Why is Ark: Survival Evolved Capped at 60 FPS? Understanding Frame Rate Limitations in Ark
The dreaded 60 FPS cap in Ark: Survival Evolved is a common frustration for many players, especially those with high-refresh rate monitors and powerful PCs. The simple answer is that several factors can contribute to this limitation, and it’s not always a single culprit. The most frequent causes are Vsync settings, game configuration defaults, and sometimes even hardware bottlenecks. Let’s delve into each of these to fully understand the problem.
Understanding Vsync and Refresh Rates
One of the primary reasons for a 60 FPS cap is Vertical Synchronization (Vsync). This setting is designed to synchronize the frame rate of the game with the refresh rate of your monitor. The goal of Vsync is to prevent screen tearing, a visual artifact that occurs when the graphics card outputs a new frame before the monitor has finished displaying the previous one. While Vsync can reduce screen tearing, it will limit your frame rate to the refresh rate of your monitor.
If you have a standard 60Hz monitor and Vsync enabled, your game will, by design, be capped at 60 FPS. This ensures that your monitor only displays complete frames, avoiding any tearing, but it can also prevent you from seeing higher frame rates even if your system can render them. This means that even if your GPU is capable of pumping out 100 or more frames per second, Vsync will restrict it to your monitor’s refresh rate.
Ark’s Default Settings: Borderless Window and Frame Rate Limitations
Ark’s default settings also contribute to the issue. The game often defaults to borderless window mode, which can sometimes interfere with frame rate output. In borderless window mode, the game is rendered in a window that doesn’t have a traditional border, allowing for easier Alt-Tab functionality. However, this mode can sometimes bypass some of the refresh rate controls, particularly in conjunction with Vsync.
The problem with this is that even with a high-refresh rate monitor (such as a 144Hz or 165Hz display) and a system powerful enough to push out more frames, you may still be limited to 60 FPS in borderless window mode due to how the game interacts with the operating system’s compositing engine. The game is essentially being limited by what the window output is displaying.
In-Game Settings and Performance
Ark: Survival Evolved is known for being a resource-intensive game. Its demanding nature can lead to performance bottlenecks, further limiting your frame rate. Even without the explicit cap of Vsync, some systems may be unable to maintain high framerates at higher graphical settings. This isn’t a hard cap, per se, but rather a performance constraint. Certain settings, if not optimized, can lead to performance issues, making it seem like there’s a hard 60 FPS cap even when there isn’t. This is often where players see fluctuations under 60 fps.
How to Unlock Higher Frame Rates
To address these issues, you’ll need to tweak both in-game and system settings. Here’s a rundown of common fixes:
- Disable Vsync: In Ark’s graphics options, find and disable Vsync. This will allow the game to render frames at the fastest rate your system can handle, regardless of your monitor’s refresh rate.
- Switch to Fullscreen: If using borderless window mode, try switching to full-screen mode. This can provide more direct access to your graphics hardware and avoid issues associated with windowed compositing.
- Adjust Graphics Settings: Lowering graphics settings, such as shadows, view distance, and advanced settings, can drastically improve frame rates. Experiment with these to find a balance between visual quality and performance. In some cases, oddly, setting the view distance to Epic can help.
- Check Monitor Refresh Rate: Make sure your monitor’s refresh rate is set correctly in Windows display settings. A 60 Hz monitor will always limit your FPS to 60, no matter what.
- Update Drivers: Ensure you have the latest drivers for your graphics card. Updated drivers often include performance optimizations.
- Use Console Command: Open the console and type in “t.maxfps #”, replacing the # with your desired frame rate limit.
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions about FPS Caps in Ark
Here are 15 frequently asked questions related to frame rate caps in Ark, designed to provide additional valuable information:
1. Why am I capped at 75 FPS in Ark?
If you’re capped at 75 FPS, it’s most likely because you have a 75Hz monitor and Vsync is enabled. Vsync limits your FPS to your monitor’s refresh rate.
2. Is there any reason to go above 60 FPS in Ark?
Yes, higher frame rates such as 120 FPS or 144 FPS can result in a smoother and more responsive gameplay experience. This is especially beneficial for competitive games or situations requiring quick reactions.
3. Why does Ark run so badly on PC?
Ark is an incredibly demanding game due to its complex simulations, large world, and numerous interactive elements. It requires a powerful CPU and GPU to run smoothly.
4. Is Ark CPU or GPU intensive?
Ark is generally GPU-bound, meaning its performance is more limited by the graphics card than the CPU. However, the game does require a robust CPU.
5. Why is Ark so laggy in single player?
Lag in single player mode can occur if your computer does not meet the game’s system requirements, leading to unstable frame rates.
6. Why is my FPS suddenly capped in Ark?
This can be due to Vsync being enabled either in the game settings or through your graphics card’s control panel. It could also be due to a recent driver update or in-game setting change that has affected performance.
7. Why is my FPS capped at 60 when unplugged from power?
Laptops often implement power-saving features that limit performance on battery power. This is due to the laptop’s motherboard power settings.
8. What games are commonly capped at 60 FPS?
Some games have built-in frame rate limits, such as Assassin’s Creed IV, Need For Speed Most Wanted, Lost Planet 3, and Skyrim.
9. How do I increase FPS from 60 to 120?
Increase your FPS by ensuring that Vsync is turned off, your monitor is running at a refresh rate over 60hz, adjusting your game settings to lower graphic quality, and potentially upgrading your graphics card.
10. What is the refresh rate of Ark?
Ark does not inherently have a specific refresh rate. However, if you have a 165Hz monitor, then your maximum frame rate should be 165 Hz if you have Vsync disabled.
11. What is the command to cap frame rate in Ark?
The console command to cap frame rate in Ark is: t.maxfps # (replace # with the desired FPS).
12. Is Ark a GPU heavy game?
Yes, Ark is a GPU-intensive game. A dedicated graphics card is almost a necessity to achieve acceptable frame rates.
13. What is the best CPU for Ark?
For optimal performance, it is recommended to have a powerful CPU, such as an Intel Core i9 or AMD Ryzen 9 processor.
14. How much RAM does Ark use?
The server setup for Ark requires at least 6 GB of RAM. The client will likely use more.
15. Why is Ark on PC so big?
Ark’s large size, often reaching 400 GB or more, is due to the many expansion packs and maps included.
By understanding the factors that lead to FPS caps in Ark and applying the solutions provided, you can unlock higher frame rates and enjoy a smoother, more enjoyable gaming experience.