it does, how it affects your performance, and what I recommend for different hardware levels. This is the stuff I wish I knew when I first started playing.
Display Settings
Window Mode: You’ve got three options here – Fullscreen, Borderless Fullscreen, and Windowed. I used to think Fullscreen was always best for performance, but in Arc Raiders, Borderless Fullscreen actually gives me the best results with less stuttering. The reason? Borderless plays nicer with Windows 11 and background applications, and with modern GPUs, the performance difference is negligible.
V-Sync: Just turn it off. Seriously. V-Sync adds input lag, and in a game like Arc Raiders where split-second reactions mean life or death, you don’t want any extra delay. If you’re getting screen tearing, enable G-Sync or FreeSync in your GPU control panel instead – that gives you the best of both worlds.
NVIDIA Reflex Low Latency: This is a must-have setting if you have an NVIDIA GPU. It reduces the latency between your input and what you see on screen, making your aim feel more responsive. I keep this set to “On” at all times. If you have an AMD card, use their Anti-Lag feature instead.
Frame Rate Limit: This one depends on your monitor. If you have a 144Hz monitor like me, cap it at 144. If you have a 60Hz monitor, cap it at 60. The reason? Uncapped FPS can actually cause more stuttering and inconsistent frame times. Capping to your refresh rate gives you the smoothest experience.
Field of View: This is mostly personal preference, but I find that 90-100 gives you the best balance between peripheral vision and target visibility. Too high and targets get smaller and harder to hit. Too low and you lose situational awareness. I play at 90 and it feels perfect for me.
Resolution Scaling Method: This is where you can get some serious performance gains. DLSS (for NVIDIA) and FSR (for AMD) render the game at a lower resolution and then use AI to upscale it. The performance boost is massive – we’re talking 30-50% more FPS with minimal visual quality loss. I use DLSS Balanced and it’s a game-changer.
Graphics Settings
Overall Quality Level: I always set this to Custom so I can fine-tune each setting individually. The presets are okay starting points, but they don’t optimize for competitive play.
View Distance: This setting affects how far you can see objects and enemies in the distance. I keep this at High because being able to spot enemies at a distance is crucial in Arc Raiders. The performance impact isn’t too bad compared to some other settings.
Anti-Aliasing: This smooths out jagged edges, but it can be pretty demanding. I find that Low is enough to make the game look clean without killing my FPS. If you’re using DLSS or FSR, you can actually get away with setting this even lower since the upscaling handles edge smoothing.
Shadows: Shadows are one of the most performance-heavy settings in any game, and Arc Raiders is no exception. I keep this at Low because, honestly, the difference between Low and Ultra shadows is minimal during actual gameplay, but the FPS difference is huge. Plus, lower shadows can actually make it easier to spot enemies hiding in dark areas.
Post-Processing: This includes effects like bloom, lens flare, and color grading. I set this to Medium because I still want the game to look good, but some of these effects can be distracting and impact visibility during combat.
Texture: This setting depends heavily on your VRAM. If you have 8GB or more, you can probably get away with High or even Epic. If you have 6GB, stick with Medium. Below 6GB, go with Low. I use Medium because I find the visual difference isn’t worth the VRAM usage and potential stuttering.
Effects: This covers particle effects like explosions, muzzle flash, and environmental effects. I keep this at Medium because during intense firefights, too many effects can clutter your screen and drop your FPS. Medium gives you enough visual feedback without overwhelming your system.
Reflections: Another performance-heavy setting. I keep this at Low because reflections just don’t matter that much in a fast-paced shooter like Arc Raiders. The FPS gain from lowering this is significant.
Foliage: This is the most important competitive setting in Arc Raiders, and I can’t stress this enough. When you set Foliage to Low, entire bushes and grass patches disappear from the game world. Players on higher settings see dense vegetation that they think provides cover, but you can see right through it and shoot them. This is a massive competitive advantage that I only discovered after watching some kill cams and wondering how people kept spotting me in what I thought was perfect cover.
Global Illumination Resolution: This affects how lighting is calculated and bounced around the environment. I keep this at Medium because the performance impact is noticeable on higher settings, but the visual difference during gameplay is minimal.
