Optimize your ARMA 3 with parameters

You've probably been scouring the internet wondering "How do I increase frames in Arma 3?" or "Arma 3 Running Slow", or "Arma 3 Low FPS"

In the following guide I will show you how to increase your performance in Arma 3 for up to 10% more frames per second in some cases.

Within the Arma 3 Launcher you have no doubt noticed the "Parameters" Tab on the left side. Inside of this you may have seen options that might be above your computer expertise, rest assured. I will run you through everything you need to know and explain each option we're going to use.

Step 1

Open the Arma 3 Launcher and select the "Parameters" Tab, then "All Parameters" at the top.

Step 2

Under the Platform: Section, click the Drop Down and select the correct bit for your system.

Step 3

Scroll down to the advanced options. Here we will be taking a look at the "CPU Count" option, click the checkbox on the left and select the corresponding cores for your CPU. This can be found by clicking the Start Menu, then right clicking on the "Computer" section, and selecting "Properties". For AMD Processors the number of cores is normally represented in the name, however if it is not shown. Take the name of your processor and Google It. Any of the results should show how many cores it is.

Explanation - If you have a 2 core processor, skip to step 5.

Step 4

Next we will take a look at the Extra Threads: option, click the checkbox next to the Extra Threads, File Operations, Texture Loading, and Geometry Loading options.

Explanation: By default Arma 3 processes Geometry Loading, Texture Loading, and File Operations all on the same thread. This can slow down load times and produce the "pop in effect" when moving around the map. If you have a processor with more than 2 cores, it is recommended to select this to increase performance and strain on a single CPU core.

Step 5

INTEL CPU ONLY - For intel CPU's only, we will be taking a look at the Enable Hyper-Threading option. This is an Intel CPU feature only and is not recommended to be activated on an AMD type CPU as it does not support hyper-threading.

Explanation - This will allow your processor to split into effectively two processors, one to handle physx and the other to handle debris or loading etc.

Step 6

64 BIT WINDOWS ONLY - If you selected the 64 Bit Option at the top of the launcher, you will select the "Enabled Large-page Support"

Explanation - This will allows the application to create large page memory regions, which will increase performance on a 64 Bit system and allow the RAM to work more efficiently.

Step 7

System Memory Limit - The System Memory Limit represents the amount of RAM (Random Access Memory) that the application is allowed to use. To find your Random Access Memory (RAM) click on the start menu once more, right click on My Computer, and then select "Properties". Your RAM should be displayed in Gigabytes. Take this number, for example if you have 16 Gigabytes, you would take 2 Gigabytes off of the total because those 2 GB are required for the Operating System to run smoothly. So now we have 14 GB's, we're going to multiply that by 1024 (Which is how many megabytes fit into a gigabyte). (16) 14 Gigabytes of RAM translates into 14336 MBs. This is the number we will be putting into the System Memory Limit tab.

Step 8

Video Memory Limit - This calculation is similar to the RAM section, however finding it is a little different. Right click on your desktop and select "Screen Resolution" (Not on Windows 10), then in the bottom right select "Advanced Settings". On the Adapter Tab the number we're looking for is "Total Available Graphics Memory". For instance, on my GTX 1080 I have 7893 MB, or about 8 Gigabytes of VRAM (Video Random Access Memory). Take this number and type it into the video memory limit and click the checkbox. This is different from the RAM section because the graphics card is able to use the entire VRAM rather than reserving 2 GB for the system.

Explanation - VRAM is used for texture resolution and post process effects. The more VRAM you have, the higher visual fidelity you can run. VRAM is used specifically by Anti-Aliasing, Post Processing, and Resolution Scaling.

Step 9

For this step we will take a look at the World: Checkbox, "Skip Logos at Start Up" and "Show Static Background in Menu". Select the checkbox and then the drop down and select "empty". Scroll to the top of the parameters and click the checkmark next to "Show Static Background in Menu" and "Skip Logos at Start Up"

Explanation - This will increase Arma 3 start up times because it will not load the intro cinematic or main screen background. Instead it will display an empty texture and will significantly increase load times.

[SabrePlays]

As Tobjv said you have some slightly wrong info, to know how much you can set just hover over the RAM and VRAM options and the popup will tell you the max you can set it to!

Also pressing "Ctrl+Shift+Esc" opens Task Manager on Windows 10/11, you can then click the "performance" tab, then click "CPU", it will tell you how many cores you have.

[ThreeThalatha]

To find CPU data on Win 11 just do Ctrl-Shift-Esc, and go into performance, it tells you all the data there now.

[Tobjv]

I know this post is oldish but can you update your VRAM to not include "Total Available Graphics Memory" they need to use just the VRAM.

[BRMateus]

AMD does support Simultaneous MultiThreading, which is exactly the same feature as "HyperThreading Technology" (marketing copyright) - AMD copyright is called Clustered MultiThreading (CMT) - I repeat, SMT, HTT and CMT are exactly the same multi-thread shit, what changes is on the architecture level and the kernel interfacing with the hardware.

[gman]

unlike OP i tested all these in YAAB and it makes no difference other than the intel malloc. buy a 5600x and fast ram for more fps. shitty parrot guide

[bat21]

Always remember. Never allow yourself to be overcome by the exuberance of your own verbosity.

[tnunes2009]

@Skyguard
The rest of the world does exist. Some have the money and time to play video games and many do not. Not all Americans are rich and not all of everyone else is poor. You seem to have the luxury to be playing games so throwing rocks at Rice Man Stan seems pretentious. Talking down to all "Americans" as being rich while arguing over what PC is best for leisure activities is comparable to people looking at someone's vacation home and saying "such a large vacation home is exuberance, where as my tasteful and quaint vacation cottage is more aligned with rest of the world." Hate to break it to you.

[Skyguard]

@Rice Man Stan
For you, Americans, that may be the case. I hate to break it to you, but the rest of the world exists. Some of us consider 300$ payroll to be a very decent one. Most have to live with less.

[CrowNake Yazdan]

h

[Nobody]

yes, but, a good gpu is needed to, a ryzen 5 more then tears through this game on ultra.
the only thing thats bottle necking met to 60ish fps at this point is my rx 570 but buy a graficscard rn lol.

cost more then ur entire pc, 4 ssds included