Elden Ring, the critically acclaimed action RPG from FromSoftware, has captivated gamers worldwide with its vast open world, challenging combat, and intricate lore. However, a significant number of players have encountered frustrating performance issues preventing them from fully enjoying the Lands Between. If you’re struggling to run Elden Ring smoothly, you’re not alone. This article dives deep into the common reasons behind these problems and offers potential solutions to get you back into the game.
Minimum and Recommended Specifications: The First Hurdle
The most obvious starting point is comparing your computer’s hardware to the game’s official minimum and recommended system requirements. These specifications, released by FromSoftware, provide a baseline understanding of what’s needed to run Elden Ring at different levels of performance.
Minimum Requirements: Barely Getting By
The minimum requirements are what your PC needs to simply launch and attempt to play Elden Ring. Don’t expect a stellar experience. These settings are typically targeting low settings and a potentially unstable frame rate. Meeting only the minimum specs often results in significant compromises to visual fidelity and gameplay smoothness.
Here’s a general idea of what minimum requirements might look like (remember to check the official game page for the most up-to-date information):
- CPU: Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 3 3300X
- Memory: 12 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3GB or AMD Radeon RX 580 4GB
- DirectX: Version 12
- Storage: 60 GB available space
Recommended Requirements: Aiming for a Smoother Experience
The recommended specifications represent the hardware needed to play Elden Ring at a more enjoyable level, typically targeting higher settings and a more stable frame rate. Meeting or exceeding these specs generally results in a much smoother and visually appealing experience.
Recommended specifications may include something similar to:
- CPU: Intel Core i7-8700K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 8GB or AMD Radeon RX Vega 56 8GB
- DirectX: Version 12
- Storage: 60 GB available space
If your computer falls below the minimum requirements in any area, especially the graphics card or CPU, you’ll likely experience significant performance problems. Even if you meet the minimum specs, exceeding them is highly recommended for a better overall experience.
Graphics Card: The Visual Powerhouse
Your graphics card (GPU) is arguably the most crucial component for running Elden Ring smoothly. It’s responsible for rendering the game’s visuals, and a weak GPU will lead to low frame rates, stuttering, and other performance issues.
Outdated Drivers: A Common Culprit
One of the most common reasons for poor GPU performance is outdated drivers. Graphics card manufacturers like NVIDIA and AMD regularly release new drivers that include performance optimizations and bug fixes for the latest games. Updating to the latest drivers can often provide a significant performance boost.
You can download the latest drivers from the NVIDIA or AMD websites, or through their respective software applications (GeForce Experience for NVIDIA and AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition for AMD). Always ensure you’re using the latest drivers before troubleshooting other potential problems.
Insufficient VRAM: A Bottleneck for Textures
VRAM (Video RAM) is the memory on your graphics card used to store textures, models, and other graphical data. If your GPU doesn’t have enough VRAM, the game will have to constantly load and unload data from your system’s RAM, leading to stuttering and frame rate drops.
Elden Ring can be quite demanding on VRAM, especially at higher resolutions and settings. If you’re using a graphics card with limited VRAM (e.g., 3GB or less), try lowering the texture quality and resolution settings to reduce VRAM usage.
Overheating: A Silent Performance Killer
Overheating can severely impact your graphics card’s performance. When the GPU gets too hot, it will automatically throttle its clock speeds to prevent damage, resulting in a significant drop in frame rates.
Ensure your graphics card has adequate cooling. Check that the fans are working properly and that the heatsink is clean of dust. If necessary, consider upgrading to a better cooler or improving your case’s airflow.
CPU: Processing the Game’s Logic
While the GPU handles the visuals, the CPU (Central Processing Unit) is responsible for processing the game’s logic, physics, and AI. A weak or outdated CPU can also bottleneck performance, even if you have a powerful graphics card.
CPU Bottleneck: When the Processor Can’t Keep Up
A CPU bottleneck occurs when the CPU is unable to process data quickly enough for the GPU, causing the GPU to sit idle while waiting for instructions. This results in lower frame rates and stuttering, especially in CPU-intensive areas of the game.
Elden Ring, with its complex open world and numerous NPCs, can be quite CPU-intensive. If you’re using an older or lower-end CPU, you may experience a bottleneck, even if your GPU is relatively powerful.
Background Processes: Stealing CPU Resources
Numerous background processes can consume CPU resources and interfere with Elden Ring’s performance. Close unnecessary applications and processes before launching the game. This includes web browsers, streaming services, and other programs that may be running in the background.
Using Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) to identify and close resource-hungry processes can free up valuable CPU power for Elden Ring. Be cautious about closing processes you don’t recognize, as they may be essential for your system’s stability.
Overclocking: A Risky but Potentially Rewarding Tweak
Overclocking your CPU can potentially boost its performance, but it also carries risks. Overclocking involves running the CPU at a higher clock speed than its default setting, which can generate more heat and potentially damage the CPU if not done correctly.