Motion Blur: Just turn it off. Motion blur might look cool in screenshots, but during actual gameplay, it just makes it harder to track moving targets and can even cause motion sickness for some players. There’s absolutely no competitive reason to have this enabled.
Ray Tracing: Unless you have an RTX 4090 and don’t care about competitive play, turn this off. Ray Tracing is the single most performance-heavy setting in Arc Raiders, and it provides zero competitive advantage. I keep it set to Static, which is basically ray tracing turned off.
Hardware-Specific Optimization: What Works Best for Your Setup
Not everyone has the same hardware, and what works perfectly on my system might not be ideal for yours. Let me break down the best settings for different hardware tiers based on my testing and research.
Entry-Level Systems (GTX 1050 Ti / RX 580, 16GB RAM)
If you’re running on more modest hardware, don’t worry – you can still get a great experience in Arc Raiders with the right settings. Here’s what I recommend:
Display Settings:
- Window Mode: Borderless Fullscreen
- V-Sync: Disabled
- Frame Rate Limit: 60
- Resolution Scaling Method: FSR
- FSR Quality: Performance
Graphics Settings:
- Overall Quality Level: Low
- View Distance: Medium
- Anti-Aliasing: Low
- Shadows: Low
- Post-Processing: Low
- Texture: Low
- Effects: Low
- Reflections: Low
- Foliage: Low
- Global Illumination Resolution: Low
- Motion Blur: Disabled
- Ray Tracing: Static
With these settings, you should be able to maintain a solid 60 FPS even during intense firefights. The key is to be aggressive with lowering settings that impact performance the most, like shadows, effects, and reflections.
Mid-Range Systems (RTX 3060 / RX 6700 XT, 16-32GB RAM)
This is where most gamers are, and honestly, it’s the sweet spot for Arc Raiders. You can get great visuals while still maintaining excellent performance. Here’s my recommended setup:
Display Settings:
- Window Mode: Borderless Fullscreen
- V-Sync: Disabled
- NVIDIA Reflex/AMD Anti-Lag: On
- Frame Rate Limit: 120-144
- Resolution Scaling Method: DLSS/FSR
- DLSS/FSR Quality: Balanced
Graphics Settings:
- Overall Quality Level: Custom
- View Distance: High
- Anti-Aliasing: Low
- Shadows: Low
- Post-Processing: Medium
- Texture: Medium
- Effects: Medium
- Reflections: Low
- Foliage: Low
- Global Illumination Resolution: Medium
- Motion Blur: Disabled
- Ray Tracing: Static
This is actually very close to what I personally use, and it should give you 100+ FPS consistently while still making the game look great. The key is using upscaling (DLSS/FSR) to get that performance boost without sacrificing too much visual quality.
High-End Systems (RTX 4070 Ti / RX 7900 XT, 32GB RAM)
If you have a high-end system, you have more flexibility to crank up some settings while still maintaining excellent performance. Here’s what I recommend for competitive play:
Display Settings:
- Window Mode: Borderless Fullscreen
- V-Sync: Disabled
- NVIDIA Reflex/AMD Anti-Lag: On + Boost
- Frame Rate Limit: 165-240
- Resolution Scaling Method: DLSS/FSR
- DLSS/FSR Quality: Quality
Graphics Settings:
- Overall Quality Level: Custom
- View Distance: High
- Anti-Aliasing: Medium
- Shadows: Medium
- Post-Processing: High
- Texture: High
- Effects: High
- Reflections: Medium
- Foliage: Low (still crucial for competitive play)
- Global Illumination Resolution: High
- Motion Blur: Disabled
- Ray Tracing: Static
With these settings, you should be able to push 144+ FPS easily while still enjoying great visuals. The only settings I keep low are Foliage (for competitive advantage) and Ray Tracing (because it’s still too performance-heavy even on high-end hardware).
Advanced Optimization: Beyond In-Game Settings
If you really want to squeeze every last drop of performance out of your system, there are some advanced optimizations you can do outside of the game. These are the tweaks that separate the good players from the great ones.
