Improve your FPS in ARK.

My personal FPS fix:

• NOTE - THIS GUIDE IS OLD BUT STILL WORKS
  
  
• I NO LONGER USE THIS FIX, MEANING AT ANY TIME IT COULD STOP WORKING OR MAKE YOUR FPS WORSE WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE. CONTINUE AT YOUR OWN RISK.
  
  
• CURRENT KNOWN PROBLEMS:
  ON SOME CUSTOM MAPS THE SKY WILL RENDER BLACK.
  SINGLEPLAYER WILL NOT LOAD.
  
  Not all people have these problems.
  If you DO have issues with the sky, remove the d3d10 launch parameter. As of 2017, Direct X 10 will actually make your FPS worse than the default setting (which is now Direct X 12) unless you have an extremely slow PC.

ᅚ

• ＷＡＲＮＩＮＧ:

THIS GUIDE WAS MADE IN EARLY 2015 AND I HAVE NO PLANS OF UPDATING IT.
SOME SETTINGS ARE NOT COVERED AND HAVE NOT BEEN UPDATED FOR THE LATEST VERSIONS.
SINCE LATE 2017, THE GAME HAS BEEN OPTIMIZED A TON INCLUDING HAVING DIRECT X 12 SUPPORT WHICH SHOULD GIVE BETTER PERFORMANCE ON NEWER PCS RATHER THAN USING DIRECT X 10, AS SUGGESTED IN THIS GUIDE. IF YOU REALLY CAN'T RUN ARK THEN IT ISN'T AN ISSUE WITH SETTINGS ANYMORE, IT'S AN ISSUE WITH YOU NEEDING TO UPGRADE YOUR PC.

I no longer use these settings for the above reasons, continue at your own risk.
If you still want to go ahead and try, there is a guide at the bottom for how to undo these settings if it goes wrong.

Hello, I've seen several guides to FPS fixes but I feel none of them cover every possible setting. The following fixes will be for game files ONLY so If you would like to optimise your PC for gaming I advise you look up some guides online for that. This guide is simply for boosting the game using Steam, file editing and in-game settings.

The launch parameters I suggest you'll need:

"-high" In layman's terms this puts the game high on the task manager's CPU list so it has a higher priority over other programs. - Debunked as having little to no FPS impact.
ᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚ~
"-useallavailablecores" Makes sure your PC uses all your CPU cores while running the game.
ᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚ~
"-sm4" or "Shader Model 4" uses a lower shader model than ARK runs at, giving you better FPS.
ᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚ~
"-d3d10" Uses Direct X 10 which is a lower version that ARK runs at, giving you better FPS.
ᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚᅚ~
"-nomansky" Is an ARK command and uses a lower quality version of the sky, giving you better FPS.

To use launch parameters go to Steam; right click ARK; go to properties; set launch options; then paste in "-high -useallavailablecores -sm4 -d3d10 -nomansky" without the quotation marks. Then click OK. You've done with your launch parameters.

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Now in the Steam window you previously opened called "ARK: Survival Evolved - Properties" click "Local files" and then "Browse local files" and it should open a new window. Click "ShooterGame"; then go into "Saved"; now "Config"; and one more time into "WindowsNoEditor".

There should be a file called "GameUserSettings.ini" open this with Notepad, Wordpad or Notepad++.

Delete everything inside it and paste this:


[/script/shootergame.shootergameusersettings]
MasterAudioVolume=0.317460
MusicAudioVolume=0.412698
SFXAudioVolume=0.519841
CameraShakeScale=0.000000
bFirstPersonRiding=True
bThirdPersonPlayer=False
bShowStatusNotificationMessages=True
TrueSkyQuality=0.000000
FOVMultiplier=1.250000
GroundClutterDensity=0.000000
bFilmGrain=False
bMotionBlur=False
bUseDFAO=False
bUseSSAO=True
bShowChatBox=False
bCameraViewBob=False
bInvertLookY=False
bFloatingNames=True
bChatBubbles=False
bJoinNotifications=True
bCraftablesShowAllItems=True
LookLeftRightSensitivity=1.000000
LookUpDownSensitivity=1.000000
GraphicsQuality=4
ActiveLingeringWorldTiles=12
bUseVSync=False
ResolutionSizeX=1920
ResolutionSizeY=1080
LastUserConfirmedResolutionSizeX=1920
LastUserConfirmedResolutionSizeY=1080
WindowPosX=-1
WindowPosY=-1
bUseDesktopResolutionForFullscreen=False
FullscreenMode=1
LastConfirmedFullscreenMode=1
Version=5
bHideServerInfo=False
LastServerSearchType=2
LastServerSearchHideFull=False
LastServerSearchProtected=False
HideItemTextOverlay=True
bDistanceFieldShadowing=True
LODScalar=1.000000
HighQualityMaterials=False
HighQualitySurfaces=False
bTemperatureF=False
bDisableTorporEffect=True
VoiceAudioVolume=1.277778
bLocalInventoryShowAllItems=False
bRemoteInventoryShowAllItems=False
ClientNetQuality=3
bToggleToTalk=False
bChatShowSteamName=True
bChatShowTribeName=True
EmoteKeyBind1=0
EmoteKeyBind2=0
bNoBloodEffects=False
bLowQualityVFX=True
MacroCtrl0=
MacroCtrl1=
MacroCtrl2=
MacroCtrl3=
MacroCtrl4=
MacroCtrl5=
MacroCtrl6=
MacroCtrl7=
MacroCtrl8=
MacroCtrl9=
bSpectatorManualFloatingNames=False

[ScalabilityGroups]
sg.ResolutionQuality=100
sg.ViewDistanceQuality=3
sg.AntiAliasingQuality=0
sg.ShadowQuality=2
sg.PostProcessQuality=0
sg.TextureQuality=2
sg.EffectsQuality=0
sg.TrueSkyQuality=0
sg.GroundClutterQuality=0
sg.IBLQuality=0
sg.HeightFieldShadowQuality=2

[SessionSettings][/script/engine.gamesession]

[AdminPassword]
Password=
ServerPassword=



Now save and close it.

ᅚ

Inside the same folder as the pervious file, open up "Engine.ini" and again, delete everything and paste this in:



[/script/engine.renderersettings]
r.DefaultFeature.Bloom=False
r.DefaultFeature.AutoExposure=False
r.DefaultFeature.MotionBlur=False
r.DefaultFeature.LensFlare=False
r.EarlyZPass=0
r.SSAOSmartBlur=0
r.HZBOcclusion=0
r.AmbientOcclusionLevels=0
r.BloomQuality=0
r.DepthOfFieldQuality=0
r.SSR.Quality=0
r.SSS.Scale=0
r.SSS.SampleSet=0
r.DetailMode=0
r.LensFlareQuality=0
r.MaxAnisotropy=0
r.oneframethreadlag=1
r.LightShaftQuality=0
r.RefractionQuality=0
r.ExposureOffset=0.3
r.ReflectionEnvironment=0
r.Atmosphere=0
r.Shadow.MaxResolution=2
r.SimpleDynamicLighting=0
r.UpsampleQuality=0
r.ViewDistanceScale=0.4
r.TrueSkyQuality=0[/script/shootergame.shooterengine]
bFirstRun=False
FrameRateCap=200
FrameRateMinimum=200

[Core.System]
Paths=../../../Engine/Content
Paths=../../../ShooterGame/Content
Paths=../../../Engine/Plugins/Experimental/CharacterAI/Content
Paths=../../../Engine/Plugins/TrueSkyPlugin/Content

