Top Arc Raiders Settings for High FPS on PC (June 2026)

Arc Raiders, Embark Studios’ highly anticipated extraction shooter built on Unreal Engine 5, has finally arrived, bringing stunning visuals and intense gameplay to PC gamers. However, even with the game’s impressive optimization, many players are experiencing performance issues that hinder their competitive edge. As someone who’s spent countless hours optimizing PC games for maximum performance, I’ll share the definitive guide to achieving buttery-smooth gameplay in Arc Raiders.

Quick Overview: Best Arc Raiders Settings for Maximum FPS

Arc Raiders represents one of the most well-optimized Unreal Engine 5 titles I’ve encountered, but even the best-optimized games can struggle on lower-end hardware or when pushed to their visual limits. Whether you’re running a modest gaming rig or a high-end powerhouse, these settings will help you achieve the perfect balance between visual fidelity and performance.

What Are the Best Graphics Settings for Arc Raiders in June 2026?

After extensive testing across multiple hardware configurations and analyzing data from top performance guides, I’ve identified the optimal graphics settings for Arc Raiders that deliver maximum FPS without sacrificing essential visual clarity. These settings have been tested on everything from budget builds to high-end gaming PCs, ensuring they work for the widest range of players.

Essential Graphics Settings for Maximum Performance

Screen option: Borderless Fullscreen

• Borderless Fullscreen provides the best balance between performance and convenience
• Allows for seamless alt-tabbing without the performance hit of traditional fullscreen
• Minimizes input lag compared to exclusive fullscreen in UE5 titles

VSync: Disabled

• Disabling VSync eliminates input latency and ensures the most responsive gameplay
• Removes frame pacing issues that can cause stuttering
• Essential for competitive play where every millisecond counts

Resolution Scaling Method: AMD FSR3

• FSR3 (FidelityFX Super Resolution 3) is the most effective upscaling technology for Arc Raiders
• Provides significant performance gains with minimal visual quality loss
• Works on both AMD and NVIDIA graphics cards

FSR3 Quality: Quality

• The Quality preset offers the best balance between performance and image clarity
• Avoids the shimmering artifacts found in lower quality modes
• Provides 1.5x upscaling, dramatically reducing GPU load

Motion Blur: Disabled

• Motion blur adds visual effects that can obscure enemy movement and reduce clarity
• Disabling it provides a sharper image and reduces GPU workload
• Critical for tracking fast-moving enemies and projectiles

Overall Quality Level: Low

• The Low preset significantly reduces GPU load across all visual systems
• Surprisingly maintains good visual quality due to Arc Raiders’ excellent art direction
• Foundation for all other optimization tweaks

Advanced Graphics Settings for Competitive Edge

Anti-Aliasing: Low

• Reduces jagged edges without the heavy performance cost of higher settings
• Works exceptionally well when combined with FSR3
• Maintains clean image quality while minimizing GPU usage

Shadows: Low

• Shadow resolution and draw distance are major performance bottlenecks
• Low shadows provide adequate visibility without the performance hit
• Essential for maintaining stable FPS in complex environments

Post-Processing: Low

• Controls depth of field, bloom, and various visual effects
• Low setting reduces latency and GPU workload
• For maximum performance, consider setting this to Off instead of Low

Texture: Low

• Prevents VRAM pressure that can cause stuttering and hitching
• Especially important for graphics cards with 8GB or less VRAM
• Maintains acceptable texture quality at a distance

Effects: Low

• Stabilizes frame time during combat with explosions and particle effects
• Critical for maintaining performance during intense firefights
• Reduces visual clutter that can obscure important gameplay elements

Reflections: Low

• Disables costly screen-space reflection passes
• Minimal impact on gameplay visibility
• Significant performance savings in reflective environments

Foliage: Low

• Reduces vertex count and overdraw in outdoor environments
• Improves visibility in dense vegetation areas
• Important for maintaining performance in Speranza’s varied environments

Global Illumination Resolution: Low

• Reduces heavy lighting calculations that can bottleneck performance
• Maintains adequate environmental lighting
• One of the most impactful settings for FPS gains

How to Apply These Settings Step-by-Step in June 2026?