GPU Control Panel Settings
Your GPU control panel (NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Adrenalin) has settings that can override in-game options and provide additional performance boosts. Here are the settings I use:
NVIDIA Control Panel:
- Low Latency Mode: Ultra
- Power Management Mode: Prefer Maximum Performance
- Texture Filtering Quality: High Performance
- Vertical Sync: Off
- Maximum Pre-Rendered Frames: 1
AMD Adrenalin:
- Radeon Anti-Lag: Enabled
- Radeon Image Sharpening: Enabled at 70%
- Texture Filtering Quality: Performance
- Vertical Sync: Always Off
- Frame Rate Target Control: Disabled (let the game handle it)
These settings reduce input latency and ensure your GPU is always running at maximum performance when you’re playing Arc Raiders.
Windows Optimization
Windows itself can be a source of performance issues if not properly configured. Here are the Windows settings I adjust for gaming:
Power Settings:
- Set Windows Power Plan to “High Performance”
- Disable USB selective suspend
- Turn off PCIe Link State Power Management
Windows 11 Specific:
- Enable Game Mode in Settings > Gaming
- Disable Memory Integrity in Core Isolation (note: this reduces security)
- Disable Virtual Machine Platform (note: this also reduces security)
- Enable Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling
- Disable mouse acceleration (uncheck “Enhance pointer precision”)
Background Processes:
- Close Discord overlay, NVIDIA ShadowPlay, MSI Afterburner, and any RGB software
- Disable unnecessary startup programs
- Set Arc Raiders to high priority in Task Manager while playing
These Windows optimizations can make a significant difference, especially if you’re experiencing stuttering or inconsistent frame times.
Troubleshooting Common Performance Issues
Even with the best settings, you might still run into some performance issues. Let me walk you through the most common problems I’ve seen and how to fix them.
Stuttering and Micro-Freezes
This is probably the most common issue I see with Arc Raiders, and it’s usually caused by Unreal Engine 5’s shader compilation and asset streaming. Here’s how I fixed it:
- Verify Game Files: Corrupted files can cause all sorts of issues. In Steam, right-click the game > Properties > Installed Files > Verify integrity of game files. In Epic Games Launcher, click the three dots > Manage > Verify.
- Install on SSD: Arc Raiders streams assets constantly, and if you’re running it on a hard drive, you’re going to get stuttering. An SSD is practically mandatory for smooth performance. NVMe is ideal, but even a SATA SSD is much better than an HDD.
- Match Texture Quality to VRAM: If you have 4GB VRAM or less, don’t try to run Epic textures. You’ll just cause VRAM thrashing and stuttering. Be realistic about your hardware capabilities.
- Monitor Frame Times: Use the AMD or NVIDIA overlay to show frame times instead of just FPS. If you see spikes in your frame times graph, that’s stuttering even if your average FPS looks good.
Low FPS Despite Good Hardware
Sometimes people with high-end systems still get poor performance in Arc Raiders. This is usually because of one of these issues:
- CPU Bottleneck: Arc Raiders can be surprisingly CPU-intensive, especially in multiplayer. Check your CPU usage while playing. If it’s at 100% while your GPU is only at 50%, you have a CPU bottleneck. Try closing background applications and consider upgrading your CPU if it’s older.
- Thermal Throttling: Make sure your CPU and GPU aren’t overheating. High temperatures cause your hardware to throttle back performance. Clean your fans, check your thermal paste, and ensure good case airflow.
- Outdated Drivers: This one seems obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people forget to update their graphics drivers. NVIDIA and AMD regularly release game-specific optimizations that can significantly improve performance.
Network Lag and High Ping
Arc Raiders is an online game, so network performance is just as important as graphics performance. Here’s how I optimize my network connection:
- Use Ethernet: Wi-Fi is convenient, but it’s terrible for gaming. If you’re serious about competitive play, you need to be wired directly to your router.
- Close Background Downloads: Nothing kills your ping like someone else in the house streaming Netflix or downloading games. Make sure all other devices on your network aren’t using significant bandwidth while you’re playing.
- Choose the Right Server: Arc Raiders usually auto-selects the best server, but sometimes it gets it wrong. If you’re consistently getting high ping, try manually selecting a different server in the game settings.