[SystemSettings]
TEXTUREGROUP_World=(MinLODSize=1,MaxLODSize=2,LODBias=0,MinMagFilter=aniso,MipFilter=point)
TEXTUREGROUP_WorldNormalMap=(MinLODSize=1,MaxLODSize=2,LODBias=0,MinMagFilter=aniso,MipFilter=point)
TEXTUREGROUP_WorldSpecular=(MinLODSize=1,MaxLODSize=2,LODBias=0,MinMagFilter=aniso,MipFilter=point)
TEXTUREGROUP_Character=(MinLODSize=1,MaxLODSize=4,LODBias=0,MinMagFilter=aniso,MipFilter=point)
TEXTUREGROUP_CharacterNormalMap=(MinLODSize=1,MaxLODSize=4,LODBias=0,MinMagFilter=aniso,MipFilter=point)
TEXTUREGROUP_CharacterSpecular=(MinLODSize=1,MaxLODSize=4,LODBias=0,MinMagFilter=aniso,MipFilter=point)
TEXTUREGROUP_Weapon=(MinLODSize=1,MaxLODSize=64,LODBias=0,MinMagFilter=aniso,MipFilter=point)
TEXTUREGROUP_WeaponNormalMap=(MinLODSize=1,MaxLODSize=64,LODBias=0,MinMagFilter=aniso,MipFilter=point)
TEXTUREGROUP_WeaponSpecular=(MinLODSize=1,MaxLODSize=64,LODBias=0,MinMagFilter=aniso,MipFilter=point)
TEXTUREGROUP_Vehicle=(MinLODSize=1,MaxLODSize=256,LODBias=0,MinMagFilter=aniso,MipFilter=point)
TEXTUREGROUP_VehicleNormalMap=(MinLODSize=1,MaxLODSize=256,LODBias=0,MinMagFilter=aniso,MipFilter=point)
TEXTUREGROUP_VehicleSpecular=(MinLODSize=1,MaxLODSize=256,LODBias=0,MinMagFilter=aniso,MipFilter=point)
TEXTUREGROUP_Cinematic=(MinLODSize=1,MaxLODSize=128,LODBias=0,MinMagFilter=aniso,MipFilter=point)
TEXTUREGROUP_Effects=(MinLODSize=1,MaxLODSize=128,LODBias=0,MinMagFilter=linear,MipFilter=point)
TEXTUREGROUP_EffectsNotFiltered=(MinLODSize=1,MaxLODSize=128,LODBias=0,MinMagFilter=aniso,MipFilter=point)
TEXTUREGROUP_Skybox=(MinLODSize=1,MaxLODSize=256,LODBias=0,MinMagFilter=aniso,MipFilter=point)
TEXTUREGROUP_UI=(MinLODSize=1,MaxLODSize=256,LODBias=0,MinMagFilter=aniso,MipFilter=point)
TEXTUREGROUP_Lightmap=(MinLODSize=1,MaxLODSize=8,LODBias=0,MinMagFilter=aniso,MipFilter=point)
TEXTUREGROUP_Shadowmap=(MinLODSize=1,MaxLODSize=2,LODBias=0,MinMagFilter=aniso,MipFilter=point,NumStreamedMips=3)
TEXTUREGROUP_RenderTarget=(MinLODSize=1,MaxLODSize=128,LODBias=0,MinMagFilter=aniso,MipFilter=point)
TEXTUREGROUP_MobileFlattened=(MinLODSize=1,MaxLODSize=2,LODBias=0,MinMagFilter=aniso,MipFilter=point)
TEXTUREGROUP_Terrain_Heightmap=(MinLODSize=1,MaxLODSize=2,LODBias=0,MinMagFilter=aniso,MipFilter=point)
TEXTUREGROUP_Terrain_Weightmap=(MinLODSize=1,MaxLODSize=2,LODBias=0,MinMagFilter=aniso,MipFilter=point)

[Oculus.Settings]
bChromaAbCorrectionEnabled=True
bYawDriftCorrectionEnabled=True
bDevSettingsEnabled=False
bOverrideIPD=False
bOverrideStereo=False
bOverrideVSync=True
VSync=False
bOverrideScreenPercentage=False
bAllowFinishCurrentFrame=True
bLowPersistenceMode=True
bUpdateOnRT=False
FarClippingPlane=0.000000
NearClippingPlane=0.000000

[WindowsApplication.Accessibility]
StickyKeysHotkey=False
ToggleKeysHotkey=False
FilterKeysHotkey=False
StickyKeysConfirmation=False
ToggleKeysConfirmation=False
FilterKeysConfirmation=False



Save and close it.

ᅚ

You can now use High/Medium graphics but you will get more FPS than you would on normal low settings. Ultra should be used on settings that do not cause FPS fluctuations.

The in-game settings I suggest using:

(By default, these are already on.)

Resolution: Your screen resolution. (It's likely to be 1920x1080.)
Window Mode: Fullscreen (Windowed fullscreen if you have dual monitors.)
Graphics Quality: Custom
Resolution Scale: All the way to the top
World Tile Buffers: Epic
View Distance: Epic
Anti-Aliasing: Low
Post Processing: Low
General Shadows: High
Terrain Shadows: High
Textures: High
Sky Quality: All the way to the bottom
Ground Clutter: All the way to the bottom
Motion Blur: Off
Film Grain: Off
Distance Field Ambient Occlusion: Unable to turn on
Screen Space Ambient Occlusion: On
Dynamic Tessellation: off
Distance Field Shadowing: On
High Quality Materials: Off
Sub Surface Scattering: Off
High Quality VFX: Off
Mesh Level of Detail: All the way to the top
Client Network Bandwidth: Epic



