Best graphic settings for RDR2 PS5

Recently Release on PC, Red Dead Redemption 2 is perhaps the best Open World Game On PC right now. The game features an immensely huge map, with dozens of features and breathtaking visuals. We know for a fact that Rockstar has always developed Games that have seriously challenged the best Hardware in its time. For example, GTA V put all the graphics card and CPU’s to dust when it first came out. Likewise, the Red Dead Redemption 2 is no different and requires top-notch hardware. 

Don’t worry, though, because, in this red dead redemption 2 settings guide, I’ll take you across every setting that can help you Boost FPS and Improve Performance in Red Dead Redemption 2. We’ll make many tweaks in Windows 10, Nvidia/AMD Settings, and at last, we will configure Red Dead Redemption 2 itself.

To clarify, all the latest games are like this. However, it’s not their graphics and features that Hardware are unable to handle. It’s just that the latest games are mostly unoptimized, and Graphic Card Manufacturers need time to prepare drivers and enhance the performance.

Table of Contents

1. Best Red Dead Redemption 2 Settings
   1. Enable Game Mode To Improve Performance
   2. Disable Game Bar and Captures
   3. Enhance Windows 10 Visual Settings 
   4. Disable Useless Startup Services and Applications
   5. Enable Ultimate Power Plan 
   6. Update Windows 10 
   7. Delete Temp Files And Perform Disk Cleanup
   8. Change Graphics Card Priority
   9. Disable Hardware Acceleration
   10. Nvidia Graphics Settings for Red Dead Redemption 2
       1. Nvidia Freestyle Settings for Red Dead Redemption 2
       2. Update To Latest Nvidia Graphics Card Drivers
2. Red Dead Redemption 2 Graphics Settings
3. Red Dead Redemption 2 Optimization Thoughts

Best Red Dead Redemption 2 Settings

Make sure your System Specifications are on par or above the minimum System Requirements of Red Dead Redemption 2. In case they are below minimum system requirements. You’ll have to lower the resolution for playable FPS.

Red Dead Redemption 2 Minimum Specifications

• OS:  Windows 7 – Service Pack 1 (6.1.7601)
• Processor:  Intel Core™ i5-2500K / AMD FX-6300
• Memory:  8GB
• Graphics Card:  Nvidia GeForce GTX 770 2GB / AMD Radeon R9 280 3GB
• HDD Space:  150GB

Enable Game Mode To Improve Performance

Times and Times again, I’ve repeated how important this feature is. The Game Mode is a built-in feature within Windows 10 that helps Gamers get max Performance from their PC’s and Laptops. When Enable, the Game Mode instantaneously kills any background application that is significantly burdening your CPU & GPU. It also prioritizes the application, allowing it to get the most out of the Hardware.

Here is how you can enable Game Mode.

1. Go To Start > Type “Game Mode” > Open First Result.
2. Now Enable Game Mode.
   
   
   

Disable Game Bar and Captures

Apart from Game Mode, we must also disable all the useless Notifications from Game Bar. These Applications keep piling up in the background and thus impact your CPU & Memory Usage. If you want High Frames and the Best Performance in Red Dead Redemption 2, you must disable them.

1. Open Start > Type Game Bar Settings > Open First Result.
   
   
2. Now Make Sure Everything in The Game Bar and Captures Tab is Disable. That goes on to say, each option is unchecked, and no notifications are enabled in both tabs.
   
   

Afterward, you can disable other notifications like emails, messages, Facebook replies through Focus Assist. This is also a feature within Windows 10 that is meant to help you focus, but if it’s not correctly configured. It’s only going to pile up notifications.

1. Open Start > Type and Open Focus Assist
2. You can now either disable everything or configure it according to your timings and preferable notifications. If you want to get the best performance. I’ll recommend disabling everything.
   
   
   Disable Focus Assist

Enhance Windows 10 Visual Settings 

In the Third Step to enhance Windows 10 for Max Performance. We’ll disable all the useless animations that are literally responsible for using most of our CPU. When Disabled, you will experience a much responsive Windows 10, and on top of that, you will achieve max possible performance in Red Dead Redemption 2. Here is how you can disable it.