- Reset Your Router: Sometimes the simplest solution is the best. If you’re experiencing sudden network issues, try unplugging your router for 30 seconds and plugging it back in.
The Competitive Edge: Settings That Actually Give You an Advantage
Beyond just improving performance, some settings can actually give you a competitive advantage by making enemies easier to spot and track. These are the settings that separate the casual players from the tryhards (and I say that with pride, because I’m definitely in the tryhard camp).
Visibility Settings
Foliage Quality: Low: I mentioned this earlier, but it’s so important that I’m going to emphasize it again. Setting Foliage to Low removes bushes and grass that players on higher settings think provides cover. This is literally a game-breaking advantage that I feel should be patched out, but until it is, you’re putting yourself at a disadvantage by not using it.
Shadows: Low: Lower shadows make it easier to spot enemies hiding in dark corners and shadowed areas. Yes, it looks less realistic, but when you’re trying to win, realism takes a backseat to visibility.
Post-Processing: Low/Medium: High post-processing adds effects like bloom and lens flare that can obscure your vision. Lowering this setting gives you a cleaner, clearer image that makes enemies easier to spot.
Motion Blur: Off: This should be obvious, but I still see people playing with motion blur enabled. It just makes everything harder to track and provides zero competitive benefit.
Interface Settings
Field of View: 90-100: A higher FOV gives you better peripheral vision, allowing you to spot enemies that would be off-screen at lower FOV settings. I find that 90 is the sweet spot between visibility and target size.
Crosshair Color: Bright Green or Cyan: A bright crosshair that contrasts with most backgrounds makes it easier to track your aim. I use bright green because it stands out against both dark and light environments.
Damage Direction Indicators: Enabled: These show you which direction you’re taking damage from, allowing you to quickly locate and engage enemies who are shooting at you from outside your view.
My Personal Journey: From Casual to Competitive
Let me share a quick story about my journey with Arc Raiders optimization. When I first started playing, I was your typical casual gamer – I cranked all settings to Ultra because I wanted the game to look amazing. I was getting maybe 40-50 FPS with frequent stutters, and my performance in-game reflected that. I was consistently at the bottom of the leaderboard, wondering why everyone else seemed so much better than me.
Then one day, I got killed by someone who appeared out of nowhere. I watched the kill cam, and from their perspective, I was clearly visible standing behind what I thought was solid cover. That’s when I realized they must be playing with different settings than me.
I spent the next week researching and testing every possible setting combination. I started with the basics – turning off V-Sync, lowering shadows, disabling motion blur. Immediately, I noticed my FPS jumped to around 70-80, and the game felt much more responsive.
But the real game-changer was when I discovered the foliage setting. I set it to Low and loaded into a match. Suddenly, all those bushes I had been using for cover were gone. I could see players hiding in what I thought was solid vegetation. My KD ratio improved dramatically almost overnight.
Now, I’m consistently at or near the top of the leaderboard. I’m not saying I’m the best player out there, but the performance advantage I gained from optimizing my settings made a huge difference. I went from struggling to break even to regularly carrying my team.
The point of this story is that settings matter. A lot. If you’re serious about improving at Arc Raiders, optimizing your graphics settings is one of the most impactful things you can do.
Future-Proofing: What to Expect from Future Updates
Arc Raiders is still a relatively new game, and Embark Studios has been actively working on optimization based on player feedback. Here’s what I expect to see in future updates and how it might affect your settings:
Engine Optimization
Unreal Engine 5 is still maturing, and as developers get more familiar with it, we can expect to see performance improvements across the board. This might mean you’ll be able to increase some settings without sacrificing FPS in future updates.
Foliage Rendering
The current foliage situation where Low settings give a competitive advantage is clearly not intended. I expect Embark to patch this eventually, either by normalizing foliage across all settings or by making it so that bushes provide the same visual cover regardless of quality settings. When this happens, you’ll need to adjust your settings accordingly.
DLSS/FSR Improvements
NVIDIA and AMD are constantly improving their upscaling technologies. Future driver updates might bring better performance or image quality from DLSS and FSR, so it’s worth keeping your drivers up to date even if you’re happy with your current performance.