If you’re considering overclocking, research it thoroughly and proceed with caution. Use reliable overclocking tools and monitor your CPU’s temperature closely to avoid overheating.
RAM: Memory Matters
RAM (Random Access Memory) is used to store temporary data that the CPU and GPU need to access quickly. Insufficient RAM can lead to stuttering and frame rate drops, especially in open-world games like Elden Ring.
Insufficient RAM: A Recipe for Stuttering
If your system doesn’t have enough RAM, the game will have to constantly load and unload data from your hard drive or SSD, which is much slower than RAM. This results in stuttering and frame rate drops, especially when exploring large areas or loading new environments.
Elden Ring’s recommended RAM requirement is 16GB. If you have less than that, consider upgrading your RAM to improve performance. Even if you meet the minimum requirement of 12GB, 16GB or more can provide a noticeable boost in smoothness.
RAM Speed: A Subtle but Important Factor
RAM speed, measured in MHz, also affects performance. Faster RAM can transfer data more quickly, which can improve frame rates, especially in CPU-intensive games.
If you’re upgrading your RAM, consider purchasing faster RAM with a higher MHz rating. Ensure that your motherboard supports the RAM speed you’re purchasing. Check your motherboard manual to confirm compatibility.
Storage: Hard Drive vs. SSD
The type of storage device you’re using to store Elden Ring can also impact performance. Hard drives (HDDs) are much slower than solid-state drives (SSDs), which can lead to longer loading times and stuttering.
Slow Loading Times: The HDD Bottleneck
HDDs have much slower read and write speeds compared to SSDs. This means that loading times will be significantly longer when playing Elden Ring from an HDD.
Installing Elden Ring on an SSD can dramatically reduce loading times and improve overall performance. The game will be able to load assets and textures much faster, resulting in a smoother and more responsive experience.
Stuttering and Texture Pop-in: HDD Struggles
HDDs can also struggle to keep up with the game’s demands for streaming textures and other data, leading to stuttering and texture pop-in (where textures load in slowly and visibly).
An SSD can alleviate these issues by providing much faster access to the game’s data. If you’re experiencing stuttering and texture pop-in, consider moving Elden Ring to an SSD.
Game Settings: Finding the Right Balance
Elden Ring offers a variety of graphics settings that you can adjust to fine-tune performance. Lowering these settings can significantly improve frame rates, especially on lower-end hardware.
Resolution: The Biggest Performance Impact
Resolution has the biggest impact on performance. Lowering the resolution will reduce the number of pixels that the GPU has to render, resulting in a significant boost in frame rates.
Try lowering the resolution from 1920×1080 (1080p) to 1280×720 (720p) or even lower if necessary. You can also experiment with different aspect ratios to see if they improve performance.
Graphics Quality: Fine-Tuning the Details
Elden Ring offers several graphics quality settings, such as texture quality, shadow quality, effects quality, and anti-aliasing. Lowering these settings can also improve performance, although the impact may not be as significant as lowering the resolution.
Start by lowering the shadow quality and effects quality, as these tend to be the most demanding settings. You can also disable or reduce anti-aliasing, which smooths out jagged edges but can also impact performance.
Frame Rate Cap: Smoothness vs. Performance
Elden Ring has a built-in frame rate cap of 60 FPS. While this can help to prevent screen tearing and other visual artifacts, it can also limit performance if your system is capable of running the game at higher frame rates.
Consider experimenting with uncapping the frame rate (using external tools or game configurations), but be aware that this may introduce screen tearing or other visual issues.
Other Potential Issues
Beyond hardware limitations and game settings, other factors can contribute to Elden Ring’s performance issues.
Operating System: Keeping it Up-to-Date
Ensure you’re running the latest version of your operating system (Windows). Updates often include performance optimizations and bug fixes that can improve gaming performance.
Outdated operating systems may also lack support for newer hardware and drivers, leading to compatibility issues.
Background Applications: Resource Hogs
As mentioned earlier, background applications can consume CPU and RAM, interfering with Elden Ring’s performance. Close unnecessary applications before launching the game.
Pay particular attention to applications that consume a lot of resources, such as web browsers, streaming services, and antivirus software.
Driver Conflicts: A Rare but Possible Issue
In rare cases, driver conflicts can cause performance issues. If you’ve recently updated your drivers, try rolling back to a previous version to see if it resolves the problem.
You can also try performing a clean installation of your drivers to remove any conflicting files or settings.
Game Files Corruption: Verify Integrity
Corrupted game files can also lead to performance issues and crashes. Verify the integrity of the game files through the Steam client.
This will check for any corrupted or missing files and automatically download and replace them.
Mods and Third-Party Software: Potential Instability
Mods and third-party software can sometimes interfere with Elden Ring’s performance and stability. If you’re using any mods, try disabling them to see if it resolves the problem.
Be cautious about installing third-party software that claims to improve gaming performance, as it may contain malware or cause other issues.