1. Go To Start > Type My PC > Right Click “My PC” and Hit Properties.
   
   
   
2. Afterward, Click on Advanced System Settings.
   
   
   
3. Then Click on Settings, which is under Performance. Now a huge secondary tab with options will appear, and all you have to do is click on Custom and only check the Follow Setting.
4. Show Thumbnails instead of Icons ✓.
5. Smooth Edges of Screen Fonts ✓.
   
   
6. Once you have made the changes, click on apply and ok to save changes.

Disable Useless Startup Services and Applications

When Gaming, you must have noticed in MSI Afterburner that the CPU Usage is significantly less when compared to the one shown in Task Manager. This is because there are a hell of a lot of useless applications running in the background and if you want to get High FPS and Max Performance in Red Dead Redemption 2. You must disable them. Most of these applications automatically start along with the PC, and they continuously run in the background.

When Disabled, you will notice faster Boot Times, Improved FPS, and on top of that, a more responsive Windows 10. Here is how to disable them.

1. Right, Click Taskbar > Task Manager.
   
   
   
2. Now Head over to the startup Tab, and Make Sure All Applications Like Steam, Discord, TeamSpeak, Faceit, and in short, the ones with High Priority are disabled.
3. Suppose you are on a real budget PC and want to get the best possible frames in Red Dead Redemption 2. Make sure Applications with Medium Priority are disabled as well.
   
   

Like Application, there are services as well that also start alongside your PC. These services are no different, and they continuously run in the background, consuming a chunk of power. This causes instability, and while Playing Red Dead Redemption 2, you have to make sure there is nothing other than the game utilizing your PC’s full power.

1. Open Run > Type and Enter msconfig.
   
   
   
2. Under the Services Tab, Checkmark “Disable All Microsoft Services.” This will hide the essential ones that you shouldn’t disable. Now, from the new list, disable the ones you feel are irrelevant and unnecessary.
   
   
   Disable Unnecessary Services
3. Once done, hit apply and ok.

Enable Ultimate Power Plan 

Suppose you want to get the best possible Frames in Red Dead Redemption 2 or any other game. You must always go for the Ultimate Power Plan. The Ultimate Power plan is a step ahead of the normal one, removing all power limits. Therefore, allowing the hardware to run at maximum speeds. By default, Windows 10 does not allow users to choose this plan. However, there are ways through which you can enable it. I’ll guide you, don’t worry.

1. Head Over To Start > Type Windows PowerShell > Open The First Result with Administrative Privileges.
   
   
2. Once PowerShell is Opened, Copy and Paste the code I’ve attached below.
3. powercfg -duplicatescheme e9a42b02-d5df-448d-aa00-03f14749eb61
4. If the code is successfully entered, you will get a message mentioning a code, and in brackets, it’ll say Ultimate Performance. Sometimes some problems wouldn’t allow you to enter the code. To fix that, you should enter the same code in the command prompt.
5. Now get back to Search > Type Edit Power Plan > and Click on Power Options.
   
   
6. Now Click on The Ultimate Performance Plan. Sometimes it is hidden, but you can find it right under the Hide Additional Plans Setting.
   
   
   
7. After you have Chosen Ultimate Performance. Simply Exit.

Update Windows 10 

Make Sure your Windows 10 is updated to the latest version. This is because, latest versions are always optimized for newer graphics drivers, and along with that. They are continuously tweaked and enhanced a little bit to improve performance. Here is how you can ensure that Windows 10 is updated to the latest version.

1. Go To Start > Windows Update > Open Check For Updates.
   
   
2. Once Opened, Click on Check For Updates and If Updates were available. They will begin to download, and something like this will appear.
   
   
   Updating Windows 10

Delete Temp Files And Perform Disk Cleanup

Cleaning up the extra mess on your SSD or Harddrive can also improve your FPS. The temp files are mostly crash reports, leftovers, and a lot of junk, which grabs a huge space of the drive and impacts Performance. Other than this, Performing a Disk Cleanup in the drive where your Red Dead Redemption 2 is also beneficial. By doing this, you will ensure that there are no virus-infected, extra, and harmful files on your Disk.

1. Open My Computer > Right Click The Drive where your Red Dead Redemption 2 Is Installed.
   
   
   
2. Afterward, Click on Disk Cleanup and go through every folder listed. I don’t want files In my downloads folder to be deleted, so I’m not going to agree to that. Likewise, pay attention while you delete them. Once you have selected the files, click on “Clean up Selected Files” and press ok.
   
