To make Starfield run better on PC, you can apply several optimizations both in-game and at the system level:
In-Game Settings Adjustments
- Lower demanding graphics settings such as Shadow Quality (to High or Medium), Volumetric Lighting (Medium), and Crowd Density (Medium) to improve performance without drastically sacrificing visuals
- Turn off effects like Motion Blur and Depth of Field to gain additional FPS
- Use the "Performance Mode" option in ReShade if you use it, enabling Auto Save and reloading settings
- Consider enabling upscaling technologies like DLSS or mods that provide upscaling to boost frame rates while maintaining image quality
System and Windows Settings
- Enable Resizable BAR in your BIOS to improve GPU efficiency
- Turn on Game Mode in Windows to prioritize gaming performance
- Enable Hardware-accelerated GPU Scheduling (HAGS) and Windowed Optimizations for better GPU handling
- Use the Windows High Performance power profile and set your GPU power management mode to maximum performance
- Disable Memory Integrity in Windows security settings if it affects performance
- Ensure your RAM is running with the proper XMP/EXPO profile to maximize memory speed
- Update your GPU drivers to the latest version from NVIDIA or AMD to ensure optimal compatibility and performance with Starfield
- Set Starfield's CPU process priority to High in Task Manager to allocate more CPU resources to the game, reducing stuttering and improving frame rates
Hardware Considerations
- Starfield is somewhat CPU-bound, especially at lower resolutions, so having a strong CPU like an Intel Core i5-10600K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600X or better is recommended
- For graphics, an 8GB VRAM GPU such as an AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT or NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 is recommended to run the game at Ultra settings smoothly
- Overclocking your GPU can help if you are just below your target FPS
By combining these in-game tweaks and system optimizations, you can significantly improve Starfield's performance on your PC while maintaining good visual fidelity.
