Overview
This guide provides a detailed analysis of graphics and performance settings for Total War: Warhammer 3, explaining the effects of each option on visuals and frame rate. The goal is to help players balance optimal performance and visual fidelity, with concise recommendations for various settings.
Benchmark Preset Comparisons
- Lowering presets from Ultra to Low in battles can double FPS, while reducing Ultra to High gives a 14 FPS boost.
- Campaign map presets offer smaller FPS differences; Ultra to Low yields about 70 FPS gain.
- VRAM requirements are high, with most presets needing 4GB or more; cards with less may struggle.
- RAM usage and 1% lows also improve significantly on lower presets.
Key Graphics Settings Analysis
- Anti-Aliasing: FXAA or TAA recommended; TAA High is unnecessary and costly on performance.
- Texture Filtering: 4X provides a good balance; minimal quality difference beyond this.
- Visual Effects: High is preferred; lower destroys effects for minimal performance gain.
- Tree Detail: Medium suggested for blend of visuals and performance; minor FPS differences.
- Unit Detail: Ultra recommended unless specific performance issues arise with certain factions.
- Depth of Field: Turn off for a small FPS bump and negligible visual impact.
- Screen Space Reflections: Off recommended; minimal loss in visuals, saves ≈9 FPS.
- Lighting: High is ideal for vibrancy; Low greatly boosts FPS but washes out colors.
- Corpse Lifespan: 120 seconds strikes a safe balance; permanent OK if hardware allows.
- Texture Quality: Ultra preferred; minimal FPS gain lowering this, but visuals suffer significantly.
- Shadows: Medium or High balance quality and FPS; avoid Extreme.
- Grass Detail: Low recommended for significant FPS gain; impacts density more than quality.
- Terrain Detail: High advised, as visual differences are minor and performance cost is low.
- Building Detail: Medium recommended; low affects statue quality.
- Unit Size: Large offers good visuals and performance; Ultra for best visuals if hardware permits.
- Port Hole Quality: No FPS difference; choose 2D or 3D based on preference.
- Fog: Low recommended, as visual impact is minimal and saves FPS.
Miscellaneous & Tick Box Settings
- Unlimited Video Memory: Keep off to avoid stutter when exceeding VRAM.
- VSync: Use if you experience screen tearing.
- Vignette, Proximity Fading, Cloth Simulation: Mostly personal preference; minor performance impact.
- SSAO: Keep on for richer visuals; off gives ≈6 extra FPS but flattens image depth.
- Sharpening: Off recommended to avoid eye strain for some users and save a minor amount of FPS.
- Screen Space Shadows: Off for better FPS; turn on for enhanced ground detail.
- Dismemberment: Off saves ≈2 FPS; blood DLC visuals remain.
- Blood FX Level: Set to 50% for a balanced look and 2-3 FPS gain.
Resolution & Scaling
- Lowering resolution or using resolution scaling can dramatically boost FPS but at great visual cost—use as a last resort.
- Windowed vs. Fullscreen mode shows minimal difference; use based on stability and preference.
Optimized vs. Ultra Preset Comparison
- Optimized settings provide ≈20 FPS gain in battles and ≈15 FPS on campaign maps with only modest visual compromise.
- Key optimized values: FXAA/TAA, texture filtering 4X, grass detail low, fog low, screen space effects off, blood at 50%.
Recommendations / Advice
- Tweak settings based on your preferred balance of visuals and performance using outlined guidance.
- Lowering lighting or further resolution scaling should only be done if significant extra FPS is needed.
- Use this guide to identify which settings impact your experience most, and adjust to fit your hardware and preferences.