How to improve FPS in Baldur's Gate 3 (PC)
Baldur's Gate 3 uses Larian Studios' Divinity Engine 4, with a very high level of visual detail for an RPG. The game supports DLSS and FSR (added in post-launch patches) and has granular settings. The most well-known problem is Act 3 (the city of Baldur's Gate), which has a severe CPU bottleneck due to NPC, dialogue, and urban geometry density. Acts 1 and 2 outdoor areas are more GPU-demanding.
This is what you'd gain with a NVIDIA RTX 4060
Calculations based on our FPS model combined with the % gain of each setting (measured in public benchmarks). Calculate your exact FPS with your own hardware →
1. Quick wins (no visual loss)
Start here. Each one adds a little, but together they give +12% free FPS.
Depth of Field
BG3's DoF blurs the background during conversations and cutscenes. Off gives a sharper image with no gameplay loss.
Motion Blur
Motion Blur Off gives a cleaner image during camera movement.
Film Grain
Artificially added film grain. Off gives a cleaner image.
Chromatic Aberration
Chromatic aberration at screen edges adds nothing in an RPG. Always off.
2. Medium impact settings
Here's where most of the FPS is. Minor visual impact, major performance impact.
Volumetric Clouds
BG3's volumetric clouds are among the most GPU-expensive settings. Off or Low in exteriors gives one of the biggest FPS jumps available, especially in Act 1 (Gloomy Forest, exterior camp).
Shadow Quality
Shadow Quality Ultra in BG3 has significant GPU cost compared to High. High maintains good shadow quality with clear performance savings.
Ambient Occlusion
HBAO+ in BG3 has higher cost than SSAO with small visual difference. SSAO offers good results with better performance.
Level of Detail
Level of Detail Ultra in BG3 loads maximum-complexity models at greater distances. High gives the same visual result at the player's usual camera point with real CPU/GPU savings.
Terrain Tessellation
Terrain Tessellation Ultra has real GPU cost in BG3. High is indistinguishable from the game's isometric perspective.
3. Upscaling (DLSS / FSR / XeSS)
The biggest gain in the game. Compatible with almost any modern GPU.
DLSS Quality (NVIDIA RTX)
+30% FPSDLSS in BG3 was added in post-launch patches and works well. Quality is the recommended mode for best image. For Act 3, consider DLSS Balanced to maintain stable FPS.
FSR Quality (AMD y NVIDIA no-RTX)
+22% FPSFSR Quality in BG3 gives good image at 1080p. Available for all GPUs. Especially useful in Act 3 to compensate for the CPU bottleneck.
DLSS Frame Generation (RTX 40-series)
+50% FPSOnly if you already have 60+ base FPS in Act 3. Frame Generation doubles perceived FPS. In BG3 (slow-paced game), the added latency of FG is less problematic than in a shooter.
4. Tips by GPU
NVIDIA
- •DLSS Quality is practically mandatory on RTX to play BG3 at high visual quality in Act 3. The city of Baldur's Gate is very demanding.
- •For RTX 40-series: Frame Generation + DLSS Quality is the premium configuration — very smooth experience even in Act 3.
- •Resizable BAR gives 2-4% in BG3. Enable it in BIOS if your platform supports it.
AMD
- •FSR Quality is highly recommended for AMD in BG3 — especially in Act 3 where the CPU is the limiting factor.
- •SAM (Smart Access Memory) gives 3-5% in BG3. Enable it in BIOS.
- •AMD GPUs perform well in BG3 with no significant disadvantage versus NVIDIA when using FSR.
Sistema
- •Act 3 is the biggest performance challenge — expect 15-25% fewer FPS than in Acts 1-2. Adjust expectations and consider lowering settings before entering the city.
- •16 GB of RAM is the comfortable minimum for BG3 with mods. 32 GB recommended if you use many visual mods.
- •BG3 benefits from SSD storage for load times between areas and frequent quicksaving.
5. Known game issues
Severe CPU bottleneck in Act 3 (city of Baldur's Gate)
Act 3 has the highest density of NPCs, scripts, dialogues, and geometry in the game. Even with modern hardware (RTX 4070 + Ryzen 7 7700X), FPS can drop to 40-55 in crowded areas. It's an engine limitation, partially improved in patches.
Estado: Improved in patches 4.x (partial)
Stuttering during area transitions
BG3 has micro-stutters when entering new areas while assets load. An NVMe SSD significantly reduces this. Normal on the first visit to an area.
Memory leaks in very long sessions
In sessions of 4+ hours, BG3 can accumulate memory and show FPS degradation. Saving and restarting the game every few hours resolves the issue.
6. Frequently asked questions
How many FPS does an RTX 4060 get in BG3?▾
Why does Act 3 perform so poorly?▾
DLSS or FSR in BG3?▾
What setting gives the most FPS in BG3?▾
Want to know exactly how many FPS YOUR PC will get?
Enter your GPU and CPU in our calculator and measure the real impact of each setting.
Calculations based on consensus of technical sources and our own FPS model. More about our methodology →