Now that you know the optimal settings, let me walk you through the exact process to apply them in Arc Raiders:

1. Launch Arc Raiders and wait for the main menu to load
2. Navigate to Settings by clicking the gear icon in the main menu
3. Select the Graphics tab from the settings menu
4. Apply each setting exactly as listed in the table above
5. Restart the game to ensure all changes take effect properly
6. Test performance in a busy area or during combat to verify improvements

Performance Testing Methodology

After applying these settings, it’s crucial to test your performance properly:

• Stress-test in busy hubs like Speranza’s underground areas
• Monitor FPS during combat with multiple enemies and effects
• Watch for hitching when loading new areas or during intense effects
• Use built-in performance monitors or third-party tools like MSI Afterburner

If you’re still experiencing performance issues after applying these settings, don’t worry – I’ve got additional advanced optimization techniques that can help squeeze out even more performance.

Advanced System Optimizations for Arc Raiders

Sometimes, in-game settings alone aren’t enough to achieve the smooth gameplay experience you’re looking for. Based on my extensive testing and research, here are the most effective system-level optimizations for Arc Raiders:

Driver and System Updates

Update Your Graphics Drivers

• NVIDIA users should download the latest Game Ready drivers specifically optimized for Arc Raiders
• AMD users should ensure they’re running the latest Adrenalin Edition drivers
• Intel Arc users should check for the latest driver updates from Intel’s website

Keep Windows Updated

• Install the latest Windows updates to ensure system stability
• Windows 10 64-bit (latest update) is the minimum requirement
• Windows 11 users should also ensure they’re running the latest version

Background Application Management

Arc Raiders is surprisingly CPU-intensive, especially in crowded encounters. Here’s how to optimize your system:

Close Unnecessary Applications

• Web browsers, especially Chrome, can consume significant CPU resources
• Discord overlay and other gaming overlays can impact performance
• Recording software like OBS should be closed unless actively streaming

Manage Startup Applications

• Open Task Manager and disable unnecessary startup programs
• Consider using a clean boot for maximum performance
• Close any download managers or file-sharing applications

Frame Rate Limiting

• If you experience uneven frame pacing, consider limiting your frame rate to 60 FPS
• This can be done through the in-game settings or your graphics control panel
• Helps maintain consistent performance and reduces power consumption

Hardware Requirements and Performance Expectations

Understanding your hardware’s capabilities is crucial for setting realistic performance expectations. Based on official sources and extensive testing, here’s what you can expect from different system configurations:

Minimum System Requirements (1080p Low, 60 FPS)

• OS: Windows 10 64-bit (latest update)
• CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K or AMD Ryzen R5 1600
• RAM: 12 GB
• GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 580
• VRAM: 4 GB (NVIDIA), 8 GB (AMD)
• Storage: 30 GB available space (SSD recommended)

With these specifications, you should be able to run Arc Raiders at 1080p with low settings and achieve a stable 60 FPS. However, you may need to lower some settings further during intense combat sequences.

Recommended System Requirements (1440p High, 60 FPS)

• OS: Windows 10 64-bit (latest update)
• CPU: Intel Core i5-9600K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600
• RAM: 16 GB
• GPU: NVIDIA RTX 2070 or AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT
• VRAM: 8 GB
• Storage: 30 GB available space (SSD recommended)

This configuration will allow you to play at 1440p with high settings while maintaining 60 FPS. You’ll have some headroom to increase certain settings for better visual quality without sacrificing performance.

