BF 2042 Tips, Part I: Settings - Comprehensive PC Settings Guide
This is the Settings overview of my Battlefield 2042 Tips. It's primarily aimed at improving performance, so do keep that in mind as relative visual acuity will obviously suffer. Also, some gamers may have developed various preferences which may detract from the settings below, but many folks will probably find the following to offer a moderate to massive improvement in performance and / or convenience. Mouse-specific settings are in bold / red text below. Over time, I'll add to or update the settings tips below. Comment if you have other suggestions, opinions, etc. to add to the list below. Out-of-Game Settings + Update your graphics card Do this first. If you already have the latest (or desired / most stable) driver, then move onto the next item. If you don't have the latest driver, then update your GPU's driver using the following, respective link. Nvidia users: https://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx AMD users: https://www.amd.com/en/support After updating your driver... Restart your computer. Note: if the game feels worse after you update your driver, you can rollback your drivers. This requires that you don't perform a clean installation when first installing your driver, as that wipes the previous driver from your computer before installing the driver. For NVIDIA users, you'll see a deselected (by default) checkbox when you you choose the custom/advanced installation method. + Go to Device Manager > Display Adapters (expand) > Right-click your GPU > Properties > Driver tab > Roll Back driver + Wired > Wireless Use a wired ethernet connection instead of a WiFi connection. Wireless is inherently slower and less reliable than a direct wire connection, all else constant. If your computer is a little too far from the modem to connect to, then it may prove worthwhile to invest in an (appropriate length) ethernet cable. If for some reason a wireless connection is the only option, then there are some settings on your (modem-)router that you can adjust yourself by going to "192.168.01" via your browser's address search. There you can adjust a myriad settings to your router to help mitigate connectivity issues, such as limiting which devices have access to your router, establishing a proper WiFi password, and removing guest accounts (i.e. is someone leeching off your internet?), along with more advanced options that require of you to research your specific device further. That said, if a wired mouse proves annoying to use due to the friction caused by the wire rubbing against the desk or items on and around the desk, some players resort to using a wireless mouse. An alternative solution would be to use a mouse bungee, which lifts up the mouse wire and clips it in place so that the wire doesn't catch elsewhere or otherwise cause resistance to your mouse movement. + Disable "Enhance pointer precision" This Windows feature makes your mouse movement inconsistent. You want the mouse pointer's distance to move in proportion with your mouse movement's distance traveled, as opposed to your mouse movement's speed. In other words, all else constant, if you quickly nudge your mouse a small distance, your mouse shouldn't change behavior and jump to the other side of the screen. Control Panel > Devices and Printers > Mouse > Pointer Options tab > Uncheck "Enhance pointer precision" Software from mouse manufacturers may have various mouse acceleration settings that you'll need to check. Make sure that you toggle Enhance Pointer Precision off for your respective mouse. If you're using the Logitech Gaming Software for your mouse, there's also an option that defaults-in the Enhance Pointer Precision, and overrides your Windows settings. Make sure that this is left unchecked. Here's an example for the Corsair Scimitar Pro RGB: Image Credit: @Carbonic + Disable Windows Fullscreen Optimization Disabling this Windows feature leads to fewer crashes when you ALT+TAB out of the game. This may also help with auto dimming issues with the monitor. Right click the Battlefield 2042 executable file > Properties > Compatibility tab: "Disable fullscreen optimizations" "Run this program as an administrator" Note: my options for the following are grayed out because I selected to "Change settings for all users". This has the added benefit of preventing misclicks on those checkboxes in the future. + Monitor Dimming Issues The previous setting to disable Windows fullscreen optimization may also help to prevent some instances where the monitor will dim in brightness while playing in fullscreen. If the issue persists, then check your power management settings. You can tweak it further by changing monitor settings, but at least have it set to something other than the Power Saver option. In Windows 10 > Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options: Select High performance or Balanced For NVIDIA users, make sure that you have at least the Battlefield 2042 executable file's setting for power management set to maximize performance. The example below sets it globally, which you can see also consequently applies it to BF2042. ORIGIN + Sending Error Reports Eliminate any further lag due to Origin by not sending data to Origin. Open Origin > Diagnostics > Help Improve Origin: Share hardware info: OFF Share system interaction data: OFF Origin crash reporting: Never send Origin > Diagnostics > Troubleshooting: Origin In-Game Logging + Notification Settings This can get very distracting and sounds/popups can appear at the most inopportune times. It's best to turn all sound and popup notifications to OFF. Origin > Top left corner "Origin" > Application Settings > Notifications: Deselect everything + FPS Unlike in previous Battlefields, creating a user.cfg file doesn't change the game, at least at the moment and with respect to the default FPS monitor that automatically appears on screen. If you don't mind pressing the console (~) key to enter the following each time (usually located right below the ESC key), you will get more info on how your computer's performing with respect to FPS. While in-game: Press console key (~) > type the following then press Enter: Perfoverlay.drawFPS 1 Alternatively, the next best option is to set the FPS counter on in Origin. You may also want to consider changing the transparency of the counter to a darker one, depending on how visually clear the FPS number appears to you. Open Origin > Top left corner "Origin" > Application Settings > Origin In-Game: Display FPS Counter > Top Right (Default; choose where you want the FPS counter to appear) Note that you will need to enable Origin In-Game to display this FPS counter. Also make sure that Origin In-Game is set to ON under game properties if you made that change (this is set to ON by default). Furthermore, depending on any updates, the quick key for Origin-In Game may/will still function, despite it being set to off. Since the quick key is SHIFT+F1, you may be vulnerable to accidentally activating it. If you don't use it often or at all, I set this to a very difficult combo to accidentally trigger Origin In-Game, e.g. SHIFT+Pause (the same applies to the Window pinning keyboard shortcut): Origin In-Game keyboard shortcut: <Your preference> Window pinning keyboard shortcut: <Your preference> As a bit of an overview of optimizing your FPS... I like to think of it like rhythm, or analogous to clapping on beat to a song. If you have say a 60 Hz monitor, then 120 FPS in-game is at double its rhythm and is on beat. Basically, a whole number factor of your monitor's native refresh rate jibes well. If you're playing "off beat" at say 83 FPS, then the frame rate is not synced, and you'll see that mismatch in-game (e.g. screen tears). This is part of the point of V-Sync and framerate limiters - to sync the FPS produced with what your monitor can handle, to produce a smooth visual experience. A few FPS off won't really make a difference, but the more off you are will cause screen tears and other non-desirable effects. First, go to a V-sync monitor test site such as vsynctester.com and find out your true refresh rate. Although my native refresh rate was supposedly at 59.94 Hz, the real world test showed that it was a little under that, closer to 59.5 Hz. Next, find out what your in-game FPS typically peaks at, or take the mode (the most consistent FPS value). Then take your refresh rate and multiply it by the highest whole number within your peak / mode FPS value. For instance, if you have a real refresh rate of 59.5 and you max out your in-game FPS at 130, your maximum value is 119. This 119 value is set as the "framerate limit" value in RTSS. I find myself playing at a much more consistent and constant refresh rate of 119 without volatility, which helps with consistent shooting (i.e. the FPS doesn't keep jumping all over the place from say, 130 down to 119 to 125 to 119, etc.). + NVIDIA Control Panel (for NVIDIA users): Ensure that you're using your monitor's native resolution, and at its maximum refresh rate. Right-click Desktop > NVIDIA Control Panel > Display > Change Resolution: Resolution (Native) Refresh Rate (Highest) You will also want to take advantage of the full dynamic range of colors. + In the NVIDIA Control Panel go to Video > Adjust Video Color Settings > 2. How do you make color adjustments? > With the NVIDIA settings > Advanced tab: Dynamic Range: Full (0-255) + Enable DX12 By default, DX12 is set to OFF in Battlefield 2042. However, I've noticed that I get a substantial FPS boost when I have it turned on. This of course depends on which model GPU you have (e.g. 1080 Ti and later versions, and the AMD equivalent are the GPUs that appear to benefit from DX12 