Why Am I Only Getting 40 FPS on Warzone 2? Understanding and Fixing Performance Issues

Hitting only 40 FPS (Frames Per Second) in Warzone 2 when you’re expecting more can be frustrating. The primary culprits usually fall into a few key categories: hardware limitations, unoptimized game settings, software conflicts, and the game’s own optimization (or lack thereof). Your CPU might be struggling to keep up with the GPU, you could be running out of system RAM, the game itself might have poor optimization, or you’re trying to push it at a resolution that’s too high for your system to handle. Let’s break down each of these factors and how to address them.

Diagnosing the FPS Drop in Warzone 2

Before diving into solutions, it’s crucial to understand why you’re experiencing low FPS. Here’s a step-by-step diagnostic approach:

1. Check System Requirements: Ensure your PC meets at least the minimum system requirements for Warzone 2. Meeting the minimum doesn’t guarantee high FPS, but it ensures the game can technically run. Aiming for the recommended specs is ideal for a smoother experience.
2. Monitor Hardware Performance: While playing Warzone 2, use tools like MSI Afterburner or the Windows Task Manager to monitor your CPU and GPU usage, RAM consumption, and disk activity. If your CPU or GPU is consistently at or near 100%, that’s a major bottleneck. Also, watch for consistently high RAM usage, which can cause stuttering and low FPS.
3. Driver Updates: Outdated graphics drivers are a common cause of performance issues. Make sure you have the latest drivers installed from NVIDIA or AMD’s website. These updates often include optimizations specifically for newer games like Warzone 2.
4. In-Game Settings Experimentation: Warzone 2 has a plethora of graphical settings. Start by lowering the overall graphics quality to “Low” and see if that improves your FPS. Gradually increase individual settings (texture quality, shadows, etc.) to identify which ones are impacting performance the most.
5. Background Processes: Close unnecessary applications running in the background. Programs like web browsers, streaming software, and other resource-intensive applications can steal processing power and RAM, reducing your FPS in Warzone 2.
6. Game File Integrity: Corrupted game files can lead to performance issues. Use Steam or Battle.net to verify the integrity of your game files. This will check for any missing or damaged files and re-download them.

Potential Solutions to Improve FPS in Warzone 2

Once you’ve identified the root cause of the low FPS, you can implement the following solutions:

• Lower Graphics Settings: This is the most straightforward solution. Reduce settings like texture quality, shadow quality, anti-aliasing, and draw distance.
• Reduce Resolution: Playing at a lower resolution (e.g., 1080p instead of 1440p or 4K) can significantly improve FPS.
• Fullscreen Exclusive Mode: Ensure Warzone 2 is running in Fullscreen Exclusive mode. This prevents Windows from managing the game’s window, allowing the game to utilize your resources more effectively.
• Update Graphics Drivers: As mentioned earlier, always keep your drivers updated.
• Optimize Windows: Disable unnecessary startup programs, defragment your hard drive (if it’s not an SSD), and run disk cleanup to free up space.
• Overclocking (Use with Caution): Overclocking your CPU or GPU can provide a performance boost, but it also increases heat and can potentially damage your hardware if done incorrectly. Only attempt overclocking if you are experienced and comfortable with the risks involved.
• Upgrade Hardware: If your hardware is the bottleneck, consider upgrading your CPU, GPU, or RAM. A faster CPU can handle more complex calculations, a more powerful GPU can render graphics more efficiently, and more RAM can prevent stuttering.
• Disable NVIDIA Reflex Low Latency: While designed to reduce latency, in some systems, enabling this feature can actually reduce FPS. Experiment to see if disabling it improves performance.
• Adjust NVIDIA Control Panel/AMD Radeon Settings: Tweak settings within your GPU control panel to optimize for performance. For example, you can set the power management mode to “Prefer Maximum Performance.”
• Increase Virtual Memory: If you’re running out of RAM, increasing the virtual memory (page file) can help, although it’s not a substitute for actual RAM.
• Ensure Adequate Cooling: Overheating can cause performance throttling. Make sure your CPU and GPU coolers are functioning properly and that your case has adequate airflow.
• Disable Ray Tracing: Ray Tracing is a very demanding feature. Disabling it can give you a massive performance boost, especially on mid-range hardware.
• DLSS/FSR: These are upscaling technologies that render the game at a lower resolution and then upscale it to your desired resolution, improving FPS with minimal visual quality loss.
• Close Overlays: Programs like Discord, Steam Overlay, or NVIDIA GeForce Experience Overlay can sometimes interfere with game performance. Try disabling them to see if it makes a difference.

