Get guidance on refining graphics in 'Rise of Tomb Raider'.
Get guidance on refining graphics in 'Rise of Tomb Raider'.
I recently purchased this game and began using it with my system (i7, 16GB RAM, GTX 1070, 2560x1080 monitor) and almost ultra settings. Only the AA setting has SMAA enabled, while Ambient Occlusion is set to -HBAO+. I’m experiencing problems: in most areas I maintain a stable 60 fps, but outside that, frame rates drop to around 52 or even 47 in certain sections, which creates noticeable lag. Before addressing this, I want to emphasize how much I value graphics quality and enjoy maximizing them, yet I also need consistent 60 fps. This puts me in a tough choice—do I prioritize visuals or performance? My main concern is finding a graphics configuration that keeps visuals stable but still delivers around 60 fps outside the shadows. I’ve experimented with various settings: starting with high shadows gave minimal improvement (only slight gains), medium shadows didn’t help much, and low shadows kept me below my target. Eventually, I turned everything off except shadows, which then returned to normal, but only after that did I achieve 60 fps. Playing without shadows is not acceptable for me, so I’m unsure what adjustments to make. Additionally, changing HBAO+ to VXAO caused even more significant drops in frame rate, so I reverted to HBAO+. I’m unsure what other tweaks might work. It’s frustrating because I still can’t enjoy Tomb Raider at 60 fps on such a high-end card without going into 4K or full 1440p resolution.
If you're unsure about the settings, lower them to medium or low. The rest should be one level below the highest setting available. ROTTR is quite challenging, and reaching maximum settings in most games often results in difficult performance at a smooth frame rate.
Adjust all your configurations to low/OFF and observe the outcome. If it persists, you’ll confirm it’s the game’s behavior. Open-world titles usually exhibit this, and most performance tests will confirm it. To boost your FPS generally, try this approach.
Rise of the Tomb Raider Guide
I’m certain VXAO will reduce at least 10 FPS, and using SSAA 4x would cut it further by another 20 compared to just FXAA. SSMA 2x shows about a 14 FPS gap versus FXAA, while Reshade SMAA is roughly 2 FPS less than FXAA. Follow the guide for each other setting to help you recognize your preferred look.
Example: Shadow quality often causes a significant drop in FPS, as shown in this image.
The visual contrast between settings is clear. It comes down to personal taste and what you’re willing to sacrifice. If you need shadows to match ultra quality, I’d recommend High. But for an extra 6-7 FPS, Medium could be a better choice. The visual change is evident, but it depends on your priorities. Ultimately, it’s about balancing performance with your gaming experience.
Shadows High vs Medium
As illustrated in the following images, the gap between Very High and High isn’t worth it. In my opinion, FPS matters more than avoiding minor jaggles or perfect shadows. High offers a balanced trade-off, whereas Medium is worth considering if you aim for over 60 FPS.
Shadows Very High vs High
The comparison in the next two pictures shows that the difference between Very High and High isn’t significant. I’d suggest sticking with High unless you’re aiming for above 60 FPS.
Shadows Very High vs High 2
The final decision rests with you. Other guides on the same site are also useful for titles like GTA 5, Mass Effect Andromeda, The Division, Watch Dogs 2, and more. Games without guides tend to be harder to optimize—such as Ghost Recon Wildlands.
Thanks for the reply. I experimented with DX12 mode and noticed improved performance (more FPS). The game maintains around 60 FPS (58-56) when everything is at maximum, except ambient occlusion which uses HBAO+ and AA set to SMAA. I’m considering swapping my card for a GTX 1080 from me with extra cash, or downgrading my monitor to a standard 1920x1080 24-inch display...
No reason to get a 1080, it won't make much of a difference in this game if you only have a 60Hz monitor. 60 fps is the highest your monitor will go. Downgrading to a normal 1080p monitor would be the better move and it also makes a lot of sense to get one with more hertz so it will show more than 60 fps. That i7/1070 combo is perfect for it.
You just missed major sales on monitors but there is still decent prices that won't exactly break the bank. There's a 24" 75Hz LG monitor for $110 right now at B&H or Bestbuy. 27" Dell 1080p 75Hz for $120. If 60Hz is all you want then it's only $80-$100 for 24" 1080p monitors at Bestbuy. They were literally $60 on Black Friday.
Instead of reducing the monitor size, simply run at 1920x1080. In the NVIDIA control panel, set the GPU to handle scaling. You can choose a 1:1 ratio or maintain the aspect ratio; it will display correctly on your screen with black borders around the edges.
I agree with you, downgrading to a normal 1080p monitor seems like a better choice. It wouldn't cost me anything since I can swap my monitor for my wife's 24-inch one. All I'd need is a VGA to Display port adapter. Plus, cutscenes look cropped on my 29 ultrawide monitor in most games, including Rise of Tomb Raider. I'm exhausted from it and think going back to normal 1080p would be better. Just bought that adapter this morning.