What this looks like: http://images.akamai.steamusercontent.com/ugc/643246305005326465/447B2133350A4540BB5E979C747D531760C58B68/

If you're still getting poor FPS add -lowmemory as a launch parameter.
If you're still getting poor FPS after that set all ingame settings to
low except resolution scale because although it does affects FPS it is unplayable on lower settings and makes your game look extremely blurry and hard to play on or see characters in the distance. Resolution scale looks pretty horrible on anything but Ultra. I would suggest upgrading your PC if you have to use this setting since it heavily affects your gameplay, although I use a GTX970, i7 3770 and 8GB DDR3 and still get 60-70fps using these settings so I understand that upgrading your PC may not be an option. Waiting for ARK to become optimised might be your only solution in this matter. I highly advise you do not change your resolution scale from the max setting no matter what.

And if you're STILL getting poor FPS after these additional edits go to
the Engine.ini again and find where it says "r.SimpleDynamicLighting=0"
and change the 0 to a 1. If you do this, make sure to change your monitor
brightness because at nights it will be much darker than usual. What this
setting does is make all light render from the sun, and the sun only.
This means fires and torches will glow but not light up the surrounding area
and even glare from metal will not be rendered, making all metal objects
matt black.

ᅚ ᅚ ᅚ ᅚ ᅚ ᅚ ᅚ ᅚ ᅚ ᅚ ᅚVERY IMPORTANT:

ᅚ ᅚ ᅚ ᅚ ᅚ ᅚ ᅚ ᅚ ᅚ ᅚ How to UNDO these settings.

Go back to the launch parameters in Steam; right click ARK; go to properties; set launch options; delete everything inside the text box. Then click OK. You've done with your launch parameters.

Now in the Steam window you previously opened called "ARK: Survival Evolved - Properties" click "Local files" and then "Browse local files" and it should open a new window. Click "ShooterGame"; then go into "Saved"; now "Config" and delete the folder called "WindowsNoEditor". Now, ARK will not launch without this file. To fix this, back to the ARK window (right click ARK, then click properties to open the window) click the "Local Files" tab again but this time press "Verify integrity of game cache" this will scan your ARK files to see if anything is missing, and when it finds that WindowsNoEditor is missing it will redownload the stock version of it.

I use these settings and have not been banned for doing so, and the developers are aware of it. You cannot be banned for changing file settings and launch parameters are a system Steam uses itself, so will not cause any problems. I've used these settings before they added VAC protection and after they added VAC protection and I am still fine.

[Magonis]

n00bber NOOB I DONT STILL HAWE FPS IN GAME IIIIIDJOOOTOEEE

[Semirotta]

@Stunt95_2
Not really, all you need to do is use these launch options and your game will run smoother:
-useallavailablecores -lowmemory -nomansky -norhithread -high -novsync -sm4 -d3d10

if you feel like the game is crashing, you can remove -sm4 and -d3d10 which most likely drops the fps a little but has way less crashing.

[Stunt95]

Does this still work?

A friend of mine broke his R9 290 and is now forced to play with his old card until he gets the new one.

Old card is HD7850.

It barely manages to play the game. He has somewhat between 50 and 70 fps... so far so good... but GPU is at 100% all the time.

Any suggestions?

[Semirotta]

Directx 12 has been in ARK long time already.

[Gilgames]

@Space you said:

"...worse than the default setting (which is now Direct X 12)..."

Wait, so DX12 is finally here?

[Semirotta]

Yeah I don't use system explorer etc. those programs you suggest. Most of them usually are just malware programs that pretend to do good but hidden in the background they do more bad. Especially these defragment programs.
Also I am on Win 10 (had to change even though I didnt want but the free download was closing in)

[Semirotta]

I just hate that this game runs so poorly. I used to have 60+ fps all the time but these days it's down to 30-50. I have tried to look for guides how to increase fps without losing much of the quality but it just don't seem to be possible. Can't use this since my sky stays black no matter what i try to change it won't come back. Deleted the engine.ini to see if that fixes.

[Mohammad Ayyoob al-Daoud]

@Space this helped me so much thanks

[Semirotta]

Don't know why but I get black sky and it kind a feels like night time 24/7 because of that...

[ML]

BEST GUIDE EVER