High-End System Requirements (4K Ultra, 60+ FPS)

• OS: Windows 10/11 64-bit (latest update)
• CPU: Intel Core i7-9700K or AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
• RAM: 16 GB
• GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4070 Ti or AMD RX 7900 XTX
• VRAM: 12-16 GB
• Storage: 30 GB available space (NVMe SSD recommended)

With a high-end system, you can enjoy Arc Raiders at 4K resolution with ultra settings while maintaining 60+ FPS. You’ll have plenty of headroom to experiment with different settings combinations to find your perfect balance of visual quality and performance.

Network Optimization for Reduced Lag

Not all performance issues are related to graphics settings. Network lag can be just as detrimental to your gameplay experience. Here’s how to identify and fix network-related issues:

Identifying Network Lag vs. Performance Lag

Network Lag Symptoms:

• FPS counter remains stable, but you experience rubberbanding
• Shots register late or don’t register at all
• Characters snap back to previous positions
• Ping spikes during gameplay

Performance Lag Symptoms:

• Entire screen stutters during effects or in crowded areas
• FPS drops significantly during intense sequences
• Frame times become inconsistent
• Stuttering when loading new areas

Network Optimization Tips

Use Ethernet Connection

• Wired connections provide significantly more stable performance than Wi-Fi
• Reduces packet loss and latency fluctuations
• Essential for competitive play

Close Bandwidth-Intensive Applications

• Pause any downloads or updates
• Close streaming services like Netflix or YouTube
• Disable cloud sync services like Dropbox or Google Drive

Consider Network Optimization Tools

• Gaming-focused VPNs or network optimizers can help reduce ping
• Tools like ExitLag or GearUP Booster can optimize your routing to game servers
• Particularly helpful if you’re far from the game servers

Common Performance Issues and Solutions

Based on community feedback and extensive testing, here are the most common performance issues in Arc Raiders and their solutions:

Stuttering and Frame Drops

Problem: Sudden FPS drops or stuttering during gameplay

Solution:

• Ensure all background applications are closed
• Update graphics drivers to the latest version
• Lower Texture and Shadow settings if you have limited VRAM
• Consider reducing FSR3 Quality if the issue persists

Crashes and Black Screens

Problem: Game crashes or displays black screen, especially on Ultra settings

Solution:

• Avoid using Ultra presets initially
• Update Windows and graphics drivers
• Verify game files through Steam or Epic Games Launcher
• Lower Overall Quality Level to High or Medium

Input Lag and Delayed Responses

Problem: Noticeable delay between input and on-screen action

Solution:

• Disable VSync in both game and graphics control panel
• Use Borderless Fullscreen mode
• Close any overlay applications
• Consider using a higher refresh rate monitor if available

When to Consider Upgrading Your Hardware

If you’ve tried all the optimization techniques and still aren’t satisfied with performance, it might be time to consider hardware upgrades. Here’s what I recommend based on current performance bottlenecks:

CPU Bottleneck Signs

• Low GPU usage (below 70%) during gameplay
• Performance improves significantly when lowering resolution
• High CPU usage in Task Manager during gameplay

Recommended Upgrades:

• Intel Core i5-12400F or AMD Ryzen 5 5600X for budget-conscious upgrades
• Intel Core i5-13600K or AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D for mid-range builds
• Intel Core i7-13700K or AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D for high-end systems

GPU Bottleneck Signs

• High GPU usage (90%+) with low FPS
• Performance improves when lowering graphics settings
• Stuttering during graphically intense scenes

Recommended Upgrades:

• NVIDIA RTX 3060 or AMD RX 6600 XT for 1080p gaming
• NVIDIA RTX 4070 or AMD RX 7800 XT for 1440p gaming
• NVIDIA RTX 4080 or AMD RX 7900 XTX for 4K gaming

RAM Bottleneck Signs

• High RAM usage (90%+) during gameplay
• Frequent loading and stuttering in open areas
• System becomes unresponsive during gameplay

Recommended Upgrades:

• Upgrade to 16GB DDR4 if currently using 8GB
• Consider 32GB DDR4 for future-proofing
• DDR5 offers better performance for new builds

