What methods exist to boost FPS in Arc Raiders on a budget computer?
What methods exist to boost FPS in Arc Raiders on a budget computer?
My current hardware is quite old, and I've experienced some problems with my CPU recently.
Specifications:
https://prnt.sc/WbrBq5FTxk6C
i5-6500 @ 3.20Ghz
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070
32GB DDR4 RAM but my memory caps at 2133 MHz
Issues:
- Performance around 35-50 FPS in busy environments
- Approximately 60 FPS in quieter settings
- Using AMD FSR 3, NATIVE AA, Vsync Off, etc.
- CPU is fully utilized while GPU barely runs
I’m wondering if adjusting certain settings could shift more load to the GPU. I’ll share a screenshot shortly.
If your system is constrained by CPU power, adding more graphical workload won’t boost your frame rate. This idea is often repeated but misunderstood. You can’t raise your frame rate simply by shifting some CPU tasks to the GPU. These two components handle different functions, and if one is overloaded, it can’t compensate for the other. It’s similar to a dentist who has too many patients and asks the front desk staff to handle extra work—they can’t do it.
When CPU resources are limited, increasing graphics settings or resolution forces the GPU to work harder, but your overall frame rate remains capped by your CPU’s performance. The GPU will eventually struggle more than the CPU, pushing your frame rate down further (GPU limitation). You’re stuck with what the weakest part can manage.
The only options to enhance CPU performance are reducing CPU-intensive game settings, optimizing your CPU, or upgrading to a more capable processor.
i6500k is considered the bare minimum since it consistently delivers 30fps at 1080p with minimal settings. These low demands exist mainly to attract as many PC users as possible, even though they might later be disappointed by the 30fps performance. The only solution to lessen CPU strain is to lower the game's resolution to something like 720p, and possibly use AMD FSR 3 (though I wonder why NVIDIA didn’t label it as "DLSS Compatible" in-game) to enhance it back to your monitor’s native 1080p. However, FSR operates through software and relies on the GPU’s shaders, which aren’t available on dedicated tensor cores in the RTX 20 series and beyond, so it might still require some CPU effort and experimentation. Your monitor could upscale too, but likely in a poor way.
The Windows task manager isn't trustworthy for displaying GPU usage. If you switch tabs and take a screenshot, the game might not render properly since it's out of focus. Use MSI Afterburner to monitor usage while playing.
I don’t have an RTX GPU, so I can’t really turn on DLSS in the game—I only have a 1070.
I’ve been thinking about upgrading my whole PC and rebuilding it, but the challenge is figuring out which parts to choose and what CPU to pick, since everyone keeps advising me against what I suggest 😄
Perhaps the poor frame rates in this game will finally make me want to upgrade. My system has served me well for years, but the CPU has always been the weakest link, constantly reaching 100% even when not playing games.
Where have you been? Years ago AMD "breathed new life" into GTX 10 series by backporting FSR3 upscaling + frame generation to cards abandoned by nVidia. It's open-source and only needs support from the game engine, meaning no need to install any AMD drivers. Here someone tried FSR on vs off on a GTX 1070 in Arc Raiders. View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReuDEX-yxMI
You can simply toggle it on or off in Performance or Quality mode, but that won't help much when the CPU is limited. The real benefit comes from using Resolution Scaling Mode to run the game at lower resolutions like 720p or even 480p, which would lower the CPU usage. After all, 720p uses only about 66% of the pixels compared to 1080p, and 480p uses around 44%.