Finding the best FC 26 settings for PC is a straightforward task, especially for those who have invested in or upgraded their gaming rigs within the last five years. Remarkably, even a mid-range graphics card like the Nvidia RTX 4070 can deliver impressive performance, achieving a smooth frame rate while playing at 4K with ultra graphics settings.
The system requirements for FC 26 are refreshingly low, a trend that continues from last year’s version, given the absence of significant engine changes. However, players with older, less powerful gaming PCs may need to adjust some settings to ensure a seamless experience, particularly if they lack advanced upscaling technologies like Nvidia DLSS or AMD FSR. Unfortunately, for those aiming to play FC 26 on a Steam Deck, the journey may prove more challenging.
Best EA Sports FC 26 settings for PC
- Rendering Quality: Ultra
- Stand Based Hair: On
- Grass Quality: High
- Crowd Quality: High
- Cloth Quality: High
- Ambient Occlusion Quality: High
- Motion Blur: On
- Frame Rate Limit: Unlimited
- VSync: On
- Cutscene Performance: Full Frame Rate
- Render Scale: 100
- Dynamic Resolution Scaling: Off
Utilizing these settings on our RTX 4070 test rig, we recorded an average frame rate of 153fps at 1,920 x 1,080, with 1% lows at 94fps. At 2,560 x 1,440, the average frame rate dropped to 132fps, with 1% lows at 90fps. Even at 4K, we maintained an average of 92fps and 1% lows of 64fps. These results are commendable across all resolutions; while the graphics may not be entirely maxed out, the game still presents beautifully. For the sake of achieving 4K performance on an RTX 4070, I find it reasonable to compromise slightly on grass and crowd quality, which are not the focal points during gameplay.
EA Sports FC 26 graphics presets
EA Sports FC 26 offers four distinct graphics presets:
- Low
- Medium
- High
- Ultra
The differences between the low and ultra presets are subtle during gameplay, even under a zoomed-in camera perspective. The most apparent variations emerge in lighting during night matches, the realistic movement of player clothing, and the overall detail in player textures.
Given that the game is often played from a distance, achieving good performance on your gaming PC allows for minor adjustments in graphics settings without significant compromise. The aforementioned settings strike an ideal balance between performance and visual fidelity.
EA Sports FC 26 accessibility settings
A notable enhancement this year is the introduction of an accessibility menu upon launching EA Sports FC 26. While it currently includes options for subtitles and colorblind settings, a comprehensive accessibility menu is accessible from the main menu, featuring additional functionalities such as controller remapping, simplified in-game actions, enlarged UI elements, and a high contrast mode.
How we tested EA Sports FC 26
At PCGamesN, we employ dedicated gaming rigs to evaluate optimal settings for performance and gameplay in the latest releases. Our test rig for EA Sports FC 26 comprises an Intel Core i7-11700F, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070, 32GB of DDR4 3,200MHz RAM in dual-channel configuration, and an MSI B560 motherboard, all running on Windows 11 64-bit.
Our testing process begins at 1,920 x 1,080 to identify the best settings for this entry-level resolution, followed by evaluations at 2,560 x 1,440 to assess performance differences. Finally, we conduct tests at 4K, utilizing CapFrameX to capture frame data and compare results across sessions.
Does EA Sports FC 26 need an SSD?
According to the system requirements, EA Sports FC 26 does not necessitate an SSD. The download file is just under 70GB, which is manageable, but users with a single drive should ensure adequate space. For those still relying on traditional mechanical drives, upgrading or expanding storage may be prudent; our best gaming SSD guide offers current recommendations.
How to monitor performance in EA Sports FC 26
Monitoring performance in EA Sports FC 26 is straightforward, regardless of whether you’re using an Nvidia or AMD graphics card. For Nvidia users, installing the Nvidia App and enabling the in-game overlay allows you to access performance metrics by pressing Alt + R. AMD users can enable performance monitoring through the Radeon overlay with the shortcut Ctrl + Shift + O.
Alternatively, free software options like CapFrameX or Nvidia FrameView provide a cleaner benchmarking tool compatible with any graphics card. Handheld gaming PCs typically feature a dedicated button for quick access to performance monitoring, often labeled as real-time monitoring.
For further discussions on FC 26 and its performance on various systems, consider joining our community Discord server, where you can engage with team members and fellow PCGamesN readers.