   

Change Graphics Card Priority

Did you know that you can change the Graphics Priority for a specific game in Windows 10? The feature Graphics Settings allows you to add Applications and select the performance you want it to get. Selecting Maximum Performance will remove all the power thresholds and allow our Graphics Card to deliver 100% while we play Red Dead Redemption 2. This can increase the FPS Singiifcantly and improve the stableness of the game. Here is how you can do it.

1. Open Start > Graphics Settings.
   
   
2. Afterward, Click on Browse > Add Red Dead Redemption 2 Application > Select High Performance, and you are done.
   
   

Disable Hardware Acceleration

Hardware Acceleration is an unnecessary feature within most third-party applications. This feature allows the application to run differently. What it exactly does is that it offloads the resources through different mediums, and apparently this is more efficient. Now to do this, Applications with Hardware Acceleration enabled are consistently squeezing a considerable chunk of power. If you are playing Red Dead Redemption 2, and Discord is heavily using your CPU/Memory every second. How can you expect High FPS and Stable Performance?

1. Open Discord > Settings > Apparence.
2. Scroll down, and disable Hardware Acceleration.
   
   
3. Now It’ll ask you to restart the Discord to apply changes. Click okay.
   
   
4. Open Google Chrome > Settings > Advanced > System.
5. Disable Hardware Acceleration and Restart Chrome To Apply Changes.
   
   

Note: Hardware Acceleration is available within most third-party applications, so it is your job to explore and disable all of them. I’ve only shown you how to disable it in the most common applications; rest assured, the settings are very similar.

Congrats on completing the half portion of the guide. Suppose you have adequately followed the methods mentioned above. I can guarantee that you will already be seeing significant improvement in overall frames. Along with that, the performance will now be consistent, and you can also expect a more responsive Windows 10. In the Second Portion of our guide, we’ll be addressing the best Graphics Card Settings for Red Dead Redemption 2. Along with that, we will also configure the in-game Settings of Red Dead Redemption 2.

Nvidia Graphics Settings for Red Dead Redemption 2

We’ll start with Nvidia Control Panel Settings. Before you jump on making changes to the Red Dead Redemption 2 Graphics Settings, make Sure that you have selected Performance under preference emphasizing. Once done, I also chose the advanced 3D Image settings. Here is how you can do it.

1. Right-Click Desktop > Nvidia Control Panel.
2. Under 3D Settings, Go To “Adjust Image Settings with Preview.
3. Now Click on Performance Emphasizing, and slide the option to Performance.
   
   
   Best Nvidia Graphics Settings for Red Dead Redemption 2.

4. Then Check Advanced 3D Image Settings and Hit Apply.

Once you have applied the changes, hop over to the Manage 3D Settings and do the following.

1. Go To Manage 3D Settings  > Program Settings.
2. Under Program Settings, Click on Browse and find your Red Dead Redemption 2 or rd2.exe application.
   
   
   Nvidia Graphics Settings for Red Dead Redemption 2.

   Usually, the Steam one is located under: PC > Disk C > Program Files > Rockstar Games > Red Dead Redemption 2.

3. Once Red Dead Redemption 2 is chosen. Change the default settings to this.
   
   
4. Image Sharpening – Use Global Settings
5. Anisotropic Filtering – Use Global Setting (Application-Controlled)
6. Antialiasing – FXAA – Use Global Settings (Off)
7. Antialiasing – Gamma Correction – Use Global Settings (On)
8. Antialiasing – Mode – Off
9. Antialiasing – Transparency – Use Global Setting (Off)
10. CUDA – GPUs – Use Global Setting (All)
11. Low Latency Mode – Use Global Setting (Ultra)
12. Monitor Technology – Use Global Setting
13. Multi-Frame Sampled AA (MFAA) – Use Global Setting (Off)
14. OpenGL Rendering GPU – Use Global Setting (Auto-Select)
15. Power Management Mode – Prefer Maximum Performance
16. Prefered Refresh Rate (Your Monitor) – Use Global Setting (Application-Controlled)
17. Shader Cache – Use Global Setting (On)
18. Texture Filtering – Anisotropic Sample Optimization – Use Global Setting (Off)
19. Negative LOD Bias – Use Global Setting (Allow)
20. Texture Filtering – Texture Filtering – Quality – Use Global Setting (Quality)
21. Texture Filtering – Trilinear Optimization (Use Global Setting)
22. Threaded Optimization – Use Global Setting (Auto)
23. Triple Buffering – Use Global Setting (Off)
24. Vertical Sync – Off
25. Virtual Reality Pre-rendered frames – 1