ON). However, this setting is not found in the in-game Options settings. You will have to go into the game files and turn DX12 on there. The default is set to 0, so you want to set it to 1. Note: Before you do this, it's prudent to save a copy of this original file in case you accidentally make unwanted changes. You can save this to your desktop or wherever you like. Go to This PC > Documents > Settings > PROFSAVE_profile > Right Click Open With > Notepad GetRender.Dx12Enabled 1 + Mouse DPI & Sensitivity This is a contentious topic with lots of theories on how to maximize your performance. In reality, it's all relative to your setup and your play style preference. Other mouse settings are in bold red headers above and below this section. Although a higher DPI will offer a smoother mouse movement, the trade-off is that precision aiming becomes too volatile - the slightest nudge will throw your aim off. That's why in some games like CS:GO, the tried and true way to go is low DPI (i.e. 400-800) and low sensitivity. However, there are many other factors to consider, including but not limited to monitor size, resolution, distance to monitor, mouse movement style, etc. You will basically have to do some trial and error to fine tune your mouse's settings to maximize your performance. Here's one method to manually fine tune your mouse: Set your DPI to a factor of your resolution scale: if you're playing at 4K, or 3840 x 2160, then you can try a dpi of 3840*0.5= 1920. Your mouse may only allow you to set your DPI in increments of 50, 100, etc. In which case, round to the value closest to your target number. In our case, that'll be 1900 when you have increments of 50. Next, go to the practice range to test out how your mouse feels. If you tend to drag your mouse with your arm, take the maximum distance of your horizontal mouse movement (typically the lateral width of your mouse pad), look straight ahead at a reference object (e.g. a pole), and drag your mouse all the way across to the other end of your mouse pad. You should end up at the same reference object, i.e. you should have done a single 360° rotation. If not, tweak your sensitivity accordingly, and do the 360° test again until you end up at the same reference point. If it still feels awkward, then that's when you modify your mouse DPI (e.g. from 1900 down to 1800); you'll have to readjust your sensitivity after you do another 360° test. Keep repeating these steps until you are comfortable moving, turning, shooting, aiming, etc. Now, if you're a wrist user, instead of using your entire mouse pad width as your distance, you'll want to measure the actual maximum distance traveled as you pivot with your wrist. That is, measure the horizontal distance you actually travel with your mouse as you do a 360° turn. The rest of the methodology from the arm-mouse player applies. + Close all other programs when playing This is a bit self-explanatory. Depending on your computer's hardware setup, this alone may help you see a marked decrease in in-game lag. Make sure to close all other programs such as internet browsers, and don't forget to close any unnecessary background processes. + Latency Variation (FIX)- If you get the symbol below, you are having latency variation issues. That basically means that your latency, or "ping", is not consistent or stable enough, which may be responsible for a significant amount of lag on your end. To resolve this issue, I've found that a hard reset of the modem/router works best. 1. Unplug your modem's power for 5 minutes. 2. Plug it back in, and wait 2 minutes as it loads back up. 3. Repeat these first 2 steps for the router. If you have a modem-and-router-in-one, then you can ignore step 3. If you're still experiencing issues with your modem, then you may want to dig a bit deeper and see if it may be a hardware issue. + Permanently set Battlefield 2042 to run on the highest priority by MaddoggMiranda 1. Press WINDOWS KEY + R 2. Type in "RegEdit" 3. Copy-Paste the following into the search bar, or manually navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options 4. Right-click on Image File Execution Options, and create a new Key called: BF2042.exe 5. Right-click on the BF2042.exe key, and create a new Key called: "PerfOptions" 6. Right-click on PerfOptions key, and create a new DWORD (32 BIT) called: "CpuPriorityClass" 7. Right-click and edit CpuPriorityClass, and change the value from 0 to 3. Make sure that it's hexadecimal. