Optimizing graphics settings for the best frames per second (FPS) is standard procedure when diving into new PC games, and Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl is no different. However, this game has specific quirks regarding optimization, making it essential to find the right balance based on your hardware and personal comfort level.
After experimenting with various graphics options, we’ve compiled an almost optimal configuration suited for modern hardware. While you may need to make some adjustments for your unique setup, the recommendations below provide a solid foundation.
Recommended Graphics Settings
To achieve the best performance in Stalker 2, keep these guidelines in mind:
- Limit Background Applications: Reduce tabs and applications running in the background. They can significantly hinder your game’s performance.
- Avoid Alt-Tabbing: Exiting the game using Alt-Tab can lead to performance drops, which seems to be particularly true for Stalker 2.
- Utilize AI Upscaling: If available, make use of upscaling technologies such as DLSS, FSR, or XeSS. These enhancements can improve both the look and performance of your game, provided your graphics card supports them.
Performance Testing Details
For our tests, all graphics settings started on Medium, with TAA as the chosen upscaling method, mainly because it’s compatible across different GPU brands. In our trials, DLSS often delivered better performance compared to FSR, although experiences may vary among different players.
The testing was conducted in Zalissya, during a foggy and rainy day. Using an ultrawide resolution with an RTX 3080, we achieved an average of 40 FPS, and all game settings recommendations stem from this testing baseline.
Individual Graphics Setting Impact
Here’s how various settings influenced FPS during testing:
| Setting | FPS Impact | Optimal Setting |
|---|---|---|
| Texture Quality | Negligible | Epic |
| Hair | 2-5 FPS drop | Medium |
| Object Details | 1-3 FPS drop | High |
| Effects Quality | 2-5 FPS drop | Medium |
| Materials | 1-3 FPS drop | High |
| Post Processing | 1-3 FPS drop | Epic |
| Antialiasing | Negligible | Epic |
| Motion Blur Strength | Negligible | 0% |
| Depth of Field | Negligible | Low |
| Light Shafts | Negligible | Enabled |
| Sharpness | Negligible | 20% |
| DLSS Upscaling | 10+ FPS improvement | Balanced |
| FSR Upscaling | Not used due to issues | Disabled |
| Shading Quality | 2-5 FPS drop | Medium |
| Global Illumination | 2-5 FPS drop | Medium |
| Reflections | 1-3 FPS drop | High |
| Shadow Quality | 5-8 FPS drop | Medium |
| Clouds | 1-3 FPS drop | High |
| Fog | 2-5 FPS drop | Medium |
| Sky | Negligible | High |
| Foliage Quality | 1-3 FPS drop | High |
| Environmental Draw Distance | 1-3 FPS drop | High |
PC Specifications for Testing
The specifications of the PC used for testing these settings are as follows, and your performance may differ based on your setup:
- GPU: NVIDIA 3080 Founder’s Edition
- CPU: Intel 13700K (stock settings, microcode updated)
- RAM: 32 GB
- OS: Windows 10
- Monitor: Ultrawide at 12:5 resolution
It’s important to note that resolution significantly affects performance. If you’re gaming at 1440p or any standard 16:9 ratio, you may be able to increase settings further. For those equipped with graphics cards from the NVIDIA 40 series or AMD’s 7800XT, you can potentially leverage Frame Generation for additional performance benefits.
Conclusion
Lower-end graphics cards, such as the 4070 and those below it, may have difficulty running the game at high settings, similar to the experience with a 3080. The power output of a graphics card will dictate its ability to handle intensive settings, regardless of the generation it belongs to.
By following these tips and tweaking your settings according to your hardware, you’ll likely enhance your gameplay experience in Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl.
