Best Arc Raiders settings for optimized PC performance

The best Arc Raiders settings can significantly enhance your gaming experience in Sperenza, allowing you to better pick up on audio cues while ensuring smooth gameplay. Our exploration of Embark Studios’ latest title has revealed optimal audio and video/graphics settings tailored for various gaming PC hardware configurations. Additionally, we provide insights on how Arc Raiders performs on the Steam Deck.

While the visuals in Arc Raiders are impressive, players need not invest in top-tier graphics cards to enjoy a fluid frame rate. The system requirements for Arc Raiders are quite reasonable, and the game is well-optimized with commendable default settings, though there is ample opportunity for fine-tuning.

Best Arc Raiders settings for PC

Graphics

  • Nvidia DLSS Frame Generation: Off
  • Vsync: Disabled
  • Nvidia Reflex Low Latency: On
  • Frame Rate Limit: Unlimited
  • Upscaled Resolution: 100%
  • Resolution Scaling Method: DLSS or FSR
  • Nvidia DLSS Quality: DLAA
  • Nvidia DLSS Model: Transformer
  • Field of View: 70
  • Motion Blur: Off or your preference
  • Nvidia RTX Global Illumination: Dynamic – high
  • View Distance: Epic
  • Anti-Aliasing: Epic
  • Shadows: Epic
  • Post-Processing: Epic
  • Texture: Epic
  • Effects: Epic
  • Reflections: Epic
  • Foliage: Epic
  • Global Illumination Resolution: Medium

Utilizing these settings on our RTX 4070 testing rig yielded an average frame rate of 104fps, with 1% lows at 55fps at 1080p. This performance was impressive, allowing us to maximize graphics settings while maintaining a frame rate exceeding 100fps, showcasing the game’s optimization.

The balance of high-detail settings and a respectable frame rate aligns well with the gameplay style of Arc Raiders. A smooth frame rate is essential for precise aiming, though it doesn’t need to reach the extremes required by more competitive shooters.

For those seeking a competitive edge, consider adjusting some settings to minimize visual distractions. We suggest disabling motion blur, setting RTX global illumination to static, lowering reflections to medium, and reducing foliage to low.

Engaging DLSS frame generation can further enhance frame rates, though we found it unnecessary. If you choose to enable it, we recommend a 2x frame generation setting, as higher levels may introduce latency that detracts from the snappy feel during intense firefights.

At 1440p, our setup still achieved a commendable 78fps average with 51fps 1% lows, ensuring a smooth experience. For those looking to boost frame rates during combat, consider lowering graphics settings to high or activating DLSS upscaling in quality mode.

At 4K, however, our RTX 4070 struggled, averaging just 43fps with 33fps 1% lows, resulting in a sluggish experience. Dropping detail settings to high and utilizing DLSS upscaling in balanced mode restored our average frame rate to over 70fps, which is commendable for a modern FPS with such visual fidelity.

Audio

Audio plays a crucial role in Arc Raiders, especially when it comes to stealth and awareness of your surroundings. To enhance your auditory experience, consider adjusting certain audio settings.

First and foremost, using a headset is advisable. Quality gaming headsets provide superior audio positioning compared to standard speakers, and the built-in microphone facilitates interactions with other players.

Enabling Night Mode is also beneficial. This setting compresses the audio mix, balancing louder and quieter sounds, allowing you to detect subtle noises like footsteps without being overwhelmed by gunfire.

We recommend utilizing push-to-talk for proximity chat, as Arc Raiders defaults to open mic settings. While many players prefer to communicate via Discord, in-game proximity chat is integral to the Arc Raiders experience.

Best Arc Raiders settings for Steam Deck

Arc Raiders performs surprisingly well on the Steam Deck, whether you’re using the OLED or original LCD model. The game automatically adjusts to the handheld’s native resolution of 1,280 x 800, employing low detail settings with TAAU. Under these configurations, players can expect frame rates between 40-50fps, making for a playable experience.

While the HUD and graphical elements may appear somewhat cluttered, the game effectively utilizes the Steam Deck’s touchpads and generally operates smoothly.

It’s important to note that running the Steam Deck in Proton Experimental mode is necessary for optimal performance. To do this, access the game’s Properties menu, navigate to the Compatibility tab, and select Proton Experimental as a forced compatibility tool. Once accepted, the game should launch seamlessly with the Steam Deck preset.

How we tested Arc Raiders

At PCGamesN, we employ dedicated gaming rigs to determine the best settings for performance and gameplay in new releases. The test rig used for Arc Raiders includes an Intel Core i7-11700F, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 12GB, 32GB of DDR4 3,200MHz RAM in a dual-channel configuration, and an MSI B560 motherboard. Our testing is conducted on Windows 11 64-bit.

We begin our assessments at 1,920 x 1,080 to identify optimal settings for this entry-level resolution, followed by evaluations at 2,560 x 1,440 and 4K using the same setup to measure performance variations. Frame data is captured and compared using CapFrameX.

Does Arc Raiders need an SSD?

While Arc Raiders does not mandate an SSD, upgrading from a mechanical drive is highly recommended due to the lengthy loading times experienced without one. Investing in a quality SSD will significantly enhance loading times and expedite the download of the sizable 130GB game file.

How to monitor performance in Arc Raiders

To keep track of performance in Arc Raiders, a straightforward method works for both AMD and Nvidia graphics cards. For Nvidia users, ensure the Nvidia App is installed with the in-game overlay enabled, then press ALT + R during gameplay to display the performance monitor. AMD users can access performance monitoring through the Radeon overlay using CTRL + SHIFT + O.

Alternatively, free software such as CapFrameX or Nvidia FrameView can provide a cleaner, simplified benchmarking tool compatible with any graphics card.

For handheld gaming PCs, most feature a dedicated button to access a quick menu for performance monitoring, often labeled as real-time monitoring.

If you encounter difficulties accessing Arc Raiders, checking the server status can help confirm whether maintenance or outages are affecting your login attempts.

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Best Arc Raiders settings for optimized PC performance