Warzone 2‘s performance can also be inconsistent due to its own optimization issues. Even with powerful hardware, some players still experience lower-than-expected FPS. The developers often release patches to address these issues, so keep an eye out for updates. Check out what the Games Learning Society is doing to better the landscape of games. You can learn more at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why is my CPU usage so high in Warzone 2?

High CPU usage in Warzone 2 indicates that the game is heavily reliant on your processor for tasks like AI calculations, physics, and game logic. This can happen if your GPU is powerful enough but your CPU is a bottleneck. Lowering settings that affect CPU load, like draw distance and particle effects, can help. Upgrading your CPU is the ultimate solution if it’s a persistent problem.

2. Does more RAM improve FPS in Warzone 2?

Yes, especially if you’re running out of RAM. Warzone 2 can be memory-intensive, and having insufficient RAM can lead to stuttering and low FPS as the game has to constantly read and write data to your hard drive. 16GB of RAM is generally considered the minimum for a smooth experience, while 32GB is recommended for optimal performance.

3. Is Warzone 2 more CPU or GPU intensive?

Warzone 2 tends to be both CPU and GPU intensive, but it leans slightly towards CPU dependence. This means a powerful CPU is crucial for maintaining high FPS, especially in crowded areas with lots of action. However, a weak GPU will also significantly impact performance.

4. What are the best graphics settings for maximum FPS in Warzone 2?

The “best” settings depend on your hardware, but here’s a starting point for maximizing FPS: Display Mode: Fullscreen Exclusive, Display Resolution: 1080p, Texture Quality: Medium, Shadow Quality: Low, Anti-Aliasing: Disabled, Particle Quality: Low, DLSS/FSR: Enabled (Performance mode), Ray Tracing: Disabled.

5. How do I check my FPS in Warzone 2?

You can display your FPS in Warzone 2 using the Telemetry options in the Interface settings tab. Alternatively, you can use the Steam overlay, NVIDIA GeForce Experience overlay, or the AMD Radeon overlay.

6. Why is my FPS dropping during gunfights in Warzone 2?

FPS drops during gunfights are often due to the increased strain on your CPU and GPU from processing particle effects, physics calculations, and AI behavior. Lowering settings related to these elements, like particle quality and shadow quality, can help.

7. Will upgrading my GPU guarantee higher FPS in Warzone 2?

Upgrading your GPU will likely improve FPS, but it’s not a guaranteed fix if your CPU is the bottleneck. Make sure your CPU can keep up with the new GPU to avoid limiting its potential.

8. Is Warzone 2 optimized for NVIDIA or AMD GPUs?

Warzone 2 generally performs well on both NVIDIA and AMD GPUs, although NVIDIA cards often have a slight edge due to optimizations and features like DLSS.

9. Why is my laptop only getting 40 FPS in Warzone 2?

Laptops often have lower performance than desktops due to thermal limitations and less powerful hardware. Make sure your laptop is plugged in, running in “performance” mode, and has adequate cooling.

10. Can I run Warzone 2 at 60 FPS on a GTX 1050 Ti?

While technically possible, achieving a stable 60 FPS on a GTX 1050 Ti in Warzone 2 will require heavily compromising on graphics settings. Expect to play at 1080p with low settings.

11. Does overclocking my CPU/GPU void my warranty?

Overclocking may void your warranty, depending on the manufacturer and the extent of the overclock. Check your warranty terms and proceed with caution.

12. Should I disable background apps while playing Warzone 2?

Yes, closing unnecessary background apps can free up valuable CPU and RAM resources, leading to improved FPS in Warzone 2.

13. Why is Warzone 2 stuck at 40 FPS even with good hardware?

This could be due to a software conflict, outdated drivers, or a specific setting causing issues. Try updating everything, experimenting with different settings, and checking for any conflicts with other applications.

14. What is DLSS and how does it improve FPS in Warzone 2?

DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) is an NVIDIA technology that uses AI to upscale a lower-resolution image to a higher resolution, improving FPS with minimal visual quality loss.

15. How often does Warzone 2 get performance updates?

The developers of Warzone 2 regularly release updates that often include performance improvements. It’s a good idea to check for updates regularly.