Pro Tips for Competitive Play

For those looking to gain every possible advantage in competitive play, here are some advanced tips:

Visibility Enhancements

• Turn off all post-processing effects that can obscure enemy visibility
• Use the lowest shadow settings to eliminate dark spots where enemies can hide
• Disable motion blur to maintain clear visibility during fast movements
• Consider adjusting monitor settings for better contrast and visibility

Input Optimization

• Use a gaming mouse with high polling rate (1000Hz)
• Enable mouse acceleration off in both game and Windows settings
• Consider using a high refresh rate monitor (144Hz+) for smoother gameplay
• Adjust mouse sensitivity to find your perfect balance of precision and speed

Audio Optimization

• Use headphones for better directional audio
• Enable HRTF (Head-Related Transfer Function) if available
• Adjust audio settings to prioritize footsteps and gunfire
• Consider using audio enhancement software like Dolby Atmos

FAQs

Should I Use DLSS or FSR3 in Arc Raiders?

Currently, Arc Raiders only supports FSR3 (FidelityFX Super Resolution 3) as its upscaling technology. While DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) is generally considered superior in terms of image quality, FSR3 performs admirably in Arc Raiders and provides significant performance gains. The Quality preset offers the best balance between performance and image clarity.

What’s More Important: High FPS or Low Ping?

Both are important, but they affect different aspects of gameplay. High FPS ensures smooth, responsive gameplay and better visual clarity, while low ping ensures your actions register quickly with the server. For competitive play, you should aim for both – stable 60+ FPS and ping below 50ms. If you must prioritize, focus on achieving stable FPS first, as low FPS can make the game unplayable regardless of ping.

Can I Run Arc Raiders on a Laptop?

Yes, you can run Arc Raiders on a gaming laptop, but you’ll need to manage your expectations. Most gaming laptops with dedicated graphics cards from the last 3-4 years should be able to run the game at 1080p with low to medium settings. However, laptops are more prone to thermal throttling, so consider using a cooling pad and ensuring proper ventilation for the best performance.

Why Does My FPS Drop in Crowded Areas?

FPS drops in crowded areas are normal and occur due to increased CPU and GPU load from rendering more characters, effects, and environmental details. This is especially noticeable in Arc Raiders due to its detailed environments and numerous on-screen elements. To mitigate this, ensure you’re using the recommended low settings, close background applications, and consider upgrading your CPU if it’s consistently maxed out during gameplay.

Will Future Patches Improve Performance?

Yes, it’s highly likely that future patches will improve performance. Arc Raiders is built on Unreal Engine 5, and Embark Studios has a track record of optimizing their games post-launch. The game’s “Server Slam” test phase and subsequent updates will likely include performance optimizations based on player feedback and telemetry data.

Conclusion

Optimizing Arc Raiders for high FPS and low lag doesn’t have to be complicated. By following the settings and techniques outlined in this guide, you can achieve smooth, responsive gameplay regardless of your hardware configuration. Remember to start with the recommended low settings, apply system-level optimizations, and gradually adjust based on your performance needs.

The key takeaways are:

• Use Low overall quality with FSR3 Quality for the best balance
• Disable VSync and motion blur for responsive gameplay
• Keep your drivers and Windows updated
• Close background applications to free up system resources
• Differentiate between network and performance lag when troubleshooting

With these optimizations, you’ll be ready to extract valuable loot and face the ARC threat with the smoothest possible gameplay experience. Remember to save or bookmark this page for quick reference, and don’t hesitate to experiment with different settings to find your perfect balance of performance and visual quality.

For more information about Arc Raiders system requirements and pre-order details, check out our comprehensive guides on Arc Raiders System Requirements and how to pre-order Arc Raiders. If you’re wondering about the game’s cost, our article on Is Arc Raiders Free to Play has all the details you need.

Happy raiding, and may your FPS be high and your lag be low!