Ray tracing makes lighting and shadows in games look more realistic. It has changed how graphics are rendered. If you have a mid-range GPU, getting smooth performance can be tough. But don’t worry. With simple tweaks, you can enjoy ray tracing without breaking the bank. Before getting into the details, treat yourself to a few games at 22Bet; it might be your lucky day.
Understand Your GPU’s Capabilities
First, you need to understand what your GPU can handle. Check its specifications. Look at VRAM, clock speeds, and ray tracing support. Mid-range GPUs have fewer ray tracing cores than high-end ones. This means they can’t handle as much. Use tools like GPU-Z to monitor your GPU.
Lower Ray Tracing Quality
Most games with ray tracing have quality settings like low, medium, and high. If you have a mid-range GPU, start with low or medium settings. High settings may look great but can hurt performance. Lowering specific effects like shadows or reflections can still improve visuals. It won’t impact your frame rates as much. Try adjusting each ray tracing setting one by one. Find a balance that works best for your system.
Reduce Resolution
Lowering your game’s resolution can boost performance. For most mid-range GPUs, 1080p works best. It balances good visuals with smooth frame rates. If you want higher resolutions, like 1440p, try resolution scaling. Tools like NVIDIA DLSS or AMD FSR can help. They let your GPU render at a lower resolution and then upscale the image. This keeps it sharp while improving performance.
Optimize DLSS or FSR Settings
DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) and FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution) are great for mid-range GPUs. They improve visuals without hurting performance. Turn on DLSS or FSR in games that support them. Try out different settings. “Performance” or “Balanced” modes usually work best for smooth gameplay and good graphics.
Adjust In-Game Graphics Settings
Balancing ray tracing with other graphics settings is important. Some settings, like shadows, ambient occlusion, and anti-aliasing, do similar things as ray tracing. Lowering these can free up resources for ray tracing. Turn off or reduce motion blur, depth of field, and lens flare. These effects can be demanding and don’t add much when ray tracing is on.
Update Drivers Regularly
GPU makers often release updates to improve game performance. Updating your drivers helps your GPU run better, especially with ray tracing. Use tools like NVIDIA GeForce Experience or AMD Radeon Software to update automatically.
Use Game-Specific Optimization Tools
Some games have built-in tools that recommend settings for your hardware. These tools adjust your graphics settings automatically for better performance. You can also use third-party software like Razer Cortex or MSI Afterburner. These programs help optimize your GPU’s power use and adjust fan speeds. This keeps your system running smoothly during heavy tasks.
Improve Cooling
Cooling is important for your GPU to work well. If your GPU gets too hot, it slows down during gaming. Make sure your PC case has good airflow. Clean your GPU and case fans often to avoid dust buildup. If needed, add extra fans to your PC or get a better GPU cooler. This will help keep things cool and running smoothly.
Limit Background Applications
Freeing up system resources helps your GPU focus on gaming. Close background apps and processes before starting a game. Use Windows Task Manager to find apps using too much power. Disable unnecessary startup programs to lighten the load. This gives your system more resources for ray tracing.
Enable Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling
To turn this on, go to Windows Settings. Then, click on System > Display > Graphics Settings. Turn on “Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling.” Restart your computer to apply the change. The performance boost may be small, but it can help, especially for mid-range GPUs. It works best when combined with other settings adjustments. Not all GPUs support this feature. Check your hardware specs to see if yours is compatible. If it is, this simple change can improve performance without costing anything.
Use Lower Ray Count Settings in Supported Games
Some games let you change the number of rays used in ray tracing. Lowering the ray count makes your GPU work less but still keeps ray tracing effects. Look for options like “Ray Count” or “Ray Bounces” in the graphics settings. Lowering these values can make the game run better without turning off ray tracing. For example, reducing reflections’ ray bounces still keeps a realistic look but uses less power. Try adjusting these settings in each game. The impact on visuals can be different in every game. This setting is great if you want to keep ray tracing but need to save some GPU power.
Optimize Shader Cache Settings
The shader cache stores data to help your GPU load games faster and run smoother. Adjusting this setting can make your mid-range GPU handle ray tracing better. Go to your GPU’s control panel (NVIDIA or AMD software) to find the shader cache settings. Make sure it’s turned on.
Experiment with Frame Rate Capping
Frame rate capping helps improve gaming performance. It limits how many frames per second (FPS) your GPU produces. This reduces the strain on your GPU, freeing up resources for ray tracing.
Most games have a built-in frame rate cap. Set the cap just below your monitor’s refresh rate. For example, cap it at 60 FPS for a 60Hz monitor. This keeps your GPU from overworking and maintains smooth performance. If your game doesn’t have this option, use tools like RivaTuner. Limiting FPS also helps prevent overheating. This is especially useful for mid-range GPUs struggling with heavy settings.
Tweak Windows Settings
Windows has settings that can help with gaming performance. Turn on Game Mode. This will prioritize your system’s resources for your game. Next, set your GPU as the default graphics processor. This makes sure your system uses your dedicated GPU, not the integrated one. Integrated graphics can slow down performance.
Consider a Dual-GPU Setup
If your mid-range GPU has trouble with ray tracing, adding another GPU could help. Technologies like NVIDIA NVLink let two GPUs share the workload. This can improve performance in demanding games.
However, adding a second GPU is expensive. Also, not all games support this setup. Make sure to check if the game works with multi-GPU before buying a second one.