Running Elden Ring smoothly requires a combination of adequate hardware, optimized settings, and a stable system. By systematically troubleshooting potential issues and implementing the solutions outlined in this article, you can significantly improve your gaming experience and finally conquer the Lands Between. Remember to always prioritize driver updates, monitor your hardware’s temperature, and experiment with different game settings to find the optimal balance between performance and visual fidelity.
Why does Elden Ring run poorly on my computer even though I meet the minimum system requirements?
Your computer meeting the minimum system requirements doesn’t guarantee a smooth gaming experience. The minimum requirements indicate the absolute lowest configuration on which the game is technically playable, often at low settings and a lower resolution. The ‘minimum’ specification assumes a constant framerate above a certain threshold (e.g., 30 FPS), but does not guarantee a smooth or visually enjoyable experience, especially in graphically demanding areas.
Other factors, such as background processes consuming resources, outdated drivers, or a fragmented hard drive, can significantly impact performance even if your hardware technically meets the minimum specifications. Furthermore, Elden Ring can be particularly demanding in open-world environments, requiring better performance than the minimum specifications would suggest for a satisfactory experience.
How can I check my computer’s specifications to see if they meet Elden Ring’s requirements?
To check your computer’s specifications, press the Windows key + R, type “dxdiag” into the Run dialog box, and press Enter. This opens the DirectX Diagnostic Tool, which displays detailed information about your system. The “System” tab shows your operating system, processor (CPU), and RAM (memory). The “Display” tab shows your graphics card (GPU) and the amount of video memory.
Compare the information displayed in the DirectX Diagnostic Tool with the minimum and recommended system requirements for Elden Ring, which can be found on the game’s Steam page or the publisher’s website. Focus on the CPU, GPU, and RAM specifications to determine if your system meets or exceeds the requirements. If any of your components fall below the minimum requirements, you may experience performance issues.
What are the most common causes of performance issues in Elden Ring?
One of the most common culprits is an underpowered graphics card (GPU). Elden Ring’s demanding visuals require a capable GPU to render the game at a playable framerate, especially at higher resolutions and graphical settings. If your GPU is below the recommended specifications or struggling with the chosen settings, you’ll likely experience stuttering, low framerates, and other performance problems.
Another frequent cause is insufficient RAM (memory). Elden Ring requires a significant amount of RAM to load assets and run smoothly. If your system is running low on RAM, the game may need to frequently access the hard drive or SSD, leading to noticeable performance slowdowns and stuttering, particularly when exploring new areas or during intense combat encounters.
How can I optimize my in-game settings to improve Elden Ring’s performance?
Start by reducing the overall graphics quality to “Low” or “Medium” in the game’s settings menu. This reduces the load on your GPU and can significantly improve framerate. Pay close attention to settings like “Shadow Quality,” “Effects Quality,” and “Grass Quality,” as these tend to have a disproportionate impact on performance.
Experiment with lowering the resolution. A lower resolution reduces the number of pixels your GPU needs to render, resulting in a higher framerate. Consider starting with 1920×1080 (1080p) if you’re currently playing at a higher resolution, and further reduce it if necessary to achieve a stable and playable framerate.
Are there any driver updates or patches that can improve Elden Ring’s performance?
Yes, keeping your graphics card drivers up to date is crucial for optimal performance. Both NVIDIA and AMD regularly release driver updates that include performance optimizations and bug fixes specifically for new games, including Elden Ring. Visit the NVIDIA or AMD website to download and install the latest drivers for your graphics card.
Game developers also release patches to address performance issues and bugs. Make sure your game is updated to the latest version through the Steam client or your respective platform’s store. Patch notes often detail specific performance improvements and optimizations that can significantly enhance your gaming experience.
What are some hardware upgrades that can significantly improve Elden Ring’s performance?
Upgrading your graphics card (GPU) is usually the most impactful hardware change you can make. A more powerful GPU will be able to render the game at higher resolutions and graphical settings while maintaining a playable framerate. Research current GPUs that meet or exceed Elden Ring’s recommended specifications, considering your budget and power supply limitations.
Increasing your system’s RAM (memory) can also significantly improve performance, especially if you currently have 8GB or less. Upgrading to 16GB or 32GB of RAM can reduce stuttering and improve overall smoothness, particularly when exploring large open-world environments. Ensure your motherboard supports the type and speed of RAM you’re considering purchasing.
Could background programs be affecting Elden Ring’s performance?
Yes, running multiple applications in the background can significantly impact Elden Ring’s performance. Programs such as web browsers, streaming services, and unnecessary system utilities consume valuable CPU and RAM resources that could otherwise be used by the game. Close any unnecessary applications before launching Elden Ring to free up system resources.
Antivirus software can also sometimes interfere with game performance, especially during intensive tasks like loading new areas. Temporarily disabling your antivirus software (while being mindful of the security risks) can sometimes resolve performance issues, but remember to re-enable it afterward. Regularly check your task manager to identify and close any resource-intensive background processes.