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In-Game Settings All of the following in-game settings are meant to focus on performance. Obviously then, the trade-off is that you will see a relative decline in visual quality. Keep that in mind as you consider the following in-game settings. Check out the screenshots and match them up. There are a lot of small and large impact settings to go through, so I'll leave it at simply showing you screenshots of what I have. And, just like the out-of-game settings from earlier, some of these settings minimize variability in your mouse's input so that it's more predictable and consistent. + Options - General Control Hints: OFF Share Usage Data: OFF* *Note: turning "Share Usage Data" to OFF prevents sites such as Battlefieldtracker.com to record your stats and display it online for you to see. You could turn it ON to check it, then turn it OFF afterwards. Your stats on that site will once again be set to private if you change it back to OFF. + Options - Display > Video, Part 1 Fullscreen Resolution: Native or equivalent ratio Refresh Rate: Maximum Field of View: 74+* Motion Blur: 0 *Note that a value of 74 is equal to a value of 90° in horizontal view. If you put the value at its max, then it becomes a 120° viewing angle (the actual viewing angle of humans in real life). You actually don't want this "real" value because your entire viewing angle is scrunched up onto the monitor, which makes objects harder to see the further away they are (unless you have an ultra wide monitor or multi-monitor setup). However, a value of 74 (90°) basically mimics your actual depth perception and cuts off the periphery. In other words, for most single monitors, a value of 74 is closer to how you actually see things in real life. This 74 value may or may not equate to a different horizontal degree value than 90, depending on your monitor's screen size, resolution, etc, but for most monitors it's at or close to it. + Options - Display > Video, Part 2 Chromatic Aberration: OFF Film Grain: OFF Vignette: OFF Lens Distortion: OFF Graphics Quality > Custom: All set to LOW or OFF + Options - Display > HUD General Control Hints: OFF Reactive Hints: OFF HUD Motion: OFF Camera Shake Amount: 20 (Lowest) + Options - Display > Crosshair: Crosshair Projection: OFF Options - Sound > Audio: Music Volume: 0 Options - Sound > Subtitles: Subtitles: OFF (unless you need it) + Options - Mouse & Keyboard > Global: Mouse Raw Input: ON + Options - Mouse & Keyboard > On Foot: ADS Field of View: ON Uniform Solider Aiming: ON Always Use Traversal Sprint: ON (this is merely my preference; note that although traversal sprinting is faster than normal sprinting, your ADS time will be slower immediately out of a traversal sprint) + Options - Mouse & Keyboard > Vehicles: Vehicle Aim-Relative Controls: ON Uniform Vehicle Aiming: ON + Options - Accessibility > General: Play Incoming Text Chat as Speech: OFF Motion Blur: 0 Reduce Sprint Camera Motion: ON HUD Motion: OFF Camera Shake Amount: 20 (Lowest) Crosshair Projection: OFF Controller Vibration: OFF Control Hints: OFF + Options - Accessibility > Subtitles: Subtitles: OFF (unless you need it) + Key Bindings There are many changes you can make to key bindings, but I've found that the most prevalent frustration with mouse and keyboard users is for the plane. If you're struggling with flying aircrafts, then these control settings should help you tremendously. Some people like to change a key or two, but the following seems to work better than the default keybinds for most PC players. + Options - Mouse & Keyboard > Edit Key Bindings > Pilot > Movement: Throttle Up: L-Shift Throttle Down: S Yaw Right: D Yaw Left: A Pitch Up: W Pitch Down: SPACE Note: the pitch up and pitch down keys are intentionally reversed, due to the invert flight controls option set to ON. That means that in-game, the pitch up and down actions will be the SPACE and W keys, respectively. I elaborate on that more below. Note: there are two separate invert options in settings, which reverses your pitch keybinds for aircrafts and drones. Changing one should automatically change the other setting, but just in case, I'd double check them. If you set the invert aircraft controls to ON, then you'll have to reverse the throttle up and down keybinds (i.e. set pitch up to W and pitch down to Space bar, and playing in-game will have pitch up as Space bar and pitch down as W). The two places where you can find the invert aircraft options are as follows: Options - Mouse & Keyboard > Global: Invert Vertical Look - Aircraft Options - Mouse & Keyboard > Vehicles: Invert Vertical Look - Aircraft + What different in-game server symbols mean Sometimes, you may see the symbols below pop up on your screen if you're having various system or hardware issues. Of course, when it's a server side issue, there's nothing you can do besides perhaps switching servers or waiting for the problem to resolve. But for everything else, if you constantly see some of these symbols in-game, then it's time to address the problem. For more info on what each of the symbols mean, go here - the link is for BF4, but the explanation is the same: https://help.ea.com/en/help/battlefield/battlefield-v/battlefield-v-connection-troubleshooting/