New Graphics Options
As the game evolves, we might see new graphics options added. Ray tracing improvements, new upscaling technologies, or additional visual effects could all be introduced. When new options are added, I recommend testing them one at a time to see their impact on your performance.
FAQ: Answering Your Burning Questions
What’s the single most important setting for FPS in Arc Raiders?
In my experience, the Resolution Scaling Method (DLSS/FSR) has the biggest impact on FPS. Turning this on can give you a 30-50% performance boost with minimal visual quality loss. If you’re only going to change one setting, make it this one.
Is it worth upgrading my CPU just for Arc Raiders?
Arc Raiders can be surprisingly CPU-intensive, especially in multiplayer scenarios. If you have an older CPU (pre-2018) and you’re experiencing stuttering even with good GPU performance, a CPU upgrade might help. I’d recommend something with strong single-core performance like a Ryzen 7 7800X3D or Intel i7-13700K.
Should I use Frame Generation (DLSS 3/FSR 3)?
For competitive play, I’d say no. Frame Generation creates artificial frames between real ones, which makes your FPS counter look higher but actually adds input latency. In a fast-paced shooter like Arc Raiders, that extra input lag can get you killed. Only use Frame Generation if you’re playing casually and prioritize visual smoothness over competitive performance.
Why does my FPS drop during intense firefights?
This is usually caused by particle effects (explosions, muzzle flash, etc.) overwhelming your GPU. Lowering the Effects setting to Low or Medium can help stabilize your FPS during combat. Also, make sure your GPU isn’t overheating, as thermal throttling can cause performance drops under load.
Is 16GB RAM enough for Arc Raiders?
16GB is the recommended amount, and it’s generally sufficient for most players. However, if you like to have multiple applications open while gaming (Discord, browser, etc.), you might benefit from 32GB RAM. I’ve noticed that 32GB gives me more consistent performance and fewer stutters, especially during long gaming sessions.
What’s the best monitor for Arc Raiders?
For competitive play, I’d recommend a high-refresh-rate monitor (144Hz or higher) with low response time (1ms). Resolution is less important than refresh rate for competitive advantage, so I’d prioritize a 1080p 240Hz monitor over a 4K 60Hz monitor. G-Sync or FreeSync is also important for eliminating screen tearing without the input lag of V-Sync.
Should I cap my FPS or leave it uncapped?
I recommend capping your FPS to match your monitor’s refresh rate. Uncapped FPS can cause inconsistent frame times and more stuttering. Capping to your refresh rate (144 FPS for a 144Hz monitor, for example) gives you the smoothest experience with the most consistent frame times.
Why do I still get stuttering even with good average FPS?
Stuttering is more about frame times than average FPS. You can have a high average FPS but still experience stuttering if your frame times are inconsistent. This is usually caused by shader compilation, asset streaming, or background processes. Try the troubleshooting steps I mentioned earlier, particularly verifying game files and installing on an SSD.
Conclusion: Your Path to Arc Raiders Dominance
Look, I know this guide was long, but optimizing your settings is one of the most impactful things you can do to improve your performance in Arc Raiders. I’ve been there – struggling with low FPS, getting outgunned in every firefight, feeling like I just couldn’t compete. But once I dialed in my settings, everything changed.
The settings I’ve shared in this guide took me from a bottom-feeder to a consistent top performer. They will do the same for you if you take the time to implement them properly. Remember, it’s not about having the most expensive hardware – it’s about optimizing what you have to get the best possible performance.
Start with the quick start settings I provided, then fine-tune based on your specific hardware and preferences. Pay special attention to the competitive settings like foliage quality – those will give you the biggest advantage over other players.
Most importantly, don’t be afraid to experiment. What works for me might not be perfect for you, and that’s okay. The key is to find the settings that give you the best balance of performance and visuals for your specific setup and playstyle.
Now get out there, optimize those settings, and start dominating the competition. I’ll see you on the leaderboard!
Want more gaming optimization tips? Check out our Ultimate Plants vs Brainrots Cards Guide for more pro gaming strategies, or visit our gaming section for the latest in gaming performance guides.
Remember to bookmark this guide and check back regularly – I’ll be updating it as new patches and optimizations are released for Arc Raiders!