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How to get stable 60 FPS on a potato (graphics optimization guide)

By Nantes

I tested each graphics setting to assess its impact on the FPS, so that you don't have to.

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Created by

Nantes
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Category: Game Modes, Gameplay Basics, Modding or Configuration

Languages: English

Posted

Updated

21 Jun, 2019 @ 2:45pm

2 Jul, 2020 @ 6:19am

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Guide Index

Overview

Introduction

The test scene

Findings

Conclusion

Comments

Introduction

I have the following laptop:

Intel Core i7 3612QM (quad-core, up to 2.8 GHz boost when gaming)
Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics (from 2012!)
4 GB RAM

While the processor is actually pretty good for a laptop, the graphics processor is very outdated and severely bottlenecks the system. As such, it could be considered a "potato". In the interest of getting stable 60 FPS while looking as good as possible, I have tested each graphics settings to determine the impact it has on FPS and found an optimal setup for this potato.

I'm running game version 2007 from the day after launch.

July 2020 update: I noticed that the game's Unreal engine version got upgraded, so it's probably more optimized now than when I wrote this guide. I can't test this hypothesis because I have since donated the laptop and bought a much better one. Sorry!

The test scene

Testing occurred with the following scene from the very start of the second level. I did not move the camera one bit between each change of settings.

Findings

The biggest impact

Resolution scale:
* at 100% = 23 FPS
* at 50% = 60 FPS

The game is running at the laptop's native resolution of 1366 x 768. I find that reducing resolution scale below 45% doesn't seem to do anything. It's probably the lowest it can go for my resolution.

Sizable impact

V-sync: ~12 FPS difference (from 60 to 48). No tearing noticed with it off
Effects Quality from Medium to High: 14 FPS difference (from 60 to 46). This seems to turn on Ambient Occlusion.
Shadow quality:
* Medium: -2 FPS vs. Low
* High: -7 FPS vs. Low
* Epic: -23 FPS vs. Low

Because High shadows creates an ugly grey mist permeating the level, I actually prefer the looks of Low shadows.

Very small impact

Anti-alias type (Temporal is ~2 FPS slower than FXAA)
Post-process quality (~2 FPS from Low to Epic) (all it seems to do is activate vignetting)

No noticeable impact

Anti-alias quality
Texture quality
Effects quality from Low to Medium

Conclusion

As such, I'm using the following settings to get 60 FPS on my potato laptop:
Resolution scale: 45%
V-sync: Off
AA type: either, depending on preference. I prefer FXAA, as I find Temporal too blurry
Overall quality: Custom
AA quality: Epic
Texture quality: Epic
Effects Quality: Medium
Shadow Quality: Low
Post-processing quality: Low or Epic (depending if you like vignetting)

If your computer is a bit better than mine, probably the biggest gain in image quality you'll get comes from increasing resolution scale a bit. But experiment with Shadow and Effects quality too.

If you liked this guide, please click the thumbs-up as this will make it more visible.

20 Comments

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krisvstheworld 9 Sep, 2020 @ 8:56am

i can definitely confirm that your july update is correct! i couldnt run the game well at all, even on lowest settings back in winter, now its at least 40-50 fps

dasFloresta 8 Aug, 2020 @ 6:19am

Oi te dei um award de extra-helpful. Não ia falar nada mas dps vi q era br. Coincidencia.

Bom guia mano, vlw, com ctz ajudou mta gente.

Dezm0nd 2 Jul, 2020 @ 5:48am

Thank you for this guide. I can actually see what's happening at a stable framerate!

I was enjoying the sheer pixel mess before but i'd definitely take this setup over my less informed one.

nice one

bahba 2 Jan, 2020 @ 1:53am

i cant even get the game to launch lmao

Limygeorge 27 Nov, 2019 @ 12:03pm

Yeah, I'' probably go 750w. The 850w is a bit more expensive. I haven't checked out your link yet and have until next year to decide. I planned Seagate focus gold +. It's highly reviewed everywhere, good value for money (but not cheap).
What you said earlier about PSU is spot on. I would NEVER cheap out on a PSU. I'll let you know when fixed. Thanks for all your help, it's useful for someone who is only properly familiar with 12 year old tech!! I'm getting there, I take knowing HW before a build critical, also OC possibilities, ensure no bottle necks, you know, all that stuff that a few ignore and wonder why there PC can't play modern games maxed out. Thanks again.

Nantes [author] 27 Nov, 2019 @ 6:46am

750W should be more than enough, so I'd only get the 850W if it's not significantly more expensive or if it is considered a tier above in that list. There are other similar lists as well, so feel free to Google and consult several.

Limygeorge 27 Nov, 2019 @ 5:56am

Great, thanks, I am glad 16GB is enough. I have made several PCs from scratch before, but eemm, over 12 years ago. PSU I was planning to get Seagate focus gold 850w, but perhaps 750w would be better?
For games and windows and programs I will use SSD. But you are right re:HDD. HDD will be for all documents, photos, movies, and system image plus Back up. That's my general idea now.
I didn't say before, but, I already have the CPU and GPU so that's fixed. Thinking of getteing as asrock Taichi mobo, but I'm always open to suggestions. Oh, thanks for the link too!
Finally I fully expect 12 years service from it!! Ha Ha.

Nantes [author] 27 Nov, 2019 @ 4:44am

Here is a great resource for PSU. I wouldn't buy anything that's Tier 5 or below. Preferably Tier 3 (more than that is probably overkill): https://www.gamingscan.com/psu-hierarchy/

Also, even for your planned system, you only need a PSU wattage of around 600W. Don't go wasting your money on 1000W+ PSUs.

Nantes [author] 27 Nov, 2019 @ 4:35am

Oh wow, that's probably overkill, but more than deserved after your decade of deprivation :)
You don't need all storage to be SSD, only the drive that's hosting Windows and lthe files of large games (The Witcher 3 for example will take a minute to load the map on HDD but less than 30 secs on SSD). I would say get a 500 GB SSD for those purposes and a 1 TB HDD for assorted files and you should be golden. You can always use an external HDD if you need more (and for backing up important stuff, don't forget this!)
32 GB RAM is overkill. 16 GB is more than enough for anyone who doesn't work professionally with demanding tools like Photoshop, video editors, 3D design tools, etc.

So yeah, save yourself some money on storage and RAM, and go wild with the rest! Don't forget a quality PSU as well, it's the lifeblood of your whole system. Don't skimp on that!

Limygeorge 27 Nov, 2019 @ 1:55am

Hey Nantes, of course you are fully correct. (I liked your analogy! lol)
The good news is that in Jan next year I will build a new one. It will be z390 with an OCed, binned i7 8086k (I know it's gen 8 but should be fine at 5.2GHz) Got a sweet sweet deal!! (de-lidded too)
GPU will be an EVGA GTX 1080ti FTW3 OC. And all storage will be EVO SSDs 960. Should play anything. Cant'; wait. Q: Would you say 16 GB DDR4 3000 CL15 is OK? Or 32GB (4sticks)??
Still, thanks for your guide and true subsequent post!!

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