Why is Days Gone So Laggy? A Deep Dive into Performance Issues
Days Gone, a compelling open-world zombie survival game, can unfortunately suffer from performance issues on PC, leading to a laggy and frustrating experience for many players. The primary reason is often a combination of factors including unoptimized settings, demanding graphics, insufficient hardware, and background processes. Fine-tuning your in-game settings and ensuring your system meets the game’s demands are crucial steps to improving performance.
Understanding the Root Causes of Lag
Hardware Limitations
One of the most common reasons for lag in Days Gone is simply that your PC hardware doesn’t meet the game’s requirements. While the game can run on a variety of systems, optimal performance requires a reasonably powerful CPU, GPU, and sufficient RAM. Older or lower-end hardware will struggle to keep up, resulting in noticeable lag and stuttering.
Unoptimized Graphics Settings
Days Gone offers a wide range of graphics settings, and cranking them all up to the maximum can quickly overwhelm your system. Certain settings, like shadow quality, foliage draw distance, and lighting quality, are particularly demanding and can significantly impact performance. Choosing the right balance between visual fidelity and performance is key.
Background Processes
Having too many programs running in the background can eat up valuable system resources, leaving less for Days Gone. These background processes, such as web browsers, streaming services, or other games updating, can steal CPU power, memory, and disk bandwidth, leading to lag.
Driver Issues
Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers can also cause performance issues. Drivers are essential software that allows your operating system to communicate with your graphics card. Using the latest drivers ensures that your system is optimized for the game and can resolve potential compatibility issues.
Game Bugs and Optimization
Even with adequate hardware and optimized settings, Days Gone can still suffer from occasional lag due to inherent game bugs or optimization issues. While the PC port is generally well-received, some players may experience stuttering or frame rate drops in certain areas or during specific events.
Solutions to Combat Lag
Optimize Graphics Settings
The first step in improving performance is to adjust your graphics settings. Start by lowering the most demanding settings, such as shadow quality, lighting quality, and foliage draw distance. Experiment with different combinations to find a balance that provides acceptable visual fidelity without sacrificing performance. The article mentions optimized settings as:
- FIELD OF VIEW: 90 (PERSONAL PREFERENCE)
- CHROMATIC ABERRATION: ON (PERSONAL PREFERENCE)
- MOTION BLUR: ON (PERSONAL PREFERENCE)
- LIGHTING QUALITY: HIGH (USE VERY HIGH IF YOU HAVE SPARE FPS)
- GEOMETRY QUALITY: HIGH
- FOLIAGE DRAW DISTANCE: VERY HIGH
- SHADOW QUALITY: HIGH
- CLOUD AND FOG QUALITY: LOW
- TEXTURE …
Close Unnecessary Background Processes
Before launching Days Gone, close any unnecessary programs running in the background. Use Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) to identify and close resource-intensive applications. This will free up valuable system resources for the game.
Update Graphics Drivers
Ensure you have the latest graphics drivers installed for your graphics card. Visit the NVIDIA or AMD website to download and install the most recent drivers. Doing so can significantly improve performance and stability.
Defragment Your Hard Drive (HDD Users)
If you are using a traditional hard drive (HDD), defragmenting it can improve performance. Defragmentation reorganizes the data on your hard drive, making it easier for the system to access the files needed to run the game. Solid state drives (SSDs) do not require defragmentation.
Upgrade Your Hardware
If you’ve tried all the software solutions and are still experiencing lag, it may be time to consider upgrading your hardware. Upgrading your CPU, GPU, or RAM can significantly improve performance. However, this is often the most expensive solution.
Verify Game File Integrity
Corrupted game files can also lead to performance issues. Verify the integrity of the game files through the Steam client. This process will identify and repair any damaged or missing files.
Adjust Power Settings
Make sure your power settings are set to “High Performance”. This setting will ensure that your system is using its maximum power to run the game. This can be found in the Windows Control Panel.
Disable Fullscreen Optimizations
Some users have reported that disabling fullscreen optimizations can improve performance. To do this, right-click on the Days Gone executable file, select “Properties,” go to the “Compatibility” tab, and check the “Disable fullscreen optimizations” box.
Monitor Temperatures
Overheating can cause performance issues. Monitor your CPU and GPU temperatures while playing the game. If temperatures are too high, consider cleaning out the dust from your system or improving your cooling solution.
FAQ: Days Gone Lag and Performance Issues
1. Is Days Gone optimized for PC?
Days Gone is generally considered a solid PC port, but optimization can vary depending on your hardware configuration. While the game runs well on powerful systems, lower-end PCs may require significant tweaking to achieve acceptable performance. The article mentions that “With a unique built-in optimization system, it is the ultimate PC video game optimization tool suitable for various hardware specifications.“
2. Why does my game feel laggy even with good FPS?
Even with a decent frame rate, you might experience lag due to frame time spikes or stuttering. This can be caused by various factors, including CPU bottlenecks, background processes, or driver issues.
3. What are the best settings for Days Gone PC?
The best settings depend on your hardware. Start by lowering shadow quality, lighting quality, and foliage draw distance. Experiment with different combinations to find the optimal balance between visuals and performance.
4. Does Days Gone run well on low-end PCs?
Days Gone can be challenging to run well on low-end PCs. You’ll need to significantly lower the graphics settings and potentially reduce the resolution to achieve a playable frame rate. Upgrading hardware is the most effective solution.
5. How do I fix stuttering in Days Gone?
To fix stuttering, try the following:
- Lower graphics settings.
- Close background processes.
- Update graphics drivers.
- Disable fullscreen optimizations.
- Verify game file integrity.
6. Will more RAM help with lag in Days Gone?
Yes, more RAM can definitely help, especially if you have 8GB or less. 16GB of RAM is generally recommended for smooth performance in modern games like Days Gone.
7. Is an SSD necessary for Days Gone?
While not strictly necessary, an SSD can significantly improve loading times and reduce stuttering. The game will load faster, and the overall experience will be smoother.
8. How can I monitor my FPS in Days Gone?
You can monitor your FPS using the Steam overlay or by using third-party software like MSI Afterburner.
9. Can overclocking my CPU/GPU improve performance?
Overclocking can potentially improve performance, but it also carries the risk of instability and overheating. Proceed with caution and ensure you have adequate cooling.
10. Why is my game lagging even though my internet is good?
If you are playing offline, internet speed is irrelevant to the game’s performance. Lag in Days Gone is primarily related to hardware and software issues on your PC.
11. What is the hardest horde in Days Gone?
According to the article, the Old Sawmill Horde is considered the biggest and most challenging.
12. What is the best skill to get first in Days Gone?
The article suggests Field Repairs is one of the best early skills as it allows you to repair melee weapons.
13. Does changing the resolution affect performance?
Yes, lowering the resolution will almost always improve performance. This reduces the workload on your GPU and can significantly increase frame rates.
14. Why is my game lagging even with good FPS?
This can be due to inconsistent frame times, which cause stuttering despite a high average FPS. Analyze frame time graphs to identify the source of the issue.
15. Where can I learn more about game optimization and performance?
You can find valuable information on game optimization and performance at various online forums, tech websites, and communities dedicated to PC gaming. You might also explore resources from organizations such as the Games Learning Society to understand how game design and technology intersect. More information can be found at GamesLearningSociety.org.
By addressing these potential issues and implementing the suggested solutions, you can significantly improve the performance of Days Gone and enjoy a smoother, more immersive gaming experience. Remember to experiment with different settings and configurations to find what works best for your specific hardware.