Nvidia Freestyle Settings for Red Dead Redemption 2

Once you are done with Settings #2, it’s time, you can further enhance the graphics through Nvidia Freestyle. We compromised on some settings like Water Refraction Quality and many more, setting them on Medium. That was because they had a significant impact on PC’s performance. However, these settings can somehow be achieved through Nvidia Freestyle, which unlike the game. Won’t have a considerable effect on Performance. Here is how you can configure Nvidia Freestyle.

1. Open Red Dead Redemption 2 and Continue The Game.
2. Once You are joined in, Click on ALT + F3 to Open Game Filter, also known as Nvidia Freestyle.
3. Afterward, add filters as I’ll suggest below, and then save all of them at once.
   
   
   Nvidia Freestyle For Red Dead Redemption 2

Filter #1 – Details

• Sharpen – 45%
• Clarity – 10%
• HDR Toning – 22%
• Bloom 21%

Filter #2 Color

• Tint Color – 0%
• Tint Intensity – 0%
• Temperature – 0.5%
• Vibrance – 50+

Most of these settings come down to personnel preference. But in short, it’s great to mess around with Nvidia Freestyle because you can enhance the graphics without having a high impact on your performance. If you want High Frames in Red Dead Redemption 2, you must have an outstanding balance between the in-game Settings and Red Dead Redemption 2 itself.

Update To Latest Nvidia Graphics Card Drivers

Recently Nvidia Released Red Dead Redemption 2 Game Ready Drivers that have significantly improved performance for all players. If you are using Nvidia Graphics Card, make sure your drivers are updated to the latest version. Here is how you can do it.

1. Go To Search > Type GeForce Experience > Open it
2. On Top Right Side, Click on Check for Updates. If new Drivers were available, they would be automatically downloaded. Subsequently, if you want to download the Red Dead Redemption 2 Game Ready Drivers manually, Click Here.
   
   
   Updating Nvidia Drivers

Red Dead Redemption 2 Graphics Settings

Now that we are done with Window Settings, Nvidia Graphic Settings, and all those checkmarks. It’s finally time that we configure the game itself and use the most suitable settings. That will get you High Frames, and most importantly, buttery-smooth gameplay with consistent performance.

1. Resolution 1920×1080. (You can lower it for High Frames and compromise on visuals).
2. Refresh Rate – 144 (Highest Available).
3. VSync – Off (You Don’t want your FPS to be stuck on 60, Right?).
4. Triple Buffering – Off.
5. Pause Game on Focus Loss – Off.
6. Constrain Mouse Pointer – Off.
7. Quality Preset Level – Custom
8. Texture Quality – Low
9. Anisotropic Filtering – Off
10. Lighting Quality – Low
11. Global Illumination Quality – Low
12. Shadow Quality – Low
13. Far Shadow Quality – Low
14. Screen Space Ambient Occlusion – Off
15. Reflection Quality – Low
16. Mirror Quality – Low
17. Water Quality – Low
18. Volumetrics Quality – Low
19. Particle Quality – Low
20. Tessellation Quality – Low
21. TAA – Off
22. FXAA – Off
23. MSAA – Off

Advanced Graphics

Everything Off and Low in Advanced graphics, except Fur Quality, which should be on Medium. Suppose you are getting a lot more FPS than your Refresh Rate. I’ll highly recommend you to go back to these settings and tweak some of them to Medium. Likewise, if FPS went down, simply squeeze some of them back to Low. It’s all about finding the right balance and max FPS for your PC.

Red Dead Redemption 2 Optimization Thoughts

Like always, if you have followed all the methods mentioned above. I can guarantee that you will see high frame rates and significant performance improvement. Other than that, frames will now be consistent, with no stutters or lags, and in general, really smooth gameplay. Further, these methods are entirely safe, and nowhere will they harm your PC. I’ll also recommend creating a system restore point, just in case you did not like the new settings. This was eXputer’s red dead redemption 2 settings guide, comment below for more any questions.

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